The Unreliable Narrator

5.0 (15 reviews)

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The Unreliable Narrator - Bookstores Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Incense selection includes the excellent Seawitch Botanicals

Meaghan B.

This bookstore greets you on the way in with literary and pop culture reference at the door. Pick up a (free!) gumball machine bubble with a word in it that you can find in titles for a discount. Books are arranged in a way that's interesting and flows and incorporates the other items they sell - art, incense, gems, bookmarks, tea, pins, pens, stickers, and other odds and ends. You're not going to find a deep discount on most of the items - your word discount is likely to be your best bet there - but you will find a solid selection of popular titles and off-beat titles you're likely to be able to be recommended based on interest in those popular titles. I could spend several paychecks in here at a time. Expect to spend bookstore money here but leave with things you're excited to read. The friendly readers behind the counter are going to happily discuss your purchases and help you find what you're looking for. I will be back, much to my wallet's chagrin,

Shelby W.

Wide variety of things/gifts and books to choose from! They have D&D merch, tarot & oracle cards, LGBTQ+ merch including flags, and so much more. Service is very kind and friendly. Lots of good vibes! Wide variety of prices, some expensive and some lesser priced. They have a bunch of different vendors.

Jen R.

What a little gem of a book store. It's got all kinds of treats to buy for yourself or as gifts. Lots of books to look at and if they don't have what you want just ask. I came here for our monthly book club and the inside is warm and inviting. We had a nice area to sit and discuss our book. I believe the owner was in attendance and she was very nice. I bought a few things but I will be back cause this is when we meet for book club and I'll just visit because I need to really look around. It's in the old Nox space over in the area of Village Gate. Shared parking.

Kenya M.

I just bought a buncha really cute stuff this time. Next trip is all about the books. I'm so glad to finally get to see the new location. A wonderful, cozy use of an excellent space.

This old bar now only serves patrons of the unreliable narrator

Monica F.

The ideal book store. A place I would want to sit and read for hours. Friendly staff. Reasonable prices.

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MB R.

0

8

0

15 days ago

Staff very nice! Lovely selection and very easy to special order. Definitely recommend

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Rachel C.

Elite 26 All-Star

149

428

1890

28 days ago

Do I love an independent bookstore? yes, yes I do. This place was amazing and did not disappoint. It is loaded floor to ceiling with books and book related items. They seemed to highlight their LGBTQ+ selections- not sure whether it's because its the end of pride or whether that's the norm, but I'm here for it! In addition to a wide-books, they also had lots of gift items- candles, sealing wax, stickers etc. I was truly enamored by the whole vibe. I also hear that they are part of a book crawl which sounds absolutely delightful! Wish I were a Rochester local to participate! read more

The Unreliable Narrator - Signage - Bookstores Near Me - Rochester, New York

The Unreliable Narrator - Door knocker - Bookstores Near Me - Rochester, New York

The Unreliable Narrator - Cool ceiling details - Bookstores Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Sophie T.

Elite 26

13

175

514

7 months ago

Having completed the Rochester Book Crawl, I can confidently say this is one of the best bookstores in Rochester. They have a great range in book selection, lots of unique bookish merch, and place emphasis on inclusivity. They have mandatory masking on Wednesdays, which I think is a great idea and is a super inclusive way to make book browsing safer. Prices are fair, and the booksellers are helpful and nice. I've had a good time during both of my visits and definitely plan to come back! read more

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Meaghan B.

Elite 26

53

323

55

1 year ago

This bookstore greets you on the way in with literary and pop culture reference at the door. Pick up a (free!) gumball machine bubble with a word in it that you can find in titles for a discount. Books are arranged in a way that's interesting and flows and incorporates the other items they sell - art, incense, gems, bookmarks, tea, pins, pens, stickers, and other odds and ends. You're not going to find a deep discount on most of the items - your word discount is likely to be your best bet there - but you will find a solid selection of popular titles and off-beat titles you're likely to be able to be recommended based on interest in those popular titles. I could spend several paychecks in here at a time. Expect to spend bookstore money here but leave with things you're excited to read. The friendly readers behind the counter are going to happily discuss your purchases and help you find what you're looking for. I will be back, much to my wallet's chagrin, read more

The Unreliable Narrator - Incense selection includes the excellent Seawitch Botanicals - Bookstores Near Me - Rochester, New York

The Unreliable Narrator - Cute Totoro art for sale! - Bookstores Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Shelby W.

0

11

23

8 months ago

Wide variety of things/gifts and books to choose from! They have D&D merch, tarot & oracle cards, LGBTQ+ merch including flags, and so much more. Service is very kind and friendly. Lots of good vibes! Wide variety of prices, some expensive and some lesser priced. They have a bunch of different vendors. read more

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Bill Z.

Elite 26 All-Star

929

2883

1959

10 months ago

This is probably one of the most unique and eclectic independent bookstores I have ever visited, and I when I found out about it, I was drawn there like a moth to a flame. A lot of the topics here are things you'll almost certainly never (or at least rarely find) in larger, more conventional, bookstores. The novelty items round out the inventory, making it even better. This is a hidden gem. read more

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Mia T.

Elite 26

16

295

298

9 months ago

I Initially had a hard time finding the entrance as Apple Maps would not pull up the address, but luckily I was able to find it, on the back side of village gate closest to the parking lot. Look for the wooden double doors that are the entrance to an absolute vibe of a store. I was looking for one book in particular that I easily found, but also found myself looking at all the sections. I love the selection of stickers, prints, candles and other goodies. They do well to make it feel like a safe and inclusive space with a cozy vibe that makes you want to curl up with a good book. I'm also a big fan of their stamp card system! read more

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Jen R.

Elite 26

296

1129

2624

3 years ago

What a little gem of a book store. It's got all kinds of treats to buy for yourself or as gifts. Lots of books to look at and if they don't have what you want just ask. I came here for our monthly book club and the inside is warm and inviting. We had a nice area to sit and discuss our book. I believe the owner was in attendance and she was very nice. I bought a few things but I will be back cause this is when we meet for book club and I'll just visit because I need to really look around. It's in the old Nox space over in the area of Village Gate. Shared parking. read more

Helpful 1

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Kenya M.

Elite 26

174

502

3660

3 years ago

I just bought a buncha really cute stuff this time. Next trip is all about the books. I'm so glad to finally get to see the new location. A wonderful, cozy use of an excellent space. read more

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Janette T.

1

116

74

1 year ago

I entered the store hearing Satie's music, which transitioned into the soundtrack of LOTR, and I thought "I think I've found a spiritual home." The book sections are remarkable, the themed gift & decorative items unparalleled. From Twin Peaks to handmade elvish capes, to tiny rubber mushrooms for no particular reason; book sections of Classics, Horror, Alternative Spirituality, etc... a puzzle of Terry Pratchett characters, tarot cards, a bubble gum machine that gives you a word which provides you a discount on a book with that word in the title... SO MUCH FUN. Highly recommended. read more

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Monica F.

Elite 26

7

182

1083

2 years ago

The ideal book store. A place I would want to sit and read for hours. Friendly staff. Reasonable prices. read more

The Unreliable Narrator - This old bar now only serves patrons of the unreliable narrator - Bookstores Near Me - Rochester, New York

The Unreliable Narrator - Crystal section - Bookstores Near Me - Rochester, New York

The Unreliable Narrator - Side door in village gate - Bookstores Near Me - Rochester, New York

The Unreliable Narrator - Entry door - Bookstores Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Marissa B.

Elite 26

37

328

1561

3 years ago

Rochester has many wonderful independently owned bookstores but none are as cozy as The Unreliable Narrator. The shop is well stocked and has a wide selection of books to choose from; including specialized sections. I loved all of the fun plushies, stickers, and crystals you could find throughout the store. I purchased a sticker and a crystal. The owner checked me out and was very kind. Loved the decor and layout, overall an eclectic cozy vibe. I look forward to coming back for a book haul! read more

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Samantha D.

Elite 26

17

193

248

2 years ago

When Nox (a literature themed bar that lived in this building before) closed, I didn't think I'd have reason to come back to Village Gate. I was pleasantly surprised when I walked there one day from the MAG to check out this store. It is so quirky and fun, and unlike any other stores in the area. I can't really think of anything else to compare it to because it's so eclectic and unique. If you like tarot, Lord of the rings, D&D, stickers, spooky, or other witchy/fantasy themed stuff, you're sure to find something fun and unexpected you like here. There are a lot of books as well. It's really a delight to walk through here and it's easy to overlook things at first glance. read more

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Laura A.

227

22

20

1 year ago

Absolutely adorable. So cozy. Great selection. A kids section. A ladder to shelves. Friendly service. Tea! Would absolutely recommend

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Abigail K.

0

2

0

1 year ago

A wonderful bookstore in Village Gate. Great ambiance, good selection of books and lots of other fun items! Find your new favorite book or the perfect gift here. read more

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More info about The Unreliable Narrator

302 N Goodman St
Ste E101
Rochester, NY 14607
Neighborhood of the Arts
Directions

Hours

What time does The Unreliable Narrator open?

What time does The Unreliable Narrator close?

Outdoor Amenities

Does The Unreliable Narrator have parking?

Yes, The Unreliable Narrator has parking options.

Review Highlights - The Unreliable Narrator

“When Nox (a literature themed bar that lived in this building before) closed, I didn't think I'd have reason to come back to Village Gate.”

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Greenwood Books

4.8

(12 reviews)

0.9 mi

I had hours to kill before catching the Megabus back to NY and the stop wasn't far from this shop…read more I wandered in and bought a book I still haven't read yet, mainly purchased to support a local business. It was called "Hope: A Tragedy" , a blurb on the back read, "Hilarious...what David Sedaris would sound like if his neuroses revolved entirely around matters of Orthodox Judaica". Also the author of "Foreskin's Lament". No, really. I mean, what a souvenir, eh? The woman who owns the shop and I talked for a good hour, maybe more, about a little of everything. Politics, art, travel, what has changed since she was my age. I couldn't have asked for better company. During our chat no one besides the UPS guy came in. Maybe you should go, say hi, buy something. And call your mother.

Four stars for the selection, but honestly I'd rate it much lower for the smell. As others have…read morementioned, this bookstore smells like smoke, and of course old books since this is a used bookstore. As someone with severe asthma, I just couldn't stay in this store for very long. Just not my cup of tea, but might be yours. They had a very large selection of a wide range of used books, and it was very well organized and pretty tidy compared to other used bookstores. This was one of my stops on the Rochester Book Crawl, so I might not have otherwise explored this shop. The bookseller was very nice and helpful.

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Rick's Recycled Books

Great place ! Books , Books and more books ! Everything you can imagine . Definitely needs lots of…read moretime to browse. Great value , and Rick is great . I live in Buffalo and i will take a trip there again .

An overwhelming variety of books. Everything is organized fairly well and there's a map on the wall…read moreindicating where certain genres are. Plenty of books to sift through both on the shelves and on the floor. I was looking for one book in particular which unfortunately they didn't have, I assume as it a newer book, but I'm sure if I spent the afternoon browsing I could have found plenty of books on my TBR.

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Bookeater

4.6

(48 reviews)

1.4 mi

So I finally made it to this bookstore/café and met up with a friend. The first floor is the café,…read morewhile the upstairs is the bookstore. There are plenty of places to sit whether you're alone with a book or meeting up with friends. They sell used books along with a small, nicely curated selection of new titles. The coffee and breakfast sandwiches were tasty, and the staff was friendly. My only gripe is that parking in this area is a complete pain.

This coffee shop is a new find. It was a house renovated into a coffee shop. The lady at the…read morecounter told me their syrups are home made and mochas are the best. I got a coconut mocha which I thought was great! They also have other options like raspberry or cherry mocha. However, the price point is a bit steep. They have a second floor which I believe have books. I didn't venture into yet. I'll be back to explore more.

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Mushroom egg sandwich

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Small World Books

I visit this shop when I'm home visiting family. It's my favorite gem in Rochester. The selection:…read moreunique, lovely, and interesting books! The prices are reasonable. I also enjoy chatting with the owner and seeing the cat, whose name, I think, is Rex.

book selection was limited, and when you walk in door you get hit be the stench of canned cat food…read morewhich is ironically right by your feet. the place itself was dirty too.

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Parking lot/mural

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Entrance

Before Your Quiet Eyes

4.9

(10 reviews)

1.0 mi

Met Ken and really loved this place. I bought a few things and he wrapped them to protect the dust…read morejackets for me. Pricing was quite fair!

I had no idea this place was here! Apparently the owner, Ken, has just taken over the larger space…read morefrom previously being in another part of the building. It's already jam- packed full of used books, with a few cases of rare finds as well. It's not dirty and dusty... yet. I mean, how can bookstores like this even hope to stay clean. LOL. I was there coincidentally when a book reading for a local author was about to start, which Ken plans to make a more regular thing. I will definitely be back.

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Sign when you first walk in the main door

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Writers & Books

Writers and Books is a wonderful non-profit literacy center dedicated to promoting reading and…read morewriting. They have a book store on site and host workshops, and events with authors in person. The building is quite large and has on site parking with a back lot. I was very excited to learn of a free event with graphic journalist Joe Sacco. The event was free and I found great value in the conversation with Joe Sacco and Daniel Worden. I learned a lot about the authors body of work and felt it was a great evening focused on the arts. I also learned Writers and Books hosts events like this throughout the year and brings authors to the Rochester area to discuss their works. As previously mentioned, The book store had new and used books, including books by the visiting author available to purchase and have signed. I also enjoyed an interactive typewriter display where you can type out a line and add to what others have written before you. A wonderful organization with a worthy cause, I hope to attend more events in the future and visit the bookstore when in the area.

Great workshops and events that encourage people to write and publish. Have been to poetry readings…read morethere, and I think it's a great place for students and teachers.

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Barnes & Noble Booksellers

This place is enormous! I've seen some big B&N's but not like this one. They literally have…read moreeverything from music, to games, to gifts for the reader and even a used book section. Of course as a member you get a discount and I've always felt the prices are reasonable. Everyone is so helpful and sweet.

Came in during the 25% off sale. I was looking for a specific book but it was out of stock…read moreunfortunately. I got put on the wait list. I was able to find some other things and it didn't downgrade my experience. It was busy and the lines moved fast. The cashier was friendly and efficient. This is a beautiful book store with two levels.

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Bookends

3.3

(12 reviews)

4.9 mi

I came in looking for a specific boom and unfortunately couldn't find it but found plenty of other…read morebooks I've been interested in reading. It feels about overwhelming at first, but there is organization in the chaos and easy to identify where everything is, as long as you're entering the aisles through the front. The books also seemed to be priced reasonably as well. Definitely a future first stop if I'm browsing!

If I am looking for a book, I can easily email the owner and have him keep an eye out for one that…read morecomes in. I enjoy the fact that he doesn't mark the books up out of my price range- I buy used because I cannot always afford to get new books. Some of the books I've purchased there are nearly 100 years old, but still in excellent condition. Every interaction with the owner has been both pleasant and helpful, too!

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Bookshelves

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University of Rochester Bookstore

Nice bookstore, but definitely tailored to the college students at the University. While you can…read morefind some books you may be looking for, others might not be there (I would imagine due to limited space). Not your typical Barnes and Noble bookstore, but overall clean and has a couple of small sitting area to enjoy. No StarBucks inside so that was a bummer. Staff was friendly and helpful.

I had some time to waste before meeting someone for lunch, so I came in here. I went to the cafe,…read more and it's really strange. It's not Starbucks, but they serve their coffee and their drinks. The drink was ok, but I should have just walked across the street and gone to the actual Starbucks. It looks like they just took a bunch of random stuff and threw it in a room. I couldn't even find napkins, and my drink was spilling down the side of my cup. Then I went to the store, and it's also strange. The left side is books, down the middle is gifts and random stuff, and the whole right side is U of R clothing. I know U of R is nearby, but is that really necessary? Buffalo Bills sections at stores in the mall aren't that big. I wouldn't go back to either.

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Genrich's Florist & Greenhouse

Loved Earl's Coffee! Greenhouse was gorgeous with such a variety of indoor and outdoor plants. Will…read morebe back!

This is my go to shop for gifts and all things gardening. The staff are always friendly and helpful.read more

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The Garden Factory

Beautiful selections, reasonable prices, and relatively streamlined services. Quality of geraniums…read morewere excellent.

Tis the season for spring gardening! This past weekend we checked the garden factory for the first…read moretime. It was HUGE! Definitely bigger than I expected. Tons of plants to choose from flowers, shrubs, trees, etc. Service was very helpful too. We ended up purchasing two susan magnolias and I cannot wait to see how they blossom! We will definitely be back to purchase more plants in the future.

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Spring roses

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Bristol's Garden Center

I can only review Bristol's Garden Center based on my experience shopping for indoor and outdoor…read moreplants, as well as vegetables and herbs for my garden - not for any kind of landscaping work - but I found the selection available to be quite extensive. Didn't really need any assistance or service while shopping, mainly because I was shopping with my mother (before Mother's Day) and we were just trying to find things we liked and sounded interesting. The employee helping us at checkout was... seemingly indifferent to being there... but it's fine. In terms of value, we found everything to generally be within a reasonable price range - and I managed to find some really fun items, including strawberry mint (excited to use it in a cocktail) and an heirloom cherokee purple tomato plant. I also picked up a lovely little variegated string of hearts succulent and a couple other plants to add to my collection. Couldn't find a couple of the items I was looking for though (a friend asked me to see if I could find a Chinese money plant - and considering they're fairly common, I was surprised that Bristol's didn't have any), but one location can't have everything, ya know? Anyway, Bristol's was lovely and I'm sure I'll be back during future plant shopping adventures.

Great garden center. It's has everything you can imagine. Was there with my wife and a friend on…read moreMother's Day so it was super busy but someone was around to help us find something. Their selection is so big if you're looking for one particular plant you will need help. Prices were reasonable as well. We have added it to a permanent stop on our Mother's Day weekend trips.

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Christian T.

0

4

0

4 months ago

Awesome bookstore, I shop here all the time. Staff is amazing, and they have so many good books and cool trinkets.

The Unreliable Narrator - bookstores - Updated August 2026

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Book Culture Pittsford

4.9

(17 reviews)

Great store, specializing in topical NF and current literature. Love the buyback days, they always…read morework out well for us. Folks working here are super kind and helpful.

I love the layout of this bookstore. It tickles my "must have every book" itch and looks very…read moreaesthetically pleasing. They have a large selection of a range of books as well as bookish gifts. The products sold here seem to be very good quality. I've also found some good picks on their sale carts. This isn't the cheapest bookstore, but it is definitely one of my favorites to browse for new books and gifts.