All Books

Yes, Polly is challenging. She asked me rude questions about whether I had voted for Obama, to name one good thing he had done (I retorted Obamacare, since I’m a journalist who writes about health care). When I suggested we not argue about politics, she asked whether it wasn’t possible to disagree without arguing. But then we started talking yarn and knitting and growing up in Chattanooga. My wife is a former knitting shop owner, so I know more than most about the topic. I’m impressed with anyone who spins their own yarn, and Polly knew of great deals on end-​of-​run yarn from U.S. mills. She was making dozens of gloves for some charity or other. She dyes her own yarn. We didn’t get around to discussing the health issues involved with the chemicals you need to use for dyeing. Her family owned the Walter Wood hardware and lumber company in Rossville, she said, and I had forgotten that my dad shopped there years ago. I told her about my wife’s vintage button collection and promised to bring her in the store once she moves here from New Jersey.
And then there are the books. My favorite bookstores are those where the owner has so many books that there is no way to know what is actually there, and where they don’t really know the value of what they have. Unfortunately, this is not that store. It may appear unorganized, but Polly knows what she has and what it is worth. The three volume Limited edition Club Sherlock Holmes is not priced at the $ 750 it sells for on ABE Books, but she wants $ 450, though she said she would take half price. I found a nice Folio Society book that looked interesting and paid $ 9, I think, which is a fair price.
I’ll need at least a couple of hours to go through all of the shelves, which is a perfect way to spend a rainy winter day. She and I need to talk about yarn dyeing. And how Obamacare is lowering medical costs.
As to those dogs, if you are going to allow dog poop, or bat poop, or spiders, or roaches, or mold, or exposed electrical wires or creaky staircases, or the threat of being buried by a mound of old National Geographics deter you from any used book store, then you’re not truly a used book lover.

In a word, our visit to All Books was a peculiar experience. It was pleasant and quaint from its Broad Street exterior, and we are a family of writers, readers and (soon to be) professional librarians. Used old books are always a matter of interest.
Upon opening the door to All Books, our perceptions pivoted 180 degrees– unfortunately, not for the better. Greeting our entry were two small dogs, one barking incessantly and the other growling, as well as the unmistakable odor evidencing that these dogs (literally), «don’t get out very often.» To our left were long aisles of hand-​built shelving overloaded with very dusty used books, and blocking most of the walkways were piles of fabric and bales of yarn. It has been at least 25 years since I Iast issued the fatherly admonition of «don’t touch anything.» The quickly nailed 2×4 shelving was such that I could envision it all collapsing like a long row of dominos.
Behind a tall row of disheveled cardboard boxes sat an older woman, presumed to be the shop’s owner, knitting. We were prepared to leave rather quickly, but this was before conversation began. Already feeling a bit creepy, as if we were uninvited guests to the woman’s attic, her mildly confrontational tone did little to help us feel more comfortable. We were trying our very best to sympathize with her choice of discussion topics, and not act rudely; she very obviously needed companionship. After about five minutes we were able to make our way back thru the door gracefully.
This visit might have been time well-​spent if we had left with the sense of having aided, even in some small way, a fellow human being in-​need. Regrettably, we had no such impression. As we opened the door, the two dogs had already assumed their positions to «welcome» the next visitor. I seriously doubt that our paths will cross again.

I love old books and I collect cookbooks and antique books. I came into the store excited with a wide grin. I was ready to poke around to find some hidden gem. I said to the old lady, knitting and spinning her yarn like a spider with her web, «so you guys sell antique books huh?» in a conversational way. Her reply was a sarcastic «what does it look like to you?» I was like okay… then she asks me what kind of books I collect. I told her what my prized possession is and she tells me that isn’t even old and shows me an old book she is selling for $ 750, which is way older than mine. Okay whatever. This place is dirty, moldy, unfriendly, and not a place you want to dwell for too long. They could clean it up, organize the books, bring in a few club chairs and man a café and get more business than selling yarn and knitting needles. At the bare minimum, let the blond slim lady deal with the customers. Poofy haired sharp tongue granny should be a silent partner or she will scare away all the customers… how do they even stay in business???

We had seen the store while exploring the city and decided to stop in after lunch. When I first stepped in, I was excited to see all the yarn and a lot to look through. However, when my friend entered the store, she was greeted with a rude look and we were told to leave because of her service animal. She had all of the dog’s paperwork, her registration, as well a copy of the law. She explained this, politely, and we were told that it didn’t matter because she had dogs. I completely understand a small business owner wanting their animals in their store, but if that animal is in any way hostile (as other reviews seem to suggest, though I wasn’t there long enough to see for myself) or prevents someone from entering the building because they have a service animal, maybe rethink that or put them somewhere they can hang out but not reach customers (behind a child gate maybe?). Maybe you can find something nice here, but I can’t get over a woman refusing service even when presented with a copy of the law.

I love All Books. I love reading and I love knitting so this is the perfect place for me. The owner is a delightful person. She is full of so much knowledge about a range of topics. I could stay and talk to her all day. I have been to the shop 4 times since I have found it. I intend to stop in every time I visit Chattanooga. I’m sure to find more rare books to add to my collection. And of course more yarn to add to my stash. The yarn I bought last trip was knitted into warm wool hats for my family. The prices on the yarn is a tremendous value for such quality yarn.

DISCLAIMER: My review is based on my OWN personal experience and opinions ~~it has NO bias intent towards the company/​business, the owners/​managers or their employees. Please let YOUR OWN experience and views be your guide for enjoyment !!!
I had been in this shop before and I wanted to take Noël here on purpose. I like the shop and we both love books.
The shop is full of books and yarn. and an old cranky lady… she was nosy and rude. wanted to ask you questions, personal questions and when we tried to be nice and answer them. she would cut in and ask another question.
We were looking through some old «TIME» magazines and she told us NOT to mess them up…“WHAT””””??? «WHAT???».this is the dirtiest, dustiest and most messy unorganized store I have ever entered in my life and you are going to sit in a chair spinning your yarn… never budging the least little bit and holler across the room at us NOT TO MESS UP THE MAGAZINES…
OMG !!!
Needless to say NOT AGAIN!!!
Keep spinning the Yarn Granny. I will shop somewhere else!!!

First, the good. There aren’t a lot of stores like this any more so you should take advantage while you can. There are quite a few hidden gems in the store if you’re willing to take the time to sift through the selection. Referring to books, not the knitting as I know nothing about knitting. Also there is a dog in the store.
Now the bad. Just walking past the dog, it tried to bite me. Still, a sweet dog, I guess it just doesn’t like men. Also it’s really disorganized to the point you often have to avoid tripping over things. It wouldn’t be so bad if you could find what you want. However the staff, if you can get their attention, will help you.
Speaking of the staff, the lady who appears to be the owner is just plain mean and unfriendly. She doesn’t appear to want your business in the slightest. Same for her helper (s). It you can stand it, for the sake of comedy it’s worth going into the store just to experience the abuse. Remember that iconic Seinfeld episode? NO BOOKS FOR YOU!!! Well it’s almost that bad. Just watch what you say and how you say it. Heck, just err on the side of not saying much of anything. Because frankly they are also about as likely to give you only blank-​creepy stares if you attempt to speak to them. And I’ve been in there on 2 occasions about a year apart. My wife, however, has been treated kindly on her one visit so perhaps it just depends on what kind of mood they are in.
I would have given it 3, maybe 3.5 stars, if they weren’t so mean.
Update (10÷4÷2015): Noticed that my original review has been edited (though, I was not notified of this) to remove portions. The portions where I indicated exactly what one of the store dogs did to a stack of magazines on the floor while I was visiting. Would it help if I attached a photo of the actual act to this review the next time I visit?

WTF?! I’m glad we went in here, only because it was an [cue Twilight Zone theme tune] adventure. I love books and I love knitting, and I even love dogs, so this place should have been heaven. Instead, I got to dodge dog puddles and felt like I’d stepped into a hoarder’s garage. If you’ve never been yelled at to sniff lanolin knitted into mittens, you’ve missed something. Off to shower now…

I have been sooo curious to be able to «shop» this place!
See, it seems like it is almost never, ever open. Ok, fine, but where do I get books when the only BN is at Hamilton Place, and I am not?! No lending library in these (skinny jeans, er…) pants.
But today, I ventured by and they were indeed open, and — success!
What a fun and quirky little place. Knitting needles are cool and all (I don’t knit, but am not knocking such) but the whole book Dewey Decimal System/​Library Style deal rocks.
I bought Charlie Wilson’s War and a signed copy of Mr Lewis Grizzard’s If I Ever Get Back to Georgia, I’m Gonna Nail My Feet To the Ground — awesome sauce. If you are a book lover — as in, you love the sight, the smell, the whatever, like me — peruse away and take your time.
And when you give your bills like I did, and look for the coins to get to the total, expect to hear Ms. All Books say, «just throw it in the drawer when you find it.» Yes, ma’am!
I will be back. Often, whenever they are open.

This is a treasure if you’re open to a non-​commercial yarn slash book shop. I’m a crochet-​er. I picked up some beautiful hand spun yarn made by the owner. Yes the shop is disheveled. Yes there is stuff everywhere. But she had a treasure trove of vintage books and a huge collection of handmade hats, scarves, hand dyed, and hand spun yarns. She was also passionate about her work and adorable. Visit and take the time to pursue. This is a dying art and we should treasure the last artisans of yarn crafts.

My wife and I visited this bookstore after Christmas, and I found several signed first editions for good prices. The owner is an older lady, who simply likes to talk, and probably does not suffer fools lightly. Good for her! The store does have a LOT of fabric laying around, but the owner is a spinner and knitter. You folks who are trashing this store obviously are not really used bookstore people. You need to stick to Barnes and Noble. If you want to find the treasures, you sometimes have to go into stores that are different. One of my favorite used bookstores is right off of Royal St in New Orleans. If you move the wrong way, you could be crushed by books in that store. But man the books are great.
Same thing here. So what that you have to step around some fabric, or the dogs wander around. Quit being sissies or go somewhere else.

I’m a spinner, knitter, and crocheter so I went here for the fiber experience, not the books. The woman who owns this place is 81 and was taught how to spin, knit, etc from her mother. She has mad skills, and if you can look beyond the chaos, there are great opportunities to look and learn. If you are not a fiber person or not appreciative of handmade textiles, then keep walking as you’ll just leave an obnoxious review like almost everyone else. However, if you have time to engage with a woman who has lots to show and teach, check it out. Not for the Starbucks conformist crowd. FYI I did not see dog poop. Great place for fiber artists.

Eek, the owner of the «bookstore» seems like someone you’d see on an episode of Hoarders… Not to mention she significantly gave me the creeps and I am a pretty open minded gal if I say so myself.

I would give this place negative stars if I could. The place looks interesting from the outside, but when you go in, this «bookstore» is a dirty, filthy, extremely unorganized warehouse. The owner, an older lady is beyond rude. Because the place is so bizarre on the inside, I wasn’t sure if it was a bookstore so I asked her, is this a bookstore? And she replied, can’t you read? The sign is outside. Then I told her that she was very rude for saying that and she told me if I don’t like it, get out! WTF?!

All Books is, by far, one of the creepiest places I’ve ever set foot in. It’s located in the thick of the tourist area in downtown Chattanooga and I’m not sure how it stays in business. First of all, there is always a sign in the window advertising free fudge samples (at a bookstore?), but there is *never* any fudge. Also displayed in the window are a bunch of hand-​knit hats and scarves… Kind of out of place for a bookstore, don’t you think?
The store is massive and dusty, and if you’re lucky, the owner might say hello to you; if not, she and the other employees will stare you down the entire time you’re browsing. Have fun actually finding a book you might need/​want, as the place is horribly disorganized and cramped (even though the space itself is big). The books are sort of thrown on to the shelves with no rhyme or reason, and there are always books and boxes cluttering the floor which make it nearly impossible to move around and look at everything.
Go ahead and stop in just to see what I’m talking about if you want a good chuckle. But good luck making it out alive!

This place looked interesting from the outside, and got even more interesting when I went in. It’s a huge warehouse-​y space, with lots and lots of books, shelves, and then, well, stuff strewn about. It’s a bookstore, yes, but sometimes you have trouble getting to the books because of the aforementioned «stuff»: boxes, clothes, yarn, and racks in the way.
The owner holds court near the entrance, sitting at a spinning wheel making her own yarn and knitting, and friends seem to come in to chat and share wisdom about grandchildren and the like. Her handmade creations, and there are lots of them, are for sale — hats, scarves, shawls, throws, and carpets — at reasonable prices. The secondhand books — strong in the local/​Americana areas — seem almost secondary.
I regret not buying a knitted hat or something, but in all fairness, most of them did seem like they would be better suited to ladies. Would be neat to stop in here again the next time I’m in town and see what’s going on. Will the yarn take over from the books, or will they happily coexist for eternity?