Raven Used Book Shop

I came in hoping to sell a couple bags of books to the store. I didn’t realize you had to have an appointment, so I made one for one of the first available days, which was two weeks later. They gave me a sheet with guidelines on what books they do and don’t take, and so I weeded a few out before I came back (they don’t take textbooks, hardcover fiction, or romance, among other things, and specialize in books from academic presses).
When I returned for my appointment, they were unfriendly. I appreciated the efficiency — the man going flipping through the books did so at what seemed like lightning speed — but it did put me off a bit. They took most of the books, and the ones they didn’t take did not surprise me for the most part. They offered us $ 29 in cash, which I was happy to accept. I believe they also do store credit. If you’re looking to get some books off your hands or a bit of money, I would recommend Raven.

So great! One of my favorite places in Northampton! I always stop in multiple times when I’m in the city. It’s such a great atmosphere — reminds me of Portlandia a little bit. Books aren’t easy to find, so it takes some scavenging, but that’s the fun of book stores! If you’re looking for a certain book, the employees will try to look it up for you. So cute — perfect used book shop!

I’ve always loved the Raven, and my return trip recently after a long time away made me remember why. It’s slightly warren-​ish, with a really decent selection of used books that befits the college-​town locale. There aren’t amenities like reading spots, and the prices are quite variable — I found a couple of real bargains in nearly-​new hardcover, and some that seemed like retail price for in-​print books. But it’s a really nice, small, browser’s bookstore and conveniently located between main street and Herrell’s. Hard to ask for more for a casual used bookstore visit.

I like the bookstore itself but I once went to the store when this one employee was working at the cash register. He did not say hello and literally threw the books down in front of me. He then mechanically told me the price. I was traumatized at the treatment and haven’t returned since.

Although I love this book store, do not sell your books back to them. I brought a pile of 8 books to their store, and they bought all but 1. These books ranged from a price of 10 — 70 dollars. On their website, they say they will pay you 10−15% of each books cover price, in cash value; one book that was priced at 69 dollars should have at least given me 6 dollars as a starter; after selling a total of 7 books to them, the total only came to 9 dollars. Something does not add up here; personally, I am all for helping out small used book stores, but I also do not appreciated being ripped off. I don’t suggest bringing your books here to sell.

I love this place. It has a little bit of everything. Any time I’m in Northampton, I stop in here. Highly recommend!

I mean, what can I really say about this place that hasn’t already been said. It really is a quality used book store that I can spend hours in! Around every corner, you can browse something new and i love that about this store!
Cozy and packed full, there is something for everyone! The staff are wonderful and helpful in finding things that might be hiding in the stock of books!
This place is a must see every time my friend and I are in Northampton. Make sure you stop in!

Was visiting Northampton recently and just happened to walk by this place. Being a book lover I popped in to check it out. Picked up a nice selection of craft books for a great price. I’d visit again if I find myself in the area.

I’m used to tiny Harvard Square Raven, so Noho Raven feels MASSIVE. The ethos is the same — smart books, and a great selection of academic texts — though I think because the store is about 500% larger than its sister on JFK Street, some of the sharpness I’m used to is missing (for example, Raven in Harvard Square has the very best selection of art books I’ve ever seen; I got the sense that Noho Raven doesn’t specialize in art books; Harvard Square Raven also has far more remainders, and fewer used books, than Noho Raven) — the academic books seemed a bit older than the Harvard Sq collection. But what’s here is all very good, and it’s nice to be in a bigger space with chairs (Raven on JFK St has one chair and it’s always sad when someone is sitting there and you have to thumb through your book while standing!!!), and a delightfully large fiction section.
And just a moment here where I will be a bit sappy — but wow, it was so nice to go to Pioneer Valley where bookstores abound, so nice to spend a weekend bookstore hopping. Long live indie bookstores!

I have a kindle but there is nothing like holding an actual book. I have been to a lot of used book stores and I really liked this one.
They have a great collection that is really easy to navigate and a very friendly staff. I wanted to buy a bumper sticker and the cashier threw it in for free.
The only reason they aren’t getting five stars is that the prices are a little high for used books… but I still bought two. :)

I always stop by here when in town. I grab the rolling stool, a cart and plop my purse down next to me and go row by row in the fiction, science, art and history sections and pick up usually about 10 to 15 books. The staff is helpful, albeit a bit cranky at times. Nonetheless, classical music plays and they don’t mind me dragging about their step stool to assist my 4’11″ little self pick out my new treasures.

You shouldn’t visit Northampton without stopping into Raven. The atmosphere is wonderful and the selection of new and used books is great for such a small spot.

It’s a cool place. I stopped in and perused these used books while waiting for someone. They have a very wide selection of topics and perspectives. I ended up buying a copy of Trainspotting for 6 bucks. Huzzah!

The Raven has occupied an important place in Northampton’s bohemian-​intellectual terrain for as long as I can remember, benefiting from a customer base largely stemming from the Five Colleges, especially Smith. It offers a staggering array of material, but the stock is nevertheless impeccably edited. You’ll never have to rifle through oodles of duds to get, say, the best translation of that Plato text, or the classic edition of that Yves Klein monograph, because the Raven doesn’t even bother to stock anything but the definitive version of the text you seek. The humanities are particularly well-​represented, with a rich array of literature on art, history, religion, and philosophy arranged between The Raven’s densely-​packed shelves. Books sold here go for between 25 and 50 percent of their original value and are almost always in nearly-​new condition.
The best times of year to visit The Raven are the last weeks of September and February. By this time, all overly ambitious Smith students have dropped unnecessary courses from their schedules for the semester and the attendant texts, lightly used for only a couple of weeks, usually end up here. Basically, this is your opportunity to find near-​mint copies of books from the syllabi of one of the best small liberal arts colleges in the country.

I love everything about books: I love the way they smell, I love the way they look, I love how they are like little presents that make you happy every time you open them. The older, the better, in my opinion.
Raven Bookstore is small but had a great selection of new and older books. The salesguy was great, he helped me search for a book I’d been looking for, and seemed truly disappointed that they didn’t have it. They had cool looking bookbags for sale with their logo on them. If I lived in Northampton, I would probably spend a lot of my winter days in this cozy bookstore.

A lovely, large used bookstore. This is my new favourite bookstore. I love used books and used bookstores and this one is great. It is all on one floor (which is great for those of us who are in wheelchairs) but the selection is large and varied.
The prices, from my estimation, tend to be around half of whatever the original retail price was unless other there are other factors involved (i.e. an older book that has seen its better days long ago will be even cheaper).
Most of the books are non-​fiction and of an academic bent which of course I personally love — but if you’re in the market for romance novels and that sort of material, you might not be able to find much to your liking here (thank goodness… too many used bookstores have rows and rows of that stuff!).
There are shelves devoted to religious topics (new age movements/​wicca, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.), science, all sorts of historical periods, etc. Definitely a wonderful place to go to if you’re in the market for that sort of material. I highly recommend it for both the student who needs further sources and reading material and simple lay-​readers like myself.
The main entrance is not accessible by wheelchair, but there is a door next to the front-​door that leads to a hallway. If you go straight ahead, there is a salon, but if you go left, you can easily get into the bookstore.