Bookzeller

Bookzeller was the first bookstore I located in Naperville, and one I visit with relative frequency when the Nichols Library just up the road doesn't have a treasured title, and Anderson's or Barnes & Noble is either out of stock or it's a book I'm not sure I want to pay full price for. A few notes about Bookzeller: if you can't find it, ask (the employees may now); expect to spend a while; and don't expect everything to be inexpensive. The fiction paperbacks here are pretty pricy at half cover price for new unless marked, and the majority of them will run you about $5. Maybe I'm naive but that was a surprise, as my local home city bookstore sold paperbacks between $2-4 for mass produced paperbacks. Hardcovers are usually a better bet. I find the nonfiction section more entertaining to peruse through, because hidden amongst all the requisite dusty, slightly mildewy-smelling content circulating from the 1970s and 1980s, you can find real gems on somewhat eclectic topics that won't run you more than $10. To get them, though, you will definitely require a great deal of patience and rummaging through musty piles that teeter precariously on the cramped shelves while you try very carefully to extract that single copy of Tacitus from betwixt a heavy tome of college poetry and the 1989 Best of Cooking hardcover that threatens to crunch your fingers. Parking outside Bookzeller isn't easy, as a warning, because it's right along the main strip of downtown Naperville. Park up a few blocks at the Nichol Library or in one of the free lots scattered behind Wolf Camera/Eddie Bauer or behind Anderson's. I encountered the same lack of service from the employees as other reviewers did on several recent visits. I swear, the lady didn't seem at all interested in ringing me up at the register, which seemed a bit odd. more

Personally I liked this bookstore. Yes, it does seem to be very chaotic, but books *are* organized into genres and by author. If you have the time and the inclination there are definitely some great finds to be had, though I would agree with the other reviewer that the staff is not terribly helpful by any stretch of the imagination. If you're looking for a specific book though, I would probably check one of the big retail stores, especially if it's a newer book though the store does carry some old books that may be of interest to a collector. Also, this store also does a book exchange where you can trade in your old books for new. The rate is pretty low, but if you have a pile of books you just want to get rid of, this might be the ticket. more

This bookstore makes you feel like you are back in college. Lots of books are stacked in dusty piles. You can spend hours searching the shelves of this store located in the basement. Not your usual Borders or Barnes and Nobles. It is a fun place to go treasure hunting. more

This used bookstore is unorganized, dark, and somewhat cramped. Books are piled around and somewhat dusty, and everything seems to be rather haphazard. However, if you go in with a few hours to spare and no expectations, you could definitely find some rare books and some great deals. Staff was not too helpful during my last visit, however. more

I went into Bookzeller once and thought it was okay. It's not really my kind of store though. I usually prefer big retail ones like Borders. The other reviewer is right, though. It is kind of creepy. I wouldn't say the prices are very affordable either. But it’s a small book store, so if you’re into that kind of thing, this is as good a place as any. more

This place is what you think of when you imagine Sherlock Holmes sitting in his study. It is musty, cramped, and stacked to the ceiling with books. It is nestled down in a basement next to Startbucks in downtown Naperville. It has all different kinds of books and they do not appear to be organized in any sort of manner. Piles are everywhere and dust coats many of them. Make sure you have time to hang out if you are looking for something specific. If you are there to browse, you could come across something fantastic buried in the piles. more

Honestly, you would probably just walk right on by when you see The Bookzeller because I have many many times. It is just an odd location being located downstairs in a cellar. But if you do go in you'll find that they do have a good selection of used books at a good price. more