Tattered Cover Book Store
Category: Bookstores [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Northwest, Lodo1628 16th St
Denver, CO 80202 (303) 436-1070
This stand-up comic and actress will be signing her…
Announced 7 days ago Inappropriate?
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 6:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Fri 6:30 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
Sat 9:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
Sun 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
64 Reviews for Tattered Cover Book Store
Not too bad, but a little too soporific for my tastes. The BEST magazine selection other than NEWSLAND, for the last 20 years. I just feel so sorry for the employees, (especially in the kids section), that it's hard to concentrate. My tastes run towards the used... so for that I like Black & Read & Fahreinheit's. HOWEVER- they get all the good signings at the LODO location, where the parking is even worse but you don't have to worry about your car as much. Maybe I'm just spoiled because I've been to Powell's.
Sure let me add my review number 136,839 to the people who love this store. But aha, it is not books I am obsessed with at the Tattered Cover it is the massive selection of magazines! As busy as I am lately I certainly do not have the time to kick back and read a book as much as I would love to but I can throwdown a good cooking or celebrity smut mag like it's nobodys business!
Who wouldn't worship a store that has magazine selections such as:
Military Spouse, Vouge India, Girlfriend Getaways, Heeb and Sunday Night Football Cooking (I swear I didn't make those up) and there are plenty more to choose from!
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I've only been in a few times and I got lost in all the books every time. I didn't get lost in the books in a good way -- I literally mean I couldn't find what I was looking for. Loved the character but left with a big, "Meh!"
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I do love the Tattered Cover. Or as I just decided to call it from now on "TatCo."
I have a serious bookstore problem. In that whenever I enter I must leave with a book. This contributes to me having upwards of 10,000 unread pages on my bookshelf (the books for grad school that I never read don't count.)
The one thing I dislike about TatCo is that I found it difficult to find the exact book I might be looking for. It felt disorganized to me. Though that did lead to me exploring much more, and finding some great loooking books that I may have not found otherwise. So I guess maybe some disorganization isn't terrible.
It's a bookstore...so prices don't vary. Grab a latte and walk around. There will always be people sitting around reading, and folks just like you wandering and perusing the shelves. New friends to be met, new books to be found, and pages upon pages of pleasure to be found. Visit Tatco, you'll have a blast.
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Do you know when you go in a bookstore and you just WANT to buy a book? Not all book stores inspire this kind of instaconsumerism, but The Tattered Cover beckons you to find your read, grab a hot chocolate and curl up in one of its warm corners to spend the afternoon.
In short, I loved The Tattered Cover and wish that I had something like this store near me. I bought a book while I was there (of course, I had to!) and a chai latte. Everyone was quite courteous and the whole place had a nice, relaxed vibe, despite being busy.
Definitely a place to stop if you're in need of a gift what with all the books, knick knacks and maps from their next door neighbor, The Old Map Gallery, available in the store. Great stuff!!
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I know that this review will get lost in the thousands that I am sure Tattered Cover has gotten, but I am going to write it anyway.
I started coming to the Tattered Cover when I was just a wee little las. The Cherry Creek one, which, much to my disappointment is no longer. My reward for not being too bratty while my mom had her shopping day in the city was to peruse the entire basement of children's books while my dad had a nap in a nearby chair. My mom would take the stairs up to interior decorating(which, yes is it's own section), or art, or the vast selection of novels (my mom has been known to read a book a day) and my dad and I would take the elevator down to the basement.
If I have a slow day downtown I go to Tattered Cover. I start in the coffee shop with an expertly made drink and move to the children's section. What is a 25 year old doing in the children's section you ask? Reliving childhood. Going back in my memory to that elevator ride hand in hand with my dad. That moment of glory when the doors opened and the books, paper dolls, and stuffed "Wild Things" came in to view. Then I wander around in awe; intoxicated partly by memory and party by the sheer quantity of books at my fingertips. Gets me every time.
I know that sometimes they don't have EVERY book you could imagine, but the staff is super friendly and I would much rather have them order in a book that I want and have an excuse to come back. Any reason to get lost inside my own head.
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Amazing. The one word I can use to describe this bookstore. I used to love going to the one in Cherry Creek all the time as a young lad. I was slightly skeptical knowing it had moved downtown, but I thought I would give it a chance. I was amazed how wonderful it still was. I actually like the location, kinda by the train station. For some reason the top floor doesn't have any books and is locked off. I didn't explore it, but I loved the layout of the floors and the vibe it embodied. I'll be coming back here time and time again.
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I refused to come to this store when it opened. I was/am fiercely loyal to the places I deem worthy enough to spend my money on, and the Tattered @ CherryCreek was my home away from home.
After they shut the place down to add more hoity-toity department store shlock, I was left without my warn-in chairs floor to ceiling graphic novels, photography books and a bargain section that made me weep. I decided it was time to try out the one on 16th and found myself ALMOST back at home.
A lot of bookstores these days are trying very hard to stray away from the Borders/ Barnes formula so they can stand out, only to fail. The formula isn't bad though, I love coffee with my periodicals. I feel like I'm in my grandfathers old study whenever I'm here. Stacking up a bunch of books, finding a comfy chair and thumbing through the latest trade paperback of Marvel Zombies.
Make a home of this place. But also make sure you buy something...
(My grandfather never liked comics. He also never had a study.)
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This place is kind of amazing. When I left, I remarked to my coworker that I'd "never been in a bookstore with that vibe before." The ambiance is incredible: the combination of dim lighting and been-here-forever wood beams makes it very cozy and welcoming. Soft chairs set in front of the windows make the perfect spot for a good read, a cup of tea, and a view of the gorgeous Denver sunset. I could have wandered the shelves for days...
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After over a decade of hearing Tattered Cover's praises sung by booklovers far and wide, I finally got a chance to visit. The place must have changed . . . I was met by a mediocre selection in every section. For a gigantic store the size of a Barnes and Noble, it surprises me to find such meager selections in section after section. For example, I'm not even that much of a book hound and I think I own more music books than this location has on offer. I wouldn't write them off, but I also wouldn't expect to be amazed. Pay them a visit anyway . . . independent booksellers are important and you may just find a nugget or two.
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Love, love, love! Having moved from Boulder and missing the Boulder Bookstore immensely, Tattered Cover came to the rescue and mended my broken heart. I love this place. Love in the English language cannot express how much this bookstore means to me. The selection, the ambiance, the people, even the coffee. Ah love. Wonderful place to study, too. Definitely recommended. If you hate city parking, try Tattered Cover on Colfax and Elizabeth. :)
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I always like to sniff out two or three good bookstores when I visit a new city. This was my favorite in Denver, although despite the name it is not a used bookstore. As others have said--good for the independent booksellers; let's support them.
One specific thing that I liked was their large selection of Dover Thrift Editions, slim little books for $2-3. I almost never see these around anywhere. I picked up a few greats such as Ambrose Bierce's The Devil's Dictionary and Horace Walpole's Castle of Otranto.
Plus, they gave me a bookmark for each book that I bought. How generous!
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I cannot even recount the number of afternoons I have spent inside the Tattered Cover. I love the selection, I love the fact that it's an independent, local store, and I love that I can hang out for hours without hassle. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and are book lovers themselves. Tattered Cover is a Denver institution. It has served me well thus far in my bibliophile ways, and I'm sure will continue to do so.
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I loved it. It's a bibliophile's dream. The light wooden floors are inviting, it's two floors of nonstop book action, the free-loving book staff are helpful (and tattooed with quotes from literature: "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" with the floating hat was on one of the Informative desk lady's chest). The stationery department is great and features work from local artists. There's really nothing bad to say. I'm really glad I visited and everyone living or visiting Denver should give it a try. I wish I could have stayed longer.
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This bookstore is incredible.
I first started frequenting it when I was volunteering with an organization that held their tutoring sessions here, which I think is a pretty great idea. What better place to get kids interested in reading (the volunteering was through a children's literacy program) then to have them surrounded by beautiful shelves and shelves of books?
There's such a great, simple (in a good way) vibe here and, to be honest, if parking wasn't such a hassle, I'd go here more than Barnes & Noble. I know, I know I shouldn't let that be the factor.
I think what I love most about it is that the building is just incredibly huge and yet, you never feel overwhelmed, but instead there's a calming, comfortable presence.
And, I don't know about you, but for me, being surrounded by that many books on basically every single subject known to mankind gives me a great sense of hope and inspiration to learn more about the world and myself.
So now that I'm done being cheesy, I'll just say .. I love Tattered Cover (and the location on Colfax is pretty nice, too).
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For a bookworm, this is comfort food. The venerable wooden floors and shelves, the helpful people, the reverent hush, the comfy chairs, the hidden nooks....Come. Enter. Be bookishly, secretly, subtly delighted...
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Tattered Cover is THE model for book stores in the 21st Century.
With all the benefits offered by online booksellers, a bricks-and-mortar book store has to be really special to survive.
Don't get me wrong...I love Amazon. The reviews alone make it better than traditional book stores. Then there's the unbeatable selection and also the recommendations. The shopping mall book store business model is doomed.
Tattered Cover, on the other hand, is a community. I meet interesting people every time I go there. The experience of sipping a cup of high-quality espresso while sitting among a group of people who love books like I do cannot be replicated online.
Plus, and this is mandatory for modern book stores, the place is HUGE! That makes a difference. I can spend hours browsing the shelves. Sometimes I get turned on to stuff I probably wouldn't find online because my searches are too narrow. It broadens my reading.
Lastly, the thing that makes Tattered Cover great is their staff. These people share the love! They get the thrill of discovery that all readers share.
Oh...and one more thing...be sure to grab a copy of their calender. You won't believe how many of your favorite authors visit the store.
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This place doesn't have the best selection, or even the best prices. That's not what bothers me, because I am all about supporting non-chain/local businesses--it's their staff.
Every time I've been in I've found it difficult to get attention from staff when I need specific questions answered, like if a book is back in stock yet.
3 stars is probably too kind.
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As a former employee in the late 90's early 00's. I just used this place for "street cred" and to pick up boys. Considering I worked for nothing and had excellent benefits and free access to books. But, forget about the bargains.....not, so good!! Gotta keep America rollin'!!
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Tattered Cover to my rescue! Sort of. As many times as I've been here it didnt dawn on me to review it until yesterday. I have been on a hunt for a particular item and I went to four bookstores Friday and none of them had what I was looking for, then a light bulb went off in my head Saturday, "Go to the Tattered Cover you dumba**" And low and behold, what I sought was there for my finding. it was like a bad episode of The Amazing race where the people (let's say Rob & Amber) cant find what they're looking for even when the clue practically tells them what it is they're looking for and where to find it. With all of the time I spent trying to find this item, I would've been eliminated from the race. Next time I'll just begin with the Tattered Cover first, the best bookstore in all of the land!
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If you're a bibliophile, than the Tattered Cover is your den of iniquity. It is one of the most amazing places to people watch and to get lost in the possibility of the myriad worlds awaiting you on the shelves.
I always feel like Bastian from the Neverending Story when I spend some time here.
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I completely agree with Esti's review. I'm also in SF and am sad that I didn't realize how amazing the Tattered Cover was until I wasn't able to go anymore.
I also was impressed with the devotion to freedom of speech and the protection provided to the customer.
There were also many days I just wandered TC looking for something new and exciting to read, and I was never disappointed. Every section of this bookstore includes a thorough catalog and, if they don't have it, they'll do their best to get it to you as soon as possible.
Bookstores of this caliber are quickly disappearing due to Borders and other big chain stores. Support your local bookstores, quality customer service, and those who fight for you.
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I live in SF and we have no bookstores here that can even touch TC. What's more TC's owner is a champion of freedom of speech. When I need to order a rare book this is where I go.
They also have a dept. devoted to finding rare out of print hard to get to books, at no extra charge to the customer.
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I suppose it's like beating a dead horse to praise this place any more, but I guess I can flog this filly one more time (dear god, did I just write that?). Whenever people complain about a dearth of "culture" here in Denver, you need only remind them that we do have the best bookstore in the entire country, period. We have one person, Joyce Meskis, to thank for all this. I worked at the 16th St. location in the cafe for a while when I moved back to Colorado, and it's just a really special place. The official store policy is to never bother anyone, no matter how long they want to sit and read the magazines or books. I'm told people have actually been found dead on the couches upstairs, seriously. The folks who work here do it out of a real love for books, and their recommendations are spot on. The half sandwich and chips at the 16th St. store was the best lunch deal in Denver, not sure if they still have it 'cuz I'm a Colfax store guy now. Joyce, even though you never learned my name because I was a lowly cafe worker, I love you for creating something so special.
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this store made me want to learn - it's pretty sweet
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For an independent bookstore, Tattered Cover can't be beat. The selection is great and wide ranging, but what really sets this bookstore apart is the events. You can attend lectures on a wide variety of topics whether it be Pakistan or tea. They have both high profile and local authers come in to speak. They also offer book clubs, and I'm a member of their Monday night book club.
You might be able to find cheaper books elsewhere, but you'll find a much better atmosphere and more knowledgable staff here. They also have an in-house coffee and pastry selection to grab a quick bite to eat.
They even have a giveback program donating 1 percent of your purchases to a list of selected charities.
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This place is fantastic.
The children's section has a great selection, and since the TC is an indie book store, I don't feel guilty for buying a ton of board books for my lil boy.
There was also a very extensive selection of magazines, and the current fiction shelves were very - painfully - tempting.
Comfy chairs and couches scattered about and a cafe (not starbucks!) encourage loitering.
I love this book store - I would not shop no where else.
So easy to find what you need and the staff are very
helpful.
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I've been a patron of the TC since I've lived in Denver - 15 years. I recall the first time stepping into the Cherry Creek store. I'd read about the place in the NY Times - John Leonard's column - where he proclaimed it "the best book store in America." It was and still is. It's a gargantuan feat Joyce Meskis has accomplished in our midst - maintaining an locally owned, independent retail book operation in the face of formidable competition - Borders, Barnes & Noble - and the most formidable competitor of all- the Internet. She's done so by coaching her staff on unparalleled customer service and by maintaining her steadfast commitment to the community - witness the author readings and events which celebrate and broaden our appreciation of the written word. If you care about books, go buy a book from Joyce!
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If ever there was a magical place, it was the Tattered Cover.
When I walked in, there was a familiar smell that hit me. The old wooden floors? The worn but weloming mismatched couches and chairs perhaps? Either way, it reminded me of the aunt's house (who has old wood floors and mismatched furniture and TONS of books!) It also reminds me of the ORIGINAL Barnes & Noble on Fifth Ave in NYC. My dad use to take me there when I was little (in the early 80s before B&N was the store that is today). It was the kind of store that you could lost in, with nooks and crannies, dark corners, and cushy seats galore.
I loved that I could grab a stack of magazines and just sit and read through them as though I was in my own living room. I loved that the whole store didn't smell like Starbucks coffee. I love that it was so quiet that the only noise I could hear was the white noise of the AC. No cheesy piped in music.
I'm so sad that I have to return to my B&N life in suburban Massachusetts. Sniff.... you will always have a place in my heart, Tattered Cover.
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Who doesn't absolutely love this place? I live above it though, so maybe I'm biased.
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What can you say about Tattered Cover that isn't amazing?
it is indeed the best book store I have ever been to. I am glad they are no longer in pretentious Cherry creek paying rediculous amounts of rent to cater to the Dr.90210 crowd.
Their selection is the best, love the chairs and the interesting people to watch.
Now, if only they allowed dogs.....
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Call me crazy but I just really can't get into this book store. Everyone seems to love it, but every time I hit one up I feel like I am visiting an old building. The newer on off 16th is nice and big but I feel that their selection is not great. I can't even reach things on half the shelves since the ceilings keep going and going. The one off Colfax kinda scares me. I get an old church vibe, I think that's what it used to be. A bit too eerie for me.
I'm pathetic, I guess I prefer the clean book smell of places like Border's and Barnes and Nobles. I know, I know I appreciate non-market dominating shops as well, just not when it comes to books. I do appreciate mom and pop shops when it comes to food and small boutiques when it comes to clothes.
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Sweet bookstore in a cool location. You could take the free mall ride down to the bookstore.
Great atmosphere, good selection of books and a helpful staff.
My favorite thing about this place is the guests speakers, or book signings, that they host. I saw Al Gore there a couple of years ago, as well as some of my favorite authors.
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The Tattered Cover is easily one of the best independent bookstores in America today. After speaking with the owner of the store during a Publishing class at DU, I grew to respect the store more. What's even more remarkable in this day and age is how steadfast TC was during the court case concerning the First Amendment, the US Government, and their steadfast refusal to show the FBI (I believe) the purchasing history of a particular patron.
The Tattered Cover has everything a good bookstore should have within its walls: GREAT selection of products and gifts, knowledgeable staff, a friendly and familiar feel, and of course: books.
As for the old Cherry Creek location (which is no longer is service, I was sad to find out), I love the Four Story Restaurant on top of the bookstore. That was the first time I had clams in an amazing garlic butter sauce.
Again, like the Strand in New York, this is one of the last of the best American institutions dedicated to the power of reading, independent discourse of ideas and analytical thought apart from the mainstream conglomerate of book chain trends.
Even if the Tattered Cover weren't awesome on its own merits, I'd support the store with whatever portion of my paycheck I can dedicate to books, just to give huge props to the independent owner for defying a police attempt to trample on her rights and those of Tattered Cover shoppers. For those who didn't follow the story, in 2000, Tattered Cover owner Joyce Meskis found a half dozen police officers outside her book store demanding a patron's purchasing records. She refused on a First Amendment basis, and fought the cops all the way to the Colorado Supreme Court, where she won her case.
Go Joyce, go!
Lucky for me, the Tattered Cover is also the cutest, best smelling (yes, it's important), and most fun book store in Denver. The selection of comic collections is especially impressive. If there are kiddos in your family, take them to the Tattered Cover- the hidey-hole element to the kids' section and all the really cool books will do more to nurture a love of reading than a year of Reading Rainbow. There are cozy armchairs everywhere. Many of my fond childhood memories involve hiding from my parents so I didn't have to leave the Tattered Cover!
Unlike chains, the TC employs knowledgeable staff that doesn't harass patrons who choose to curl up and read for a while- "Ya gonna buy something?" They know that you'll buy something soon enough, and the cool cats shopping at the Tattered Cover won't mind a slightly bent cover from a test-driven book.
Great schedule of book signings. I saw one of my favorite mystery authors, Tony Hillerman, speak there a while ago. They seem to be able to book any liberal they want after the owner's famous court battle- everyone wants to support the good guys.
If you're in town for an extended visit, or somehow live here and have never visited the Tattered Cover, it's high time to go curl up in a big green armchair at Denver's coolest bookstore and whisk yourself away to your favorite author's world.
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I spent hours in this place during college at the University of Denver. This store is amazing - offering every kind of book you can imagine and a staff that can find anything for you - if by some chance the store doesn't already have it in stock. I haven't been back for several years but I remember the great stair cases and green carpet (don't ask why...). I'm headed back to Colorado later this summer and a visit to the Tattered Cover will most certainly be on the agenda.
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you know, as far as bookstores go, tattered cover is the best in denver. I especially like this location because of the labyrinthesque layout. One could (i do) wander around the two floors of tall ass shelves. Which leads me to the reason behind shorting it one star:
They stock a lot of really 'top' authors, but usually carry only a couple of titles; the opus (or oprah) and a fancy cover one. I've also noticed a general lack of diversity in all things fiction. Yeah, they can order it for me...But then i'd just as well use amazon, you know? Plus, this is Ameruh-a-kuh: i want it now.
Mad props to the author readings/speakings they host: me gusta
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I recently went to Tattered Cover to hear Ralph Nader speak about his new book and there must have been over 300 people there. The seats were full and people were overflowing into the hallway so that they could still hear Ralphie... I couldn't help but to listen in and out and slowly eye the crowd... I started to make up stories about interesting individuals (I lose attention fast ok, it has nothing to do with the speaker) and I realized how many people I could meet after the lecture. I started judging a book by its cover and deciding which people I was going to run up to first.
Tattered Cover in general, but specifically their lectures, is not only a great creative outlet and good weekday chill-out activity, but a great way to socialize and network with new people of similar interests... or totally opposite interests for that matter. Tattered Cover has all sorts of lectures and presentations, offering a creative outlet for those interested in everything from animals to politics, wait maybe that is the same thing... But anyway, no need to pay or sign up, the lectures are first come, first served for seats, then standing room only.
Awaken your creative spirit and go to a lecture to hear an author speak of his/her poetry, or community art project... For example, I went to hear Frank Warren speak about his recent popular creative community art project: "Post Secret," which is a book full of postcards that anonymous people sent in with their biggest and darkest secrets written on the card. The book is moving and comforting.... And it seemed to bring me in closer with the other lecture patrons... made it easier to network and talk to people.
It takes a little effort to go out of your way to introduce yourself to new people, but you never know until you try and you never know whom you just might meet.
* Star one is for being the coolest independently owned bookstore in Denver
** Star coward number two is for an awesome downtown Denver location
*** Holy Cow star three is for free and fast wireless
**** Prrr'ing softly is star four for always offering an intriguing lecture series
***** Our grand daddy star number five is for offering a place of refuge for people to meet new people without having to sign up online or pay anything to do so!
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This book store is so far from overrated, it's miraculous. The location is huge with a wide selection of every book imaginable. Yet, it maintains a sense of personality. Amazing/must visit.
