Rating Which Bookstores are the Best in Town: Who Would You Choose?

Rating Bookstores Based on the Vibes?

I once read some research stating your needed to have a third place to call yours besides work and home for you to go to when you needed to escape. Back in the day many places were free, but now the more you go out the harder it is to come across a third place you don't have to pay an arm and a leg to get in to.

I thought back to my childhood thinking of how my dad and I would find ourselves at the local bookshop reading for fun and thought ‘hey! why don't I go rate my local bookstores to see if maybe they could be the third place I've been looking for recently.’

Once again, I thought it would be fun to have some criteria set for the few books stores we have in town. Scoring is out of 5 points!

1. Pricing: Are books priced accordingly?

2. Aesthetics: Is the store pleasing to shop in?

3. Accessibility: Are the hours reasonable and the location easy to get to?

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1. Barnes and Noble

First on the list, as well as an old contender from my previous rate this series, is Barnes and Noble. Like I mentioned above my dad and I used to go there often. But this is a different location that has been upgraded in the last few months.

Seeing the new set up, when you first walk in you can clearly see where everything is located. The coffee shop with tables to the left, books front and center, then an added section of toys and games to the right.

Wandering through the books you are immediately greeted with several tailored tables designated per category. Mostly the new and upcoming best sellers as well as tables filled with Sarah J. Mass books. Everything is clearly marked stating which genre of booked is located in the section.

But as I walked around the aisles felt strange with the new set up. Very wide apart and winding around. As if to get you lost on purpose. At some points the genres were set up on shelves in a U shape which left me wondering if the books on the back were the same genre or something else entirely.

The books are easy to see and read and if you need help finding one they have a desk specifically for customer service. Price wise most soft covers range between $12-$17 with most hard covers being over $30...yikes! Some even have exclusive stickers on the front which ruins the books for me because the covers are what I usually love most and draws me into the story in the first place.

The store was busy which gave an overall good background hum but in some aisles people were gathered around which left me wanting to go to other sectioned to not get in the way.

As far as the check out goes, they now have a designated line like you see at the movie theaters which I found strange.

Rating

Overall, Barnes and Noble will always be a classic, but I think the newer route they are taking isn't exactly what I am looking for.

Pricing: 2

Aesthetics: 3

Accessibility: 5

Overall score: 3.3

2. Country Bookshelf

For our next stop, we have Country Bookshelf which is located in the downtown area and is popular with tourists. You quickly get drawn in by the window displays which usually get switched out monthly. The front door is always open(except for the winter) giving a welcoming feeling right off the bat.

Once you step through the door you are met with wall to wall books both on the first and second floor. The wood shelves and details give it a more studious feeling. The check out counter is right when you walk in so if there is a line, getting around that can be difficult before you are free to roam the books. Even though separated out, they aren't as easily distinguished when it comes to the different genres.

If you need help no one is usually walking the floors so you have to get into line to ask.

With it being a more local store the local section is very large, with that though I am not certain how many of these books are self published versus traditionally published which can make for an interesting buying experience.

Upstairs they have a clearance section which is where I like to find myself as well as a few seating areas to take a look at the books. For the most part it was empty of customers this day but with it being 2 floors it didn't feel like I was the only person in there.

Rating

The store is great to go in when you are doing some causal shopping on a nice summer's day and spontaneously walk in to see the latest books. You might not always get something as they are pricey but it has a nice homey feel to it.

Pricing: 2

Aesthetics: 4

Accessibility: 4

Overall score: 3.3

3. Vargo's Jazz City and Books

Just a few stores over is the next bookstore, Vargo's Jazz City and Books. When you walk in you are greeted with a very small counter, making it hard to see who is working behind there since it is covered with loads of post cards. Speaking of post cards, they are everywhere as well as vinyl records. It gives an old man collection sort of vibe as you walk back through the very tight shelves.

At the back are a few rows of books which aren't labeled from what I could tell. This means the whole store is more of a treasure hunt I'm not certain most people are looking for.

The place is usually empty like the past few times I have been in, and the front desk people don't usually pay attention to you unless asked.

Rating

This places gives me sort of very small home town vibes/dystopian which I don't think they are really going for. The name is also strange. Even with it being on the main street I don't see most people liking the vibe of the place.

Pricing: 3

Aesthetics: 1

Accessibility: 4

Overall score: 2.6

4. Isle of Books

Isle of books is a franchise of used books which get shipped in. This spot recently opened so I was curious what it would be like. Walking in there are several rows of books with hand written notes on which sections are where. Even though used, the books are completely organized when it comes to the shelves. The overall store though has a weird look to it.

The first thing I noticed, are the ladies’ legs hanging from the ceiling. Each leg having a different pair of stockings were randomly scattered about along with some thrift store items used for decorations. Whatever the theme was I couldn't quite place it. Along the front windows are a row of seats for you to lounge in but they are right in the main aisle making me not really want to sit there as everyone walks past.

Even in the middle of the day, it was pretty busy and people kept following me around instead of going off to their own section. With it the used books being shipped in the entire back is piled with boxes of books not yet put away which I kept finding smaller stalks on the floor which one could trip over.

There was one gal working who seemed to know what she was talking about and able to help everyone who came in. Price wise, since these were used, I was expecting them to be a little cheaper than they were. Most of them were half the price if bought brand new.

Rating

This was a strange experience but I know if I needed a book I could probably find it there with the help of the staff. Also, if I can get a brand new book for much cheaper I will also take that as well. As for the decorations, I could definitely pass.

Pricing: 4

Aesthetics: 3

Accessibility: 2

Overall score: 3

5. MSU Bookstore

Now this place brings me back. First, because this is where I went anytime I needed something, even more than books in college. Besides books, this place is filled with merchandise, food, crafts, anything you might need for a class.

When you first walk in there are registers everywhere because this place is always packed especially the first two weeks of the semester. Even so there is enough space for new comers who walk in as the walkway leads you directly to the main part of the store. On one half you have the school merch and on the other you have books. Leisurely books as well as school books. Most of those are in the back in separate room which is nice so you don't have to all congregate next to each other.

But the more you look at the leisurely reading options the more you realize the section isn't that big because it is mixed in with office supplies or notebooks needed for classes. The book options that are there are strange as there is only a few best sellers with other books I haven't seen or heard of before more based in genres I wouldn't necessarily want to read. Price wise isn't the best as the school loves to mark things up more than they need to be.

But if I want a snack or craft to go with my book they are easy to grab on the way to check out which usually can last a few minutes depending on the day. You can't forget though, this place isn't open on the weekends or past 5 pm so if you need something you better hurry once your classes are over!

Rating

Even though the MSU Bookstore has a nostalgic feeling for me, it's not quite what I am looking for when it comes to book stores. With pricing so high and the book section being so limited makes me forget about it easily. Also! The fact you have to drive to campus to get to it, that is if you find a spot to park, isn't worth it.

Pricing: 1

Aesthetics: 3

Accessibility: 1

Overall score: 1.6

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Final Scoring

I’m shocked at the final scores! Not a single one over 4 which is surprising as well as a few with the same scores-next time I will have to create bigger scoring system.

In the end, we had Barnes and Noble and Country Bookshelf tie. I'm not surprised as their pricing and hours/locations are very similar. But depending on the experience you are wanting when shopping for a book will determine which one is best to go to on that day. I’ll probably stay with Barnes and Noble as it’s closer to my house and gives me all the feels.

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