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    The Book Barn

    4.7 (232 reviews)
    InexpensiveUsed Bookstore
    Closed 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Mike A.

    A really cute large outdoor bookstore with little houses and barns with all different types of books inside of them. Most of the books are $4-$5 but they also have a huge dollar section which isn't organized. They have a very good movie selection as well. The staff was very helpful and we loved it there. One of the best book stores we've ever been to. A+

    Bonnie G.

    An actual book village out of Lord of the Rings that deserves its own zip code. It's even got goats! Walk into tiny cottages with different themes, teeming with used books across sports, wars, drama, fiction, children's, dogs, sewing, you name it. The most charming, unique, and whimsical bookshops I've ever seen. 5 stars!!!!

    Maria A.

    I have this weird habit of buying Nancy Drew books in every state I go so Connecticut was no different. I yelped local bookstores and this place came highly recommended. Honestly every book lovers dream. I could spend hours, days weeks exploring this place and probably never be done. I drove here on a Monday afternoon. Not busy at all. Located in the small city of Niantic. They have 3 locations with this one being the main one. It's pretty east to spot off the main street. Huge parking lot adjacent to it. And it is an actual barn. They give you a pamphlet upon arrival with a guide to how to navigate upon this huge property. The barn is 3 floors. Apart from that, the outside has small kind shacks loaded with books. There's a garden, goats, chess tables, games, little cars for kids to drive. Honestly everything you can think of. Staff were super friendly and super helpful. Pricing on books is very reasonable. They have both new and used books. They buy books.

    Jacob B.

    The largest bookstore in New England! They have endless amounts of books from each building in the main Book Barn property. The bookshelves are organized, the petting zoo is nice with some farm animals lurking around, and a playscape for the little ones. I like this store because I love reading and we stop there every once in a long while whenever we're down in the shoreline.

    Lots of books organized by genre
    Louise V.

    Wow. As a book lover, I was overjoyed to see such an expansive collection of books of all genres set across a beautiful landscape property. The property is very picturesque with not only books, but animals- goats and a resident friendly cat- table games, unique artwork and pretty greenery. Definitely can spend several hours poking around the grounds. Staff was also very polite and friendly.

    Colleen R.

    The Book Barn is the absolute best book store in Connecticut! They have over 500,000 used books across multiple locations conveniently located along one road. I love getting to go there any time I'm in the area.

    Jackie O.

    There's really no going wrong if you're looking to get a solid selection of cheap books. It's an experience and you could spend hours there. There are plenty of little sections of book categories-- mystery, new arrivals, young adult, children's books. So many options! The staff are efficient and help you get around if you need it. There are little random pockets of things for kids-- a small playground with a playhouse, little cars, etc. A super cute spot for a date day, family outing, or solo relaxation. Worth the visit for sure!

    Carrie Ann G.

    I loved visiting the Book Barn. It's eclectic, fun, and very punny. The wagons are a lovely touch because you will end up with way more books than you expect to get. If you love books, you gotta get yourself here!

    Lou C.

    Used bookstores are awesome and The Book Barn is at the pinnacle of awesomeness! There are three locations within about a mile of one another, but the "barn" is the jewel in the Book Barn crown. Basement has lots of American history, top floor has young adult and kids, and the main floor has a mix. The other two locations have a smaller run of bookshelves but lots of diverse selections. Staff at all locations were very helpful and friendly, and prices were very reasonable.

    Fiction area
    Allison P.

    I was visiting Connecticut last year and saw this bookstore on Instagram and knew I had to visit. This place is so unique and fun to wander through! There are little spots with books all over the place, and the main store has cats. The fiction room was tightly packed with people and books but it was so cozy and I enjoyed browsing through it. The workers all seemed very nice and friendly though I didn't actually interact with any of them personally. The books were a pretty good price, I just didn't find anything that was for me (I'm a very picky reader these days). I would definitely go back if I ever visit the area again!

    Goat barn
    Gretchen B.

    Books, books, books galore! You'll find tons of great used books, and I mean tons! There were people w/ wagons picking up bounties of books. The sights are pretty cool there too. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the are. They also have 2 other stores w/ more books.

    Genres stored in each building (as of March 2025). They were moving books at the new downtown and chapter three locations when I visited.
    Joe T.

    There's a fantastic selection of books for every genre, and the stores are very well organized (books are organized by subgenre and alphabetized) ! The books are reasonably priced and the staff are very knowledgeable about recommend books and helping you find books they have in stock.

    New Arrivals
    Ana B.

    If you're ever in the small town of Niantic Connecticut, you must check out The Book Barn. This is a dreamland for anyone who appreciates books or literature. There are so, so many books, thousands of books for anyone, of any interest. They are categorized by generic genre, kids, new arrivals, dollar books, mystery, fiction, etc... walking through these books is a lot of fun, it's like a maze. Whoever I have arrived with is now lost somewhere in the books, and now I'm talking to my self. Every book I have picked up, is in pristine condition. This is a great place to pick up books for your classroom library, to replace the classics that have seen better days or to add something new and exciting to the collection. Each kid's book is $1.00. The adult paperbacks are $4.00 each. The only minor complaint I have is, it's been difficult for me to find a specific book any time I've gone looking for one. Even where they're categorized by author. It's best to go without expectations, and see what you can find. If you have an unlimited amount of time to sort through books, there are two more stores of The Book Barn, all on the same street. This is a must stop for me every time I'm in Niantic. In the words of Dr Seuss .. "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go."

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    1 year ago

    Great used book store. Huge inventory with a good turnover rate. Don't forget to check out the downtown location, too!

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    Review Highlights - The Book Barn

    Whatever type of book you like, you will be able to find it here; be it at the main location or at the downtown location.

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    Harbor Books

    Harbor Books

    3.7(14 reviews)
    8.9 mi
    $$

    My husband and I were in Old Saybrook for an overnight stay. We stayed at a local B and B, had…read moredinner at Penny Lane Pub on Saturday night and attended a wonderful blues concert at The Kate. Sunday morning we had breakfast at Mirsina's which was delicious. We then took a walk on Main Street. We were talking about what a sweet town this is and the friendliness of all the people we interacted with. We enjoy book stores and decided to explore Harbor Books. When we walked in, we greeted the woman at the desk. She was the wife/ owner I believe. We made small talk and looked around for books we might want to buy. During this time, a male patron came in and was talking about a 20th century European history book he had read and asked for help finding 2 other out of print books by the same author. I was preparing to make a purchase of at least 1 or 2 hardcover novels and my husband was interested in local history. A conversation took place between the owner and patron and was pointedly opinionated political talk that was very disturbing and inappropriate. Needless to say, we abruptly left. I am sorry our wonderful overnight was marred by hateful this experience. I will never go there again.

    I LOVE this bookstore. It's not very wide, but it is long and tall. If I didn't stop myself at…read morethree books and postcards, I'd still be there looking at their fiction and cozy mysteries. The books are used, and their prices are written on the inside cover. They have a huge selection, every genre you can think of, and except for more popular titles, have one copy of each book to (I assume) allow for even more selection. I cannot recommend this bookstore enough. They also have a display of scouting materials in the back.

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    The Book Barn - usedbooks - Updated May 2026

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