North Country Books

North Country Books -- Burlington, Vermont The surplus of students (and the "studious") in a college town (usually) makes for great used bookstores and North Country Books is the crown jewel of used bookstores on Burlington's Church Street Marketplace (see my review of the "Crow Bookshop" for other options). A great space stacked to the ceiling with books from classics to cookbooks, sci-fi to self-help, and everything in between. The staff is helpful, knowledgeable and very, very low-key, no high-pressure salespeople here. Prices are very reasonable and the selection especially for a used bookstore is impeccable. Oftentimes you can find hardcover books in good condition that were on the bestseller lists less than two months ago. Unlike most used bookstores that carry a lot of remaindered titles, North Country has a great selection of a popular and cult author's catalogs, again probably thanks the clientèle who buy and sell their used books at North Country, yours included. Prints, vintage posters, greeting cards, and antique maps are also for sale. Browse around the "borders" of Church Street, but buy down at "North Country." more

Of the local bookstores in downtown Burlington, North Country is probably the one that has the most intellectual feel. Maybe it's because it's below the first floor level, or maybe it's the posters on the wall, or maybe the huge collection of antiquarian books. Whatever it is, bibliophiles will lose hours of their lives in this great used bookstore. They will (or did, at least 2 years ago) buy back your used books, but you won't get a great price for them. However, their selection in every genre is impressive (esp. poetry and children's). more