Books can take us on a journey through all of time and space. If you’re looking for a new adventure through reading, check out these bookstores around Rochester, where you can find various new and used books.
City of Rochester
Akimbo Bookshop
Rochester – University Ave, NOTA
Sells new books. Focuses on small presses, social justice, and international fiction. They host a variety of book and community events.
Archivist Books
Rochester – Monroe Ave, Upper Monroe
Sells new books. Focused on queer topics and community events.
Ampersand
Rochester – University Ave, NOTA
Sells new books. It is owned and operated by Writers & Books, Rochester’s leading nonprofit literary arts center. WAB also hosts a variety of book and community events.
Before Your Quiet Eyes
Rochester – Monroe Ave, Pearl-Meigs-Monroe
Before Your Quiet Eyes is a used and rare bookstore that also sells art, photography, and ephemera and hosts readings and art exhibits.
Bookeater
Rochester – South Clinton Ave, South Wedge
Offers a cafe and new books. Hosts a variety of book and community events.
Burn Bright Books
Rochester – Park Ave
Sells new romance books.
Greenwood Books
Rochester – East Ave, East End
Sells used and rare books.
Hipocampo Children’s Books
Rochester – South Clinton Ave, South Wedge
Sells mainly new books. Focused on children’s books. Hosts a variety of book and community events.
Rick’s Recycled Books
Rochester – Monroe Ave, Pearl-Meigs-Monroe
Sells mainly used books. No website.
Small World Books
Rochester – North St., South Marketview Heights
Sells mainly used books. Hosts a variety of book and community events.
The Unreliable Narrator
Rochester – Village Gate, NOTA
Sells new books, toys, games, and gifts. Hosts a variety of book and community events.
Monroe County
Another Chapter Bookstore
Fairport
Sells new books, puzzles, and games in a cozy, community-oriented, inclusive space. It also hosts a variety of book and community events.
Bleak House Books
Honeoye Falls
Sells new and used books in a beautifully restored historic building. Hosts a variety of book and community events.
Book Culture
Pittsford
Sells mainly new books and a diverse assortment of books, stationery, and gifts. Make sure to visit the separate building behind the primary shop, where the children’s books and toy shop is located.
Bookends
Sells used books. It looked like Bookends was closing for a while, but the owner decided to keep it going! Check their Facebook page for current hours.
Corner Bookstore
Fairport
Book sales support the Fairport Library. The store’s inventory of gently used and collectible books donated by the local community is modestly priced. Proceeds support library programs. Volunteers staff the store.
Lift Bridge Book Shop
Brockport
Sells new books on the first floor and used books in the basement.
Mainly Books
Hilton
Book sales support Parma Public Library. The store’s inventory of gently used and collectible books donated by the local community is modestly priced. Proceeds support library programs. Volunteers staff the store.
Secondhand Prose Bookstore
Greece
Book sales support Greece Public Library. It offers gently used books donated by the Friends of the Greece Public Library.
Yesterday’s Muse Books
Webster
Specializes in antiquarian, collectible, and secondhand books and book repairs.
Barnes & Noble
BN bookstores are in Greece, Pittsford, Webster, and Eastview Mall in Victor. You can also find Barnes and Noble at the University of Rochester in Collegtown, which caters primarily to students but offers a variety of books.
Greater Rochester
Act 4 Books
Perry, Wyoming County
Specializes in new books.
Books & Fields
Perry, Wyoming County
Specializes in used and rare books.
Books, ETC.
Macedon, Wayne County
Specializes in new and used books. Hosts a variety of book and community events.
The Dog Eared Book
Palmyra, Wayne County
New, used, and rare books, specializing in used books in excellent condition. They offer a unique selection of literary-themed gifts, such as socks, candles, and soaps.
The Paperback Place
Canandaigua, Ontario County
New and used books, plus used DVDs, used CDs, and new & used puzzles.
Sulfur Books
Clifton Springs, Ontario County
This bookstore specializes in new and used books.
More Bookshops in the Greater Rochester Area
Author’s Note
Medina
Stomping Grounds
Geneva
Sundance Books
Geneseo
Touch of Grayce
Geneseo
Surrounding Counties
Choosing a bookstore as a destination is a great starting point for planning a day trip!
Alice, Ever After Books
Buffalo
Bookworm Books
East Aurora
Buffalo Street Books
Ithaca
Dog Ears Bookstore & Cafe
Buffalo
Golden Bee Bookshop
Liverpool
Lock City Books
Lockport
Odyssey Bookstore
Ithaca
Parthenon Books
Syracuse
The River’s End Bookstore
Oswego
Talking Leaves…Books
Buffalo
Westside Stories
Buffalo
More Places to Find Used Books
Give and receive from a Little Free Library
Visit a library book sale
Visit places like Goodwill and The Salvation Army. Goodwill also has a books-only location in Webster.
What I say is, a town isn’t a town without a bookstore. It may call itself a town, but unless it’s got a bookstore, it knows it’s not foolin’ a soul.
Neil Gaiman, American Gods
Google Map of Locations
Explore More
Little Free Libraries Around Rochester
Before heading out on your day trip, look at your bookshelf. We have dozens of public Little Free Libraries where you can donate your books.
A free library card allows you to access 31 Monroe County libraries, including Central Library and Libby, the digital library.
My Favorite Books About the Rochester Area
I’ve provided links to borrow these Rochester-themed books from a Monroe County Library or to purchase them online via Amazon or Bookshop.
Brewing Excellence: A Guide to Rochester’s Finest Coffee Roasters and Cafes
Rochester is well known for its robust coffee culture, with unique roasts and inviting cafes known for their sense of community.
Kindling Community: A Guide to Finding Rochester’s Cozy Fireplaces
I’ve curated a list of spots around the city perfect for quiet reading or community engagement next to a comforting fireplace.
Unplugged and Offline: Take This Guidebook on the Road
The second edition of Day Trips Around Rochester, New York encourages offline serendipity and getting lost in the right direction.
300+ Places to Shop Locally Around Rochester, New York
Shopping locally is about discovering something uniquely Rochester while directly impacting the lives of our families, friends, and neighbors.
Additional Resources for Rochester Day-Trip Inspiration
In addition to my website, here are some links to Rochester travel and tourism sites, blogs, and magazines to inspire your day-trip plans.
Where is your favorite place to find new and used books?
I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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Thank you!
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Enjoy the Journey Together!
My dad, James Brunner owns one of the continuous operating rare and out of print bookstores in Upstate New York in Livonia near Ember Grill. He is one of the founders of the Rochester Antiquarian Book Fair and a publisher of local history including Barns of the Genesee Country. The store is open on Saturdays from 1-3PM and most Sundays from 1-3PM otherwise by appointment. He does not have a website but can be reached at 585-243-3563. Could you please add this store to your list? Thank you. Jenifer Brunner
Could you add the Barnes and Noble at the University of Rochester?
The Greece Public Library also has a wonderful used book store, Secondhand Prose. You should check it out.
Ooo! Thank you for the recommendation, Linda!
There are two great bookstores in Perry NY!!! Definitely worth checking out and adding to the list!!
Yes!! Bilblio-Tech Cafe and Books & Fields are great additions, Andrea! Thank you so much for taking the time to recommend them. I’ll add them to the list shortly.
Don’t forget White Paw Books & Curiosities in Newark, NY! We’re only 10 minutes East of The Dog Eared Book in Palmyra! 604 S Main St, open Wednesday through Sunday!
I’m so happy to add White Paw Books to the list. Thank you for reaching out!