“This is the closest bookstore to me and I love it. All the staff is kind, knowledgeable, and helpful. They have a bunch of fun toys, games, and other non-book knickknacks as well as their large book selection.”
“Lovely bookstore. I'm not much of a reader, but I was in town and had time to kill so I came in here and ask for a book suggestion. The gentleman that helped me was very nice and asked some questions and help me land on a perfect book”
“Pretty solid selection of modern copies older classic literature. This is a reason to check out a larger store like this. You wont find Balzac or Maupassant easily in a boutique bookstore. Fairly friendly staff although they are faily useless for recommendations.”
“Walking into West Side Book Shop feels like stepping into another era of reading and storytelling. The store is filled floor to ceiling with books, and at first it almost feels overwhelming in the best possible way — shelves packed tightly together, stacks of books waiting to be discovered, and a narrow path that continues to lead you deeper into the shop. Just when you think you’ve seen everything, you turn a corner and find even more books.
It is not the typical modern bookstore. It feels lived in, literary, and full of history. The smell of old books fills the space, almost as if the words and stories have settled into the walls over time.
While browsing, I was looking for a particular type of book and the gentleman working there was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. After a short conversation, he guided me toward exactly what I was searching for. Experiences like that make bookstores memorable — not just because of the books themselves, but because of the people who help connect readers to stories.
West Side Book Shop feels like a place where readers can lose track of time. It rewards patience, curiosity, and the joy of browsing.”
“Wonderful community resource for used books, books on CD, jigsaw puzzles. Most priced @$.50-$2.00, some special items priced higher. They also offer some book-related gift items (book bags, mugs, bookmarks, etc $1-$5). Run by Friends of the Library volunteers. Open to shop Sat 10am-4pm. Donations accepted. Ck website for donation times.”
“AMAZING selection of books new in print and good classics, big focus on beat generation writers and their later inspirations. Laid out beautifully, well stocked but not visually overwhelming to browse. I found multiple books here I haven’t been able to find any where else. The clerk behind the counter was so kind and we had a nice little talk. I will definitely be coming back!! All in all my definition of a perfect bookstore :)”
“I have bought and sold books with him. He is very knowledgeable and willing to share this knowledge. I have sold books from a late brother-in-law. The books he has are very special or the highest quality this is very important to him”
“Magical gem here in Ann Arbor. My partner and I are visiting from Seattle and looking for a particular book, thinking it would be difficult to find, this lovely bookstore had it. It was challenging to get past the curated staff selected books upon walking in! So many wonderful, intentional options. The upstairs is completely open for public lounging, purchase a book, wonder upstairs, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the ambiance. Will be coming back!”
“Good sales like an $18 battery pack, but overpriced and understocked. Typical uni bookstore. There are certainly cheaper pdfs (free) online vs $150 books and $50 course packs. YmmvGreenbooks are 90 cents”
“I dont often review things/places but the amount of knowledge in the place is astounding, and at a very reasonable price, even if you have to actually look through disparate places to find books that you want.”
10AM - 4PM
2101 Bonisteel Blvd, Ann Arbor
Book Stores
“While not comparable to Michigan Commons on Central Campus, this place can hold its own. The food options available are Panda Express (in the basement), Ahmo's (in the basement), Sushi by Panda (on the 2nd floor), and Fireside Cafe (on the second floor). Fireside Cafe has 3 stations, one of which is always food from an outside restaurant, like Jamaican J*** Pit. One of the other stations has a standard line-up of burgers, and the remaining station seems to switch between bibimbop and burritos. Overall, the food isn't fantastic and can't compare to all the restaurants on Central Campus. However, it's more than enough when you want a convenient lunch. Aside from the food, Pierpont has study areas as well. However, I tend to avoid doing work here because it can be pretty loud and the study area by the piano often smells like sweat... Yay, engineers! I would recommend walking a minute more and studying in Duderstadt. There's also a Barnes and Noble, a bank, and a computing center.”
“3 floors of well organized books. A fun place with helpful and attentive staff. It was a friday friday morning, there were 10-15 guests but it didn't seem cramped or overwhelming.”