MacLeod’s Books

I hate to give any bookstore a bad review which is why I’m giving this place three stars when it really deserves two. I love used bookstores and buy books whenever I travel, but this place does not live up to the hype. It’s much, much smaller than I anticipated from reading other reviews. There are books stacked everywhere which is great, but the whole place smelled of urine. Really strong scent. The books were quite expensive and there are no little spots with a chair where you can sit down and study the stack of books you’ve collected before purchasing. I will say the guy working the counter seemed friendly.

Everything that one could say about this place has been said, it’s a gem. Great place to hit during a rainy Sat and find that next read.

This place is a mess. Chaos. Beautiful. I loved it. A book lover’s dream. I bought some amazing poetry books (Rilke, Khayyam, etc) and the guy gave me a deal, really sweet. A gem of a bookstore. Wish it was in my city.

Words and Unilocal reviews can’t describe the absolutely amazing atmosphere. There are books EVERYWHERE. I am a bookie but I believe anyone would enjoy a visit here (maybe not the claustrophobic). Sadly the renowned basement section wasn’t available for browsing but only for certain searches. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and somehow can recall their entire inventory. I personally recommend coming here to browse rather than looking for a certain novel but if you are, the staff can help! I’ll be back here before long!

A soon as I walked in I loved this bookstore. Great place to browse for that hard to find item.

I love this store! Books all over the whole store. Stacks of them piled all over the place and hell ya, there’s a high probability you’d knock one over if you’re not careful, but honestly, it’s no biggie since you’d probably just end up finding some sweet reads while picking them up.
Floor to ceiling book shelves are all over this store and stalked up with some seriously unique books.
Also, their staff were really patient with me with all of my questions and book topic requests. I found a few things I was looking for, and a few things I was not but that makes it even more fun!
I’d highly recommend this place for anyone who loves books, or anyone in general!

What a gem. The owner told me they have over 100,000 volumes, and I’d believe it. Not especially well-​organized, but that kind of adds to the fun — you get to paw through mountains of old tomes and find some great gems.
I had trouble finding cheap books (maybe I missed the «bargain» section?), but they have some solid discounts if you buy 3+ books (which, to be honest, is hard not to do).
I found some amazing rare old books that I doubt I could have found elsewhere. The two older guys working there seemed pretty busy, but they were perfectly friendly and helped out when I needed assistance. In addition to the main floor and the basement, they also have an entirely separate building across the street for especially rare books (they told me it’s by appointment only).
If you love the smell of old books and don’t mind digging around, you’ll love this place.

Great place with knowledgeable staff. Most of the books are well priced but some are a little overpriced. The also have a great selection of old and rare books. I go here every time im in the area.

Wow… really memorable used bookshop. As soon as you walk in you will see that the place is quite literally overflowing with books. They spill off the shelves and are stacked all over the floor in piles. I love a good, messy bookstore as much as the next person, but it felt a little overwhelming and disorganized. The books are sorted into categories, but it can be a bit difficult to find what you’re looking for. It’s best if you have plenty of time to browse and wander (which I did). I easily spent about an hour in here exploring, and wound up leaving with a bag full of literary fiction. The selection is very good – lots of unique and surprising finds. The staff also seemed friendly and polite. I overheard them helping various other customers find things. They even gave recommendations to a guy who was interested in erotica.
Definitely a place to check out if you’re a book lover in Vancouver.

Loved the cluttered ambiance and knowing all the employees were bibliophiles. I thought the used books were overpriced, especially considering some of them were in less than preferable condition. The bookstore up the block was more reasonably priced for the same used books.

This place is MUST-​SEE if you have tourists to show around.
It’s also just incredible to browse. You can kill hours in there by mistake. The staff is super knowledgable and well-​read if you’re looking for recommendations. They’re also very responsive if you want to call and inquire about certain items in advance.
Love love love this place, never wanna see it go down like all the other indie book shops in this city.

It’s an experience not to be missed going to MacLeod’s.

Heaven. Has all the philosophy ever. The people who work there are all exceedingly kind and helpful, along with being insanely knowledgable.

This place from outside looks like a huge clutter and I’m almost scared to go in as much as I love books
But sometimes even from the window you may find a little treasure. The prices are better than chapters or amazon we websites since it is used bookstore
Inside it is a clutter and you really have to dig to find anything but you my be surprises at why you find
Value ⁴⁄₅
Atmosphere 2.5÷5
Service ³⁄₅
Quality ³⁄₅
12.5÷20

Along with Pulpfiction, the best bookstore in town.
If you’re a fan of used books, you’ll feel like a kid in a candy store walking into MacLeod’s. The shelves are literally overflowing with books of all shapes, sizes, and kinds. The prices are always reasonable, and most of the books are gently used and well preserved. The place just smells like an old book, which might be a turn-​off for some people, but is a huge plus for us.
The owner and staff are all sweet and quiet — bookish is the right word — and if you’re anything like either of us, you’ll likely end up leaving with at least a few new books you didn’t even know you wanted. The only downside might be that it’s impossible to leave this store without buying something, so if you’re trying not to spend money, steer clear!

So I have came in here many times after I wrote my review and this is how I feel about MacLeod’s now.
The owner whom I said was a little rigid to other customers just goes through mood swings. This is his general persona so I have gotten used to it. I’ve actually seen him laugh and smile now! Every time I have asked him for the most obscure of books he has either show me to them or told me he doesn’t have them. I don’t think he finds me sketchy anymore either!
Some notes:
* they close their section in the basement at random times (I should really ask them why).
* if you like hardcover books like me, you’re in luck! They have buy 3 and get 30% usually.
* their architecture section needs to be larger! :D
* when you tell the owner the book or the author he will automatically know (it’s quite impressive actually), but some of the other employees aren’t as knowledgeable but still informative.
* if they don’t have your book they will send you to Albion up the street.
It’s my favourite bookstore in Vancouver. I come here often and spend hours looking through the shelves. I’m not even going to tell you how much money has been spent in here. :)

A little overwhelming and the overstock of books that clearly can’t fit on the shelves can sometimes be a discouragement, however, there is always enough of a selection that reminds me of books that I have missed in the past. Prices are decent.

Miles of titles for 5 – 7 dollars that are intriguing, tons of must-​reads, many editions, many moons have gone by and I’ve just finally become a fan today!
Wanted to read Barthelme today, picked up a copy of Snow White on the top of a random pile. De Quincey, Confessions of an Opium Eater, great Penguin edition in sweetest condition for 6 bucks. Also, an Amis for 5.
Staff were excellent, joint was hoppin’, great vibes picking up words today!

There’s something in here for everyone.
If you want to be erudite, there’s Shakespeare, Chaucer, Tolstoy, etc.
If you’re into collecting, they have entire volumes of Encyclopedia Britannica.
If you’re into childrens stories and literature, they have Dr. Seuss, and Anne of Green Gables.
If you’re a scientist there’s old volumes of the CRC Hanbook of Chemistry and Physics.
I even found a beautiful hardcover of a French novel that I read in university. In fact, I’m thinking of going back to buy it since it was one of my most favourite novels.
This place is a trove of beautiful books if you want to build a library for reading or just for show.
It smells of the old UBC main stacks, if you know what I’m talking about. The sense of smell brings back a lot of memories. Fond memories.

Hear me clear: I’m a bibliophile. I love reading, buying, stacking, sorting, and looking at books. Love ‘em. And of course, a city as great as ours deserves real temples to reading and the beauty that is the book. Folks, I wish it is was MacLeod’s, but it really isn’t.
Several sections are very sparse – now I get that philosophy, social science, and food might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if your Canadian military history section is twice as big as your selection of political science texts, there might be slim pickings here for the more general reader. I bet the book of my dreams is somewhere in MacLeod’s – buried under piles of other books and behind a bookshelf itself bowing from the weight of, you guessed it, more books.
Once in a while I’ll find a great book and I’ll beam proudly for a moment that my fishing expedition netted a diamond in the rough only to find out that they would like in excess of $ 30, 40, even 50 for a book so old and stenchy it makes my collection of Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume seem fresh.
Then there’s the sales staff. I fancy myself a really friendly guy – but the curmudgeons who work here epitomize charmless. The definitive sticks in the mud, my questions often went unanswered or greeted by an indignant eye roll. In the war on good taste, I had sorrily lost.