A small but packed local bookstore! I came looking for gifts and ended up becoming a member. Now I'll receive a discount on all my purchases here for the year. Every employee I interacted with was so friendly and helpful, and I appreciate that they offer to wrap gifts as well. In addition to books, they also carry stationary items like nice notebooks, calendars, and more. Highly recommend checking out if you enjoy reading or looking for a gift for a book lover in your life! read more

Great selection! I was especially happy with the fantasy and cookbook areas as I saw several favorites there as well as several on my to-read list. Aisles are clearly marked with genre so you can find your favorites quickly (or ignore the signs and browse everything!). I also loved the jar candles near the front counter, which have lids but you can take those off to smell the candles. Any of them lean toward a perfect "rainy day with a cup of coffee and a candle" vibe. Staff was friendly. The whole shop gives a very inclusive energy and made me feel comfortable and welcome. Parking is a challenge; find a parallel-parking spot down the street. (If you're familiar with the Elmwood area that will not be a surprise). read more

A wonderful bookstore. Books are more expensive in Canada, and we were happy to buy some cookbooks and new biographies here. We The staff is wonderful and truly friendly and helpful. We even bought a gift for someone and they gift-wrapped it. read more

Stopped by for a bachelorette activity: find a book that represents wedding advice for the couple's new marriage! It was fun getting lost in the stacks and we came back with smut, kids books, a cookbook, and a romance novel. Staff were so kind and friendly and it was a great time! read more

Wow. For a small shop, they have a very eclectic and impressive assortment of books in every category. You can find everything from local authors to the latest book by your favorite author or your kids' favorite authors. I even saw a bunch of Sandman omnibuses. Service is friendly. Definitely worth a visit if you're in Elmwood Village. read more

I haven't been to Talking Leaves in a while and I've been feeling a tad guilty about using the Internet for most of my book purchases lately, so I thought I'd stop in. It's a nice small independent bookstore linked to a cafe next door. The selection is small, but aside from books there are various gifts, etc..and it's pretty comfortable to browse. I browsed for a little while, picking out a few books with rather personal topics and had a thought: "they should replace humans with self check out machines, that way I won't have to feel awkward buying these books and that can keep prices down a bit so they can compete with online retailers better." I picked out three books and went to the counter to checkout. The gentleman at the counter warned me that one of the books I picked out was not the original and kindly looked up whether they had the original (which they didn't). A machine wouldn't have warned me and I would have bought it. That experience showed me that you can't replace humans with robots and I hope independent book stores will be around for a while. read more

Talking Leaves Books is located on Elmwood Ave by Bidwell! Not only does Talking Leaves Books offer a wide selection of books but they also offer magazines, notebooks, calendars, cool mugs, books written by local authors, and the list goes on! This is my "go to" bookstore because they wrap complementary and my nephew and niece love getting children's books as gifts! If your looking for a specific book and they don't have it, Talking Leaves will special order it for you. Then they will call you when it comes in (which I've done on a handful of occasions). Due to the current situation we're in, Talking Leaves offers curbside pickup! The employees are very knowledgeable and helpful. They're always eager to help their customers which has me returning again and again. #supportlocalbookstores read more

I found a wonderful bookstore. Not only have I been there on three separate trips. I have found several great books. The first being"TheUnderworld," which I found fascinating. I was encouraged to obtain a membership and now get a 10% discount. I've bought about8 different books. They are really helpful with finding what you are looking for. Any questions there's a wonderful woman in the back who knows where all the best books are hidden. And there's a nice little cafe around the corner. For a nice café su lair to start reading your books. read more

Whenever my mood strikes me to buy some books, I'll usually head to Barnes And Noble, note the titles I'm interested in on my phone, then come to Talking Leaves to see if they have it first... and more often than not they do! Before it closed, I usually would shop more often at the Main Street location because I was more familiar with that location's layout and was closer to home, but the Elmwood location still is an excellent place to find what you want to read. The seemingly smallish place actually holds quite a wide array of books. If you're a book lover and like to support local businesses over big box stores, Talking Leaves is THE place to go for books in Buffalo. read more

Don't you love the smell of a bookstore?! I do agree with others - they fit a wide variety of (New) books, journals, calendars, mugs, cards, etc. into a small but thoughtfully laid out bookstore. And there are some interesting recommended reads at the front when your walk in. If you like supporting local artists they have a couple different local interest sections. COVID tip: They are taking occupancy maximums seriously. I saw them ask a customer to wait outside until someone leaves because there were too many customers in the store. Can't wait til that is no longer necessary, but appreciate them being conscientious! read more

This was a cute and quirky little bookstore I found through yelp when searching for Postcards. I got hooked on postcrossing, and I've been on the hunt for interesting and unusual cards. With time to kill before meeting up with a friend, I decided it would be worth my time to check out Talking Leaves. They are easily located on Elmwood with plenty of street parking nearby. Upon arriving, I was immediately drawn to the right for a small section for Local interests - books about Buffalo or by Buffalonians. I wandered from there trying to find a section with world history... I eventually found it. The sections are labeled, but somewhat difficult to find at first attempt. If you're a regular, I'm sure there will be no problem getting acquainted with the shelves. The store has a sign on the front which states that they are a "cell phone free" store (or something to the likes of that), so I made sure my sound was off. But I did use my phone to look up a title and author I couldn't remember of the top of my head. I felt a little like a rule-breaker. Finally I made my way up to the front where the cards and postcards were located. I managed to find a good selection of interesting postcards, and it was exactly what I was looking for. In the end, definitely worth the trip. If I was a local, I would consider spending my money on this local establishment! read more

Love this store Tons of genres and great staff. Floor to ceiling books, heaven for a bookworm read more

Great local bookstore conveniently located in Elmwood Village. Situated next to Caffe Aroma and the swaths of grass that host the Elmwood Bidwell Farmer's Market, it's a great stop to grab your next read and support a local business rather than Amazon or some other large corporation. Though not particularly large inside, they have a very wide variety of genres represented amongst their shelves. I do wish that their scifi/fantasy section was a bit more fleshed out, but that's purely selfish due to my personal interests. Truly anyone will be able to find something at Talking Leaves. They do a great job of keeping up with the trends and carry a great selection of new releases at all times. If you have something specific in mind and can't find it, no worries - the staff are able to order just about anything for you, and their turnaround for custom orders tends not to be bad. I would recommend asking if the book is coming as a direct print from the publisher - I did order a book once through them only to have it come in a special to-order printed paperback format (there's a term for it that's just not coming to mind) that wasn't very attractive/great quality compared to the regular print version, so in that specific case I would choose to head to B+N or elsewhere. Service is always very friendly and helpful. Were I to make one wish, it would be that there was a greater selection of little cutesy things throughout the store - bookmarks, stationary, etc. I'm a sucker for those little giftable type items that many bookstores carry, and I always wish TL had a wider selection there (though they do have a very nice variety of high quality journals). TL;DR - stop by after the farmers market on a Saturday afternoon - sweet local bookstore with great variety that will custom order anything you have in mind that you don't see on their well stocked shelves. read more

Let me draw attention to the fact that you can "special order" literally any book you want to buy. I am writing this review from England - after moving back here following 20 years of living in Buffalo - and Talking Leaves has enabled me (via special ordering) to give presents to friends. It is - i.m.h.o. - a TREMENDOUS asset for the city of light. Reading all the other reviews has made me homesick! read more

Cute little book store. Nice to see something other than the big company book stores. Very cute children's books!

I haven't been to the location on Main; however, this satellite location fits in very nicely with the Elmwood aesthetic. I could sit inside Talking Leaves (or Cafe Aroma, which is connected) to read and browse for hours. The store caters to bookworms, and offers neat editions of classics, cute gift options that extend beyond the Moleskine notebooks traditionally found in chain bookshops, and plenty of other excellent products. The store is fairly small and often seems cramped if there are more than a few people browsing for titles. Shelving labels can be confusing or easy to miss. Unlike other reviewers, I have never really had issues with the staff, but I have noticed that they are often not extremely personable. The concept behind the bookstore is nice - I much prefer shopping at independent stores, rather than chains à la Barnes & Noble - however, there are many small details that the store neglects to address that detract from a shopping experience. read more

Talking Leaves Books - A little browsing in the Young Adult Lit section. - Bookstores Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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I adore a good independent bookstore, especially as I focus more and more on where to spend my money and my time. Talking Leaves is near and dear to my heart thanks to my days in the UB English Department, and I'm glad I still have the opportunity to go there after all these years. Back in the day, my professors would only make textbooks available at the former Talking Leaves on Main. Now that the two stores have consolidated to just the Elmwood location, I have had a chance to spend more time here. Sure, the space is small and the shelves are crowded, but there's still plenty to browse for. Going to Talking Leaves doesn't necessarily require a plan of what to buy in advance, but it couldn't hurt. Fair warning, if you're looking for something on the more commercial side of literature, you may not find it here on the first try, but the staff will order it for you if you ask. I prefer Talking Leaves for gifts these days, especially for kids. The kids books are the heart of the store because the selection is diverse and surprising. If you buy a kids book here, for example, you'll likely be giving an original gift, no issues with duplicates here. I love that the books all fit into the IB curriculum, for all interested teachers out there. Recently I found the most adorable notecards to give to my colleagues over the holidays, and there's a good selection of journals and notebooks too, little things to remind you of your local independent bookstore. Be advised, however, that the attitude can remind you of the most pretentious English major you have ever met. There is an unspoken focus on "real literature", which annoyed me when I was younger but is less of an issue now. No seating area in the store proper, but Cafe Aroma is right next door and somewhat attached if you want to sit with a book and some coffee. Like many business in the area, Talking Leaves is best in the warmer months, when you can take your new books outside and enjoy the sun. Finally, it's worth it to get a membership. Being a member is $10 a year, and gets you 10 percent off on most purchases, everything except magazines. It's a good deal, and if you spend $100 in the year, it pays for itself. During my undergrad days, I made good use of this membership and just renewed for another good year. You could buy books anywhere, but consider Talking Leaves first. Like any independent bookstore, the shelves and tables are full of surprises. read more

This is a terrific bookstore, as is its sister store on Main Street. They have such a wide selection of books, are able to order things if needed, the staff are very polite and they know ALOT, which is great too. Every time I go to either location I wind up having a great experience. They can give ideas, offer opinions and generally make the overall purchasing process a pleasant one. I do wish they had a comfortable place to sit and read a book if that's what you are into. On occasion, we go to B&N because they have such nice seating areas and chairs throughout. I am sure there are good reasons not to have them, but I'd be inclined to go there and browse more (likely buying more as a result) if we could sit comfortably. My other downside to this location is the parking, which can be very hit or miss. read more

This place has an amazing selection. You can go in here with no clue what you want to read next, and find so many interesting books without looking very hard. I especially like that they have an employee recommendation shelf to really help you make a selection. The staff is always helpful and friendly, and while there are books EVERYWHERE the shop still feels warm and inviting, not overwhelming. read more

The one star is for the experience. The woman behind the counter was extremely rude to my mother when my mom pointed out that a book was more expensive there. That's how we make a living, she barked ! My mom has been shopping at and supporting this store for as long as I can remember. I am really disappointed at how she was treated. Charging $20 more for a book may be how you make a living but your customers don't need to throw their money away either. read more

Sells books. Staff is helpful but chilly. Unwelcoming atmosphere. Could work harder to serve as a community resource - a place to learn, grow, gather. read more

I've been shopping here since I moved to Buffalo 15 years ago. I've spent a lot of time at both locations. I've been a member for years as well as a lapsed member. It's what I expect from an independent bookstore: friendly staff and a carefully curated selection with the ability to order books they don't carry. The space is a tight squeeze and as someone who takes up a lot of space (my purse might as well be a person of its own), I'm constantly knocking things over. This place is my go-to for interesting baby shower book gifts since a baby only needs so many Hungry Caterpillar and Corduroy books. The store also carries calendars, journals, magazines, stationary, and other small gift items. There isn't any indoor seating available, but you can go to the adjacent coffee shop with your purchase or sit outside on the patio during warmer months. I'm not a public reader so this doesn't detract from my experience. I'd rather have a local bookseller have more books than seating areas. If you plan to spend more than $100 a year, I recommend supporting the store with a membership, I believe it's only $10 a year. read more

A lot of the sentiments that Alex K expressed in his review are things that I completely agree with. Without going so much into his review while deterring the experience of my own, there are some things that made this less of a great experience for me. After a filling dinner at Pano's, my friend and I both expressed we wanted to go to the bookstore that was nearby. I get giggly and super excited every time I enter a bookstore but I made sure to set aside the way books make me feel to talk about the actual bookstore itself. I'm not too thrilled with the layout. It's not very open, there's nowhere to really sit (except outdoors, which is an okay arrangement), and all the shelving creates an almost claustrophobic feeling. It's not very welcoming; it's just a place trying desperately to sell books and compete against Amazon and used bookstores to do so. In my opinion, Talking Leaves is lacking something crucial in their store: personality. I feel like what personality TL does have is overshadowed by a desperation to sell books and make a profit for their store. They lost me in all of the shelves though. I had no idea where to wander to, so I picked a place and started and somehow got to the fiction books which was my original intention. There is a cute little sign that says fiction but other than that, I wouldn't have been able to know where that was. Also, some of the titles I was looking for weren't stocked. Which is okay, of course. I could just order through the store, but I'm likely to take my business elsewhere to find what I'm looking for. I noticed a desk that had boxes (I'm assuming books) so I figured the store must be going through a renovation or something. It was almost closing time, so maybe they were putting books out or something? I don't know. I feel bad, of course, that sales go to Amazon instead of an Independent Bookstore that needs it. I'm a book lover, so I'm definitely aware of these things. The three rating comes from the fact that TL needs to create a more grabbing personality for itself. TL is still a store that has the ability to create fans. Unfortunately, the fact that you're an independent bookstore doesn't say as much anymore because financially, people look elsewhere. But if I or someone else was lured in to the personality of TL, there's no way I couldn't help but buy a book from there. Try a couch or a more effective way of stocking the books so it creates a relaxing (very important for the common book-loving introvert) and inviting environment. There are so many ways to do this! I'll be back again in the future to check in on that progress. Good luck, Talking Leaves! read more

Talking Leaves Books - Outside of the bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Talking Leaves stocks books. It sells books. It's sold books in Buffalo for a while. Its Buffalo locations have been Buffalo staples far longer than I can remember, and I'm getting up there. Should you need a copy of the latest Ludlum, a classic Austen, or something a bit more interesting, Talking Leaves will more than likely fill your need in but a minute. The characteristic of merely possessing enough books to satisfy most immediate needs satisfies the three star, A-okay, "just fine" definition of any bookstore. But as the fates of Walden Books and Barnes and Nobles and the successes of Greenlight Books (http://www.yelp.com/biz/greenlight-bookstore-brooklyn) of Brooklyn, college bookstores like Broad Street Books of Middletown Connecticut, for example, demonstrate, bookstores must do much more than simply stock books, sell books. Talking Leaves needs to evolve. The rest of my review details possible avenues they could take. ATMOSPHERE: Atmosphere in bookstores is critical, and there are different ways to accomplish it. Many patrons of Manhattan's Strand or even Buffalo's Old Editions rave about over the wonder of losing oneself in row after row of stacks, to rapturously lose one's bearings like Macauley Culkin in "The Pagemaster." Talking Leaves isn't quite big enough to truly lose oneself, but the rather low height of its shelves relative to its ceiling also preclude this. No luck here. A way to artificially instigate the wonder of discovery is through careful cultivation of display. Spoonbill and Sugartown (http://www.yelp.com/biz/spoonbill-and-sugartown-booksellers-brooklyn) of Williamsburg, Brooklyn is a wonderful example of this. On entering the store (through either entrance), curated books are arranged face up on long tables, their arrangement silently challenging potential readers. "Have you read me?" "What about me?" "What about me?" "Buy me!" "No, me!" Here I must note that Barnes and Nobles all through the country do this less well. This type of display, however, does limit available space in-store, perhaps a reason Talking Leaves hasn't done it... But they could instead perhaps adopt a method of discovery instigation utilized masterfully by Word (http://www.yelp.com/biz/word-brooklyn-2) of Brooklyn and only slightly less adroitly by Greenlight Books. On normal shelving, staff hand-write blurbs about their favorite books, recent highlights, and so forth on index cards and sticky them to the shelving near the books described. Any bibliophile appreciates a good recommendation, and even these small favors easily draw attention. It adds color. It fosters discovery. It boosts business. Why isn't Talking Leaves doing this? Or you can go for the luxurious reading space route as Buffalo's own Dog Ears Bookstore does so wonderfully. Sure, Talking Leaves could increase their quotient of not-buying-yet readers. But the wonderful thing about people in a store is that the presence of people in a bookstore tends to attract others, tends to make them more comfortable idling, translating to less searching, less finding, and much more wandering, wondering, perusing, and discovering. Couches and armchairs would be great, but even a few carefully placed ottomans in extant aisles could make a world of difference. But Talking Leaves doesn't do this. PROGRAMMING: Where bookstores like Word and Greenlight Books really stand out is through their non-stop programming efforts. We're talking not bi-monthly, not monthly, but bi-weekly or lectures, signings, and so forth. We're talking three or four times a week book groups for different constituencies. Talking Leaves does some programming, but it isn't nearly comphrehensive enough. Buffalonians should be wondering, "Hey, I wonder what's going on at Talking Leaves this week!!" We don't. Worse, Talking Leaves' social media presence is negligible compared to even many local restaurants, shops, and cultural institutions, much less peers in larger markets. I might at this point highlight Campus Wheelworks and BreadHive as two great local employers of social media. They use it to promote products and programming and to dispatch business news but also to cross-promote and to engage with the end of community creation. But the possibilities here are endless. Stores across NYC boast "Help you learn Spanish or Japanese," and etc. sections. They rotate in specialty non-book products from local businesses, international stationery providers, and so forth. Word in Brooklyn boasts a much lauded personals board. (And the entries are often endearingly earnest.) EN FIN: So Talking Leaves stocks books. It sells books. But it's frankly about as much fun to shop there as it is to click "order" on an Amazon order screen. And there's the rub. Given the ease of doing so, I'd rather do that. Talking Leaves, I'm waiting for you to impress me. Adapt! Improve! Lure me in! Give me whimsy! Delight me in discovery! Do... something! read more

I love a bookstore. I love to wander the aisles and explore the titles. I like to page through books on my "to read" list to get a feel for the book so that I can decide on what to purchase. Unfortunately, Talking Leaves on Elmwood just doesn't do it for me. I'm rarely greeted or offered help when I go there but if you ask for help they are usually helpful and nice. Because of the location's size, the selection of books can sometimes be limited. The last time I was in, they had none of the four books I had hoped to buy. They WILL however order books for you if they don't have what you want. I love to shop local, and I really like to patronize businesses in my neighborhood but unfortunately I find Talking Leaves uninspiring. read more

Great bookstore that's been in the Elmwood Village for years. Connected to a coffee shop - it's way too easy to pick a good read and sip on a beverage. While this store doesn't have a huge selection you can surely find a great read to settle in. I often come here for gifts - they do an excellent job with wrapping! read more

Talking Leaves is my new drug addiction. Everytime I finish a book, I wander in for a new fix, and I always find something inspiring. Thich Nhat Hanh, Marcel Proust, Soren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, these are my drugs of choice. Their books illuminate and inspire, and that's what I love about Talking Leaves. Whenever I need guidance in life, Talking Leaves has a book to help me learn and grow. My only suggestion is they expand their Philosophy section. Perhaps Philosophy doesn't sell, but this is more than about money; it is about bettering the minds of our community. What better way to improve Buffalo than by applying the wisdom and knowledge of the thinkers of the past? A better Buffalo can start with a book! So put down your smart phone, finish your latté, and wander into Talking Leaves. You won't regret it, and your mind will thank you later. :) read more

I like this bookstore for what it offers: journals, cards, books by local writers, proximity to my home, and simply the fact it exists in this buy everything online age. Even though they have a relatively small selection, they almost always have what I seek. read more

For a small little book store they have a great selection! I think I saw about ten different books I wanted within 5 minutes of stepping in the store. It's a nice place to browse and find something unexpected yet interesting. I'll be back! read more

I love this bookstore. Everyone is so helpful & knowledgeable. If I want to get a book for someone, they can help me choose just the right one. If they don't have a book in stock, they will order it. If I don't remember the title of the book I want, I can sometimes just describe it and they know what I'm talking about. read more

Love being able to shop local! Everyone was incredibly helpful in searching for books. Great location in the neighborhood

Bingo! This is everything I want. The Elmwood location is smaller, but has all the charm and excitement of the main location. I find that I often need books that are in the Main St. store, so the employees here make a call and have it delivered. It's usually a day only - meaning I don't have to go to Main St. if I don't want/if I can't get there. It's awesome! You can come in here and get all sorts of stuff. Gah, I mean, it's a book store. Spend some time in one and you'll realize why I'm gushing. This location, in particular, has a great translated literature section, women's studies, and displays of more recent books that will catch your eye. Excellence! read more

Nice little bookstore with friendly staff and a surprisingly good selection. I was looking for a very specific type of calendar (in June -- not typical calendar buying time) and the guy behind the counter realized that they had just received a shipment that might fit the bill. He dug through some boxes and instantly found me exactly what I was looking for. My only small complaint -- I wish he had told me about becoming a member before I bought my book. I would have joined. $10 a year for 10% off all purchases. Love supporting the local bookstores and so glad that there is a bookstore on Elmwood. read more

This has been my go-to bookstore for many, many years. While its Elmwood location is now slightly smaller than in years gone by, they still offer a solid selection of new books on just about every imaginable subject. The forte is definitely newer literary fiction, but there are also ample sections of memoir, poetry, art, politics, and health. Everything is nicely organized and the staff really knows their stuff, so don't be shy about asking for help to find something. On a related note, be sure to check out the staff-picks display; you'll find some great new titles you might not have known about. I also recommend checking out the store's selection of periodicals--you're almost guaranteed to find some new loves lurking in this section with smaller-press offerings covering every subject imaginable. When you've made your purchase, the store's patio seating area (shared with the adjacent coffee shop) is the perfect place to sit with a latte or sandwich and watch the world go by as you turn the pages! read more

I want to love this place so badly. Unfortunately I don't. The service is usually hostile (I am almost always accosted for merely entering with a bag) and the entire place is run in an angry/jealous fashion because Amazon is eating into their market share. I get sick of being preached to about it (and in not in there all that frequently). Plus, their "support" for local artists leaves a fair amount to be desired. read more

I love this place, especially because they keep my bag safe while I browse their wonderful book selection. Such a relief for my back!

It would be nice to receive a greeting as i enter the store. Instead its usually a harsh warning to give up my bag. I put up with it for awhile, but i'm through supporting a business that treats its customers as criminals. read more

It's quite sad that one of the very few independent book stores in Buffalo consistently hires staff who are rude, disinterested and somewhat smug. No matter what I stop in for, there's always a coolness in the air that I never feel at other independent book stores. Makes Amazon all the more appealing... read more

Their mag rack features a total ban on opinions to the right of The Economist. This is probably a plus for most of their patrons.

I'd seen this bookstore pop up here and there, but as a dedicated Barnes & Noble shopper I wasn't all that interested. My friend convinced me to go in and I was charmed by the organized chaos and the idea of a cafe next door. They have a very small magazine section, but I found the newest National Geographic , that focused on travel (I was pretty excited!). They have a huge selection of books and I could have spent so much money in their well-stocked, diverse history/classics section. They also carry cute accessories like stickers, cards, postcards, etc. The cashier was very sweet and attentive. I was disappointed because the coffee smell from Caffe Aroma - which is literally right next door - didn't bleed through the walls and give the store that super cozy feel. I would have liked it more if they'd had a nook with chairs and/or tables, so someone could grab a book/magazine and bring a drink over from the cafe, especially because of how small the cafe is. I enjoyed the visit, but think I'll stick with Barnes & Noble for a while longer. read more