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Tacoma Book Center
Rating Details »
6 reviews for Tacoma Book Center
A friend had described this as the best used bookstore in the Northwest next to Powells in Portland. Big talk, especially to a book freak like me. When we pulled up to the squat white brick building in the middle of a monsoon last weekend I was less than Impressed...until I opened the door and practically heard angels singing. I was that stunned by how huge the place is inside.
The kid's section alone is as big as some other bookstores. There are 2 solid aisles of mysteries(not to mention an entire room with more mysterys, suspense and thrillers. We ended up spending two hours just browsing. I love pulp novels and found an awesome 80's era series called The Survivors, about a guerilla force trying to defend the U.S from a Russian Invasion. I also found an awesome series from the 30's called G-8 and His Battle Aces.
If this was in Seattle I'd probably never go to Twice Sold Tales or Half Price Books again.
This place looks so uninteresting from the outside. But, inside, there are, well, a butt load of books. Some of the layout is a little weird. Philosophy should be broken up, since that includes things like "Fast Food Nation". I guess that *could* be considered philosophy...
Anyway, this is a cool book shop. Some good books in here - not your ratty, used trash books that no one wants, but some good, interesting books for the collection.
There are two great things about Tacoma Book Center. First is the amazing array of books available in this store. The owners, two curmudgeons who give the place character, have packed this sizable building full of ALL kinds of books. The staff are amazing at finding the right book for you and very friendly.
Second is their purchase policy. The price they'll pay for the right book is higher than anywhere else in town. Keep in mind that the book has to be in good condition and one they think will sell. I make it a policy to bring my old books there first, and Half Priced Books gets the left-overs.
A HUGE bookstore. This place is like no other. The owner is friendly and more than willing to help you find what you need. Over 2 million used and new books. Get here and see for yourself!
Best used-book store in the region. I stop at every and any used-book store I see, and have been to several in the Puget Sound region.
I've been shopping at the Tacoma Book Center for the past 10 years or so and I've yet to find a shop as well organized and as well-stocked as this store.
I also really appreciate the pricing here. The owners seem to have a good sense of what the books are actually worth. Too many used-book stores seem to think that simply because a book is old, it should be priced like a first-edition copy. TBC does well at pricing its books fairly, really taking into account the condition of the copies.
They have the best World War I section and I have found several out-of-print books there. Their classification of other historical periods is also exceptional.
I also really like how they have a hardcover section for classic literature, so they're not mixed in with the paperbacks. I have found several copies of classics in hardcover in this section. Somehow, having an old hardcover of, say, "Tale of Two Cities," feels better than a Border's edition.
You can totally lose yourself in this store. I could spend hours there. All they're missing is a fat cat hanging around.
Biggest used bookstore in the Tacoma area. You can search their online inventory at http://www.abebooks.com; however, be aware that not all their inventory is online. Phone them and they will check their shelves for the item you want. A good old-fashioned books-crammed-into-every-available-inch used bookstore. And when you've finished book shopping and feel hungry, go 1 block down the street to Freighthouse Square to chow down at one of the many restaurants inside and check out the cool and funky shops there.