Second Story Used Books

I have been shopping here for years, and will continue to. I have found fantastic deals here over the years. No matter what other people have said, the staff is helpful and usually very knowledgeable.

Thais guy always seems to has what I am looking for, I just wish his prices were a little lower on some of the things. For new books I just go to Barnes and Noble or New Horizon because they are cheaper.

I also had a problem with the owner. There was a misunderstanding about a book and my wife was treated rudely. I called twice to clarify and was yelled at and hung up on. If you want to be treated like crap then go here. I also noticed the naked lady books in the photography section which is 10 steps from the children’s section… creepy!

This place is wonderful! I can always find something to add to my extensive collection of books here. The prices aren’t bad, but they are generally more than the other used book stores I’ve been to when looking at newer books. However, it seems like you can get amazing deals on books that have been out for some time. Example: I got «Four Past Midnight” — a Stephen King collection of four shorter stories, for $ 7 HARDCOVER! To me, that is remarkable! I bought «Loose Girl» paperback, which is a much smaller book, for $ 8.00 though. It probably has to do with the amount of copies they have as well. The man who works there every time I am in, is very nice.
I urge you to put your Kindles down and buy some good old fashioned print.

I’m not 100% sure how I feel about this place really
I LOVE the smell of used books, its so good.
Its a real good place to find books to complete your collection in a series when you dont wanna spend full price on the books. Theyre in good condition too.
They have a pretty large selection of used dvds for low prices, five to three dollars.

Second Story is a good shop to have around but it’s not quite what I look for in a used book shop and I suspect I’m not alone in that.
To talk about the good, I should start off with a major commendation on the selection available. Really, there are tons of books here to choose from. The store is massive in comparison to most second-​hand book shops I’ve been to and also cuts down on that musty smell all shops get when they sell used goods.
Organization is fantastic as well. It’s really no trouble finding what you’re looking for. The inventory is well-​categorized. What’s more, the staff seems to be Johnny on the spot when it comes to locating something specific. I’m impressed with their knowledge of their store because there’s a lot to remember.
Still, one of the only things that draws people to a store like Second Story is the price discount. Otherwise, everyone would just go to Borders or Barnes and Noble and grab a new copy with a virgin spine and no folded page corners or highlighting or notes in the margin. And the prices here aren’t anything to get excited over. Most of the stuff they sell is anywhere between 35% and 50% of the original cover price. Sure, that’s a good discount, but it’s not what I’ve come to expect from used book shops.
The price seems to be the sacrifice you make for the wide selection and organization. Personally, I’m happier to spend 50 cents on my copy of Cujo and have to navigate through cramped and dusty shelving in a smaller shop over forking over four bucks for the same book here. But that’s me.

Second Story Used Books is one of the few used book places I’ve actually found close to my (new) home, so I guess it’s what I have to make do with for the time being. That being said, it really isn’t all that bad, but it’s not quite what I was expecting either — especially for a store of its size.
Like most used book stores, the interior in here doesn’t really seem to have much charm or character at all. I’m not holding that against the place, but it didn’t do a whole lot to make me feel comfortable in the place. Brightly lit wood paneling and old-​ass homemade bookshelves are about all you’ll find in this place. Which is great since it means they have TONS of books… but pretty much as soon as I found something I wanted to purchase, I felt like I wanted to get the F out of there.
I feel slightly cheated, because I didn’t see any parrot… or hear anyone call anyone a «pretty boy.» The thought crossed my mind when I got up to the register to just randomly say, «I’m a pretty boy,» but then I decided against it. After all, I do plan on going back.
I thought a lot of the books in here were decently priced, but not that much of a bargain. At first I wasn’t sure where the prices were listed but just pop open that cover and look on the very first page — it’s stamped in red ink. Pretty much all the books I took a look at seemed to be about $ 4. It’s a heck of a lot better than buying a new book for $ 8 plus tax, but on the other hand it seems to me that I’ve been to several used book stores where most of them seemed to be only a couple dollars. Maybe it’s just signs of our faltering economy or something… but it still kinda sucks. I was planning on escaping with two books for the fiver I brought in, but instead only walked out with one book and $ 0.76 in change (don’t forget tax, kiddies).
The service here wasn’t all that exemplary either. All the workers (maybe two?) seemed to be too fascinated with their own devices to even say hello to me when I walked in the door. Not a super huge deal, but being back in the midwest, I was expecting a little bit more of the kindness I thought I left behind when I moved to Los Angeles. Apparently a few things changed while I was out…
Bottom line is this: Second Story is a decent place to come and spend a few minutes in. But, I’d advise picking up the stuff you want and getting back home ASAP to curl up with whatever you do end up getting. Which, in my case, was a true crime book called Mob Cops. I’m almost done with it and… well, I really wish it had been $ 2 instead of $ 4. I knew I should have stuck with Stephen King…

If you’re a bookworm like me, this is a great place to check out.
Second Story has an awesome selection of used books, magazines, coins, and videos. I couldn’t begin to estimate how many books are in this place… but I would say it’d be in the tens of thousands.
I’m giving Second Story five stars because I never go in knowing what I want, but I always come out with something I just had to have. Whether I wanted some classic lit, some sci-​fi, contemporary lit… or a movie, I’d check here before driving all the way to John King books.
It’s also a big plus that the books are always inexpensive. If you have five bucks, more likely than not you can get two books here.
My only criticism is that this may not be the best place to SELL your books. They have a buyback service, and if you use it… don’t expect more than a few dollars a book. Granted, they get some of their stock this way I’m sure, but if you have some rare edition of Lord of the Rings… you might want to try selling through Ebay before coming here.
But not everyone sells books. If you want to BUY books, go here. They’ve got a beautiful parrot who just chills in the store (and as the sign says «watch your fingers») and lots of things to get lost in.