Fantastic little bookstore with a great collection of local Alaskan books. But it's not just a tourist stop. This would be a fantastic place for a local to get some interesting reading material too. And how can you not love a bookstore with an adorable dog greeting you at the door. read more

Rainy Retreat Books - Storefront - Bookstores Near Me - Juneau, Alaska

Very quaint, awesome little bookstore, with kind and helpful staff. Stopped by here on a cruise to look for a book, they didn't have the one I wanted but did their best to help me find me another bookstore in town that could help! read more

Very simple bookstore in the heart of downtown Juneau. I was on a mission to pick up a particular book, "Me Before You"-- highly recommend. Their organized display of top sellers at the entry made the process much easier. In addition to top sellers, you'll find a coloring book collection for adults, postcards, and so on. My only complaint was that it felt on the claustrophobic side and not like the kind of shop you would want to lose yourself in for hours. read more

Such a great selection of books from this cozy bookstore! It's worth the trip up. They also have adorable postcards for only a dollar.

Wonderful woman who runs the store. I've been in a few times, and each time I've been met with such friendly help. She's all extremely knowledgeable about books that focus on both Alaska in general and Juneau, and gives recommendations depending on what the customer is looking for. Highly recommend. read more

Amazing little BIG book store. Phenomenal help, which in its self warrants 5 stars. The selection is well organized and easy to find. The rare books collection speaks to regionality. Not a tourist trap. read more

Rainy Day Books, like most any good used bookstore, makes you feel you must stand with your shoulders hunched over to make sure there is enough room between you and the ceiling, for the books must be crammed into such space as there is. I was slightly disconcerted to find that the small world history section contained more than one book I'd been assigned to read in college, and a print of someone's dissertation on party politics in Indiana, but the fiction section proved rather more fruitful for my browsing father than did that of nearby Hearthside Books, and I did not doubt that if you went in there looking (not too specifically) for something to read you would find something. There are also a few new books here, mostly things of local interest, as well as cards and calendars and the like. read more

Love this bookstore! The staff reviews are more informative that the back cover. I found several books I wanted but did not have the space to take them home. They shipped them media mail for free! read more

Aside from the poster of that hack Keruoac on the wall, I found this bookstore cozy and charming. The staff clearly knows everything about literature. Fun fact: J.K. Rowling shops here exclusively while she's in Juneau. read more

Great selection with a focus on local authors and books about the region. Friendly people to point you in the right direction for which author or books would be the best fit. read more

Great books, nice selection. Clerk is attentive but he likes to flirt--not a problem in itself, I do too--but takes it over the line. I'm sure it serves him well with the cruise ship set (people he doesn't find sexy), but when I asked him to please avoid mentioning boobs, and that men like them and women have them, in his first interaction with a youngish female customer, he told me to mind my own business. .....I can guarantee that for every youngish lady brazen enough to come to him directly with this feedback there are at least five shyer, more uncomfortable women who avoid this joint like the font of unwelcome sexual references it is. Again, great place if you're with a gentleman or are yourself a man--then there's no problem. Otherwise check out Hearthside Books or Observatory books down the street. read more

I believe this bookstore is called or now called Rainy Retreat Books. Within the first 15 minutes I was in Juneau in early July, I dropped my bags at my inn and went for a walk, ended up at this bookstore, and was utterly charmed by Royce into buying $80 of books. It is a small shop, with a mix of new and used books, and I walked away with 7 of them. I started out with 1 but Royce guided me to others, all about Alaska, with his glowing reviews. I have now read all of them and Royce was spot on. He and this shop are at the top of my list and started my stay in Juneau exactly the right way. read more

And, yes, it was a rainy day retreat into this sweet comprehensive bookstore in downtown Juneau. There's a great wooden statue pointing your way in, and then, watch out - you won't know which way to turn! New books? Yep. Used books? Yep! Local writers? Yessir! There's more than one bookstore in Juneau, but this is where I'd go first - especially because you might just find a second hand copy of that new book you're looking for, and because if owner Toni is at the front desk, you'll enjoy chatting with her. This spot USED to be Rainy Day Books, but please, if you review, refer to it by its proper name - Rainy Retreat Books...it's had that name now for a while...Juneau's full of jewelry, nicknacks and souvenir stores - but if you take the time to stroll up Seward Street to this spot, you might find a lovely book of photographs or a novel by a local writer that will make a great addition to your memories of Alaska. And you'll be supporting a local, independent bookstore - and that's just fine by me! read more

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I made the mistake of wasting my break from work around 2 pm to go see if they had a used book I wanted. The employee at the counter was very indifferent towards me- sarcastic in his tone and very unhelpful. After finding out he didn't have the book in stock, he ignored me. The last time I was inquiring about a book and they didn't have it, the rep offered to oder it; this guy didn't even bother. So I went to Hearthside and ordered it there. Very unimpressive experience there. read more

I have to give it a low 2 stars. They usually have great books, but the staff ... Well, there is a particular staff member who try to tell spouses to sleep with others ... ... Might want to have stricter hiring practices ... read more

A warm and friendly little nook for book addicts like me. I've been a customer since opening day and the owners are truly gems. While tiny, there are treasures to be discovered down every aisle. Lots of Alaska books too. One of my favorite memories is discovering a used-book shop one rainy, windy day in D.C. when I was first on my own at 18. It, too, was old-fashioned and tiny and the white-haired shopkeeper told me (his only customer) to feel free to take my time. I discovered some amazing old books of poetry and biographies that I treasure to this day. Rainy Retreat Books is that same kind of shop, and I'm so sorry that a couple of the reviewers didn't get to experience what it's really like. read more