Best Used Books Detroit Near Me

Kelly Ganoe: This place is magical. It wants to be the setting of a book, but the book is different for each person in my group. Took home a case of books. We had a great time.

Ron Reed: John King is a truly unique experience. There is nothing like the smell and the feel of all the books surrounding you.It's a place to wander around for hours if you love books. Parking is easy, and it is very close to downtown.It is worth the trip.

Baydoun Baydoun: John K. King Used & Rare Books - A Literary Haven in Downtown DetroitIf you have a deep appreciation for the written word and a penchant for discovering literary treasures, then a visit to John K. King Books Store in downtown Detroit is an absolute must. This extraordinary bookshop stands as a testament to the enduring allure of printed books, offering an unparalleled collection of old and rare volumes that will transport bibliophiles to a realm of literary wonder.As you step into the store, you are immediately enveloped by the scent of aged pages and the sight of towering bookshelves that seem to stretch endlessly. With over one million books spread across four sprawling floors, John K. King Books Store is a haven for book lovers, beckoning you to embark on a literary adventure like no other.The sheer magnitude of the collection is awe-inspiring. From antique leather-bound classics to out-of-print gems and coveted first editions, every corner of this bookshop is brimming with literary treasures waiting to be discovered. The knowledgeable staff members, who possess an evident passion for books, are always on hand to guide you through the labyrinth of shelves, offering insights and recommendations that will further enrich your browsing experience.John K. King Books Store is not merely a store; it is a bibliophile's paradise. You can easily lose track of time exploring the vast selection of subjects that span across art, history, literature, science, and everything in between. Whether you're searching for a rare volume to complete your collection, delving into a particular era of history, or simply seeking inspiration within the pages of a forgotten classic, this bookshop caters to every literary inclination.One of the most remarkable aspects of John K. King Books Store is the sense of serendipity it evokes. As you meander through the shelves, your eyes may alight upon a hidden gem you never knew you needed. The joy of discovery is palpable, as each book holds the potential to transport you to new worlds, spark intellectual curiosity, or ignite a long-forgotten passion. The store's well-organized sections and helpful signage make navigating the vast collection an enjoyable and rewarding experience.Beyond the extensive book collection, the ambiance of the store adds to its allure. The weathered hardwood floors, the cozy reading nooks tucked away amidst the shelves, and the soft, warm lighting create an inviting and contemplative atmosphere. It's a place where you can lose yourself in the pages of a book, surrounded by a tangible sense of literary history.Whether you're a seasoned bibliophile or a curious reader exploring the world of used and rare books, John K. King Books Store is a destination that will captivate your imagination. It is a haven that honors the written word, preserving the magic of storytelling and celebrating the beauty of printed books. The dedication to preserving and sharing these literary treasures is evident in every aspect of the store, from the vast collection to the knowledgeable staff who are passionate about connecting readers with their next literary adventure.In conclusion, John K. King Books Store is more than a bookshop; it is an immersive experience that transports you to a world of literary marvels. Whether you're seeking a cherished edition or simply indulging in the joy of browsing, this extraordinary establishment offers a sanctuary for book lovers in the heart of downtown Detroit. Prepare to lose yourself amidst the pages and embark on a literary journey that will leave an indelible mark on your soul.

Kelly Mramor: This place was so cool and i could've spent hours wandering the various floors.

Laura Slowinski: This place was a neat place to go, and they had lots of unique items. I liked how much room they had, but we disliked how much dust they had. The place smelled a little moldy and therefore we probably won't be back.

Jocelyn Read: Lovely place to browse, books from across many decades

Marshall Symons: John King Books in downtown Detroit is a book lover's dream come true. Stepping into this literary haven, I am greeted by a delightful blend of well-organized spaces and a charming chaos that brings out the adventurous spirit in me. With four floors to explore, each packed with an extensive collection of books, this store is a treasure trove of knowledge and imagination.What struck me immediately upon entering were the sunlit upper floors. The morning rays gracefully filter through the windows, casting a warm glow on the shelves and creating a serene atmosphere. It's a serene and peaceful haven where I can lose myself amidst the pages, basking in the gentle embrace of natural light. It's these subtle touches that make my visit to John King Books truly special.The organization within this seemingly chaotic space is truly remarkable. Despite the abundance of books, the staff has done an exceptional job of maintaining order. Each section is meticulously labeled and arranged, allowing me to navigate through different genres and themes with ease. I find joy in wandering through the labyrinth of shelves, stumbling upon unexpected literary treasures at every turn.Whether you're a dedicated bibliophile or simply seeking respite from the bustling city, John King Books offers an unparalleled experience. It's a place where the magic of literature comes alive, where the serenity of sunlight intertwines with the charm of organized chaos. Prepare to get lost in the captivating world of books and rediscover the joy of exploration. John King Books is a haven where the mind can roam freely, and where the heart can find solace amidst the pages.

Jennifer Milas: A great place to look for books, every imaginable title

Bridget Doyle: 5 stars is the only answer. FANTASTIC

Priyanka Reddy: A bit overwhelming but once you get used to it, it'll be your favorite stop when in Detroit! Also, you can find any kind of book here, all you need to do is look and follow the map.

Andrew Manee: Very cool! Definitely a must see if you go to Detroit and appreciate books. A huge bonus if you also enjoy history and historic buildings!

Daniel Armali: Best place ever. Like walking into a time capsule. Amazing service too.

Emiliano Vega: This was an adventure . I felt like I was in a mystery movie . Was so tempted to get so many books but the thing that caught my heart was an antique coin . I plan on going back and finding a book on Gustave dore

Dan Taylor: I went here on a recommendation from my son, a bibliophile. This instantly became my favorite bookstore outside of New York City! Wow! What a selection! This 4 story building is chock full of everything from $1 paperbacks to antiquarian treasures and first editions. Like all truly great bookstores, the tall shelves are closely spaced, the floor creaks, lighting is better in some areas than others, and the perfume of old books and ephemera fill the air. Make sure you have plenty of time to explore. It would take days!

Redento Johnson: This place is amazing!!! I can't believe I've been in Metro Detroit for 20 years and never visited this place. Amazing!

Karol Conrad: A bit overwhelming. Nice selection

Malleri fowler: Such a cool experience. Walked out with lots of great books spent hours exploring.

Sheldon “Canucklehead” Carroll: This truly is an amazing repository with many treasures hidden throughout. The only fault I found and it was a rather sizable one is the resholding of books by customers throughout as well.

Victoria Martinez: Very cool to visit, the map was a lifesaver! Recommended to experience a 4 level used book store, just keep in mind most are older books and it might be hard to find something you like, but they had a bunch of other items too!

samantha meyer: One of our favorite places in Detroit, a labyrinthine treasure of a bookstore. Prepare to spend hours lost in the stacks, literally and figuratively!

Kari Hofmann: Cute place the owner was incredibly helpful. I love how she has cats at the store and feeds the neighborhood strays. What a wonderful soul.

kdela: Super cool bookstore, the owner was kind enough to sort out some things and show me an excellent assortment of art books, children’s books and various pulp novels. Great selection and amazing prices!!

Gaius Caligula: Great books for a great cause!

Octavia Smith: Great place to buy used books. The prices are amazing. The quality of the books exceptional. The staff magnificent.

Evelyn Ashley: I had been on a thrift hunt for books for a couple days and found this place on Google. To my surprise not only is it spacious but all of the books were displayed so neatly. I had the easiest time navigating between different genres of books. The book kitty was the second best part. I definitely recommend browsing this little shop.

Matthew Dante: First time at this bookstore and it was great. Had a really good selection and the prices were very reasonable. There was a friendly lady who was helpful and also a cute little cat roaming around. I’ll be coming back to this store.

leslie baugh: Hidden gem in the city of Detroit!

Cory Page: What a lovely bookstore! For a secondhand shop, there's a very impressive range of books (not just shelves full of mass-market romances and police procedurals). They even had a bunch of children's books, which is something I almost never see in used bookstores.The quality of the books was also notable - it seems like the owner takes care to only shelve prints that don't pass a certain threshold of wear and tear. I appreciate that. It can be disappointing finding a book on the shelf that interests me, only to realize it's so water-damaged that its previous owner must have lived in Innsmouth.And if the books weren't doing it for me, the resident cat definitely was! The little cutie made a great companion as I walked through the stacks. Will definitely be back

Irene Schatz: Absolutely loved this bookstore. Good prices, good variety of books and also a good selection of classics.

Alex Marsh: This store is a gem. Clean, well organized, amazing selection. I’ll be returning!

Jason Gibbs: This is a very clean and well organized used book store with a good selection and very good prices!There's also a cute and curious little resident here.

Fr. Terry Donahue: A good-sized, well-organized, varied selection of used books in very good condition at inexpensive prices.

Gagneet Khangura: Awesome selection and really reasonable prices. The owner is super nice and her kitty is adorable.

Colin Colter: Awesome selection and great prices!

Morgan: I love any used bookstore, I love walking in and smelling the old book smell. There isn't a lot of space to walk. The people behind the counter are always nice. I would recommend that you bring cash because they have an older card system so it takes a few minutes to pay with card because they have to call the bank. They have books on everything, and I mean everything, 1950s cookbook, you got it, kids books, got it, weird glass eggs, got it, horror, you bet, history, 100%.

Andre Pulford: This bookstore is tied for second best in the area for me.The inventory is varied and well-priced, with enough turnover that there is usually something new for me whenever I return. There are no new books, just an excellent selection of hardcovers and paperbacks. The book smell is a 2/10, which on my scale is the pleasant smell of nostalgia and antiquity without the borderline aroma of musty questionability. The only two people I have seen there seem to be quiet but friendly and knowledgeable about the inventory. A nice throwback is the manual credit card slider if you've never seen one.I appreciate the variety of the children's section, a well-stocked science fiction section, and a small cabinet of collectible titles. The adult corner of the store seemed seedy and out of place.If you're a fan of used bookstores, you'll place this in the category of quaint and interesting; worth your time to check out. Note that this is a used bookstore, not a place selling unwanted library books! Parking is tight, but there are a few spots behind the store reserved for customer use.

Leonard Garcia: Great selection of books. Friendly and accommodating staff.

Andrew K: This is my happy place. I try to stop in every time I'm in downtown Ferndale, and I rarely come out empty handed. It seems like they have enough books the store would still be full at twice the size. Might not always be the place to look for a specific title, but if you go in just looking for anything interesting, you're sure to find something fun.

Sylvia Edward: A great collection of used books sold at a fair price. I always find something new and interesting here. A must visit if you're shopping in Ferndale.

Erik Mylenek: My favorite used bookstore. Great selection. Always new books Everytime I visit.

Jason Gibbs: Good selection of used books ranging from paperbacks to signed hardcovers and old collectible boos as well. nice selection and reasonable prices.

Melanie Tassone: Lovely little place. I always walk out with a book or two!

Flying Suitcase: My wife and I love the variety, feel, and air of the Library bookstore! Part of the charm of the Library is it's a part of local history. the other part is that Denny & Martha are the perfect historians, librarians, and most knowledgeable people when asked a question. Theres no need to have hanging signs ( as one reviewer posted) when you have two great lovers of books there to guide you.Martha and Denny are very good at their word, of letting you know when a book that you are looking for happens to come in. All we can say is you will enjoy venturing into the Library while walking out with at least 1-2 books if not more.

Jill Young: Missing this bookstore, can't wait until they safely re-open. Denny is the best for sci-fi, fantasy recommendations, I always find something wonderful.

Allison Lincoln: I love this little bookstore. I just stopped by to see if it's open after the Covid-19 crisis. There is a sign on the door right now that says that they are not permanently closed, but will open when things are better with Covid-19. This is great news because I have a fear that these little bookstores just won't be able to pay their rent while things are up in the air. We need these little book stores. And the Library Bookstore is a great choice to go to in Ferndale.

Kristi Usher: Always love the sci-fi section!

Christian Miller: Very nice owner. Amazing selection. Even better prices!

Jennifer Nagle: Kind staff, great collection.

Susannah Rose: Employees are great, lots of cool/vintage books and more.

Kristine P.: Found more than 1 treasure. They have a huge selection & variety of books.

Brandon Pausa: Got a great deal on 100 book transaction. Great store.

Jim Allen II: Classic vintage bookstore, so happy I found it. Wonderful people. I walked out with a whole box full of good finds!

Patrick M. O'Connor: A quality sci-fi, mystery, horror section.

John Curtis: One of the best book shops in the area. I can spend hours there and find plenty.

Mark & Jan Buhr: I love this place. Everyone is so helpful and we always find treasures!

Ramiyah davis: Love the books but the employee follows me around like I'm going to steal something.

Derek Trestain: This place is fantastic. The staff are super friendly and helpful.If you go in with a genre in mind you will always find some real treasure

Art Espey: I have not lived in MI in almost 15 years, however I have fond memories of roaming the aisles of this musty bookstore finding some gems.On a recent visit back to MI, I was not disappointed. Same musty smell and same great random, eclectic book collection.If you love books this place is your jam.

Isabella Houghton: Amazing place

In my Opinion: Found everything I was looking for and than some. Reasonable prices!

Julie Davis: I would have bought an old book, no question asked, but the owner removed it from me thinking my hands would be too sticky from putting a fig in my mouth for sugar. I wasn't lacking my fingers.

Andre Pulford: This is the kind of place where quantity starts to struggle with quality. Lots of books and a lot of sections, but I personally haven't found a lot of great finds.When I came here, I spent more time and bought less than other bookstores in the area. The bookstore "smell" is like a 3/10, which means you know you're in a used bookstore when you walk in, although the inventory is all clean and well-maintained. Parking can be tight, but there are a few spots in front; otherwise, I've had to park on the side streets and walk in. Because this is a larger than normal used bookstore, they have some other items like ephemera and art and some distinct book sections you don't usually find in the smaller independent bookstores. The collectible and children's areas are quite lacking, and many filler titles help fill the store's shelves.The name is shared with the giant used book depository downtown, but this is a distinct shopping experience.

Kari Hofmann: Love this bookstore!

Morgan: I really liked it, everything was clean and organized, I was kinda disappointed in the lack of a banned books section, I'm not heart broken because there is no guarantee that they even sold banned books. They have the cutest dog patrolling the shelves and I found some great books, one from the 30s and one from the 50s. Staff are super nice!

Aida Clarke: Lovely book store and we found a set we'd been looking for for years!

John Klavanian: An amazing used book store.

Julie Hagerty: They have old books

Kendall Ray: Definitely going back often1👍

Dominic Jones: Not too many places like this left anymore

Dillon Taylor: Amazing selection. Exactly what you want from a local bookstore. Rare selection too!

Uriah O'Terry: Just go to the main one in Detroit. This one has an incredibly small selection and somehow the prices aren't as palatable in such a drab building. That being said the only better book store in the area is the other John K. King.

Andriy Babiychuk: Books are indeed rare and old. Something you would never see in a regular book store. Do recommend a look around the place.

Cariel Gamlin: with unique second hand books this shop is a paradise for the avid reader. Filled to the brim woth new and old books you can find treasures in the shelves with kind staff. The walls were plastered with small Metro-Detroit events and artist to tickle anyone's fancy. Recommend to any bibliophile at any price point. A little bit hard to find genres and specfic authors in some sections.

Bernice Hall: Always very treatable and helpful thanks