Rainy Day Books is kind of the best of both worlds - a book lover's paradise staffed by book…read moreworms. It's a cozy space, but it's jampacked with books from all subjects. If you can't find what you're looking for - which for some reason happens me a lot - the staff is happy to order a copy for you. They're book club friendly. They also host a ton of fun book-related and author events. If you're interested, please follow their social media accounts. They'll keep you up to date.

Indie bookstores are the best. This one being the oldest in KC, just celebrating 50 years is…read moreabsolutely amazing. They have amazing author events either in their shop or the Unity Temple on the Plaza. There is a great kids section with a ton of options. Employees are super helpful and will help you look up books as well. I needed to make sure a book was appropriate for kids and they looked up the details for me! Great bookstore all around!

I was wondering around on a Saturday evening and found this local gem. What an incredible place…read more Enchanting. I immediately felt at home exploring the 3 floors. The books cover every subject. Some were probably harder to find. I happened upon a hardback about Eleanor Roosevelt and the years she spent alone after FDR's death. I also found a copy of an old magazine which explored all sorts of Tibetan culture. I purchased both. The book on Eleanor was found in the basement which is a bit of a labyrinth. I got tickled because I was entranced by the books so much that I nearly tripped several times on the very uneven floor. And it's painted all the same color so you can't see the weird level changes well but I was weirdly not even upset about it because it added some intrigue to the mystery of searching the shelves in the basement. Even on a nearly 100 degree day, it was chilly down there. Cool! Upstairs on the 3rd floor where it was toasty, I found the magazine. There were some cool lounge areas up there too. Record albums and a music section. I was mesmerized. I believe there were a couple of people putting out books but I'm not sure. I never asked anyone for help because I wasn't sure who worked there and I didn't really need any. The guy who checked me out seemed pleasant but I can't speak too much on the service except to say it was fine. I felt it was very acceptable to read through books even though they were for purchase and except on the crowded main floor, they had places for you to sit and read so it was even encouraged! I love that! The only thing I'd have liked that I did not see is a bit more merchandise that is book and reading related. They had a few Prospero Books tshirts and a tote bag but that was about it. I admit it wouldn't necessarily fit the vibe to have a section like this or maybe it could if done in a nonchalant way. The messages from customers written on the walls and shelves throughout the store along with photos were absolutely perfect! There were some photos that showed the basement before it became the magical place it is right now. Reading the messages and seeing the photos let me know I was in the realm of my people. All the books and magazines I saw were reasonably priced. I spent less than $15 on my large hardback and magazine. I didn't have nearly enough time to explore. I hope to go back!! You should definitely go and support a local bookstore treasure!!! I'm so thrilled they are here! We need more like them! And they carried ALL types of books. There is no censorship. As noted on Prospero Tshirts, "There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them." - Joseph Brodsky And you'll find in my friend's book, The Sun Does Shine, they can strip you of everything but if you have an imagination, they can't take that. Books and reading develop that ability. Let the words transport you! READ!

A three story book store!? A book girls dream! It was so easy to navigate and figure out how the…read morestore is divided. They have a large sign explaining where you'll be able to find genres between the three floors. I was pleasantly surprised to see the prices were also reasonable! Of the books I looked at, the most expensive price was $15 for a fiction novel. I highly recommend you take a stop here if you're in the area!

My husband found Seven Stories when visiting the area before we moved, and he told me all about the…read moreincredible owner, Halley, and her family. It was my first bookstore stop the week we moved. Since my first visit over a year ago, Seven Stories has quickly become a "third place" for me. I love how dedicated Seven Stories is to supporting local artists, BIPOC artists and writers, LGBTQIA+ stories, and the Shawnee community overall. Whether you are looking to browse or stay a while, it is always worth the visit. Check out their special events and book clubs, too! Seven Stories, and the community they have built, feels like home.

It's a bookshop & local gift stop rolled into one brick & mortar spot in Shawnee. Locally owned…read morewith a book inventory that rotates fairly frequently, and who doesn't love a good book? Plenty of children's titles, lots of current fiction, and a strong selection of biographies all round out the shop. You can also browse the games & puzzles selections, locally made postcards & prints, and other Kansas City-oriented items. I picked up a fun game of 'Haikubes', a series of cubes with differing words and themes with which to build Japanese poetry. What a find! Parking is easy and browsing is easy. Definitely a vibe of a 'book store' with the space & service. Check it out!

I go to romance bookstores in cities I visit and Under the Cover is probably the best I've seen!…read moreIt's large and organizes books by tropes. There's just a lot of small details that the owners have taken note of and implemented in the store. It's 2 large stores now (it's gotten bigger) and the decorations and gifts are wonderful. Very Instagrammable. Lots of books and gifts like candles, shirts, bags, knickknacks. Cute signs and decor. Books by local authors are highlighted. Staff is very helpful. Bathroom is clean and cute. There's lots of ladders that remind you that you're not Belle, do not stand on them! A must-visit if you're in KC!

I used to be in the bookstore business. Remember bookstores? Those cavernous spaces with endless…read moreshelves of books of which maybe only 5% actually got purchased? Yeah. Good memories. That's not the case at Under The Cover. This is a legit, almost boutique-ish, book and gift store. It's not a warehouse of books and just 'stuff'. No, their specialty lies with LGBTQ+ literature, awareness, and advocacy and that theme is everywhere in this cozy space. Under The Cover is moving books aplenty and their merch and sundries game is amazing. Throw up a hand if you're an LGBTQ+ supporter. Heck, throw up a hand if you're on the other side of those lifestyles, because Under The Cover will WELCOME you, too. There are plenty of Christian bookstores, so balancing that ledger with inclusivity and love by patronizing an alternative choice & lifestyle business should be on anyone's radar. The service is uber-friendly and they will give suggestions for just about anything. Sign their guest book (so fun!) or just drop your email to receive future discounts, notice of specials, or even in-store author events. Support local is not just a rallying cry for farmers markets or service industries. It's critical to buttress our friends and neighbors who pour their hearts and souls into offering the great city a neverending array of shops & locations by supporting their businesses. The value in a place like Under The Cover is not just in the price tag of the items. No, it's more in the merit of small businesses and their place in the fabric that is Kansas City. Parking is city-style, which can mean you're on your own. Prices are fair and consistent, and you will appreciate what this space has become and how it can add to the Union Hill area. Take the time, and the opportunity, to stop in and feel the love.

Monstera's Books is sooo cute! I love that there are plants along with supplies and books to take…read morecare of the plants. It's a small place but has plenty of variety. They found the book I needed asap and were so kind! They also had cards and stationary items that were so cute. There were also some free book marks at the counter that were so cute!

Omg !!!! LOVED this bookstore. I live in the Northland so I don't often make it down to the OP area…read morebut stopped in here on a day out and I totally will be back at some point! They had a great selection of books and easy to find your way around with the organization of the books. Walked out with a nice little haul :)

Yeah, I give it five stars. Big whoop. Wanna fight about it?…read more Back in the day there were multiple bookstore chains (I even used to be employed by one of the biggies) and the books game was somewhat cutthroat. Nowadays, less & less people want a tangible BOOK, because digital. Sorry, techno kiddies, but you simply will never be able to replace the feel of a book, turning pages of a thriller, or flipping to the back of a choose-your-own-adventure with some gizmo. And B&N has stayed the course, while incorporating digital options for those that like screens, but they stay locked on their core business: being a bookstore. The Plaza location is flagship-y, what with a multi-floor layout and escalators seemingly running in MC Escher directions. The cafe is on L2, kids' stuff is at the top, non-fiction & fiction are clearly marked but separated by floors, and on and on. Find something that you want to peruse? Grab one of the many chairs and read to your heart's (or schedule's) content. The bottom level, below the street walk-in, has all the music you could want, with a solid vinyl selection. If vinyl's comeback doesn't signal how hard it is to kill a media format, then I don't know what to tell you. Books may not have that kind of resurrection, but B&N isn't letting go of the rope just yet. There are value buys everywhere, from large coffee table books to older titles (in the biz they call these 'remainders'), boutique-y items with themes, and one of the best LEGO selections outside of a specialty store. If you need help, then there are friendly folk here and there, or you can use a self-service kiosk to help you find something. Foot traffic from the Plaza drives this store and you are pretty much guaranteed to walk out with something you like. And you'll be glad you did.

Alright Barnes & Noble still has their fastball…read more My girls were going a bit stir crazy his was a wonderful way to spend an hour or so on a frigid Sunday. Easy parking in the garage next door, and tons of stuff to do here. We needed to get a Lego set, and there's a really decent selection. In the age of online shopping, it's a nice change up to actually go in a store and look around. There was one book that looked good and I happened to notice it was half price on Amazon vs in store, which is how it goes, but worth noting. There's also a Starbucks cafe, and then a kids section up top that's a lot of fun. My girls each got to pick out a book and they ended up spending a lot of time looking around and having fun. Honestly, really great all around. Fun way to spend an hour or two and so many great things that the kids enjoyed.

Happy to Shop here. To buy and sale my used books. Plus, the staff can not forget them. Always a…read morepleasure to speak with them.

The store was organized in sections by book types. Very large selection available in a variety of…read morebooks, records, cassettes, posters, etc. Staff were very friendly and helpful of finding what I needed. I felt most of the books were rather pricy even though it said they were 1/2 off. Some were newer, but some were not and the prices still seemed pretty steep. Vintage books are available as well, which those prices are expected to be in the higher range depending on the book. If you are in the market to get rid of some books, records, posters, cassettes, electronic players, etc then they will buy those items on the spot as well.

This was my first time at Afterword (though I have been meaning to go for a while) and I am already…read moreplanning on coming back! I love the vibe of the space, which is lined with bookshelves and they even have a card catalog. The drinks are fun and with some Literary references for the names. I had the poppy war and really enjoyed it. We sat inside but they also have an outdoor patio. The bathroom was also extremely clean. Service was very quick with barely any wait before the drinks were ready. I would recommend anyone that loves a cocktail to stop in!

Cozy, book-filled, and perfect for unwinding with a drink. I tried the drink of the month the…read moreBoozycatipillar, a fun literary-themed cocktail supporting Read to Lead KC delicious! The only downside? Ordering at the bar makes it tricky to hold your seat as a solo guest. Drinks are a bit pricey, but the ambiance is worth it. Great spot for book lovers looking to relax with a cocktail!

Where do you buy gifts if you want the recipient to think you're clever AND have good taste? Where…read moredo you go if you want to visit an inspiring retail shop? Not many better places than the museum store @ NAMA. I've been to the NAMA several times, but somehow I've never noticed this awesome gift shop tucked under a stairwell. I'm kicking myself for not going here whenever I needed a gift. I know what you're thinking...a museum gift shop? 4 stars? Seriously? LAME. I generally agree that gift shops blow. They're usually for stranded or overly excited museum tourists to blow money they shouldn't be spending. Many times these places are even tacky. I'd argue the NAMA museum store is very light on the tacky nonsense. Most of the stuff I saw there I'd like to own or found interesting. There is a overwhelming selection of awesome art history texts here. LIke WOW amount. Multiple books solely about peeps like Bruce Nauman, Cindy Sherman, David Smith, et al. If the shop was a wee bit larger I could see myself spending days here just browsing through all the fascinating art history books. Unfortunately, the size of the area doesn't lend to extensive browsing. Any & every "rock star" artists of the last thousand years is represented. Seriously impressive collection. There is also an extensive stationary & cards department as you enter. What struck me most about the gift selection is the amount of unique--almost quirky stuff. My sister has a salt and pepper shaker that i always wondered where she got it and sure enough here it is for sale at NAMA's Museum Store. The Museum Store is the type of place you'd go if you appreciate paying a little extra to shop inside a building designed by Steven Holl. It's a place to find gifts, books, & stationary with a touch of muted eccentricity. Not your everyday store with not your everyday items...

The Nelson-Atkins Museum, Rozzelle Court and The Museum Store for me is like getting a really big…read morehug of joy and happiness. It's the best trifecta in town. For me, I grew up in a very blue collar, factory, warehouse part of town. Going to the Nelson as a kid was life changing for me. It showed me that there was a different kind of life out of what I was surrounded by. Not that one is better than the other, just an expansion of possibilities. So I do realize that I have a heart string attachment to this place, but with perspective, I still feel all three aspects of this museum are exceptional and should be explored by all. The Museum Store (gift shop) is very well done. It's perfect for unique gifts, local gifts and not-as-readily seen mass produced retail items. They have an outstanding book selection with focus on art, artist, architecture and design. They also have a strong and unique card/ stationary area. Gifts for all ages and all people are easily found here. It's a great store to find a unique and personable gift at, all within the amazingly gorgeous walls of the Bloch building. Maybe that one gift you buy here will change the life of some young person you know too. If that's not a reason to shop here than I don't know what to tell you.

When you walk in this bookstore, you feel equally welcomed & like you're walking into a new…read moreuniverse. Frequently changing the books & space design, like an art installation, owner Cori exclusively features authors of color. You can also shop online & have items shipped or picked up in store. If you're looking for a specific text that isn't available, she will find it! They also host multiple bookclubs & monthly events. Open Wed-Sat. The store is part of a small strip & does sit on a busy intersection, so pay attention while en route! Always check social media or call, for updated hours. Support local. Support Black Owned. Support Woman Owned!