Joseph Fox Bookshop

Joseph Fox is the kind of bookstore you wouldn’t expect to find in the city. It’s bigger than it looks and the selection of books is current and organized in a sleek fashion. I enjoy the carousel with the staff picks, since I always find something I’ve been meaning to read.
It would be awesome if they had a few small tables or nooks where people could sit and read. I’d probably overstay my welcome if that were the case, but it’s not a bad place to spend a few hours if you’ve got the time.

Few things better than a good bookstore on a rainy/​snowy day. Unfortunately, I cannot comment on the selection, only the level of politeness (or lack thereof) from what I can only assume was the owner. Perhaps an indictment of how we view each other, but when you have to assume that a grown adult cannot safely navigate your store without ruining your product (aka wet umbrella), it is a sad day… shame too because i had my eyes on a book which was immediately replaced on my way out the door. Needless to say I will take my business elsewhere.

This is an exceptional bookshop, filled with surprises. The staff is extremely knowledgable and helpful, willing to let a shopper browse, eager to assist if asked, ready to make amazing suggestions or order books for customers.
I hope people continue to treasure and to shop at Jos. Fox. There is no substitute for a real bookstore run by people who read and love books!

A lovely old-​fashioned little bookstore, a place to browse and pick books that I’d never come across shopping in a chain store or online. Being able to take a book from a shelf and read a few pages is so much better.
Also the people who work there are very knowledgeable and helpful and ready to suggest a book. So much nicer than a chain store.

I’ve been shopping here for years, and first did a review about 6 years ago. My high opinion of the store hasn’t changed. For new books (they do not sell used), this is my favorite. The staff is highly knowledgeable and helpful in making recommendations for gift books that I usually don’t know about. They also are happy to do special orders, and generally can get what I need quickly. Although the store is great fun to browse, it’s often a good idea to give them a call if you know what you’re looking for. They are the official bookseller for the Free Library’s author events, and often have signed copies of books by authors that have been on the Library’s series. If you’re serious about books, skip the chain bookstore around the corner.

I LOVE this bookshop! It has a wonderful selection, the staff is always friendly, and if they don’t have a book in stock, they’re happy to order it!
On separate occasions, I’ve ordered 2 books that they didn’t have in stock, and they both arrived into the store within 5 days.
I’m always happy to spend my paycheck at Joseph Fox :)

This is the best bookshop in Philadelphia by far. Their selection is eclectic and thoughtful. A Philly institution.

Really cute little shop. Packed to the gills with all sorts of literature. Ceiling to floor books in the seemingly small space. Staff was very helpful and knowledgable.

Yes, this bookstore has an incredible selection of art and architecture books, and it’s practically bursting at the seams, which makes for a fun afternoon of browsing. Unfortunately, I’ve always been put off by the staff, who are often unhelpful, unfriendly, or generally holier-​than-​thou if asked a question. This place is worth stopping by if you’re in the Rittenhouse area, but if you’re making a destination trip to an independent bookstore, I would always choose Headhouse Books in Society Hill over this.

I called about 5 or 6 independent bookstores in the city and this was the only one that had the book I was looking for in stock.
I called to see if they had it and they offered to put it aside for me.
When I picked it up, I was surprised by the great selection of books they offered considering how small the place is. It certainly isn’t as bad as most reviews would make it seem. I did not have any problem browsing through their shelves.
Obviously, this place is no Strand but I found it perfectly fine for my needs. Will definitely be back soon. I would say give it a try and judge for yourself.

I understand that this is, by its nature, going to be small; however, the size of Joseph Fox does make me uncomfortable. With more than one other person there, I get antsy and want to leave. By nature of its small size, the selection does have to be curated, as some others have noted. However, doesn’t seem curated for my specific tastes (on my visits, have not found Richard Price books, a paucity of sports selection). Books that were not in great condition were a little price. Not bad by any means, but kind of don’t get the hype (especially as compared to similar stores like Neighborhood Books, close by in G-​Ho; The Book Trader, if they can get their tax situation figured out, in Old City; The Spiral Bookcase way out in Manayunk).

Small bookstore but it’s so cozy, with staff who are super friendly and welcoming. They even loved my furry child Milo. They gave him dog treats, played with him while I shopped, it was such a positive experience!

When I walk into Joseph Fox, the books I want to read practically jump off the shelves at me. When they don’t, the staff always make a good recommendation. This is perhaps the finest bookstore I have ever been in.

I love the coziness of it — makes it feel like a true city bookstore. The architecture section is great which is highlighted by the fact that they have El Croquis, arguably the best current publication on today’s architects, which comes from Spain.

Wonderful shop with helpful staff. Relatively small selection of very well chosen (aka curated) books. I walked in looking for something specific in my area of research (Freemasonry), and as expected didn’t find it, but ended up finding several very interesting books I hadn’t seen or heard of. Bought one of them and am glad I did.

«Too small»? You’re a putz. This place is CURATED to high-​heaven. The staff are all PhDs who can give you everything from joyous latin poetry to nihilistic Russian tomes. Every book on the fiction wall is one you should read. Their architecture selection has all the fundamentals you could ever need plus a bunch of terrific novelties. They always have extra copies of «On Bullshit» and Tufte to go around. I love these guys, and Madeleine Fox is a SAINT!

I want to like it but it’s just way too small to be worth going to. I know they won’t have much choice, and they don’t have room to display covers of most books. With 3 customers inside, it feels really cramped.
It could be a great independent bookstore if it was 6 times its current size. Right now, it’s pointless. The fact that this is the highest rated bookstore in the city just goes to show what’s wrong with Philadelphia. Why doesn’t it have a single large independent bookstore? The one in Doylestown PA is better than any in Philly. How messed up is that?
[BTW, the answer to the Why? question is that apparently Philadelphians would rather have an extra BYOB restaurant to add to the 147 (or whatever the number is, you get the point) already operating downtown than one decent bookstore]

Joseph Fox is a great local, independent book store. A very personal approach as opposed to big chain stores. this is one of Phillys best kept secrets and has been here for years, yet still fills an important literary lovers need. They have a helpful, friendly staff and a good selection of books. A stop here to pick up a new or new to me literary friend always brightens up my day. I also just found out that they partner with the Free Library of Philadelphia for the author series and sell the books for them. A great philly native business to enjoy !

A delightful, if narrow, bookstore that boasts an impressive offering. The art and architecture section takes up a delightfully disproportionately large part of the main room, but there are decently stocked sections constantly being perused by folks who are clearly regulars.
Just a delightful place.

Fabulous bookstore! It’s a little cramped but that’s totally the way it should be. I loved everything about this place and wish I was local so I could be a frequent customer.

I mean every word of the following sentence. This is the best bookstore I have ever been in.
Generally there are two types of bookstores. There are the big chains which are geared for the mass market — same selection at every branch, huge signs for each section, generally a good place to get a magazine or the latest Dan Brown while your S.O. wanders the mall. And then there are the musty labyrinths filled with used books of all sorts — you never know what will be on the shelves, but it’s possible to find some real gems for dirt cheap.
This bookstore, however, is the best sort of all: the beautifully curated collection. Every inch of shelf space is utilized to its fullest. It is abound with wonderful, unusual titles, and there seems to be a special emphasis on books that are themselves aesthetically pleasing.
In an age where you can get almost any book you like on Amazon, you may wonder what point there is in bookstores. This bookstore is the answer incarnate. While any book you like may be only a click away, bookstores are a place for discovering and interacting with books. B&N and the other chains are dreadfully predictable; they’re about as good for discovering new books as Amazon suggestions, so what’s the point? The musty labyrinthine bookstores, on the other hand, have a lower value density; while you’re bound to see lots of books you’ve never heard of before, the quality of the selection is going to be pretty low on average.
Thus you have Joseph Fox, the curated collection. Excellent. (I’ve only been to one other like it: Faulkner House Books in New Orleans.)
And I’ll just say this as far as staff behavior goes: I love it. I hate walking into stores and having staff approach me immediately. I have a few neurons and can get around on my own thankyouverymuch. The staff at Joseph Fox leaves you to your thing, but they’re always close at hand if you need them, as well as being incredibly friendly and knowledgable. If you need to be greeted at the entrance and asked if you have a membership card, you know where you can go.