Came here for a book release. Very little cute bookshop. I LOVE the way it was organized, but the selection seemed a but limited. Although, they did carry some limited/special editions. This was a far drive for me so I likely would not be back here. I think their book release parties can be a little more interactive. read more

This bookstore exceeded my expectations completely. I visited on a gorgeous sunny day in mid-autumn and was astounded by the charm of this little town, as well as Mount Holyoke Women's College. Located inside of the Village Square is tons of small shops and restaurants, one being the Odyssey Bookstore. Offering two levels of books, endless selections, and tons of cool merchandise, this bookstore will not leave you disappointed. Staff were so friendly and accommodating. I love that I was able to support a local, women-owned shop. Books were priced accordingly with tons of good deals available. I can't wait to make another trip out this way so I can visit again! read more

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Great and amazing book store with extras...like kids's items, scarves, Mount Holyoke College memorabilia...and lots of old photos of Romeo (who began the bookstore saga)...and of course, the Mount Holyoke College "homeland" significance! read more

Everything a small independent bookstore should do is done by the Odyssey. In addition to a wonderful selection of books and knowledgeable booksellers, they host author events, many book clubs, and community events. I've seen authors such as Dennis Lehane, Louise Penny, Garrison Keillor, David Sedaris, Rachel Maddow and Ann Cleeves at events hosted by this bookstore. read more

Why oh why aren't there more reviews of the Odyssey on Yelp? I guess because the masses in the Valley have yet to really use this site...anywho, the Odyssey is a hop, skip and a jump from the MHC campus. Boy are those girls lucky. For a fairly small store (although they are expanding later this month) they have a great selection of new and used books as well as textbooks for students. The staff is very helpful and they give discounts to MHC staff and faculty. I always make a point to stop in three sections: 1) New books, because they always highlight stuff I'm interested in 2) Autographed books, because they have an impressive selection of authors in the store speaking throughout the year 3) Staff picks, because they always have rad recommendations I wouldn't normally find on my own. I'm sure that the store is going to be even better once they expand and take over the lower floor of the building they're in. Then I might just give them that last star! read more

Best bookstore ever. Really. Every time I'm up here I make sure to get over to the Odyssey to get my special books. You can find things here that you can never find anywhere else, and they have a special section for Ma writers and those from Mount Holyoke College. They also have a great selection of fiction, mystery, used, kids books, calendars, and other random corners of the store. It's a big store (double decker) and you'll love it more than any chain store of equal size. read more

The Odyssey Book Shop is one of the mainstay independent book stores in the Pioneer Valley, and is notable for a great selection of signed first editions authored by the many writers and intellectuals who pass through the place on book reading tours. History buffs and those interested in current politics are particularly well catered to in this category. In fact, during my years at Mount Holyoke, I was able to snag signed copies of 1491, His Excellency George Washington, and even got to meet Howard Zinn at a reading of Voices of a Peoples History of the United States sponsored by shop in 2006. If you decide to visit, be sure to check out the tiny poetry shelf downstairs, where artfully bound collections published by local presses are slipped discreetly between heavier volumes of standard 19th century American fare. This is Dickinson country, after all. One last tip: The Odyssey has a virtual monopoly over textbook sales at Mount Holyoke College. For this reason your visits will be more productive if you avoid the first weeks of September and February, when half the floorspace is dedicated to textbooks, and the non-textbook stock becomes decimated by bored women waiting in the endless lines that form to purchase course materials. read more

This is THEE best book shop this side of the Mississippi. It's taken me some time to realize I need not travel to big-box book stores because this place has so much more to offer. The staff are wonderful and by "wonderful" I mean they are WONDERFUL! Out of this world service from actual booksellers who know and love literature. I recently joined their "First Editions Club" and the only way I can explain it is that it's like Christmas morning every month. The Odyssey staff carefully select a book that they feel is worthy of the spotlight and then offer it as a signed first edition copy to members. I don't know about you but what could be better than having knowledgeable book lovers hand-pick a book every month and say, "hey, we think you should read this because it's pretty awesome" and then you read it and agree that it is, in fact, awesome and you never would have known had it not been for the awesome folks at Odyssey recommending it to you? Bottom line: this place is awesome. Support LOCAL merchants and enjoy what Odyssey has to offer. read more

If you attend Mount Holyoke College and are too lazy to preorder your textbooks online, you will be forced into the Odyssey's strange game of soul-crushing submission. After you wait in long lines to buy your incredibly expensive textbooks, the Odyssey will give you a small card that they stamp for every $10 you helplessly yield to them during this textbook-buying process. For every $100 you spend, the man in the beard who works there will stop scowling for 2.5 seconds. Other than that, no one ever redeems those things. And P.S. your paper bags full of newly-bought books will break on the way back to your dorm. When you are done your classes, you may opt to sell your text books back to the Odyssey. All you have to do is load up all the books your arm muscles can manage and make the hike to the Village Commons (please leave your backpack outside). If it pleases the Odyssey, they may give you about 15 cents in return for the Con-Law book you paid $110 for three months ago. About 50% of the time, the Odyssey's computers will indicate that your book is no longer desirable to them, in which case the man in the beard will murmur disgustedly "Oh, we don't want *this*," and slide the book back over to you as if you had diarrheaed on it. If you accidentally decide to purchase your art class supplies at the O, beware. The paper is located upstairs. There is often some kind of Story-time held upstairs in the last hour or so before the store closes. This means that the store may close at 8:00 and you may show up at 7:15 begging for paper, but since Story-time began at 7:00, they will not sell you paper. No matter how hard you try to throw your money at the poor, independant book store, it will not interrupt Story-time to do business with you! So why did I give this place two stars instead of one? Well, because deep down I do love the Odyssey. I miss the long lines and the overpriced textbooks. I like the way they display their books in front, and I like the random knicknacks they sell near the greeting cards. Upstairs they have lots of fun kids' books and bargain-priced stuff. The Odyssey folks do work hard to bring speakers to lecture in S. Hadley -- sometimes even on the Mount Holyoke campus. Most of the people who work there are quite nice (excluding Beardy). And they usually give you free candy while you're waiting in the textbook lines. ...So actually, I guess it's not such a bad place after all. read more

Great selection of books, you can find pretty much all types of books there--probably around 30-40 books per subject. It's not a huge book store, but you can spend hours there browsing. They sell (overpriced) textbooks to Mt Holyoke students so the beginning of the semester is always the busiest time. read more

Odyssey Book Shop - Bookstores Near Me - South Hadley, Massachusetts

I came across Odyssey Books on a recent trip to South Hadley and could have easily spent the entire day there -- rummaging through the shelves and tables of used books, and poking around from section to section. I made some amazing discoveries (a "used" coffee table book on Saturn for $14? Yes, please!) and got my book fix for the day. (Come on, you know nothing beats the smell of books!) The shop has an amazing selection of titles ( ... and gifts ... and signed first editions ... and locally written gems ... ), and the prices are also on par with what you'd expect at one of those big box bookstores. But your dollar goes a lot farther here; support this independent, locally owned bookstore and see the funds go right back to the community by way of free author events, book signings, readings, etc. If you're lucky enough to live near this gem of a shop, please support it. read more

To Emily who so patiently sought out an (almost) impossible version of Shakespeare's plays, my unending thanks and "I owe you" and promise I shall buy from the bookstore one day. To the owner of Odyssey, my deep and heartfelt thanks for hosting a book club on Shakespeare's plays--moderated by the irreplaceable Arthur of the Renaissance Center at UMass. When I tell people, sorry that I'm busy once a month with such an endeavor--there is a shock and a sense of amazement. Whoever thought of that. A Shakespeare Bookclub. read more

Classic small-town bookstore, great for checking out the latest bestsellers or getting stationary and gifts, including an extensive children's books section. I used to traipse over here all the time during my years at Mount Holyoke. The prices are not entirely competitive, but you pay for the joy of having a non-chain bookstore right across the street, and it's worth it in the end. Keep track of your rewards cards and watch their schedule for visiting authors! read more

The Odyssey Book Shop is the best independent bookseller in The Pioneer Valley. Period. The staff members have clearly earned their stripes - they are ALL incredibly knowledgeable, helpful AND friendly. That's the Customer Service Trifecta right there! They know not only their regular customers, but they also understand their community, and their products. Their First Editions Club is incredible. You can tell how much time and effort and CARE goes in to the book choice. Not only do you get a book mailed to you every month, but it's also signed by the author. Not only is it signed, but it's also covered in Mylar dust jackets, protecting the book for years to come. I can understand signing up to get a signed book by an author, but the Odyssey makes it so much more. They're not just sending a random book to you, they are carefully selecting books that they believe recognition, and many times, those selected titles go on and win awards! Now you have a signed first edition copy of a book by a hot new author -- and maybe you met the author at the store during their talk! The Odyssey's attention to detail just blows me away. You don't get that at other stores. I could LIVE at The Odyssey with all of the events they have... There is always, ALWAYS something going on for all age groups, whether it's monthly Young Adult Author panels, book clubs for different genres, or crafts for the kids, you will never be bored. Creativity abounds at The Odyssey. They also have events off-site, at local libraries, schools and colleges. I have never seen another book store reach out to the community like The Odyssey. If I had to choose one word to describe this fabulous place, I couldn't think of a better word than LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. Continue to support local book stores - visit The Odyssey! read more

I am a MHC student who relies on Odyssey for my textbooks. EVERY time I have ordered my textbooks there has always been a problem with getting the books on time and ordering books from them is a hassle. They never seem to have the textbooks in stock even though they are supposed to be the primary place where Mount Holyoke students can go to get books. Its a bit unprofessional and ridiculous of them to have their customers jump through hoops to get the books they need for class. Getting text books from them has never been an easy (or cheap) process and I highly recommend you search elsewhere for your school books. read more

A mix of used and new books (mostly new) with a great kids section and a bunch of great cookbooks and knick knack type things upstairs. Very friendly. read more

This place is such a gem. One of the last great independent bookstores around. They bring so many wonderful speakers to the area, and sponsor all kinds of book clubs. They also support local schools by bringing in speakers for free whenever they can. I can't always afford to pay full price books, but if I had more disposable income I would ALWAYS buy my books from the Odyssey. They do have a really nice bargain section, though, that rivals any I've seen at a chain store (smaller selection, of course, but better books). Back when I was a broke Mount Holyoke student, I resented the Odyssey for their monopoly on overpriced textbooks and what I saw as their draconian return policies. (But that was in the early days of the internet, and I assume that now students get around that by going online.) Now that I'm older and no longer having to buy $100.00 texts, I appreciate the store for its value to the community and try to support it whenever I can. read more

I love this place. The people who work there have read so many of the books and really love to talk about them. Lovely comfy climate. Lets support local bookstores--they are a dying breed. read more

I love book stores, and this one is one of the best in the valley. There are all sorts of nooks and crannies to sit and check out a new book. The selection of local authors is excellent, and they are a real solid promoter and supporter of local writing, which I find particularly wonderful. read more

Always got amazing help here and enjoyed getting all my school supplies. A great independent bookstore. Collegiate and reliable! Glad that Mount Holyoke has helped it stay alive over the years. read more

I love books and have supported this store in the past, however their latest sales pitch for the Elizabeth warren meeting, was less that honest, ie the first 200 will be guaranteed seating in the front of the hall...NOT, we were brought to the last two rows of the hall. when I questioned, apparently the owner/ mgr, she said we should have gotten there earlier!! what don't they understand about "guaranteed seating in front". sadly this lying sales pitch will have me rethinking my support. By the way as my sweetie and I were talking about this, 3 other couples near us, voice their displeasure at being mislead. Hopefully this will warn others and put Odyssey on notice that they are losing customers and can ill afford to do so in this amazon world sincerely gary strout read more

As a New resident to the town and a lover of independent bookstores, I was pleased to meet the very friendly folks at the Odyssey Book Store. Found the folks there very helpful and friendly - and also found a wealth of books that one doesn't usually find at the big box stores. Keep up the good work! read more

Not really a used book store, per se, but a nice little local book shop.

Not bad for a small town bookstore located next to a private college, but it has always struck me as...a little overpriced. Fair selection.

Very disappointed in this store for hosting a very one-sided political talk on Israel favoring Hamas and not presenting any support for Israel. I've been a long-time customer of Odyssey, but, no more. read more

A full-service port in the storm for book lovers, educators, and general readers, this feisty indie bookstore supports new and established authors, hosts a top-tier event series (often in connection with Mount Holyoke College), fills special orders, maintains a deep selection of new and backlist titles and is a hub of community activity. Thanks to all who support the Odyssey! read more

I have patronized the Odyssey Book Shop for 35 years, and consider it to be, without a doubt, one of the treasures of my local community. The dozens of author events - most of them free - that I have attended there have deeply enriched my appreciation of books and the wider world, and I can always count on the patient, expert booksellers to recommend just the right book as a gift or for my own reading. Every person who works there goes out of their way to provide the kind of service that you can never get online or at a huge impersonal chain bookstore. There's a great selection of used books, calendars, and other gifts too, as well as free gift-wrapping! I feel extremely lucky to have the Odyssey as a part of my life, and hope it will continue to thrive for many decades to come. read more

Great fiction selection for a small store. Plenty of parking and great author events.

a great bookstore! supports local authors and nice selection of books. love this place I could spend hours here.