Dove & Hudson

Absolutely awesome used book store! I can’t say enough about how much I love this place. A lot of the books look like they’re new, but the prices are great! I’ve found a lot of paperbacks (unless they’re newer, harder to find, etc.) are about $ 4. Every time I go in here, I end up finding something because the selection is so relevant… some good classics, but a lot of new books too and books that I’d want to read, not a lot of formula fiction like I’ve found in a lot of other used bookstores.
Also, the guy who runs the store is really nice and always greets me and whoever else I’m with when we come in. He’s also very organized and can help you find what your looking for.
I’ve been to a lot of used bookstores and this is by far my favorite :)

Love this bookstore. Awesome owner and great poetry selection. In a cute area of downtown Albany on a really pretty street. So much fun to visit this place!

Charming old-​style bookshop with quality stock, reasonable prices, and attentive but unobtrusive staff. Great resource for book lovers.

I anticipated a lot of political science and politician biographies, which there was, but there was also a psychology section stocked with an excellent dose of out of print Erich Fromm. It was entertaining to open the dust jacket and see that the book was originally purchased for $ 3.95 in the 1960s and then turn around and pay $ 6 for the 45+ year old used copy. However, these same books are often listed for sale for over $ 80 on line so $ 6 was a steal and my collection of Fromm’s genius work grows thicker. I’m looking forward to curling up with a dram of whiskey and reading «The Dogma of Christ» and «The Heart of Man».
This is a low tech operation, the owner hand writes the receipt/​invoices. I think most of the section signs were hand written. The bags are recycled. Its all very charming and enjoyable. They are apparently closed the first week of every month. They have something called purple money which sees to be a $ 1 purple money for eveyr $ 10 you spend.
I wish there was a way to get on a notification list for when they get certain books in stock (not necessarily hold them, but just a notification system). I’m dying to find a complete set of the Sherlock Holmes series to read again and for some ridiculous reason I refuse to buy Mastering The Art of French Cooking new. and rather just annoy my cousin who has it to email me recipes. ( Unilocalers you are notice that if you see either of these items at a used book store, let me know)

I visited D&H to sell some gently used books (and perhaps add a few). It’s a wonderful used book store. I think it’s the best in the area. If you’re looking to sell used books, your options are limited in the Capital District. You can try Mary Jane books, but other than that, D&H is it.
The selection of used books is wonderfully curated here. Everything is gently-​used or better. The books are arranged lovingly. This is a great place to browse. Be prepared to spend more than you intended, however. If there is a flaw, the hours here are somewhat limited, and parking is on-​street only. Since this is in the Lark/​Center Square area, be aware that it may take you a little while to find a spot.

I used to live across the street and spent a lot of time here, mostly just browsing through the floor to ceiling shelves of gorgeous used books. This is a tiny shop but it’s crammed with tons of goodies.

Dove & Hudson is a nice bookstore. They always play a soft background music, which is not annoying/​distracting at all. They have kinds of books (and in good condition too). As noted by most of the Unilocalers, yes, the owner is really friendly. If only the room is big enough to have comfy chairs, I’d certainly spent hours and hours here. I enjoy going here and I hope they stay in the business.

Love Dove & Hudson. My father lives in the Albany area and frequents this shop often. I have visited several times and find they have a great assortment of books for reasonable prices. My father is a frugal gentleman and always compares prices with online sellers and other shops; he finds costs to be very competitive. The best attribute of Dove & Hudson is the ownership. Dan is knowledgeable and gives great customer service. I recently called for gift certificates and he processed my phone order with supreme pleasantness and kindly agreed to send certificates to two addresses. It warms my heart to buy locally and support small businesses even when they are far from my home. I hope Albany continues to support this lovely local bookseller!

I’ve been coming to this bookstore for years whenever I visit my parents in upstate NY. I don’t think I’ve ever come here without buying at least one book. Most recently, I even sold a bunch of books here (when I tried selling the same books at a bookstore in Chicago, I was rebuffed).
The store is fairly small, but it has a great selection of books, all of which are in really good condition. I think the prices are also very reasonable. The owner is very chatty and friendly, which is nice. He’s been doing his «purple dollar» system for years – if you buy a certain dollar amount (I think) he gives you coupons for a dollar off on your next visit (they look like purple dollars).
All in all, a great store that I plan to visit anytime I’m in the area.

The first time I ever walked into Dove & Hudson, I was greeted by Dan, who was sitting in his chair behind the counter. He said, «questions are encouraged but so is exploring!» Thus began my love affair with this delightful bookstore.
The selection is good (I’ve gone in looking for nothing specific and with a list of books — and I always end up satisfied), the prices are definitely fair, and the atmosphere is warm.
The «semi-​retirement» that Dan has entered (closing the shop for the first week of every month) only adds to the charm of the place.

Really, 4.5 stars.
This bookstore is so cute, well run and staffed by intelligible people. The selection is pretty amazing, and the prices are on the higher-​end of used books, but still extremely reasonable.
I’ve gone a few times and appreciate the ambience and the fact that this place still exists here. Bravo, Albany, for valuing gems like this.

Small place but fantastic selection and prices. Very nice owner.

Modest sized used bookstore a few blcoks off of Lark Street. You mighst be surprised to fidn it if you werre not familiar with Albany. The Political Science section seems to be a relative strength of the store.

Although I have only purchased one book from this store, I have been here a few times to just browse around. The best thing about this store is that it combines the cozy feeling found in good used bookstores with excellent organization and bright, warm lighting. Many stores either have overly bright, ugly florescent lighting or random assortments of lamps scattered around the store providing for dark spots among the shelves which do not make for decent reading. The lighting here works with the cleanliness of the store and the excellent upkeep of all the books and shelves. Never do I feel pressured to purchase anything and I can always find a book that I’m interested in buying at a very reasonable price. You can also get coupons for discounts off your next purchase when you purchase something from this store, which is pretty awesome for such a small shop.

Books are in great condition and are organized by subject and the prices are very reasonable. The layout is mapped out around the store in case you get confused. I can always find something here, even if I’m supposed to be just looking.

This really is a lovely little used bookstore and the prices are good.
It’s a great place to escape to and lose yourself in the many shelves of books. Unlike a lot of used bookstores, Dan the owner has created a shop that is bright and welcoming. Browsing is encouraged and the clerk has never ever made me feel uncomfortable — even when I don’t buy anything. The sections are well organized and there’s a well-​stocked selection of both fiction and nonfiction.
They also buy books, which is something I need to look into.