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Smith Family Bookstore
Rating Details »
14 reviews for Smith Family Bookstore
Smith Family Bookstore is a good bookstore plain a simple. Yes it is disorganized, but besides Powell's I haven't ever come across a bookstore with this many used books. I think Smith Family beats Powell's in terms of price, but definitely not organization. I'm surprised to see so many negative reviews on the disorganization. It has never bothered me that much. With the prices and selection, I can't complain. It's not like the books are out of order, it is mainly there are overstock piles on the ground.
I've lived on the East Coast and West Coast and this is certainly one of the best bookstores I've ever been through.
I prefer this Smith Family to the one on campus, prices are more reasonable and the staff is a little more helpful. They have a rather extensive collection of graphic novels, which is a great way to waste a half hour if the line at the post office is wrapping around the front door.
Check out "Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea" for an entertaining glimpse at everyday life in the hermit state from the pen of a cartoonist. Juche!
It's a mess. The stock is disorganized, the new books buyer(s) aren't particularly up on what's interesting and available out there, and the pricing isn't particularly great. I have yet to find anyone working there who's actually able to help me find something I'm looking for.
I'm surprised to see folks comparing it to Powell's -- the Powell's buyers know what they're doing and their staff know how to merchandise. The only similarity I see between the two places is that they're both used bookstores. In Oregon.
Books piled everywhere. Knee deep stacks lining the ceiling high shelves that go on and on and on. New books are 10%. Used books that i looked at were no real bargain.
When I finally found the section I was looking for, and the author I was reaching above my head into a double stacked shelf of paperbacks. A shelf of paperbacks that promptly came tumbling down onto me.
If you like Powells you'll like Smith Family. I prefer a bookstore where I don't cause myself physical harm.
I was in town checking out the U of O college for my daughter...and decided to check out this bookstore. I'm a fan of Powell's and this was slmiliar in that it was an independent bookstore selling new and used books. Well, mostly used, but not like neat and organized like Powell's...yes, lots of books but no room on the shelves for everything, so books are piled everywhere...on the floor in front of the shelves, in the hallways, everywhere. It was amazing! I came in late so could only spend 1/2 hour but was able to locate two books in San Francisco/California history. There is another bookstore near the campus that I didn't get to check out, but I heard it's also book-filled, shelves and floor. A bit daunting in finding stuff, but definitely fun in exploring, although it will take a bit of time and patience...
I always loved wandering around this bookstore. It's huge (and perhaps a bit disorganized), with two floors and literally stacks of books crammed everywhere on every topic imaginable. This disorganization might be a turn-off for some, but I kinda like the atmosphere. Great place for wandering around and finding books that you never knew existed, or for killing some time near campus.
Lots of stuff, plenty of titles to choose from, and definitely the place to go before you head to a chain bookseller to buy new. The place could use a bit better organization, though. Their downtown location seems to be a bit easier to navigate and find the right room for the right topic, where the university location is a bit more scrunched up. Service is great, though, so you'll find what you're looking for, most likely.
Smith Family is fun if you have a lot of time on your hands. It's pretty dusty and disorganized, books on the floor, on the shelves, on top of the shelves, behind the shelves, stacked on counters, and so forth.
If you know what you're looking for, you probably won't find it, but if you walk in with an open mind and a couple hours to kill, you'll probably walk away with some treasures.
The most frustrating used bookstore ever. Hard to figure out where stuff is, comes off as pretty disorganized, but when you find a bargain, you can FIND A BARGAIN. I found a 1st edition 4th issue of McSweeney's here for $10.
In conclusion, go, but be in your I'm-going-garage-saling-for-the-entire-day mindset.
This is a great place to get new and used books alike. They have a TON of stock, so it can be overwhelming and frustrating when you have to go through 5 million stacks to find what you need.
Staff is friendly, and don't give you dirty looks when you bring in 2 bags of books to sell them:)
I love this bookstore. First saw it on a rainy day just before Thanksgiving a few years back and when I walked in I was in heaven. It is huge, in a great old building, several floors, messy, just sorta organized in a wonderful way and if you have time, a great place to just get lost up to your neck and beyond in an ocean of great books. If you are like me and love used book stores, then you are going to love this place. Whenever I am in town it is one of the first places I go. Can't wait to go again this year!
This has to be one of the best bookstores in town in terms of price and variety. It can take a little patience if you're hunting for something specific since books are stacked high on shelves and floor alike, but it's the perfect place for browsing. Good mix of used and new books, and there are definitely bargains to be found.
This is the best bookstore in town, and I am not talking about course books for student either. You can find new and used books from floor to ceiling, wall to wall! It is so easy to spend endless hours pouring through all the books, and the staff is really nice.
A great place to kill some time! While it is a very disorganized looking place, I've never had a problem finding anything there - but it does take some time. The people who work there (and even fellow customers in my experiences) are a great resource when looking for a particular book. I have found some vary hard to come by books there, and always find something interesting when I peruse their shelves.
