Bank Square Books is beautiful bookstore in downtown Mystic. It is independently owned, by the…read morecurrent owners since 2006. It has been a bookstore in this very location for 35 years. When I first walked inside I was under the impression that this is a tiny bookstore, the further I walked the more books I would discover. This isn't a tiny bookstore, it is moderately sized. I loved the variety of books available. There's fiction, history, brand new releases, kids, and specific interests such as birds. In addition to the books, they also have some giftable items. There's wrapping paper and cards here also. They also have comfy chairs and couches so you can get comfy while reading. This is such a beautiful bookstore that I'm glad to support in downtown Mystic.

It's been nearly three years since we were last in Mystic, and on this trip we discovered one of…read moreour favorite independent bookstores is gone! Well, gone from downtown, anyway. Nearly two years ago, we discovered, Bank Square Books closed up and moved to 80 Stonington Road, about a mile and a half from its previous location. We were surprised but very happy it is still around and, we hope, flourishing. The new location offers more interior space and better, easier parking. The result is more room for customer browsing, and, we suppose, more room for more books and stuff like cards, games etc. It's fun to stroll around the store but gosh, it sure feels different from what we expected. We wish the store well, of course; we'll keep coming back.

Great place that has a variety of items. Books, snacks, anime items, T-shirt's, I can keep going on…read morewith the list. And it's so fun to browse all the items. Not just a bookstore. We always find things here, even items we didn't know we needed.

Wide selection of books, magazines and other items. Staff has always been courteous and helpful…read morewhenever I have been there.

First and only time shopping was pre Christmas. Got amazing gifts (mostly books), and some…read morehousehold things like bathmats. Loved this store. Will return!!

I was looking for a few bath towels and maybe some school supplies. The store appeared to be very…read moredisorganized and overall messy. A few random school supplies were scattered around but I didn't really find what I was looking for:binders, notebooks, etc. I found a few towels (luckily they matched) and were at a decent price. Just not overly impressed. Thought it was in much better shape last summer. I'll go back to OSJL.

We loved it. 10/10 will come back! Great selection of old and rare books at reasonable prices…read more Thoughtfully curated and alphabetized. For a frame of reference, the prices are not as low as an estate sale but definitely lower than antique store prices. Colleen was super friendly, and gave us a deal because we bought a lot of books. The dogs were super cute and made us smile! For people with allergies or sensitivities, be prepared for a tiny bit of a pet smell and lots of old book dust! Similar to the Book Barn with their cats and old books. By our standards, all the best used bookstores have pets to greet you.

I'm sure the bookstore itself is fine as a business but the second we stepped in the owner's dog…read moreflew at our dog and bit her. If you're going to advertise your business as pet friendly and you know your pet is territorial, then it seems obvious to introduce precautions. There was a sign outside saying dogs were inside but that's hardly a proper warning for an aggressive animal who shouldn't be around other pets. Thankfully we grabbed our dog before she got too injured but she was badly shaken after.

This is a beautiful bookstore in Essex on the Main Street. Service was nice. There are really some…read morespecial books. They have new and used books and antique books. It's very peaceful and quiet inside. Prices seem low for the high quality!

I don't often, never, go into book stores. Had lunch at RJ Cafe & Bistro and popped in to find my…read moresisters newborn a Christmas gift of a book. I was very pleased with the service from the lady who worked upstairs. She was very helpful and knowledgeable with children books and even gave a lady and her newborn a quick story tell. She also gave me some insight on how to sell my mazes as they had a kids and an adult section for puzzles. Again, very pleased with this store and would recommend stopping in.

This is an independent bookstore in Madison with great, helpful service. It's very popular. They…read morehave gifts, a cafe, and a lot of books! It's very clean. They have a lot of events. There's free street parking in front.

Quaint bookstore located off the town square in Colchester. Provides a selection of adult, young…read moreadult and children's books along with a range of book themed gifts. Staff was polite and engaging and available for assistance as needed. A great independent and affordable bookstore. A great way to support local businesses.

What a fantastic new little bookshop. Author owned, I immediately fell in love with how cozy it is…read moreinside. There's lots of cute little kitschy type gifts you can buy, and I found and bought a fantastic CT cutting board as well as a New England road tripping book. I can't wait to see what they do during the upcoming holiday seasons with their book options!

Was obsessed with this haunted little bookshop from the moment I saw their window display (see…read morepicture). Inside, curated sections of adult horror old and new, novelty books, and my favorite: ghost books (etc.) for kids! We walked out with one of my favorites, Gustavo the Shy Ghost, but I could have purchased the entire store. It's small but the employee was super nice and I'm sure everyone loves working there. The Gustavo book, hardcover and gorgeous, cost an expected 20 dollars. I'd be happy to spend all my money there, really, please stay open. This shop really adds to the already high charm of Mystic.

Very cute bookstore! If you Love books this place is for…read moreyou! Many great book finds for all ages! Fair prices. Friendly atmosphere from staff. Great place!

We happened upon this delightful independent bookstore after enjoying a late lunch at the…read moreMediterranean restaurant next door. It's brightly lit and beautifully arranged by theme, with lots of staff pick summaries/comments posted all around. Friendly staff and welcoming vibe. Great book selection of books!

This is such a cute and cozy bookstore! The River Bend Bookshop is set inside a refurbished old…read morehouse in downtown Gastonbury. It's an adorable New England town that looks like it was plucked straight from a movie. When you go inside, the store is so cozy. It's packed full of books and bookish merch, but so well set, there is plenty of room to explore. There are books in every nook and cranny, sorted by genre, with bookseller recommendations and plenty of signed copies. The booksellers are very knowledgeable and helpful too. If you are looking for a gift for an avid reader, they will definitely be able to help you find the perfect present. This is going to be a permanent stop for me every time I head through Connecticut.

Been going here for years with my family. I love walking around the garden, saying hello to cheese…read morepuff (pictured here), and picking up a few cheap books! Staff is really friendly and helps out when you're selling books.

As Connecticut's equivalent to Strand Book Store in Manhattan, Book Barn is a bibliophile's…read moreseemingly bottomless treasure chest! Indeed, dispersed at three distinct locations, BB provides three seemingly bottomless treasure chests. Be prepared to spend several hours browsing their shelves and, if you're game, to buy several armfuls of books. Be prepared in other ways. At the main location, the Barn and its many satellite sheds have some aisles that are damp, dusty, and musty, so if you have respiratory allergies you are advised to wear a face mask there. And while you're at it, dig into your spelunker gear and wear a headlamp, because some of the corners and bottom shelves are so dark you must strain your eyes to read the book spines. Nevertheless, such perils are worth enduring when you arrive home with your trove of cherished books. 5-stars for buying books at Book Barn. An advisory about selling books to BB. You might return home with half of your books unsold. Lugging heavy books from home to car trunk to BB and again to car trunk and again to home rarely can be worth your time and effort. Best to leave at home your paperbacks, and to bring only your hardbacks, as you are more likely sell most of your hardbound books. And best to arrive in the morning soon after they begin buying books, else you must wait in line behind other people selling their books. But, and this is the big BUT. At the conclusion of their hasty appraisal of your entire load of books while you watched helplessly as they rummaged through your trove, be prepared for disappointment, if not humiliation. What they offer to pay you is dismal. They quote you one lump sum for your load of books, never for individual books, but the outcome is as if for, say, your scholarly hardbound book published by an academic press, a first printing in mint condition with its dust jacket intact, they will offer to pay you one-tenth of the price at which they will eventually sell it. To its credit, BB is hardly different from other used book stores in its book buying protocol. Unless you are impoverished, you're better off saving yourself the time and trouble, and instead to donate your books to your local public library. Yet, even your public library will be as selective and unwelcoming, and most of the books they do accept from you will be sold at their annual book sale. The sad fact is that 99-percent of all used books, when measured solely in monetary terms of resale value, are totally worthless. 3-stars for selling your books at Book Barn. So 4-stars total.