Brickbat Books

This is a bookstore for those who enjoy leisurely exploration and discovery. Most of the store features walls of unlabelled shelves of pre-owned nonfiction and literary books by author. There's some selection of vintage children's books, LP records and literary gifts. There's soft music playing and knowledgeable, friendly staff.

One of my favorite bookstores in Philadelphia. You'll find an extensive selection of art and photography books, obscure vintage publications and indie vinyl

Not really accessible but people are very kind and helpful. What an incredible, magical little shop! Precious finds at all price points. Children's books in front, more cerebral stuff in back. Great display of coffee table books and deep thinkers. It's really about the books here, not a lot of extra junk around. I spent more than an hour here and really enjoyed my purchases. Here's a beautiful thing that happened here: I found my favourite childhood book and bought it for $6. Then I asked a child with their parent if they would like to read it, or knew anybody who might like to read this book that they might pass it on to. The child declined the offer but on second thought they took the book and decided they could probably find somebody. The kid was shy to take it but opened it straight away and began reading. I thanked them for taking care of my favourite story and went on with my day. I hope the world is a little better with a book no longer on the shelf but back in children's hands.

Brickbat book store is a nice little book store. It would be nice to see the books more organized, other than fiction or non-fiction. Brickbat books sell new and used books but there were no actual prices on the books until you're ready to check out.

Love the unique collection of books here , cozy bookstore ,perfect for a leisure evening.

Amazing place, always finding beautiful gems, either books, vinyls or cassettes. Really well curated.

Love the selection both of used books and new releases from publishers like Dorothy and NYRB.

A lovely, well curated bookstore in the heart of South Philly. Everyone there is extremely kind and helpful - you can tell that they support and care deeply about the community.

This place (I'm sure they'll hate this)looks like a Hallmark movie in the inside. The floors are ancient well worn wood that creak in uneven leveled steps. Wooden walls and bins storing and displaying books. Really cool.

Very unique used book store with interesting selection. Stock doesn't rotate often unfortunately and prices can be a little high (used books priced as new).

I'm an avid book store lover and honestly this place was not really it for me. Nothing very interesting book wise and sections are kind of weird. The books in my opinion were pretty overpriced considering how used they are, just not worth it for me.

Hmmm I'm not sure why everyone gave it really good ratings. I think this book store is unique and stands out. Easy to get to with okay parking/loading zones. The topics are very limited. If you're looking for older edition and maybe some newer books in outdated subjects, this may be the place for you. There is a lot of nonfiction, some fiction, mostly adult and hardly any young adult. Good enough children section by the front with arts and photography. One or two chairs to sort of sit down. I'm usually a book lover and enjoy pretty much every store. This one didn't grab my attention as much, and the clerk didn't bother greeting people either. Would recommend adding some local made knick knacks to stack the counter, it's very lacking...

Brickbat is probably the best bookstore in Philly. The selection is extremely well-curated with a selection of new, used and rare/out-of-print books. Their collection of world music vinyl shouldn't be slept on - lots of gems buried in there. As we emerge from the pandemic, they've been putting on more events like small concerts, adding lots to our community. 10/10

Brickbat Books has books that you didn't know that you wanted or needed. The multiple sections are well-curated, & generously filled with used/rare editions. The poetry & art collections, especially, were bursting with coffee table books, chapbooks, & tomes that will have your curiosity aroused, & want to have, & prior to coming here, didn't know that it existed. From multiple volumes of Robert Lowell (poetry) to art books on the likes of Kati Horna, Philip Guston, et al - this shop is not stuffed to the ceiling with the usual tired stew of books found in most thrift & some second hand bookstores. It actually felt exhilarating to peruse the shelves here, & discover such quality gems. Prepare to spend a little more than you might be used to for used books. But with the quality here it's worth it.

I love the look and feel of a new used book store. So this store instantly drew me in even though I have about ten books on my to start list as it is (reading is one of my few addictions). This store must only be a month or so old, because there was a completely empty back shelf and crates holding several hundred treasures. the only flaw that a lot of these treasures weren't officially purchased by the store yet(not too sure how that arrangement works either) so you could only really look through them unless the owner who wasn't there gave you consent to buy them (they were very reachable by phone). But the complete sections of the store really amazed me. It wasn't exactly organized alphabetically by author, or in any kind of sections that you would expect from a bookstore. Instead it looked like the layout was done by an avid reader who really cared about their collection and put more thought into it. And that really made it extra special to go through. and what a collection it was! I could have easily purchased the entire music section even though it contained out of print books on The Rolling Stones that went for $40. the same can be said for the graphic novel section, and it's children's book section that really bought me back. you'll manage to find a lot more than you're usual bookstore. A couple of my friends randomly stopped in after me and wished me a happy birthday. since she heard them do so, the woman at the register was sweet enough to do the same and give me half off on one of the books I picked up. Yeah, I think I'll be back.

Sweet and sunny bookstore that has stacks upon stacks of books you knew you wanted, forgot about, and are now sitting pretty on these shelves. Very cute reading nooks. Kind sales people. Great place to spend an hour or two after lunch.

One of the more beautiful independent book stores in the area. I love the way the shelves are such clean lines, with books displayed so elegantly and well chosen. It's like an art gallery, an homage to the book. But they also host live music! Plenty of avant-garde and folk shows going on throughout the month. I've been to a couple here (the primary reason I even set foot in there to begin with) and it's a fantastic space for vibing out to some weirdo tunes while reading up on, say, South East Asian art. Can someone say Beatnick?

There is something sacred about a book. Some intangible quality that I just can't put my finger on. In 20**, Big Jar Books of Old City sadly closed. But like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Brickbat was born anew. The owner is very friendly but more importantly, he understands the importance of the written word. Almost of the their books are used, some are first editions and even print printings going back to the '40s and earlier. But each book is loved and cared for as though it were a pet or an infant, but with pages and a cover and things. Prices are reasonable but can get pretty hefty once you peruse the more rare texts. If I have one complaint, it's that the staff plays the most awful music I have ever heard in my entire life -- it sounds like sadness. And tears. Experimental, atonal tears, accompanied by what I can only guess is Finnish "singing." So, put in your iPhone(TM) earbuds and get ready to gawk at a truly beautiful selection of books. ***** Would bookstore again.

Walked into this place and found two Edward Gorey 1st editions, "The Curious Sofa" and " The Haunted Tea-Cosy". The guy ended up selling them both to me for a measley $24. and when i got home.....Boo ya! "The Curious Sofa" ended up being a limited press. Winning tatses delicious.

Brickbat is the elegant equivalent of the early-20th-century woman scornfully called a "bluestocking" by her peers -- intellectual first, gives a f**k what you think not at all. The arrangement of books calls to mind a gallery or salon -- we're not talking quantity here, or discount bins of Dean Koontz garbage. It's all about gorgeous photo books, wry kids tomes (I got an amazing one called "Manners Can Be Fun!") and special-interest stuff you're not going to see anywhere else. The fellow who runs the store is a bit shy and doesn't chatter like a magpie, yes. But he certainly cares about his customers. I left my awesome shearling gloves there after I bought a few things and he held onto them until I came back, which I really appreciated. A great independent book shop with its own unique viewpoint.

This is hands down my favorite bookstore in Philadelphia and easily in my all-time top 5. But it was the reviews below that inspired me to write MY FIRST YELP REVIEW! First, rebuttals: Kristina C's assertion that you can find Brickbat's same selection of books for cheaper at the AIDS Thrift indicates that she's either a liar or doesn't read. This place has an abundance of first-editions (I recall Philip K. Dick's Ubik), hard-to-find books, plenty of the odd & obscure, as well as literature in translation, pulp, art books, and graphic novels/comics. I happened to stop in to Brickbat last Sunday and AIDS Thrift after (I hadn't even read this review) and I can say confidently that you'll find none of this there (they have lots of bargain priced kitten mugs though!). For Buster M.: Despite its selection, this is not some blowhard hipster salon (and anyhow, who DOESN'T like Borges?!). Half the poor reviews on here are crying because the guy didn't talk to them, this guy cries because the guy TRIED to talk to him...ABOUT A WRITER! And finally - Carrie E., who evidently expects her bookshop employees to be Stuart Smalley. Carrie, I promise you're good enough, smart enough, and doggonit, people LIKE you, but if your sense of self worth is so out of check (someone please read the last line of this lady's review! - it's the owner's loss because he didn't have the pleasure of being complimented by you?!) that you leave poor feedback for a bookstore when the owner doesn't MAKE EYE CONTACT with you, maybe you'd be better off browsing the self-help section at Barnes & Noble. I've been to Brickbat a few times and have found well-priced treasures every single time. Patrick, the owner, offered two fantastic recommendations. And the space itself is absolutely perfect. Creaky wooden floors, organized shelves, and a handful of records on sale to tie everything together. Do stop in, especially if great books are more important to you than pats on the back.

I love this little book shop tucked into Fabric Row. It's a great place to find gifts for the book-lovers in your life, or books as gifts for yourself for whatever reason you can come up with. I'll be echoing so many of the positive sentiments. Brickbat is a great quality, quality used bookstore. Beautiful books! They're thoughtfully arranged, artfully displayed...and really cool selections too. Real treasures here.

I really like Brickbat. Browsing there is a pleasure; it's nicely laid out, and everything is beautifully presented and obviously carefully selected- you won't find the crappy versions of books with a scene from the movie on the cover. This is a used bookstore with some new stuff. They have a lot of unusual art, poetry, children's, graphic novels, etc, as well as tons of pulp fiction from the 50's and 60's, so it would be good to look for a fun present here. They also have a more standard literature section and sell CDs and records from local record companies. Most of the books I've purchased here have been $8 or under, (though some of the rarer books will be pricier) and always really nice quality editions. Shopping for books at Brickbat feels like such a gentlemanly pursuit, miles away from the supermarket feel of Borders or whatevs.

NOT FOR THE PLEBEIAN READER! If you just want some Austen you're better off digging through some of the more cluttered, cheaper used bookstores in the city. But, if things like nice editions, immaculate used copies, and foreign literature appeal to you - than this place is full of gems. The books are nicely organized and while there may not be a gigantic selection, the quality of the books there is superb.

I stumbled into this shop after previous afternoons of passing it by because I talked myself out of going into yet another bookshop. This space is different, though. This is where my fellow book snobs and I can congregate. I make no apologies for eschewing "beach reads", Jodi Picoult, and just about most things sold at the big box stores. With so many books in the world, one really does have to have discriminating tastes, don't you think? I love that they have great bits of Edward Gorey 1st editions. I love that there was a James Joyce reading group taking up most of the room. I picked up a loved copy of The Grapes of Wrath (why is this never in when I'm at the library!?) and a vintage edition of The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen. Nevermind that I have no clue who Elizabeth Bowen is, the cover of the plastic-wrapped petite paperback was calling my name. This is where you go to find diamonds in the rough for your literary collection - titles people will pull off of your shelf and say "I've never seen this before" and you can tell them all about the day you stumbled into Brickbat and found a new love.

This is by far my favorite book store in Philadelphia. Luckily I work close enough to peruse the front window on a regular basis and catch some of the good titles before everyone else. This store is all about quality over quantity... which is fine by me, since the thought of going into a book store with thousands of books is so daunting and often fruitless. Here you can go in with an open mind and probably find something great. Also, if you read comics or "graphic novels" they have a great selection with the top artists of today and some classic cartooning of yesterday. I've found some very awesome rare books here and discovered lots of new auteurs of the comics medium. Not to mention children's book over superior quality... and the best part is you can find things that are out of print and you'd never find elsewhere. Don't go there with a specific title in mind, because the odds are against you... but I'm sure you'll find something probably even better that you didn't think about.

Much smaller than I expected....very limited selection. We walked in, weren't greeted....looked around the only room and then we walked right back out. We like to look at many of the used book locations in Philly and this one just didn't give a great vibe, but looking at the other review - it may have just been us. And the prices weren't that great, a block away you can get the same book for $1 at the Aids Thrift shop which had just as many books..... So I guess if you are looking for a huge selection this is not the best bookstore to go to in my experience.

I was a fan of Brickbat Books when it was Big Jar Books in Old City. It moved to Queen Village and became Brickbat, and now that I'm in Bella Vista, I'm happy to have my favorite used bookstore so close by. I love Brickbat because its shelves look like my shelves. I feel at home with their oh-so-carefully curated selections and want to take each of them home (with the exception of the ones I already own of course). And because their shelves look like mine - I trust Brickbat's suggestions - I trust that everything that I grab off of their shelves will be enriching in some fashion - and it always has been. The store is small and to someone just haphazardly walking in, it may be momentarily baffling. It's almost like a gallery, with a significant portion of shelf space used to display individual books. There are no piles of yet-to-be-processed items and you don't have to turn your head every which way to read the spines of books placed upside down, sideways and backwards on the shelves. But spend some time with the shelves and you'll end up walking out with an arm full of books.

The greatest used bookshop in all of Philadelphia. Pulp fiction? (No, not the movie.) Yes, please. They've got just what I'm looking for. Good books.

Not a large collection of books, and the music played at the store was a little bit too out there for me. Very clean, though.

A smaller stock than I like to peruse at a used bookstore, but pretty well selected, especially the rare/first edition sort of stuff. Amazingly extensive graphic novel selection too, though that really isn't my cup of tea. The lack of material, weird music, and weirder vibe from the staff meant that I didn't want to hang around here too long.

Even though the worker (owner?) wasn't very friendly, he was very helpful with every question we threw his way. He knew his stuff, and that's more important that friendly small talk when you're just trying to get information. We didn't have time to investigate further than the extensive art book section because it was too vast to go through in one sitting. He had quite a few rare Edward Gorey books which I'll have to save up for. It is true, you can find books cheaper online, but what can't you fin dcheaper online these days?

"May I help you?" "Nah, I'm just browsing." "Do you like Borges?" "Not really." "Oh, I thought everybody does." Seriously, hipster book-vending dude? A small store with a good selection of books, albeit overly-curated to appeal to modish tastes. Prices slightly inflated to match egos.

We wandered into this store recently for the first time, though I'm a long-time local and avid reader. I want to give it a high rating; after all, indie bookstores come few and far between in this big-box store age, and one with an unusual mix of unusual books and vinyl, arranged with elegance and thought ought to be a treasure. But the vibe was so unfriendly that we stayed only a few minutes and doesn't inspire us to return. The man at the desk barely looked up from his book when we entered, grumbled an begrudging greeting, and didn't acknowledge us at all when we left. Alas.

Great aesthetics and selection. The store is arranged in a visually pleasing way that makes sense. I was surprised to see the extent of their used graphic novel section. Just don't expect the bookseller to ever acknowledge your existence.

A little pricier than some of the city's other used book stores (most of the novels I looked at were around $9) but the fiction selection was amazing. For $20, I purchased the penguin classic edition of Herzog and a pristine copy of Lorrie Moore's Self-Help. I paid in cash so I'm not sure if credit cards are accepted. The collection was well-edited and the books were in good to very good condition; all classic and literary fiction, so if you are looking for popular fiction, you might want to look elsewhere, like The Book Trader or one of the bookstores operated by the Friends of the Free Library.

If you want Oprah's Top 10 Queefs or a giant-type acrostic workbook, go to your local airport bookshop or friggin Barnes & Noble. Brickbat is more like what Barnes & Noble actually used to be when it was a great independent bookshop with good character and a compelling point of view. The space is gorgeous, the books are extremely well presented with many titles faced out, so you can peruse the collections and actually process what you're seeing. Many of the titles are special interest and limited edition, which is kind of thrilling. Don't let this scare you away because with a little attention and focus you'll see the material is totally accessible, very reasonably priced, and will make you want to read again. I'd like to give a special shout-out to the owner, who left me to my browsing and sprang to action when asked. I let him know I'm a freshly minted Philadelphian wanting to read something set locally to get me in the mood. (Don't be impertinent.) He immediately whooshed from around his desk and identified the perfect slim volume -- this slick, hardboiled thriller from the 50s called Shoot the Piano Player, that Truffaut made into a film. I feel cool for even knowing this. Berets all around! The next time you find yourself turning on your TV: snap it off, kick away the couch, and get the Brickbat dude to help you find a book that will return you to the beautiful written word. You'll be glad you did.

Being ignored is no fun. In fact, it ranks pretty high on the list of things that bum me out. But books make me very, very happy, which is why I'm giving this place two stars instead of one. It makes me crazy when the person working in a store can't even be bothered to lift their head to acknowledge my presence when I walk in the door. Especially when there's no other customers in the whole place. Aside from that, it was a really clean and well-organized used bookstore, and I loved their selection of children's books right up front as well as the random paperback books in stands throughout the store. Too bad dude didn't make eye contact. I would have liked to have told him that I thought his store was nice. You lose, book man!

I don't know why people are complaining about not being acknowledged when shopping--it's so much better to be left alone to browse. Silly folks. ANYWAY, on to Brickbat. We were in the neighborhood yesterday and while some of our friends were checking out the AIDS Thrift, I, of course, gravitated towards the bookshop. It was my first time visiting Brickbat and I would definitely stop by again. It is a lovely little shop: calm lighting, pleasant music, not a huge selection by quantity (a lot of the upper shelves are just taken up by one book on display in each shelf-square) but huge in quality! I counted many, many books I loved amongst the wares, many books I haven't read but would be interested to read, and many books that simply looked awesome. I ended up picking up a tiny Oxford poetry edition of Coleridge, but if I had had the funds, there were at least 10 other things calling my name. Some of the prices seemed a bit high, but others seemed reasonable. Either way, everything seemed to be in very good shape for used books, so I wouldn't hesitate to pay. They have a GREAT selection!

Nice little independent used book store with a half-decent, somewhat affordable selection, though when a copy of "The Rocky Horror Show Book" caught my eye I was turned off when I looked at its price....$89.95 for a paperback??? It wasn't even that big. The associate noticed my disgust and said it was so expensive because it was rare and out of print and that everything else in the store was less expensive, but I guess I didn't stay long enough to browse through the selection and find something I liked. I guess I was just bummed that the book I wanted the most was out of my price range.

For the size space you could certainly cram a lot more books in here, but that is not the point of this store; it's more about depth than breadth. My favorite is their art book section. They also have a quirky section of vintage kid books. Venture in here when you have time to be absorbed in another world and really browse.

Love this place. Helpful friendly service. Cozy atmosphere. Great selection. I miss book stores like this. They're so hard to come by.

I like Brickbat Books a lot. They have a great selection and are very well organized. The atmosphere is fantastic. But I just can't give it 5 stars because the prices are just too high sometimes for what they are selling. I went around the corner and got a book for half the price they had it listed for and in better condition. They are used books after all - prices shouldn't only be knocked down a few dollars off the cover price especially for paperbacks. Still I continue to shop there because they have such a nice place but the prices make it lose a star.

Truly awesome bookstore with a great curated selection. I always learn something and discover new writers by browsing the tidy shelves. And I love the Gorey.

My favorite used book store in the city. As mentioned in some other reviews it isn't cheap, but at the same time, it is a local business and all of the used books I have purchased have been in great to new type condition. BrickBat is a great place to find books you have always meant to read. There is something for everyone.

After trying desperately to find a gift for my baby cousin in the South Street area (I know, I know, she's a little young for stripper heels and sex toys), my genius BFF suggested we visit Brickbat. Their children's section is great, full of well-loved classics as well as new books that look like they've never been touched. It's a little musty in there, but that didn't stop me from finding a couple excellent books.

Really neat little used book store! I walked in and it had a really cool vibe. As for the selection of books, it was pretty decent. It's not as expansive as other bookstores, but you might find a book or two in here you might have overlooked at other places. This place really is about quality over quantity. I picked up a couple books here in great condition for only $20! Looking forward to reading both of them.

Great spot for medium-rare books in decent shape.

Curated Selection... that is the key phrase that another reviewer used, and I agree. This store is NOT stuffed to the gills with inventory. You know the kind of place I'm talking about... books spilling off of shelves, piled on the floor, or stuffed into boxes. Those kinds of stores have their place... but they are such an energy drain if you're not in the mood to suffer. After all, how many books can your scan with your head tiled 90 degrees while simultaneously tripping over sh*t on the floor. Brickbat is the opposite of that, actually. There seems to be 50% less stock than could be made to fit in the ample shelving. This produces a sense of paucity. But when you start looking in any particular section, it turns out there is always something of interest, and it is easy to peruse because you aren't forced to visually parse through 100s of crap titles. I find it refreshing. The minimalism on the shelves provides a sense of space and openness, which is reflected in the interior space. You don't feel crowded here. Clean wood floors, high ceilings, few obstructions, floor to ceiling cubbyhole style shelving where the books have room to breath. It relaxes the mind. This "material context" is conducive to re-imagining oneself in terms of the offerings, rather than demand that a massive selection satisfy a pre-existing need. One does not DIG THROUGH SHIT to find what they are looking for. Instead, one peruses offerings to imagine new possibilities. I know this sounds impossibly idealistic, but it is actually a quite practical effect. Go and see for yourself. And when you do, you will be challenged to react in one of two possible ways. One way is this....grumbling that there wasn't what you were looking for, or that there wasn't enough selection. This is how we're conditioned to react, in as much as most used book stores substitute bulk for selectivity, and provide none of the environment for quiet meditations of possibilities. On the other hand, you might find yourself surprised by engaging in something you hadn't anticipated. This latter reaction is what Brickbat provides. It is an unusual treat... a delicacy really... like a fine meal of simple quality. Enjoy the sophistication, but don't complain that they don't serve cheese-fries.

This is what a bookstore should be. If you could put the thrill of a used record store from back in the day, into bookstore form - this would be it! Lots of great Fantagraphics titles, re-issues of hard to find vinyl and even some children's books caught my kids eyes. I could easily drop $500 here due to the sheer and lovingly selected titles present. The books feel almost curated rather than just placed on the shelves. I can't wait to have a day to browse the shelves by myself. Pure book lovers giddyness! Support you local businesses! Shop Brickbat!

Very cool and well curated independent bookstore. On my last visit, the owner made some great recommendations and I walked out of there with a book by an author that I hadn't previously heard of, as well as a vinyl LP by a local artist. If I lived in Philly, I would happily hang out in this place every weekend.

The benches are really cool! http://americantoolbox.com/2014/03/17/brickbat-books-benches/

This is a small, well-curated store. Maybe even slightly over-curated. The prices seem a little high for a used bookstore. Most places tend to sell things for about half the cover price, and this place seems to sell things for about 2/3 the cover price. They also kind of rip you off if you try to sell books here, generally offering only around $1 per book.Yes, I realize they have to make money somehow, but you know they're going to turn around and sell that same book for $10. And unlike a lot of other used bookstores, they don't offer you a better price if you choose to trade-in your books. But it's a good place to browse if you're looking for something off-beat.

The owner of the shop seems unfriendly. I love the look of the place, but I never go in because I don't feel welcome.

a small, connoisseur's bookstore with both new and old selections, this is the kind of place you might enter with nothing particularly specific in mind, but leave surprised by an amazing find. definitely worth stopping by and perusing.

Echoing some of the reviews below, this is an amazingly well curated shop, with an exquisitely knowledgeable staff. Wonderful for gifts, especially when you have no idea what you're looking for--I walked out with a gem for my husband's birthday that I'd never even heard of, as well as a volume of Berrigan for me. I didn't get to look at every shelf, but they have a beautiful selection of photography monographs and an extensive poetry and fiction collection, especially strong in children's books.