Books by the Falls

As mentioned in my past reviews, I am always looking for ways to sell/​donate/​swap books, especially since I am cleaning out a family member’s hoarding situation. Well, the Seymour Library was my family’s go to place until a frantic librarian gave my mom and our load of books the bum’s rush, saying that they had too many books and the Seymour Library’s basement was turning into a fire hazard. My poor overwhelmed mother asked her where she could bring the books, to which the librarian recommended Books by the Falls. Being the dutiful Unilocal Elite member that I am, I checked here first and needless to say I was conflicted, seeing some good reviews and seeing some reviews that were fairly shocking. However, also being an independent thinker, I decided to form my own opinion, while cautiously preparing myself for the worst (you know, something along the lines of that scene in The Neverending Story with the grouchy old book store owner, barking at Bastian to get out of his store because he doesn’t like kids). I am ecstatic to inform all of you that the low star reviews need only apply to people with compromised immune systems that should probably be put in a plastic bubble, lest their hypochondria sends them into a full blown panic attack and some nice young men in their clean white coats come to take them away, haha. If you’re looking for a sterile environment to buy your books, Barnes and Noble will welcome you with open arms and a coffee shop to boot. If you’re looking for a quaint location to go on an adventure and search for your next read, this is the place to go. Ron, the owner, is a very kind and informative man (with a witty sense of humor that I’m sure some people won’t get) and will treat you with respect if you are a respectful person as well. He understood mine and my mother’s plight with the hoarding situation and we worked out some creative deals, including swapping books with one another and 50% deals off of books that I will actually read (not to insult my hoarder relative’s taste, but she focused much more on non-​fiction and finance books while I’m more interested in nature and the supernatural). In any case and long story short, you don’t have to be afraid of this book store. There are no ghosty goos in this old, converted factory or flesh-​eating disease that will decompose your lungs in one breath, for heaven’s sake! Not to harp on this one point, but has no one ever heard of old book smell? It’s caused by a chemical that’s very much like vanilla and is considered an aphrodisiac, but I guess to each their own! Oh, and if you’re worried about the floors, don’t be. It’s not polite to ask a lady’s weight, but for the sake of this review, I’ll tell you that I’m 250+ lbs. and if my robust self can walk on these floors without falling through to my untimely death, most people should have no problems whatsoever!
Oh, and one last tip, it’s best to go before 4 pm, because things do tend to wrap up a bit around that time!

I had a lot of fun looking through the records, picked up some really nice jazz and rock albums. The owner is nice and friendly, will come back!

I am a fan of used bookstores in general. I used to spend hours in them on weekends. Books by the Falls is always an adventure for me. The people are helpful and I love to see what I can find. Sometimes I go for a specific book, most of the times I just want to see what I can find. The selections change so there is always something new to discover.

I am going to reduce the two stars to this establishment by one star because apparently, the owner took offense at my review and thinks I am personally slandering him. I harbour no such imagined ill-​will nor any malicious intent. I simply expressed an opinion of the book store I visited twice, so I wrote a review about the place which I assume Unilocal is all about.
Now, he wants to «challenge me to a duel.»
He writes:
«I am at the shop tomorrow at 10 A.m. I challenge you to a duel. u are not going to slander me and others I know what you are about, put up your picture, u do not even no that u talked to me. No seconds just me and u, be there Coward. 10 A. M.»
Erm… Should I take out a restraining order against this gentleman? I am truly alarmed that he would take a review so personally. And he should perhaps then, as I suggested, spend more time in taking care of his book store which many others too, profess it to be in a state of disarray, dusty, musty, and with dangerous floor boards and rather unstable looking book shelves.

You can always find a treasure if you’re willing to look here. Owner is very helpful and knowledgeable. Great little gem in the valley.

lots of moldy smelling books in an old building with unsteady floors. if you like adventure and the chance of injury while perusing old books this place is for you. i found nothing on this visit but it feels like the kind of place if you keep going back you may find something or get a lung infection.

There are a lot of bargains here. I like going to this bookstore to get books for a friend’s children. I got one of those big children’s dictionaries once for two or three dollars.
The sorting room has cds, dvds, records, and interesting knick knacks.
There are often cute chairs with flowers painted on them by a local artist. I try to think of who I could give one to as a present every time I see them.

INCREDIBLE used bookstore. Prices are great (I got the full ten-​volume hardcover set of the Durants’ Story of Civilization for $ 19!) and it is pleasantly chaotic like any good bookstore should be. They have a really impressive selection of classics, but there are treasures to be found in all subjects!

I love this little bookstore. Great prices, and a friendly, knowledgeable manager! I also enjoyed visiting the «secret» room (there is a secret room). Go check it out!

I rest my case

I agree with the other reviews — a decent used book store in an interesting building. Not the best laid out. Didn’t find anything in my subjects of interest, but I was admittedly looking for rather specific things. The person working here was friendly and helpful. Prices seemed good (some special the day I was there where many books were only $ 1).

I love to browse around this store. It’s in an old mill building, and the books are organized by subject (though not alphabetized by author or title, so be prepared to browse).

It’s a great place to wander around and find books on nearly anything. It’s a bit disorganized, but it’s still one of my favorite places to get books. The pricing is very reasonable, and the staff is great too.