Boise is a city where book lovers are spoiled for choice, whether you hunger after a rare first edition or a paperback treasure for your next adventure. From bustling indie shops to family-run institutions filled with hidden gems, there’s a perfect reading nook waiting for everyone.
Let’s get to it.
Friends of the Boise Public Library
For anyone curious about where books go after their retail run, Friends of the Boise Public Library offers the answer. This all-volunteer crew has raised over $3 million since 1970 by matching readers with gently used stories and media. Their main outlet is Tree City Books, a snug corner inside the Main Library that feels like a literary hangout without the coffee. Volunteers staff every shift, and their friendliness and expertise rival any independent bookstore.
You’ll discover everything from giant pre-1950 encyclopedia sets to comic books, video games, LPs, DVDs and jigsaw puzzles. Fiction, nonfiction, magazines and Blu-rays share the shelves. There’s even a dedicated section for children and babies. The store restocks throughout the week, so repeat visits often pay off. Seasonal and pop-up sales take place in the downstairs community room. On half-price Sundays you can grab bargains while volunteers help carry your haul.
Portions of the proceeds support events such as the Boise Comic Arts Festival and the library’s Summer Reading program. Every donated book and every dollar circles back to keep Boise Public Library thriving.
Idaho Book Fairs Warehouse
In Idaho, the Idaho Book Fairs Warehouse has spent years building the state’s largest children’s bookstore inside a renovated warehouse on Wilson Street. Rows of colorful picture books and chapter series fill every shelf. The “best of the best” section reflects input from local librarians and the New York Times bestseller lists… no more guessing which titles stand out.
The staff coordinates book fairs for nearly 100 Idaho schools, returning a portion of proceeds to support those programs. Teachers receive a 50 percent discount on orders, a rare offer in the publishing world. On Saturdays, families browse more than 2,000 titles, from popular graphic novels to early readers. Established in 2007 by a local family, the warehouse team brings deep knowledge to every recommendation. Each visit reveals fresh discoveries among storybooks, educational kits, and seasonal selections. Students, parents, and educators continue to rely on Idaho Book Fairs Warehouse for quality children’s literature and community-driven book events.
Deseret Book
Just off the freeway near the Boise Temple, Deseret Book combines retail with Latter-day Saint community life. The brightly lit aisles are neatly organized by category. You’ll find new releases on Mormon history, values-driven fiction, teaching manuals and children’s books. Church art prints, recorded music and home décor line adjacent shelves. A small refrigerated case holds frozen Parker House Rolls beside locally made chocolates, an unusual but welcome pairing.
Staff members know doctrine and products inside out. Whether you’re seeking a study guide, a garment-sizing tape or just a gift for Relief Society, they offer prompt, informed assistance. Regular events include Ladies’ Night gatherings and author signings. These draw steady crowds and foster community spirit. Prices fall in the midrange, but special events often feature discounts and added reward points. For those outside Boise, Deseret Book ships nationwide, ensuring its unique blend of merchandise and expertise reaches beyond the Treasure Valley.
Books on the Vine
Since its opening in July 2023, Books on the Vine has blended a cozy bookstore with a local art gallery in a renovated corner space. The main room displays a mix of new and used books, including fiction, science fiction, and a dedicated Idaho authors section. Prices remain budget-friendly. Many used paperbacks sell for under four dollars. New releases, craft guides, and children’s titles often cost less than seventeen dollars.
Art pieces line the walls while the gallery hosts rotating exhibitions from regional artists. Regular game nights and paint-pour workshops fill a side alcove with folding tables and drop cloths. A monthly storytime offers children a chance to bring stuffed friends for an overnight stay in a special “sleepover” shelf. The mother-daughter team that manages the shop shares expertise in writing and visual arts. Free Wi-Fi and contactless payment ensure a modern shopping experience. Classes on bookbinding and mixed-media crafts invite local participants to learn new skills. Whether selecting a favorite novel or enrolling in an evening workshop, visitors find a relaxed atmosphere focused on books and creative community.
Rediscovered Bookshop
Over the past two decades, Rediscovered Bookshop has offered Boise readers a unique mix of new arrivals and carefully curated used volumes. A local trade-in program keeps shelves fresh with gently worn novels, biographies, and poetry collections. A separate display showcases signed editions and works by Idaho authors. Sister store Once & Future Books adds a community-driven outlet for special releases and local reading groups.
Genre sections range from contemporary literary fiction to regional history. Quarterly “book by the pound” sales simplify purchasing hardcovers and paperbacks for a flat rate. Frequent events include children’s storytimes in the bright reading nook, puzzle nights around communal tables, and Book & Booze gatherings in partnership with area breweries. Staff members offer thoughtful recommendations without promotional flair. The shop also supports school libraries through book drives and donates select proceeds to literacy programs. A move to a larger location on Grove Street will increase event space and retail capacity. Rediscovered Bookshop remains one of Boise’s rare independent venues where book lovers feel both welcome and well served.
Bent Corners Used Books LLC
Stepping into Bent Corners Used Books LLC feels like discovering a carefully organized treasure chest. Each location has been open since 2005 and holds around 40,000 titles. Shelves are neatly labeled by category and author, so you won’t find any dusty chaos or odd odors.
Genres range from mysteries and westerns to romance, science fiction, true crime, Christian fiction and kids’ books. You’ll even spot shapeshifter romances and ghost stories alongside more popular titles. If you hunt rare or out-of-print volumes in Boise or Nampa, this shop is the closest grown-up treasure hunt you’ll find.
The trade-in program offers up to 75% of a book’s cover price in store credit. Store credit lets you pick from nearly sticker-free stock or snag new releases at roughly half price. They accept credit cards and provide bike parking, a must-have for local shoppers.
No one rushes you through the aisles. Should you need a recommendation, friendly staff with genuine opinions are always within reach. The comfortable chairs scattered throughout the store make it easy to pause and sample a new find.
Barnes & Noble
Located in the local mall, Barnes & Noble functions as a spacious community hub for readers and shoppers. Wide aisles feature over 75,000 titles, from cooking guides and graphic novels to poetry collections on staff-recommended shelves. A central café offers Starbucks beverages and light snacks beside comfortable armchairs. Special displays highlight Idaho writers and themed First Edition selections.
Beyond books, the store stocks games, magazines, music, and puzzles, including a state-shaped puzzle at the front. A children’s corner provides floor cushions and low tables for early readers. Membership benefits include discounts, free gift-wrapping, and priority access to rare titles. Services such as curbside pickup and special orders simplify busy schedules. Seasonal sales and in-store book clubs draw local groups for discussion sessions in corner nooks. Author signings, school fundraisers, and storytime events create an ongoing calendar of community offerings. While national in scope, this location retains a focus on local authors and partnerships with area schools. Barnes & Noble remains a one-stop destination for anyone seeking a broad selection and casual gathering space.
Christian Science Reading Room & Book Store
Tucked away in downtown Boise, Christian Science Reading Room & Book Store has been a community fixture for decades. The space features a central sales desk flanked by tall shelves and a small reading nook in one corner. Comfy chairs, soft background music and warm lighting create a calm atmosphere. Staff members like Lavada Valinske and a team of volunteers greet visitors with genuine warmth and answer questions about any title.
The focus here is Christian Science theology and spiritual nonfiction. You’ll find Bibles, Mary Baker Eddy’s writings, and current issues of The Christian Science Journal, Sentinel and Monitor. Beyond books, there’s a selection of children’s materials and music CDs. A used-book section yields occasional surprises. Prices remain modest, with pamphlets under five dollars and most books priced between ten and thirty. Annual events include the Christian Science Film Festival, weekly Bible study groups and regular workshops. Many locals drop in for quiet reading or to join community gatherings, making this spot feel more like a longtime study haven than a typical bookstore.
Reilly’s Church Supply & Gift Boutique
Since 1951, Reilly’s Church Supply & Gift Boutique has served the Treasure Valley as a premier destination for faith-based goods. Its well-organized shelves hold Bibles, devotionals—including popular 90-day guides—catechisms and prayer books. A 500-page catalog offers custom church supplies and liturgical items ranging from chalices to vestments. You’ll also find medals, candles with gift bags and a rotating selection of boutique gifts.
The family-owned staff take genuine interest in each visit. They help select sacramental keepsakes or compare Bible editions. The atmosphere is welcoming without feeling overly formal, blending retail convenience with ministry care. Prices span midrange to premium, reflecting the shop’s unique inventory and occasional sales. For those beyond Boise, nationwide shipping ensures that parishioners everywhere can access Reilly’s handpicked offerings. Over seven decades in business, this boutique remains a trusted resource for clergy, families and anyone seeking meaningful faith gifts.
Captain Comics Inc
Established in 1993, Captain Comics Inc has become a cornerstone for comic fans in Boise. The store resembles a compact museum with thousands of issues neatly displayed from the Silver Age through current releases. A back-issue archive holds over 100,000 titles, and a half-price bin contains more than 40,000 comics. This setup makes it easy for long-time collectors and newcomers to browse.
Prices start as low as fifty cents and frequent specials keep most budgets intact. Knowledgeable staff guide customers toward indie series, superhero classics or genre-bending new releases. Beyond comics, the shop carries action figures, branded T-shirts, Magic and Pokémon cards, dice and gaming accessories. Friday nights bring Magic tournaments that draw a social crowd, and occasional launch parties feature visiting artists. The store is spacious and well maintained, avoiding that crowded feeling despite its vast inventory. Whether you’re sealing trade paperbacks or hunting rare issues, Captain Comics Inc delivers a friendly, well-stocked experience.
Crone’s Cupboard
Serving Boise since 1995, Crone’s Cupboard supports the city’s metaphysical community with a well-stocked retail space on a quiet downtown block. Shelves of gleaming quartz, amethyst clusters, and tumbled stones display next to bins of dried herbs and jars of ritual salts. A dedicated wall holds tarot and oracle decks while a nearby table offers rune sets and small charms arranged under soft lighting.
The apothecary section features handcrafted tinctures, herbal teas, and essential oil blends. Monthly Psychic Sundays invite local readers to offer palm and tarot sessions. Workshops cover topics such as crystal healing, herbal alchemy, and intuitive development. A community bulletin board highlights nearby practitioners and upcoming gatherings. Staff members draw on years of study and personal practice to recommend readings or guide visitors through meditation tools. A back room serves as a classroom for paint-pour workshops and tea leaf readings, complete with folding chairs and incense burners. While some artisanal items command premium prices, the overall collection reflects careful sourcing and a commitment to local artisans and educators.
