The Book House in Dinkytown

Category:	Used Book Store
Address:	1316 4th St SE #201, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
Phone:	+1 612-331-1430
Site:	bookhouseindinkytown.com
Rating:	4.6
Working:	12–9PM 12–9PM 12–9PM 12–9PM 12–9PM 12–9PM 11AM–6PM

Location

Photos 36

Reviews 15

A Private User

This place is absolute rubbish. It would be a junk store if it were not on a college campus with likely college dropouts working there. Everything was poorly organized. The sales staff could not help us find what we needed. They did not know where anything was. One clerk ignored us completely. The other sales associate informed us that the title we were looking for was "only online" and that we could not buy it in the store. When we asked him to clarify, he took a call from his partner/wife/girlfriend on the phone and ignored our request. To add insult to injury, a woman we believe to be the owner rushed in to fetch some sort of dog. The dog proceeded to emerge from behind the counter and nuzzle me in my crotch. The woman removed the dog from the store, but not before assaulting us with a vapor trail of patchouli oil on her way out. (I have diagnosed MCS illness) She bumped my partner with a large cardboard sign and did not apologize, either. Several days later, I noticed long gray hairs on my partners clothing. When confronted, we realized they had come from the woman who appeared to be a manager or owner of the bookstore. In short, our experience was an unfriendly nightmare. We realize most people who work in bookstores are kind of weird, but these people went out of their way to act like they didnt have the time for us. I dont know about these guys, but Borders just went broke. If they cant make it, how can some smelly old used bookstore with rude weird people make it? Maybe they should just sell books online and let a more useful business have that space.

A Private User

I agree with the other posts that if you have nothing to do, this is a great book store to go in and kill some time. The owner/employees are very nice and extremely helpful if you need to find something. The store has a multitude of titles, but is lacking definite organization. For instance, the literature is alphabetized, but within a give letter there is not much order. Also, their stacks go up around 8 or 9 feet and the store has few stools/step ladders to look at these titles. Given their lack of organization combined with an inability to read the titles at the top of the stack, I have given this store 4 stars. However, if you know what you want, the employees should know where it is.

Lee Schnepf

Packed with books, labyrinthine, and fun to explore. As a friend of mine noted, the shelves are constructed to hold as many books as possible, not to be easily navigated or necessarily let people through. The prices are very good, and there will often be multiple editions of a book. But sometimes not - its a used good store. The entrance is a little hard to find if youre not looking, or if its pouring rain. The staff are usually listening to something, and are helpful. I bought a stack of books when it had started pouring rain, and the cashier put them in a plastic bag, and put a plastic bag on top to keep the rain out. As I was going down the stairs he said "80% waterproof; do not submerge."

David Graff

The Book House is the intellectual hub for the Twin Cities. All across the board the Book House beats every other bookstore in the TC for serious subjects like philosophy, history, literary criticism, cultural studies, etc. You dont go to the Book House for frothy bestselling fiction, academic lite, or a wide assortment of kitschy knick knacks. You go there for intellectual nourishment. And the crew is so knowledgeable, and they damn well know what they have in stock or take you right to the stacks to help find whatever youre looking for. . Grow your minds! Shop the Book House.

fm bells

Essentially, everyone connected with the University of Minnesota ends up selling their collections to them at some point, it seems, so expertly curated sets of books will conveniently all show up at once. Im a developer and when I need to expand my collection of interesting edge-case books on technical topics I love perusing their selections. The owners know what to buy and price it reasonably. They also have sheet music thats often got nice finds. Its a lifelong learners paradise.

ted knight

So many interesting books to be found in this rather cozy second floor used bookstore. The two guys who work there are always helpful and always take the time to chat customers up and make them feel welcome. Adds to the sense of place. Rather nice because a lot of bookstores around town ignore their customers entirely. A number of people have told me that the BHD carries through with the same kind of professionalism in their online business.

Derek Aschbacher

As an avid reader and a supporter of small, local businesses I decided for the first time to check out the Book House. I bought a hard copy book and the cashier told me they had a soft cover that was a couple dollars cheaper. Being a cash strapped college student I got the cheaper soft cover but was surprised that the cashier would bring that up. Ill def. be going here again since they have a large selection and a great staff.

John Burkhart

I visited this bookstore recently and found a book, "Natures Metropolis" by William Cronon that has become one of my favorite nonfiction reads ever. This place encapsulates the magic of the bookstore, (or music store or clothes store...) where you can look and browse and find something that gives you joy but you didnt know you were looking for.

Mandy Medley

My favorite used bookstore in the Twin Cities. Expertly curated selection, very fair prices, and a charming ambience that cant be beat. Also, the staff is super friendly and extremely knowledgeable. I always head to the new arrivals shelf first, as its restocked daily! A must-visit for any serious reader and/or book collector.

A Private User

If your the kind of person who goes into a bookstore with out an agenda then this place is great. The store offers so many used books. I always find something that I didnt even know i needed. The staff is very comprehensive about what they have on the shelfs and will help with all kinds of questions.

Adam Arnett

Very interesting; lots of odd or rare books, but nothing I actually needed. I googled "used textbooks mn" and this was the second hit so I assumed they might have some textbooks, but sadly they had none that were recent. (Or at least I couldnt find them. The place is like a maze.)

William Blessing

Excellent book store. One of the best stores I’ve ever been to. Excellent place to just browse. You can always find something you didn’t even know you were looking for. Looking for something specific? Ask the extremely helpful staff! They’ll know how to help you.

Chris Lance

Great used book shop on the second floor of what I think is an old apartment building (not sure). You could spend hours winding through each room and their stacks of books. The guy who helped me was very friendly.

Joshua Heckadecimal

Ive always loved this bookstore, and the people who run it. Classic vibe and nice people, a great selection and good prices. The kind of place you can lose time in. Crowded but in the way a bookstore should be :)

Sarah Barker

I love that you can trade in old books for store credit. Great for people who love the distinctiveness of old prints, who love getting lost in a maze of books, who love shelves overflowing with titles.