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!

Such a delight! Enjoyed an hour Saturday browsing their selection-- could spend days here. Looking…read moreforward to returning soon. Purchased a book printed 50 years ago comparing where I lived for two decades in California and Kansas City, MO and an out of print philosophy of fairytales companion. Such a find!

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!

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!

We made a trip this past weekend to KC and had a blast. This was our first stop! I had seen clips…read moreon social media and knew my little book worms would love it. We bought our tickets ahead of time, so we could secure our time slot. However, it looked like you can get tickets there the day of. Tickets are fairly priced, $16/person. This place is a lot bigger than I thought. Once you go down the rabbit hole, there are little burrows to crawl through, stop by and check out the rabbits little house before making your way through. It took us about 2 hours to go through, my kids loved all the interactive pieces to it. They could climb in nearly everything, there was a slide, a fire pole, etc. If you aren't familiar with the books, don't worry, they keep them stocked at each section so you can read it! Once we were done, we made our way to the bookstore. They had a wonderful large staircase that people could just relax and read books which I thought was wonderful little touch. They had a great selection of books and had a section of all the books from the displays. They have a coffee shop but unfortunately it was closed when we were there. The staff was wonderful, the volunteers are all scattered throughout to help customers. The volunteers and staff truly love books and children. We will absolutely be back again!

Well put together museum where all the books you grew up comes alive…read more Brought my kids and their cousins here. They loved it. Got to sit on a story time and caught the bus. Make reading great again!

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.

Wise Blood is a lovely bookstore in Westport and is a great addition to the area! They have variety…read moreof genre selection (including used and new books), a kid's books section, coloring books (adults and children), notebooks/pens (moleskin style stuff), and were very welcoming when my husband and I walked in. They feature local art on the back wall - we went to a "meet the artist" event one evening (Hubbard Savage is the local artist featured - he's super talented!). There were also some musicians who played and also did some spoken word type of stuff, both of which were delightful! They have a little seating area that's comfy if you wanna sit and flip through a stack of books when you're trying to decide which to get. I will definitely be back - this place is amazing. Highly recommend you stop reading this review, get in your car/on a bike, and go check it out!

It was my first time in town and ran across this store. Great selection of books in titles and…read morediversity of genres. Used and new books in great condition. You can tell a lot of love and thought went into the titles! Great collection and will definitely be back.

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.

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 :)

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!

Love this place! They have books for all age ranges and topics. The books are reasonably priced and…read morethe owner was super sweet to me. Helped me find just what i needed.

We were in the area and we stopped by this bookstore. We have been to this bookstore at a previous…read morelocation years ago. The store itself is completely unorganized and you wonder if the shelves are going to topple in. But he has an exceptional collection of used non-fiction books. He has all types of genres and classic books. His Christian section is better than most Christian bookstores. He has very high-quality authors. He has manuals, a selection for black voices, various countries, cookbook, health, psychology, you name it on the non-fiction and he probably has it. He is friendly and helpful and it would probably be best to ask him where some items might be since the store is overcrowded and not organized very well. Some books have the prices on the inside cover and some you have to ask him and you can bargain with him as well as long as your bargaining is reasonable. Even though the photos that I have submitted show disorganization, he really does have an exceptional amount of good books.

Original review no longer accurate…read more So, when I first went to this place it was filled with books and heavily disorganized. It got a little better over time. They buy books but only twice I guess? I reached out a couple times to sell books or trade and been told they're not buying. Which is perfectly fine if you don't want to buy customers books. You get final say. It just ruined my view on the business.