Paperback Exchange

What a great used book store! I live nearby and come in anytime i have a hankering for something. Don’t let their modest retail windowfront fool you; the store stretches deep and they have a lot of stuff. And it has that fabulous iconic “old book” smell, which in today’s world, seems to be a bygone thing.

I have been coming to this bookstore close to 10 years, and love it!

As you enter the store the smell of the books will hit you with a nostalgia of a bygone era. Not like the smell you will find at other shops. For me, the inventory was always spot on. If I can't find a title I just ask to be put on the list and they will give me a call once it comes in. Believe me, after a couple years waiting for a rare used copy of a book they called me! So awesome!

The buyback system is great for readers and book collectors. It doesn't offer cash, but they take the value of the book (price on the book itself) and give you that for in-store credit. Explaining this further, this means if I give them a 10 dollar book they will give me 10 dollars in credit. I can then pick a book for 10 dollars (or less) and get that at 70% off. Ending up paying 3.00 dollars for a 10 dollar book (plus tax). So, I saved 2.00 dollars versus selling my book at half price books or online and not getting that much for it. Overall, it's a better deal. They do sell books at half price (50 percent) off if you don't have "trade credit."

The store also has a basement for storage of older titles (employee accessible) and tons of other space. A title can be tucked away in a "staff pick" section or even hidden on a stack of books on the floor. This makes the exploring so much more adventurous. If you seriously cannot find a used title at this place it's probably because it's popular and flies off the shelf, or someone else loves your taste.

The staff are amazing! Very friendly and willing to help you find that special read, whether it's used in stock or if it's special order. They will find a way to bring that book into your hands.

I have visited so many bookstores around the world and I always come back to this gem of a store right in my backyard. I highly recommend this store to any serious and adventurous reader. Do not pass this place up!

I love funky little unique places, and the Paperback Exchange was a gem I was delighted to find. I visit my son and his family in Minneapolis about once a month and like to take long walks near the lakes while I'm there. The PE will be one of my walking destinations from now on. I am a fan of recycled books and was lucky enough to find three of the books on my 2024 book club list. Their discount pricing is a bonus. If you bring in used books to exchange, you get a larger discount on their new and used books that you purchase. The sales associate made the shopping exoeriece even more fun. NOTE: Katty corner across Penn and 50th is also a consignment clothing store. Double score!!!

Really nice staff and a good source of recent books but they also have a lot of vintage stuff you’d never find anywhere else and prices are good too!

This cozy little store has a wide variety of books. It is fun to stop in and look around. I always leave with five or six books

They were the only book shop in town willing to order me a rare English book. That was 10 years ago and I've been shopping with them ever since. Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, affordable, I love paperback exchange!

Cute bookstore!!! I couldn’t really find good books here but nevertheless I enjoyed my visit.

If you love books, you have to check this place out! They carry all genres, all ages, new, used, vintage, rare, fiction, non-fiction and more. You can also bring your used books here for trade incentives. Very organized and easy to shop even with the massive selection. The staff is friendly and helpful; curbside pickup is available. I would visit every day if I could!

Such a fun bookstore! I always find a couple gems in this used bookstore. Most of their books are paperback and in excellent condition! They also have a small selection of new books at the front.

Fun store with a wide variety of books and friendly staff!

Fabulous store. Had some books I wanted but the clerk (owner?) was super helpful and gave some great info, too. If we ever get back to MSP, we'll go there first!

Awesome paperback selection! Especially if your looking for those oldies but goodies!!! Prices set at 50% off whatever the original book price was. Even better...the books are categorized by relevant sub topics within the genres. Easy to browse your favorites. Stop by if your in the area-or even better, plan your trip and bring books to "trade in"!

So I was taken there to do a used book bingo by my partner and the selection was amazing, the staff friendly, and some of the shelves juuuust close enough that I had to turn sideways to fit. In short, a perfect used book store with tons of hidden gems.

Absolutely love this place. It’s the place you go into not looking for anything specific, but leave with something(s) you didn’t know how much you needed.

Would give 6/5 stars if possible for the shop dog, Pepper. A very sweet girl.

I find the majority of my books here— I ravage their memoir section!! I can get so many books for such a great price and I don’t bring in my own books so I’m not even getting that additional discount. Everyone who works there has always been so friendly to me.

This is the best used bookstore in the city! It's completely stuffed full of fiction books, with a small nonfiction section as well. They do an excellent job of keeping the books in alphabetical order, and of being able to find them for you if you ask, considering how full the shelves are. If you bring in books for trade credit you get an extra 10-20% off the cover price. And they can order new books as well!

Exploring this bookstore was delightful. The collection is extensive and interesting. I found a book I’ve wanted for a long time. Staff are knowledgeable and super helpful. They keep track of what they have and will happily look up authors and titles for you. The shelves are well organized. It is super clean. While I’m not a Romance reader, others more knowledgeable tell me its collection is impressive. Pro-tip: bring in paperbacks to trade and you’ll get 70 percent off!!

I don't normally go into old book stores. As they seem to be very impersonal. So most of my old books searches and other materials to read are handled online. it was only due to the fact that was in search of a rare book, but I decided to stop over there on my way home. Walking into paperback exchange was a nice breath of fresh air. The place place looks compact and somewhat bursting at the seams, however the friendly staff member that approached me made it feel more like a home environments then a retail environment. they actually took a great deal of concern to make sure you find what you're looking for. this place is definitely a must, and when I'm not so busy I'll probably go back and spend a little time there. It definitely looks like they have things I am also looking for to complete my collection and books

Great little used book store in the SW corner of the city. Definitely a real atmosphere to the place. We really enjoyed our visit.

Very cool place! Just what you picture a used bookstore to look like. Incredibly friendly staff and it was super fun to wander the stacks.