10 Idaho Secondhand Bookstores Where Shelves Overflow With Books For A Few Dollars

In Twin Falls, the used paperbacks come with resident shop cats. In Caldwell, a used bookstore saves a whole room for tabletop games.

I love that Idaho’s bargain bookshops refuse to be ordinary.

The real surprise is the price tag. At one Panhandle shop, shoppers have walked out with a small stack for less than the cost of a fancy coffee.

Another store across the state offers trade credit for the books already gathering dust on your shelf.

That makes a used bookstore one of the cheapest afternoon outings around. You can spend an hour browsing, find a forgotten classic, and still have change in your pocket.

Kids get a pile of picture books, and you get that thriller everyone keeps mentioning.

So which shop deserves your next Saturday? I rounded up ten across Idaho, from the Panhandle to the Treasure Valley, and each one has its own quirk worth the drive.

1. Bookishly Happy Used Book Store

A store name this cheerful sets a high bar, and the shelves clear it with room to spare. Bookishly Happy sits on Government Way in Coeur d’Alene, ready for Panhandle readers who like a deal.

The collection is well organized and wide ranging. You can move from thrillers to kids’ books without feeling lost in a paper avalanche.

Now for the part your wallet will appreciate. Shoppers have left with several children’s books plus a novel for under three dollars total.

Thrillers in like-new shape often land around a few dollars apiece. That’s a fraction of what the same titles cost new, which makes trying an unfamiliar author a low-risk move.

Got a stack of finished reads at home? The shop buys used books, so your old favorites can head off to fresh owners.

A visit here tends to be quick and easy, with a free parking lot outside. Curbside pickup is also offered, which helps on those snowy North Idaho afternoons.

Plan around the schedule, since the store stays closed on Sundays and Mondays. Check before driving, then go fill a bag.

Address: 2415 N Government Wy, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

2. Walrus & Carpenter Books

Lewis Carroll fans will catch the name right away, and the shop lives up to its storybook pedigree. Walrus & Carpenter Books anchors North Main Street in old town Pocatello.

Expect shelves filled to the brim with new and used titles. The aisles run tight, and the sections stay neatly categorized despite the sheer volume.

How many books are we talking? Enough that seeing them all could take months of steady browsing.

Call it controlled chaos in the best way. If you love a used bookstore that feels packed rather than polished, you’ll fit right in.

Patience pays off here. Signed editions have turned up on these shelves, and they still carry fair prices.

That mix of variety and value makes the shop a smart stop for East Idaho collectors. Bargain hunters looking for cheap paperbacks will find plenty too.

Give yourself time and a clear goal, or simply wander and let a spine catch your eye. Staff help can be limited, so independent explorers enjoy it most.

The store opens Monday through Saturday, with Sundays off. Confirm hours before making the trip across town.

Address: 251 N Main St, Pocatello, ID 83204

3. The Book Shelf

What began as an online bookseller in 2009 eventually grew into a real storefront in Idaho Falls. Today The Book Shelf holds well over 13,000 books on its shelves.

That’s a lot of sorting, and the shop handles it well. Titles are arranged by category and by author’s last name, so finding a favorite writer is simple.

Genres cover a wide spread. Look for classics, sci-fi and fantasy, mysteries, Westerns, romance, and even foreign language titles.

Most books arrive in excellent condition. The stock also turns over often, so a return visit next month may reveal a totally new lineup.

Prices on used books generally run well below list. Many shoppers call them some of the lowest prices around for a brick-and-mortar store.

Little ones get a treat too. A vintage typewriter waits for curious kids to tap out their own stories.

The shop also hosts book clubs, which gives readers a reason to linger. Parking is free in a lot and on the street.

Sunday afternoons tend to be the quietest window. That makes a calm browse after church or lunch an easy plan.

Address: 575 S 3rd E, Idaho Falls, ID 83401

4. Paperback Bookworm

Some bookstores have a mascot on the sign. Over in Twin Falls, the mascots wander the aisles on four paws.

Paperback Bookworm keeps resident shop cats among its shelves. Cat lovers may need a few extra minutes just for introductions.

The real business, of course, is paperbacks. The store offers a wide selection of used books, and the numbers stack up fast.

Fantasy fans and families both do well here. Children’s books and fantasy titles often go home at prices that feel like a steal.

Fair pricing runs through the whole shop. You can grab a pile for a long Magic Valley road trip without guilt.

Location helps, too. The store sits on Addison Avenue East, close to plenty of other errands in town.

That makes it an easy add-on to a grocery run or a trip to see Shoshone Falls. Pop in, scratch a cat behind the ears, and leave with a sack of novels.

Weekday hours run longer than Saturday hours, and Sundays stay closed. Double-check the schedule before heading over.

Address: 1914 Addison Ave E, Twin Falls, ID 83301

5. Bonner’s Books

Old banks usually guard money, but this one guards stories. Bonner’s Books has called the Hawkins Bank Building on Main Street home since 1986.

That’s nearly four decades of selling books in tiny Bonners Ferry, just south of the Canadian border. Few shops in the far Panhandle can claim that kind of staying power.

The shelves mix new and used titles in an eclectic blend. Collectors will want to slow down, since older and antique copies show up often.

Those vintage finds carry surprisingly gentle prices. Plenty of shoppers come in for one book and leave with an armful.

Beyond books, the store stocks greeting cards and calendars. It’s a handy spot to grab a birthday card and a paperback in one stop.

Want to clear some room at home? The shop buys used books, so bring your gently read stack along.

Bonners Ferry makes a lovely day trip from Sandpoint or Coeur d’Alene. Pair the bookstore with a stroll downtown and a look at the Kootenai River.

Hours run Monday through Saturday. Check before driving, especially in winter.

Address: 7195 Main St, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805

6. The Rubaiyat Llc

Bring a book list and maybe a twenty-sided die. Since opening in 2011, The Rubaiyat in Caldwell has blended secondhand reading with tabletop gaming.

The shop keeps a dedicated game room, and game nights include Dungeons and Dragons sessions. Friday and Saturday evenings stay especially lively.

Out front, the shelves deliver serious reading value. You’ll find gently used novels, manga, and the classics at low prices.

Collectors get extra reasons to browse. First editions and hard-to-find titles appear in the mix.

Local pride shows up too. The store carries new books by Idaho authors and work from local artists.

That combination makes it a natural stop for Treasure Valley families with mixed interests. One kid hunts manga while another eyes the game tables.

Late weekend hours set it apart from most bookshops on this list. Saturday stretches well into the evening.

Prefer a quieter browse? Weekday afternoons tend to be calmer, so plan accordingly and confirm hours first.

Address: 314 S 6th Ave, Caldwell, ID 83605

7. The Sword and Shovel Coffeehouse & Bookstore

Coffee and classics share the same address in this Palouse favorite. The Sword and Shovel pairs a coffeehouse with a curated bookstore on Moscow’s Main Street.

Shelves line the walls with a strong lean toward classic literature. Readers will also spot books on classical languages, music, education, theology, and history.

Kids aren’t left out. The selection covers both adults and children across a wide range of topics.

Prices stay friendly for a college town. Books, coffee, and pastries usually land in a modest range.

Speaking of pastries, they make strong reading partners. The tea selection gets high marks too.

A study and hangout area sits in the back, complete with wi-fi. University of Idaho students treat it as a laptop-friendly retreat.

The atmosphere runs quiet and relaxed. It’s the kind of place where an hour easily turns into two.

Stickers and merchandise round out the shelves for small gifts. Street parking is free and usually easy to find.

The shop opens early on weekdays and Saturdays, with Sundays closed. Check before driving over from Lewiston or Pullman.

Address: 405 S Main St, Moscow, ID 83843

8. Bent Corners Used Books

Paperbacks priced at half off the cover every single day? Bent Corners has run on that kind of math in Boise since 2005.

The store holds a huge collection, with more than 50,000 titles. Mystery, romance, sci-fi, fantasy, and horror all get plenty of room.

Young readers have options too. Children’s and young adult sections stay well stocked.

The trade program might be the best perk. Bring in gently used paperbacks, earn credit, and stretch your next haul even further.

Newer releases appear more often than you’d expect. Recent titles have shown up in like-new condition for about a third of the usual cost.

Staff know their authors, which helps when you only remember half a plot. Describe the cover and the gist, and someone may point you right to it.

The shop stays clean and organized, a relief for anyone who dislikes digging through jumbled piles. Sections make sense at a glance.

Find it on Five Mile Road in west Boise. Weekday and Saturday hours apply, so confirm before you go.

Address: 3343 N Five Mile Rd, Boise, ID 83713

9. Canary Books

Nampa’s newest bookish bird arrived in April 2024 and has been singing ever since. Canary Books brings a fresh, modern spin to secondhand shopping.

The shelves are curated rather than crammed. Expect literary fiction, mystery and thrillers, sci-fi and fantasy, narrative nonfiction, young adult, and children’s titles.

Newer releases show up in impressive numbers. Many books arrive in very good or great condition.

The shop itself stays spotless and well organized. Browsing feels easy, even with a toddler in tow.

That toddler gets a dedicated children’s area. It gives little readers their own corner to explore.

Trading is welcome too. Quality used books can earn store credit for your next find.

Community plays a big role here. The store hosts events and runs a book club for Treasure Valley readers.

Evening hours run later than many shops on this list, which helps after work. Note that Wednesdays are closed.

Saturdays draw the biggest crowds. For a quieter visit, weekday mornings work nicely, but check hours first.

Address: 1403 3rd St S, Nampa, ID 83651

10. Kuna’s Book Habit

Every reader has a habit, and Kuna finally gave it a storefront. Kuna’s Book Habit sells discounted new and used books just off the main drag.

The shop also trades books, which keeps your shelves rotating. Puzzles, board games, and gifts fill out the stock.

For a small store, it packs in a surprising amount. Plenty of titles wait on the shelves without feeling overwhelming.

Pricing stays reasonable throughout. Budget-minded families can grab several reads without much worry.

The owners know their books well. Ask for a suggestion and you’ll likely leave with something fun.

Practical perks help too. Free wi-fi, a gender-neutral restroom, and free parking make quick stops simple.

Kuna sits just south of the busy Treasure Valley core. It’s an easy detour on the way to the Snake River Birds of Prey area.

Pair a puzzle with a paperback for a rainy weekend plan. The combo covers both quiet reading and family game time.

Hours run Tuesday through Saturday. Check before driving, and let the habit take over.

Address: 102 E 2nd St, Kuna, ID 83634