Changing Hands Bookstore
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
23 Reviews for Changing Hands Bookstore
After an afternoon of looking for books at several places, Changing Books had what I was looking for. Since I am working on my dissertation, I am finding that I need kinda weird books ie Hegel's Phenomenology for starters, and other philosophy, cultural theory stuff, and finding some of the books I need here was blessing. I am holding back on the points just because i think they can do better!
My rec is to go here first! If they don't have your book, then have a cookie and iced tea next door.
These are the types of bookstores I like, independently owned. Unfortunatly I've been there 2 times where they didn't have what I was looking for. But if I'm going in there with nothing in mind, I leave with tons of stuff. It's also great for gifts when you don't know what to get someone, they have lots of crafty local artist stuff for sale.
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I never knew how great Arizona could be until I visited my brother in Tempe last week.
Changing Hands is fun, I ended up spending around $25 for a used book, a cute bookmark, a plush hamster, and some cards with cupcakes on them.
They get major bonus points for carrying nifty tools such as the spaghetti fork that twirls for easy eating. If you need to write thank you cards they have a great selection to choose from.
My cashier was very nice, and the atmosphere was comfortable. I think some of the customers had been setting up camp in there for most of the morning. The best part is you don't need to worry about packing rations since they have a cafeteria attached to the store.
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After reading about this place here on Yelp, I decided it was time to wander into this marvelous establishment once and for all, and check it out. I was in the market to purchase a book, and thought why not wander in here to see if they had it or not.
I arrived, and immediately I fell in love. Warm, clean enviroment that had lots to view. I got lost in the front half of the store with all of the cool stuff that they had, with the cute magnets, funny tins for change, candles and knick knacks for sale.
I wandered to the back of the store where the books were and was happy with the selection that they had. Organized like a traditional "big box" bookstore, everything was easy to locate and appealing to the eye.
I ended up going to the service counter in the back to see if they could locate the book that I wanted, and was helped by a nice guy who not only paid attention to what I was saying, but walked me to the area that my book should have been. Unfortunately, they did not have it in stock, but I was told that it could be ordered if I was interested.
Staff was great, store is clean and organized, and I was happy to see that they sold more then books. Its also attached to a wildflower bakery if you would like to grab a bite to eat or drink. I ended up grabbing a muffin and sat in the back reading my own book that I brought with me for the Yelpers book club at the end of the month.
This place is worth going out of your way for, and I highly reccomend it. Great independant location.
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This place is great! It's not only a used bookstore, but it's a giftshop, too! There were fun greeting cards and comical trinkets ("Believe in God Breath Freshener") aplenty. Along with the Irish Gift store on University, it's another great place to go if you're looking for a gift for someone difficult to shop for! There's got to be something here that fool will like.
The shop is also connected to the Wildflower Bread Company so that you can enjoy some carb-y treats with coffee before or after your shopping experience (not too sure if they let you bring food in the store).
I was a little disappointed, however, with the book prices. Accustomed to McKay's, a used bookstore in Knoxville, TN, I thought this store might have prices as low as theirs (i.e., $1-5 for a paperback). I was perusing the Kurt Vonnegut novels and I think the cheapest one I found was $11 or $12. I mean, that's not steep or anything, but I would have expected to find the same price at Barnes and Noble or Borders. The only hot spot for low prices I found in the store was the sale section at the back. There are some gems back there, but you have to spend a little time looking. I was really proud of the big book on dreaming I bought for only 75 cents!
The store also has authors come in every week to talk about their work. Book discussions range from kid- to adult-oriented, from non-fiction to fiction, from sci-fi to romance. You can peruse the schedule on their website. I'm sure this feature is one big reason why the bookstore has received so many accolades in professional journals and popular publications alike.
Overall, I was impressed with this place. Although it's not as cheap as the used bookstores I'm used to (the reason for the 4-stars), it still provides the quintessentially one-of-a-kind-bookshop experience.
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I spend too much money at Changing Hands. I love the tea pots, the Annie Taintor garb, and most of all the books. Shopping here makes me feel good about myself and the "You're supporting a local business. Go you!"-esque signs add to my smug sense of satisfaction.
Beyond that, this place is just cool. Between book readings, story time, and book clubs, there's always something wonderful going on. The stamp cards are helpful for those of us addicted and the selection never fails to impress.
High-five, Changing Hands.
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This is the BEST bookstore in the valley -- and it's an independent establishment!
You can find great deals on new and used books, plus tons of unique gifts. Make this a day trip, as you will get lost in here for hours on end.
+ check out RedSeven Computers (across the street by Frys) for the coolest computer geeks in town.
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Excellent independent bookstore. I've been going there for years, and followed them from their original location on Mill Ave. The staff are helpful, friendly, knowledgeable, and well read. I've always been able to find the niche book I happen to be looking for, and usually, a couple of additional ones "land in my basket". They have both new & "pre-read" books, so you can often pick up a gently used copy for 1/3 the price of new.
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i could see myself spending major amounts of money at this place if i lived here.
it's a well organized bookstore. the sections are well defined and in a logical order. they have a bunch of knick knack items and new books as well as used books.
you can trade in your old books. they have stamp cards, for every $100 you get $10 off your next purchase.
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they have an awesome selection of art, travel and literature books. the staff is always knowledgeable and are willing to take the time to help you find what your looking for. next time your in the area, stop in and browse the store.
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What a wonderful reading destination. I felt that the atmosphere was notably different from that of other bookstores...it's more of a "I read because I enjoy it" than a "I read because I'm an elitist" feel. The staff is friendly and helpful and there is always some event going on. All the used books I saw were in good shape (I loathe dog-earred, written in books). Being inbetween a cafe and bar/grill type place is also a plus. When I am itching for a new book, I go to Changing Hands before I go anywhere else.
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this is what local arizona stores are all about. this place is one of my favorite finds. i love the selection of cards, books, and knick knacks they have in the store. enough to keep me occupied for hours!
it's your neighborhood radical/liberal book store chocked full of awesome used and new books. i'm currently reading a book i found there and didnt realize until i started reading it that it was written by a local author!
my husband and i both frequent this store and really enjoy our visits every time. we always find something new. we even take our family from out of town to go here and they've all really liked it. there's a little bit of something for everyone. the atmosphere is really laid back and the staff is super nice. i love this store!
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Cool place. I couldn't find a book I needed (it was somewhat rare, can't blame them), and I agree with the orgininal poster that the design selection was limited. Those are the reasons for the one star off. I could care less that its "independent". Its quality, but I honestly don't see a difference between here and any other bookstore (in terms of selection, aethetic, etc) other than it being frequented by the mountain-biker-in-spandex-shorts type. Then again I don't go to a bookstore to interact w/ people, I go to get books. So it's purpose is served.
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They had me at "independent bookstore." They keep my business, even after moving from their original Mill Ave. location, because the owners and staff can think, read, write, garden, support local artists and host readings by internationally-known authors all at the same time. The store offers greeting and note cards that I cannot find anywhere else.
Just last month, author appearances included Alice Cooper, Frank DeFord, Alison Bechdel and Laurie Notaro. The e-newsletter alone is like reading a letter from a close friend.
This is one my five favorite businesses in the Valley of the Sun. My out-of-town visitors love it too. (Right, Lesa?)
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It's hard to believe it's not a huge chain bookstore, but I totally agree with other reviewers who also loved the place.
I've been really wanting a good book to read for awhile, and having exhausted common 'bestsellers' and authors I've read for awhile, I wanted to find a new author to be a fan of.
Changing Hands has great suggestions that make you believe they don't have an ulterior motive for choosing those books (what, they actually read it and didn't steal the idea from Oprah's book club?), they even include a little blurb summarizing the gist of said books.
Extremely friendly and helpful staff, comfortable clean environment in which to peruse your books to your heart's content. I only wish I had one closer to me...although today's hour long drive was worth it.
Just don't go for the Harry Potter midnight sale tonight unless you like chaos. Yikes!
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Love , love this place!
The oldest and largest independent bookstore in the state!
The staffers are dedicated to making reading cool again. They are knowledgeable and can help you find the book you are looking for even if you give them measly clues, like: "...ummm...the cover is blue, and I think the author's last name starts with a P...sounds Indian."
How? Well, it's obvious that they are a well-read group whose literary tastes range from,chick-lit to teen fantasy, from bestselling novels to graphic novels, from self-help to erotica, from political to the new classic children's picture books.
The store also hosts amazing authors who probably didn't even consider including Phoenix in their book tour 7 years ago. They've had authors like Michael Moore, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Diana Gabaldon, Christopher Moore (who's coming back, BTW), Malcolm Gladwell, Tony Bourdain, Byron Katie, Madeliene Albright, Sen. John McCain to name a few. And most recently, they've hosted Sen. Barack Obama and Pres. Carter (boy , that was a wild one!). Getting those authors into the Valley is Changing Hands' way of promoting reading, especially to the younger set.
Even more, CHB is a founding member of Arizona Chain Reaction, a coalition that supports independently-owned businesses who try to educate the community about how buying locally can benefit the community. They don't condemn big businesses at all. They simply encourage consumers to support small, independent businesses equally. I hear that their PR person gives free lectures to owners of small businesses on how to market and publicize their businesses.
I love it because I get to meet a very diverse group of people. It's fun chatting with an ASU archeology professor about which picture books kids are going for; or explaining to a North Scottsdale woman what Tibetan singing bowls are; or describing how the chocolate rods (from Granny's Chocolates, of course) taste like to a professional ballet dancer; or sharing the embarassment of appearing "big" on TV to a homeless person; or reminiscing about the music you grew up listening to with aging hippies...and yes, the pseudo-hippies as well.
Now located in suburban Tempe (driven away by high costs, etc. from the downtown area), the store seems to have kept their customer base through the years and changes. What's even more wonderul is that, now, they have managed to cater to the younger crowd, the hipsters, and even to the 30-something suburban women who might be afraid to encounter (gasp!) dread-locked, patchouli-scented boys and girls.
And although CHB staffers are the most educated group of people I know (I would say: 70% have one or more Bachelor's degrees, maybe 10% have their Master's degrees, and the remaining 20% are still working on it), they are not perfect. But they are hardworking, funny, creative, and know how to party well.
I know all this because I practically live there and I truly dig the place! Just have them page me.
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Such a fun store! They have all kinds of gifts like jewelry that I haven't seen other places, and a ton of books! In my opinion an inordinate amount of floorspace is taken up by hippie/ spiritual/ new age stuff. The science fiction, fantasy and science sections are somewhat lacking especially as far as used books go. I do love to go there though for gifts or to buy books for myself! It is always fun and they do usually have books I want.
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A good place for readers. They keep it real here. You won't find douche-bag kids running around or reading manga, unlike Barnes and Noble.
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An in-store author appearance & reading is what finally got me down to Changing Hands. I've been meaning to check it out for eons, but it's not in the most convenient part of Tempe, especially when you're in central Phoenix, and are trying to get there midweek in evening rush hour.
Anyway, granted, the author I went to see is actually a friend of mine, but that's besides the point. Changing Hands is a great change of pace from B&N/Borders/Bookstar-ville. Every staff member I talked to seemed like an avid fan of books and not just working there "because it's a job." Definitely a place where I'd trust their recommendations.
A great array of books that I'll have to survey in more detail next time (along with checking out Wildflower next door), but they had some really great stuff on the sci-fi, travel and political front.
I just wish it didn't have to be in a suburban strip mall but you can't have everything. Maybe they'll open an "annex" in downtown Phoenix down the road?
In any case, it's definitely a joint worth the effort driving to and spending a few hours in (maybe not during evening rush hour, but spending full Saturday afternoons in July there when it's 113 degrees outside sounds like an awesome idea).
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I am a big fan of indie bookstores. Changing Hands is a good one, if mostly for the cozey atmosphere. Mmmmm booksmell.
Good size store, plenty of new books with some used scattered throughout. They have a gifty section and an appropriately overflowing children's/young adult department. They are also attached to Wildflower Bread Co. Mmmm breadsmell. And they offer a kind of "Frequent Buyer" card that you can get punched for every certain amount you spend & you get a discount when you fill a card.
Disappointing selection of design books. Borders wins hands down when it comes to that.
There are folks on staff who can conduct rare book searches, but I wasn't impressed as they never called me back on the two searches they were supposed to do for me.
I wish they had more places for customers to park themselves and read, as stools/benches/the floor isn't very comfy.
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Awesome independent bookstore. Helpful staff answer my sometimes inane questions with a smile. Simple loyalty program costs nothing to join and adds up pretty fast. Excellent ambiance, conveniently connected to a Wildflower Bread Company. Also next door to Trader Joe's, so all your alternative shopping needs in one place.
Many author events and book signings.
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Pretty much the only independent bookstore in the area that I enjoy going to-the author appearences are great, staff is friendly, carry indie magazines and NYT and adjoined with a great casual eatery with good coffee and great breakfast/lunch deals.
UPDATE
JUST WON BEST BOOKSTORE IN THE US BY PUBLISHERS WEEKLY!!!!!
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gotta love an independent book store in a world of huge chains like Barnes and Noble.
they've always had a book i was looking for, and plenty of gift items for someone on your list.
plus, they are ALWAYS hosting some author or event... i get press releases every other day about another event here. Local and national authors, big and small, from books on sex in your 60s to workshops on how to get your children's book published. they really have a sense of community, bringing people together, holding events that will truly benefit their customers, and 99% of the events are FREE.
plus, they're right by Trader Joe's and Wildflower, so it's a fun little pit stop before morning coffee or after a shopping trip.
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