Calhoun
109 posts
Feb 27, 2013
10:56 AM
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Besides Bonnetts (downtown) and Kubiks (Oakwood), are there any good used book shops in/around Dayton? I drive to Yellow Springs/Springfield, Columbus, Cincinnati, and even Ft Wayne to visit good used book stores. Just haven't found anything locally worth spending significant time in, at least not compare to Ohio Books (Cincy) or Hyde Brothers (Ft Wayne.)
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Calhoun
110 posts
Feb 27, 2013
12:25 PM
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Second and Charles, as well as HPB, just doesn't have the right feel for me, too corporate. The "real" used book shops have a smell all their own, and usually a cat wandering around. Bonnetts is the closest we have in Dayton. At least the neighborhood around Bonnetts has improved from back in the day.
I've been to the shop in Lebanon, it fairly small. There is a better used shop, or at leasst one I like better, in Xenia, Blue Jacket Books. Kubiks in Oakwood I like a great deal in terms of their stock on-hand, but the place is quite pretentious and the owner a book snob. He once looked at me like I was something he'd scrap off his shoe when I books I was offering to him included former library books. "We don't sell such books..."
Last Edited by Calhoun on Feb 27, 2013 12:26 PM
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Calhoun
111 posts
Feb 27, 2013
2:39 PM
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Yes, Dark Star is fantastic. One day of the week (Tue?) is discount day, I think you get 20% off your total purchase. The is also a great used book store in Springfield on Bectelle, behind the AAA. Not well marked, but worth the effort to find it.
There were several such paperback resale/exchange shops in the area back in the day. I remember the one you mentioned, as well as others in Beavercreek, Huber Heights, and West Carrolton. Most had a "trade in two, get one in return" policy for their paperbacks. Until about five years ago, also a really good book store on Smithville, very near the site of the old Dabelle theater.
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newsnot
332 posts
Mar 05, 2013
11:58 AM
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My favorite bookstore is locasted at Oak and Alberta in Southpark. They sell new books about the Civil War.
What a neat place.
Last Edited by newsnot on Mar 05, 2013 12:13 PM
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rtjunker
1 post
Mar 18, 2013
10:52 AM
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If you chat up the owners of Bonnett's, they're super helpful, and very aware of their stock. I've been frequenting that bookstore for over 10 years now. Ask if you're looking for something specific, and they'll try to find it.
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Kelly
15 posts
Mar 18, 2013
11:28 PM
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rt, I would love to get a hold of "Memory Gardens" book. It was a book of recited/memorized pieces we had to use through 8th grade of the public schools of Montgomery County..I am out of state, wondering if any of these bookstores had a web site or any other way of checking their inventory. Thanks
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JeffN
437 posts
Jun 17, 2013
11:01 PM
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I used to get a lot of old magazines and books from the Dragon's Lair on West 5th Street.
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rodat6
199 posts
Jun 18, 2013
2:44 PM
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I attended Webster elementary school from 1948 until 1954 1st grade through 6th grade. We used Memory Gardens, I believe it was a green book. In one of our classes, 3rd grade perhaps, our assignment was to memorize a poem or saying from Memory Garden and present it to the class. I memorized the shortest piece in the book. It was, "good luck will help a man across a stream if he jumps hard enough", sorry, I forget the author.
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abwillhoite
3 posts
Jun 30, 2013
8:08 PM
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I'm glad someone posted something about used book stores. I'm mostly interested in Dayton history books and that's really all I've been looking for lately.
I really like Bonnett's. Their local history's section is right inside the door and I've picked up some cheap books but nothing I was looking for in particular. The prices are always very reasonable.
Kubik's is a really nice shop. He has a very good collection of Dayton history and I've bought from him several times. He has some really hard books to find. I've talked to the owner and I've never had a problem with him. I could see how someone might have a problem. I wouldn't say he has an attitude but he could come off that way.
There's a place called Browse a while books in Tipp City and they have a good selection of Dayton and local history along with a lot of good used books. Some of the prices were high but others were good.
My suggestion if you're looking for something in particular check abebooks alibris or biblio. I've found local book sellers that have large selections. One being Merkel books in Xenia and Mill-Cliff in Dayton. No store front but nice people with great selections. Just a couple of suggestions.
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Calhoun
161 posts
Jul 01, 2013
8:43 AM
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Kubik is fine as long as you are buying, assuming you are willing to pay his inflated prices. (High overhead in Oakwood apparently.) The book snobbery comes though when selling to him.
Where is Merkel in Xenia? I recommend using bookfinder.com, it accesses the three sites you referenced plus others, and also accesses individual shops/sources as well.
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abwillhoite
4 posts
Jul 01, 2013
11:59 AM
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Kubik's prices on his stuff he knows no one else has are pretty hefty I will agree there. I've found some things decently priced there.
I use bookfinder daily surprised I forgot to mention it.
I don't think Merkel Books has a store front. Here's a link to his books on Abe.
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sortby=0&vci=56022
Email him too. I think he's a pretty busy guy so if he doesn't get back with you right away don't worry he should eventually. I've bought a lot from him and his prices have been fair and he's always charged actual shipping.
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Calhoun
163 posts
Jul 01, 2013
12:31 PM
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Thanks, I'll definitely contact him.
Have you ever been to Ohio Books (Cincy) or Hyde Brothers Books (Ft Wayne)? My two favorite book stores within a day's drive. I hit Ohio Books at least a half dozen times a year, Hydes' at least once a year.
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abwillhoite
5 posts
Jul 01, 2013
2:20 PM
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Do they carry and Dayton History titles at either of those shops? I might have to check them out.
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Calhoun
164 posts
Jul 02, 2013
6:00 AM
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Ohio Books has a large selection devoted to "local" history, that includes Cincinnati, Southern Ohio/Northern KY, and Ohio. Doubtful Hydes would have much in the way of Dayton/Ohio books
Sheer volume alone would make a trip to either of these shops worthwhile.
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abwillhoite
6 posts
Jul 11, 2013
3:02 PM
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Cool thanks I'll check that place out.
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