Chapters

I love this Chapters locations because it has a Star B’s attached to it, so you can get the goods and walk and shop. Confession time: I mainly look at the housewares while at Chapters. Chapters has the best and cutest housewares. Who’s with me? Have you been lately? There wall art section is on point! Such nice prints and really nice frames at great price points. They’re always offering 30% off something or another and the totes/​jewelry section is my life, or what I wish my life was if I had money.
Let’s talk about that new book smell. I usually shop at used bookstores because that’s just who I am, but you can’t beat that fresh off the press new book smell. I love all the new releases and re-​released classic cover updates. The books are art themselves.
If books aren’t your thing, they have a large section of electrics now, super cool gadgets for those tech lovers out there. Can you tell I love everything about this store? I’ll take one of everything please!

As far as I know this is the largest book store in the city. If you are looking for something chances are you will find it here. It’s also nice to have a Starbucks pretty much inside the store. Great atmosphere and a very well kept store.

The quality of experience you’re likely to have at this store varies greatly with the time of the day/​week/​month you go there.
When it’s quiet there, it can be a lovely cosy place to browse books and relax somewhat at the Starbucks.
Any other time, however, the place can get extremely crowded and you can barely hear yourself thinking… let alone read… over the sounds of screaming children and the hefty stench of dirty diapers that seems to settle over the entirety of the store like a nasty blanket. The aisles become too crowded to browse comfortably, and forget finding a place to sit and read… even floor seating nooks and crannies become occupied.
I’m also not terribly impressed with how overpriced gadget/​gimmick items are taking up more and more of the store. This is especially apparent at the checkout line, where I’m sure Chapters makes most of its profits, given the razor thin profit margins that book stores operate under.
So to sum it up: Go when its quiet but avoid like the plague when it’s busy

Book-​wise, this store deserves a four. However, the awful, confusing layout knocks it down a star; it shouldn’t be so difficult to find different sections in a bookstore.
More knocks: screaming kids in the coffee shop (which, really? Do I look like I want to buy already-​read, coffee-​stained books?), gift-​store creep (remember when Chapters first opened and it was all books instead of 40% cheap candles and canned biscuits? I do) and a diminishing selection of knitting magazines (cough).
However. They still have a great selection of books, staff have always been friendly and helpful, sometimes the lines are long but they tend to move quickly, and overall I usually find what I’m looking for. Plus I like their rewards program.
And all those little doo-​dads give you something to look at while waiting in line. Impulse buys!

Did you know Chapters is open until 10:00 at night on Friday and Saturday? I do. This is because I can often be found there after 8 o clock, when most other places are starting to wind down and close up shop.
Chapters has always been a bit of a safe haven for me as a book-​worm. I love the fact that the graphic novel section (once only one self. Not a case, a SHELF) now takes up massive real estate in SEVERAL sections, besides just it’s own. I also love the rows and rows of glossy magazines, which are fun to flip through.
I remember when household goods first started to appear in the store, and I was originally deeply annoyed with this. Bookstores are for books! But I’ve softened in my stance through the years as I’m a consumer whore at heart and I love stuff. They have a desk set in stock right now that I’m longing for, even though it’ll cost me a thousand bucks by the time all is said and done (I still want it, I don’t even care) and I really have nowhere in my apartment to put it.
When it comes to the actual books themselves, this is not the kind of place to find the old and treasured. Anything that isn’t rather current will need to ordered in, but they can still usually get it for you. I prefer the character of a used bookshop, but not many of those are open past five. If it’s the newest thing you’re after, Chapters will have it.
They also have a pretty swell YA section, because it doesn’t matter that I’m twenty-​eight.

Chapters
Where a good imagination can take you anywhere!
Where you can find something new to learn about!
Where history meets the now!
So many books, so little time.
I love to read, it’s like watching a movie in my head.
I see the words playing out, perfectly!
I wish I had more time to read more books, but everyone does, or should!
Reading is kick ass, and this place has so much to offer.
Endless books, on endless subjects.
Staff are very helpful, when looking for a particular book, or just something new, or something that is good in a specific subject. In fact the staff just rock!
Built in Starbucks is always a plus, especially on those cold days!
If you haven’t read a book lately, head in and get one!
Only draw back here, and not a big enough one to drop the 5 star rating, is what is up with all the knickknacks? I don’t go to chapters for stuff! I go for books!
Keep on reading!
P. S. Check out Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series! Epic Fantasy (15 books)

Chapters Bayers Lake – Probably my favorite location!
Its like my little safe haven. Pour me a Caramel Machiatto from Starbucks and let me wonder aimlessly about the books and I am as happy as a pig in… a mud pen?
This store always has ample copies available, its large enough so that your not always bumping into other people too.
As mentioned by other Unilocalers their bargain book section is large and has loads of really great reads at discounted prices. I admit I have an addiction to picking up books that are regularly priced at 34.99 and reduced to 7.99!!! I cant stop!
Love getting a good deal on a great book :)
If you’ve got young little ones, they have a great childrens section too!
A great place to spend a rainy afternoon!

I actually really enjoy this location. There is just something about the feel of the atmosphere. Staff are always milling about and helpful. Sections are large and you can always find great bargain books.
You can spend hours browsing and you are never bothered. Has a relaxed feel making book shopping more fun!

Chapters would be the equivalent to our Barnes & Noble. The feel is quite similar. You have magazines near the entrance, a Starbucks beyond, and their version of an e-​reader, the Kobo Touch, directly in front of you when you walk in to grab your attention. This particular Chapters has a HUGE portion of the store devoted to young readers and teens. I don’t know if that’s the norm, but I’m in favor of any store which promotes reading.
One thing I was surprised at was the calendar display — it was in the back of the store, and a display about the size of my dining room table. Compare that to B&N, where your 2013 calendars will be prominent and in your face as early as July. Canadian sensibility? I just wish they had had some «local color» calendars I could have bought.
I still prefer to support independent bookstores, but just like I will occasionally shop at a B&N, so too would I shop here.

My daughter loves the kids section. While mommy shops for books I usually grab a Starbucks coffee.

I don’t go to this Chapters often, but when I do I usually leave with a feeling of disappointment.
Chapters for me is usually a great experience but whenever I go into this particular one it’s always cluttered. There isn’t a very solid organization for the amount of books and space they have. It might be a bit better if they got rid of a few shelves and moved things around, but it doesn’t seem like that will happen any time soon.
Maybe I go in on off days because the staff do not seem to be as polite/​cheerful as in other bookstores I’ve been in.

Give me a nice cup of tea and a rainy afternoon, drop me off here then check on me in a few hours and I’ll probably still be content and in no rush to leave.
I focus mainly on the bargain books section, I’ll admit. They often have a wide variety of good books at crazily discounted prices. But for full price, their selection is huge! I’ve found books here that I didn’t see at any other store in the chain.
This is also a great spot to while away time before heading to the nearby movie theatre. Or if you’re early for a meal at one of the restaurants along the BLIP strip.
While I’m not a huge fan of the increase in gift items, I recognize that there’s a lot of good stuff in there.
This store does suffer from one small staffing problem. And there’s little to nothing that they can do about it. It’s a classic concern: when I don’t need help, I’m beset by staff; when I need help, there’s no one to be found.

I could probably spend hours walking around chapters, looking at all the books… but not this one.
I find this one to be more cluttered than any of the others. The staff has also never been very helpful here. I needed help finding a book and after finally catching a workers attention, he told me he’d go grab it and be right back. I stayed put… he never returned… though I did see him running around helping other people who had approached him after me. Rude much?

I’m a sucker for a book store, any kind of book store really. And Chapters is no exception. I could roam for hours and just be in the presence of books.
They’ve got a decent gift selection as well, though I find many of those items to be WAY over priced. Its cute, unique stuff but not for the mindful budgeter.
The books. Oh the books. Rows and rows of pretty, happy, shiney books. They’ve got an OK selection of audio books too. Overwhelmed and aren’t sure where to find something? No worries, locate one of their computer terminals, punch in what you’re looking for and it will point you in the right direction. They’ve usually got a bargain table or two as well, so be sure to check them out to save a few dollars on some great reads.
My one and only issue with the Bayer’s Lake Chapters is one of their staff. He is routinely rude and unfriendly. I’ve seen him be beyond rude to other customers, and I myself have been on the receiving end of his delightfulness. I have brought it to the attention of management, yet they seem to not care as nothing has changed. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has this issue with him. For someone who works in customer service he needs to releard what customer service is and leave the foul language and judgement at home.
Otherwise, I quite enjoy my local Chapters, and now that they have a great new rewards program I’m sure they’ll be seeing more of me!

I feel dirty just going into this place. The gross smell of over priced coffee hits you and then you see over priced ‘best sellers’ that only a fool would spend so much money on.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m from shit town New Brunswick, I’m no elitist. When Chapter’s opened up in Moncton I was introduced to a $ 5 copy of a biography about Oscar Wilde. since then I’ve always loved scouring the bargain books looking for cheap classics.
But at the end of the day I want a book store that is personalised, local and cost efficient. Emphasis on locally owned.
Now my review for this location: It has a Starbucks near the magazines, both of which I never go near anyways. I find their selection of bargain books to be less than stellar compared to the Moncton location. They never seem to have the book I’m looking for (I know I’ve went on about locally owned shops who had a huge selection of Howard Hughes Bios, I actually stopped at Chapters first to see if they had any, they didn’t).
It feels like this Chapters location in particular is geared towards famillies with young children which is something I just don’t find appealing. Also, their constant upselling of books like Twilight and their ‘rewards cards’ make you realise this place really is in it for the money which I find even more unappealing.
Not my cup of (inexpensive)tea.

Oooh Chapters. Pretty irresistible to a bookworm like me (though I will agree with Lacey that I prefer to drop my biblio-​dough at locally-​owned tome providers). But every once in a while I find myself in the B.L.I.P with time to kill and a hankering for some new reads.
If you shop the sales tables, you can get yourself a brand-​new hardcover for less than what a second-​hand copy might cost. And being a magazine-​aholic, I appreciate the large and relatively diverse selection (though they ain’t got nothin’ on Atlantic News).
One thing I have noticed over the last year or so: is it just me or does it seem that the non-​book merchandise is gradually taking up more and more space? Not that I mind a browse of non-​book items, but IMO, when the scented candles, teacups and kitschy ceramic IPod holders take up as much real estate as the books, things are getting out of hand …
On the plus side, wandering through the words with a Starbucks mocha is pretty sweet. Literally and metaphorically!

I try to buy second hand whenever possible, but sometimes the easiest thing is to check out Chapters. With its huge dwelling of the written word variety, you can almost always find what you’re looking for.
Its easy to become overwhelmed by the store’s overload of isles, shelves, sections and displays; however, no need to get your head in a tussle! There are computer search engines placed throughout the store to make the finding process that much faster. If you’re entering the store with a reading list and want to get the down-​low— simply type in the title and/​or author. Poof. The search will inform you of its availability, as well as the location in the store. If the book is unavailable, there is an option to order it directly online.
I usually go in with an idea of what I’m looking for, although there are certain sectionals I frequent, and have come up with some random goodies.
With the Starbucks, a large magazine corner, giftware and other extras, Chapters is a multi-​good time. My one complaint is that Chapters can be a little bloated with overly trending self-​help jargon, as well as marketing ploys masquerading as «novels». (If one more cast member of The Hill’s gets a book deal, I may implode.) It seems that books are very in right now, and everyone wants to write one. This can make for a lot of water weight, but when you push past the fluff, Chapters serves as a great resource for reading across the spectrum.

I try to pretend I don’t see your overly seductive, enticing, «touch me and take me home prices,» Chapters, but the truth is, I do. I know you’re a big box store taking business away from the little guys, but every now and then, I sinfully indulge in your offerings. Cheap CDs, unbelievably priced journals, and yes, let’s not forget the shame at the hands of your bestsellers. Oh, popular books turned movies… why must you call to me, encouraging me with your dirty cover art of the actors playing the characters…
It’s so easy to get swept up in a flurry of Chapters gorging. You can procure so many goodies for often so little money, if you hit the shelves when the getting is good. Whenever I go on an international adventure, I suss out this location’s travel guides. Not only have I bought fantastic guides, I’ve also secured handy maps prior to hopping the plane.
You need gifts? Chapters definitely has a section fit to suit any human’s interests. From self-​help (good grief the self help), to gardening and baby care, to philosophy and classic texts, Chapters rocks the socks when it comes to diverse offerings.
This location, as usual, also has a Starbucks, calling you over to drink their sub-​par beverages… and when I’m weak, I’m weak. I go towards the light and indulge in their mediocre soy lattes. If you need a reprieve during your visit, relax into the children’s section and read yourself a nursery rhyme or too. When you’re feeling prepared to have at it again, hold your head up high and hit the aisles with pride.

Although i’m generally a fan of pretty much any and all bookstores, Chapters is a bit of an overwhelming experience. This particular location is no exception, especially what with the starbucks.
The last time I was here I did manage to locate all the most recent lonely planet, rough guides, rick steves and backpacking guides. Most of the independent shops can’t afford to house all of these since they’re sometimes released once or twice a year.
I was a little bummed to find out that there’s a cost associated with becoming an i-​rewards member. Not exactly worth it if you only shop here a couple times a year.

Chapters is a place you can wonder for a long time. There is so much going on. We spend hours in there at a time. They have the largest selection of books. The other day there was a book signing going on.
I like being able to use the computer system to look up what you are looking for. The staff is excellent. I love the gift section as well.
You can purchase the membership card which will allow you a discount on the books you are buying. They even have a small selection of CD/​DVD you can buy.
It is a great way to enjoy and afternoon, see what is new on the shelves, best selling, or look for your old-​time favorites.