Easily my favorite bookstore in RVA. Owners Chris and Berkley are super-enthusiastic book nerds who are kind, friendly, and knowledgeable. Whenever I go in to talk books (and of course buy books), their eyes light up and they turn me on to titles and authors I didn't even know existed--which is both appreciated and amazing, considering the volume of books I read. I also love how intelligently curated their selection is. There are no piles of shitty, ghost written James Patterson novels here, only titles worthy of any inquisitive reader's attention. I just love this place. The two cats, Mylar and Page, that wander the store and say hello only add to the charm that is Shelf Life Books. read more

Absolutely adorable bookstore in Carry Town!! Great selection of books, recommendations from staff, and the cutest cats hanging out. read more

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I stopped by Shelf Life to view their selection while casually browsing in Carytown, but honestly spent the bulk of my time in the shop hanging with their cow cats. How could you not? They are so cute, interactive, friendly and just plain adorable. What a cool place they get to call home. They seemed to have an expansive selection of quality books as well. read more

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Absolutely amazing location, fairly large shop with a ton of options, and cats! Need I say more? It was my first time ever visiting Richmond, VA and we found this main street of shops because I was searching for vegan options to try which lead us around the corner to Tiny Vegan. After we got some treats there, we walked around the corner to find this bookstore which was a pleasant surprise! So many cool people browsing books (I made a new friend while in there) and it was such a positive vibe. Their IG is worth following too. They share latest books and stuff. After (or before) you visit, go get coffee nearby and enjoy a stroll through this fun area of shops and more! read more

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This bookstore is amazing! It has the new books on the first floor and tons of used books on the second floor. There are several rooms upstairs to browse through. Everything is organized and there are some books on display to view. On this visit, they had a dedicated table for Halloween themed books and Young Adults. The extensive collection of books they have upstairs is impressive. Lots of Booktok books and favorites were available. They have a couple of house cats to entertain yourself with that make the visit even more fun. If you are looking for a specific book, ask at the register. They have their inventory in their system. On this visit, I found a couple of great books for a bargain. To check the price, you open the book and you will see it written in pencil. Overall, I was impressed with this bookstore and plan to return again. Plus, it's in Carytown. It can't get better than that. Buy a book and stroll through Carytown. read more

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The service was fantastic. The two people behind the counter were super helpful with any questions we had. The selection of books varies from local artists to a broader audience. All inclusive, all love inside the shop. The books were reasonably priced, and I am always going to support a local business over the corporate overlords. read more

Very cute store. Nicely organized with a curated selection of books. Love the staff tags and stand-outs to help me decide. I think there used to be more secondhand options, but that's okay. This store just makes me happy : ) read more

This is seriously the cutest book store ever! They have store cats too. There is a wide selection of books and the pricing is very reasonable. They had some old books too, books from the 60s ect. There is two stories worth of books. Everything is very well organized. It was nice to overlook the street below and hearing the sounds of the beautiful hardwood floor creaks below you and people turning pages as they read a book or checked it out. Staff were so nice! At times I saw them helping out other customers. read more

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If I could live in this bookstore I would absolutely choose to do so. The staff are so friendly and helpful, and I've never brought a question they couldn't help with. They are so passionate about the materials, which is always a plus. Their free bookshelf (outside) can have some unexpected goodies - I even found an advance proof copy there! By far the greatest attraction (other than the cats, of course) is the value. I've picked up probably 15 Stephen King books there - filling out a collection - and they are always wonderfully affordable. I've grabbed first editions (some new 2014 and some older ~1990s) all for under $20. I almost didn't want to post that so no one else would snatch them up!! But this store deserves all the business. I really try and go every week, they constantly restock. Haven't had any experiences on the selling half (because I hoard my book collections), but I know everyone is just lovely here. Cannot recommend it enough! read more

Shelf Life Books - Visited by the shop cats! So friendly. - Bookstores Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Wow. I absolutely adored visiting this bookstore. It had a wide array of new and used titles over a whole slew of genres. The first floor has employee picks, specific highlighted genres (I visited close to election season so there were some thoughtful choices on current history and hot topic issues), and a blind date section where you pick a book at random that has the genre and a one liner description (plus some "take me if you like cuz author or book" notes). The second floor is where you can really get lost in the deep cuts: books on just about anything, from children's books and music theory to history and autobiographies. I walked out with a blind date book for myself and my partner (which we've both read and loved!) plus a couple books that piqued my interest that I needed for my collection or were recommended by the staff. read more

Shelf Life Books - The facade may seem small but a whole treasure trove is inside, including a second floor! - Bookstores Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

What's not to love about this bookstore? A wide variety of used and new books, book buy backs, and of course the two adorable cats (: this place has two floors of books to sift though. The books are decently priced and the atmosphere is quiet and cozy. Staff at the register was very friendly hand welcoming too! read more

Shelf Life Books - Bookstores Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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My Steve and I are new to Richmond. I have never before been to a bookstore that has cats. Twin felines Paige and Mylar. Two beauties with green eyes and silky black and white fur. I usually pass the time there chatting with my Steve and the warm personable staff and petting Paige and Mylar and of course perusing books. We have had some great conversations with the folks who work here. Everything from books, to politics, to travel. The selection is quite eclectic. Shelf Life is progressive and carries books by African American, gay and trans authors. There are romance novels with both straight and gay characters and many selections dealing with African American , Asian, and Jewish and Palestinian history. Some of the books are pricey but there are discounted used selections and an entire section of books you can take for free. Books and cats in one place. Pretty cool. read more

This bookstore is cool. I stopped by on a whim out of curiosity and feel in love. There are so many cool books here that you wouldn't see at franchise bookstores. They also had a ton of diverse books. The store is small upon first glance but it feels a lot bigger as you are strolling thru the store. They also have a nice comic book section too! Great place to buy books. read more

Shelf Life Books - Bookstores Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

One of my favorite bookstores in Richmond, VA. Located in Carytown. This bookstore is two stories. They buy used books and even have a store cat! I Had lunch and drinks here Sunday, then walked over to see what new reads were in stock. I lucked up and found a book on my Amazon wishlist! A Review is coming soon read more

Loved the place, your typical hipster bookstore, great selection, great people!! Books are organized, both used and new. Will return! read more

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Great local bookstore that is sadly closed to the public due to the pandemic. Ward, the owner, is such a literary cheerleader for the community! He has hosted one of my book signings, and also champions so many other local poets and writers in RVA. His store is chock full of books on every subject under the sun and there are several sidewalk sales throughout the year on Cary street. You can find a bargain on used books. If he reopens, don't forget to climb those steep steps to the second floor where more nooks and crannies are crammed with tomes, reference works, and other books! Books are still available on line, and you can call or email for your orders. I prefer these types of small, quirky, eclectic book stores over those obnoxious big box book stores anyway! Shop local! Thank you Ward, for you do for readers, authors, and the community!! read more

Absolutely love used book stores. This one is wonderfully funky and cool! The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, going beyond what they need to do to be of assistance. There is a huge selection of books here, up and down stairs, and some are in multiple places! read more

Shelf Life Books - Bookstores Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Very cool bookstore - we stopped in and looked around. Very crowded with people and books as well! No employees said hello, maybe they aren't big on customer service? I don't know. Anyway, very crowded environment, went upstairs and visited the local artists room, which was very cool. Thought they had a cat named WonTon here but alas, we did not see the cat. Darn. Anyway, eclectic bookstore, lots of books squeezed into not a lot of square footage. Judging from the crowds and lack of walking space, it's a popular spot. Worth stopping in, not worth special trip. read more

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My personal slice of heaven and peace anytime I am in Virginia! I work in Virginia but live in a different state, but always make time to make it to Chop Suey. Wonderful associates and the best just down to earth customers. I love to just in the middle of the floor and vibe with a good new "used"book. You cannot ask for a better place to visit in Carytown. read more

I'm sad that they're closed to the public because of COVID, but it's such a cute bookstore right in the heart of Carytown. When everyone can go back to bookstores, make sure to check this place out! When you walk in, you can just tell it's a welcoming place. I do think it's a bit cramped, but it definitely adds to the ambiance of the place. Even though it would worsen the aesthetics, I think it would be nice to have clearer directions about where you can find different genres. Since there are two floors, it took a bit to find my section of books. Beyond that, the staff was super nice, and went out of the way to help us find a good read for my friend! If you're looking for a cool and funky bookstore, this definitely would be #1 on your list. Can't wait to go back when COVID ends :) read more

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Love this place. Great selection of new and used books with an even better staff to talk through your options all in a great light filled and warm space with perfect book-lover energy. read more

This could've been a great bookstore, but being bombarded with militant political and cultural preferences was just insane. I couldn't find a lot of books downstairs that didn't have a gay or trans agenda to it. I really had to search hard for anything worth purchasing. I am a lover of books, but when a bookstore chooses to stock mostly certain types of books, it should classify itself as branded towards that subject. read more

This is a great bookstore with an awesome hip vibe, right on Cary Street. Tons of used books, an awesome old location, and I would have browsed for hours. I love going upstairs and taking my time looking through every section. Only taking off a star for our last experience there. Unfortunately, they are really strict about their "no bags" policy. My husband carries a camera bag with him, and he didn't feel comfortable letting this out of his site. Thus, they refused to let him wander around the store. I kind of think they shouldn't be worried about a guy who is carrying a lot of camera equipment potentially stealing some used books, but what do I know. I feel like they could have offered to check his bag or something as an alternative. Instead, we just ended up leaving a lot quicker. Also, they weren't very friendly about it, a little condescending. So beware- don't bring a camera bag into Chop Suey Books! read more

Shelf Life Books - Pretty tile on the way in! - Bookstores Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Great vibes as soon as we walked in. Our lgbtq fam represent here. Lots of empowering books and an array of other book selections. Love this place! Parking: street parking can be a challenge on the weekend. read more

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Very rude staff. Pretentious beyond belief. I'm a local author and dropped off a book for them to review. They showed little interest and mostly wanted me to know that I wouldn't receive the review copy back. The book is in libraries and bookstores throughout the world, but the little shop in Carytown is too good for it? Also, have you ever heard of a discount? Prices are always the list price and outrageous. read more

Great local bookstore with an impressive collection. A mixture of new titles and used books, I'd recommend this shop to anyone in the RVA area looking to support a local small business and add to their personal library. read more

I was visiting Richmond for a work trip and came across this lovely bookstore. There is a great variety of books on social justice, current events, and feminism. The staff was also super warm and friendly and there's a store cat too! I'll be coming back when I am in Richmond again. read more

To all the people posting 1 and 2 star reviews: Your reviews don't seem to be from the perspective of someone purchasing books, rather someone selling them. Others seem to seek a more gregarious, extroverted staff. Call me crazy, but a bookstore should be closer to a library than a pub, relatively quiet, guests left alone with their curiosity, with the staff nearby to help, in the event it is needed. To the shopper, places like these are hard to come by. I walked in with a wish list, left with half of the titles, and spent under $20. I will definitely be back, and could easily spend several days here. The only aspect I found slightly confusing was the organization, however it enhanced my browsing experience, and resulted in me finding several titles that I'd otherwise never have stumbled upon. read more

Support Independent Bookshops! When you visit Richmond, Virginia you should go to Chop Suey Books and buy some books. Then you should go home and read them. read more

Neat place. I liked the cook book section in the back the most because they have a ton of well known writes from famous chefs and authors. A bit pricey for some of these but I would come here for gifts. read more

This was a dangerous bookstore for me. I was there only about fifteen minutes, and I realized I had to get out because I already had a pile of six books that I *had* to have. I bought them, and they turned out to be as good as I thought they would be. They had a wonderful selection of books. The staff thankfully left me alone to enjoy the silence to browse in peace. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, but it is not claustrophobic. They have a cat named Wonton roaming the place which is a cute touch. read more

Look, I know the margins being an independent bookseller in RVA are razor thin, but, my god, Chop Suey pays virtually nothing for used books. I took in 20 or so titles, like new to new condition, all recent fiction, non-fic and monographs and they offered a grand total of $14--first suggested a check (what?), then, when I asked, as cash. Very friendly staff, but I would take a few more bucks for my books any day over smiles. Those are easy in Richmond. read more

I love this little shop and how they carry a variety of pieces. I'm always on the hunt for rare titles and was amazed when I found an item here. The upstairs was a nice surprise. read more

The current front display caught my eye. Fell in love and walked in. Some very much needed positive messages in trying times. May not have exactly what you're looking for, but definitely a huge variety of books you should check out. Even if you're weren't searching for anything, you'll find something, selection has a little bit of everything! Definitely a great place to browse Carytown. All this and I didn't even know about the second floor! Also, cat. read more

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What a funny name - Chop Suey - This is a great book store! I found it to be stocked with an amazing amoutnt of books and to my great joy - found 2 Ernest Hemingway novels that I have not read yet. Be sure to visit the upstairs section - lots of treasures there. The art work hanging in this store is cool. The guy at the register was helpful. I am looking forward to return here soon. I've added a few pics I took while here. read more

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The giant mural of the Chop Suey box on the side of the house makes me smile whenever I'm visiting Richmond. It's my one-stop-shop for something to read on the Greyhound or for that special gift. I picked up a signed Edward Gorey book for my little sister's birthday here! Readings and seasonal outdoor craft shows make this little book shop a must-visit! read more

Shelf Life Books - Chop Suey! - Bookstores Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I saw a review in the Richmond Free Press about this bookstore and thought it would be a great pit stop while trying to see everything else Richmond had to offer. On a lark, I found myself in Carytown, after having nearly walked my feet off, and decided to seek shelter/air conditioning in a bookstore. It was Chop Suey. The place is a book lover's heaven. I wanted to bundle up all the books and take them home with me, even if it meant chartering my own flight home to fit them all. Even recognizing many of the titles, walking around felt like a voyage of discovery. I managed to escape with a t-shirt and a short story collection from local artists. I'm sad its not near me, though my bank account is safe... for now. And the cat really does sit in the window with the books. Don't bang on the glass! He's sleeping! read more

Shelf Life Books - Chop Suey Books - Bookstores Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Hands down the best bookstore in Richmond. I could get lost in here for hours! The upstairs section has some amazing books on all kinds of subjects and the prices are awesome. They have a huge variety of new and used books and allow you to sell your old ones for 1/3 of the shelf price. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. One of my favorite spots in Richmond! read more

Shelf Life Books - Upstairs - Bookstores Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Moved. They moved from 1317 W. Cary, for those who saw the other review. Anyway, love this store. Lots of graphic novels and indie stuff and interesting choice book displays. Design mags. Architecture books. There was some Hi Fructose box set thing that I had never seen before and want to go back and get. Hi Fructose mag out of CA. Small and packed with items that could make you stay for hours....public radio playing in the background...nice...i could spend the day and lots of money there. AND feel cool at the same time. :) read more

Shelf Life Books - New location on Cary in Carytown. - Bookstores Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Awesome book store with used and new books. I found tons of really great cookbook choices. There are tons of vegetarian and vegan books. I am neither of those, but I enjoy a great veg head book because they teach us omnivores how to do some fun and innovative stuff with our veggies. It is always nice to have fun with your food. The store is really loaded with great finds. My little cousin was thoroughly entertained with some great fashion mags while I went to the second level to peruse the foreign language section. It was a bit college-y, which is why I didn't get anything there. It was clearly stuff from a class, rather than stuff for leisure language enthusiasts. There is really something for everyone here, and the used stuff is at a reasonable price. I was thoroughly satisfied with my purchase, Vegan Soul Kitchen by Bryant Terry. Chop Suey is always a never fail, fun place to stop in and find a new friend to take home. My only complaint is that the price for new books is pretty high, which is why I rarely get them from there. That piece really isn't that big of an issue for me because I find the store's charm to be all in the used book section anyway. read more