Changing Hands Bookstore

My favorite bookstore. They have an extensive selection offered both new & used, an adorable kids corner, and awesome gift ideas from silly to sentimental. The staff is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, & helpful from finding the book you’re looking for to making suggestions on new authors. Their buy-​back program is incredible for changing out your dusty old library in exchange for new reads. Also, they do a knock-​out job at bringing in authors, local artists, and guest speakers from all walks. Can’t say enough good things about this bookstore!

Wow. I now have contact poisoning from being so close to so many trendy douche bags. Seriously. I am not kidding. And I only found one book. Well to be honest, my husband found the one book I ended up buying. They did have a nice selection of snarky fridge magnets (I had to have Bill Murray from «Stripes» pointing and saying «Don’t be a douche») and some interesting gift items, even jewelry and tea pots. But that’s not what I go to a bookstore to find. Call me crazy, but I love used book stores for the awesome weird, interesting BOOKS I find. This was pretty much the same over-​priced crap they carry at every mainstream bookstore you can name. No one-​off out of print gems about Canadian soldiers in WW1. No college press theses on the black death and its complete transformation it precipitated in the medieval world. No stories about Victorian thief takers. There were plenty of choices, just not for me. Sorry. If I wanted this stuff, I’d have gone to Barnes & Noble or somewhere where there was at least coffee.

I wouldn’t say they’re the cheapest place to buy books in town but spending a morning perusing through the selection is worth the price. Character story our first Saturday of every month will keep any little entertained, along with hours of happy browsing after. Finding little used books in the abyss of books is the best part.

I am obsessed with this bookstore! Every worker there is helpful especially Scott! I hope that’s his name. He’s got a beard and glasses. There selection is phenomenal and I won’t go anywhere else for my books! Not to mention they’ll order whatever book you need! I just started making time for myself to read more, so thank you for giving me a great selection and good vibes!

I LOVE THIS PLACE I LOVE THIS PLACE I LOVE THIS PLACE! If I could live here I would! This is my favorite place in the entire world. I can buy books brand new and know that with every purchase I buy I’m helping our local small businesses. I can trade almost any book in for trade credit and then BUY MORE BOOKS! I have met some of my favorite authors here. There is always something going on and it’s always a fun time. My kids love story time and always love playing with the train set. They get excited whenever I say we are going to changing hands. This place is so family friendly and everyone who works there is so nice.

Dig the selection, authors that visit and that it is local. I’ve been a customer forrrrevvv and enjoy it every visit. Met the author of the Perks of Being a Wallflower and it was so rad

Changing Hands… You were the ones who first introduced my child to Mo Willems books, the Dr Seuss of our generation. You allowed her to meet her hero Skippyjon Jones in person during story hour. You’ve let her imagination run wild playing with your impressive train table nestled in the middle of your children’s section. Who needs the Children’s Museum when you’ve got Changing Hands?
You’re not just a cool place to go, but you’ve helped shape my child’s life.

I love this store! You can always find something in changing hands. Always friendly staff and well organized and clean. Great selection of new and used books. And they’re always getting amazing authors in! I have quite the little collection of some of my favorite Books signed by the authors.

Changing Hands Bookstore really holds a firm place in promoting culture in the Phoenix valley.
They have a couple locations: Central Phoenix at 300 W. Camelback and Tempe at SW corner of Guadalupe and McClintock.
Both locations are attached to great restaurants.
The Phoenix location is attached to First Draft and the Tempe location is attached to Wildflower Bread Company (see my review).
They also maintain a fantastic website:
and newsletter.
The Tempe location is closest to me. I love checking out all their fun stuff and then popping over to Wildflower Bread Company for some yummy treats whilst admiring my new purchases.
Changing Hands has a lot of great features including new books, trending staff picks, resales, kids toys and books, (see pics), gifts and events.
If you go to their website, you can check out all the upcoming scheduled events. It’s always a very impressive list.
Recently, I was able to see Isabel Allende at the Orpheum Theater discuss her life and her new book signing of The Japanese Lover. (see pics)
Hours:
Sat 9am — 9pm
Sun 10am — 6pm
Mon — Fri 10am — 9pm
I ⁵⁄₅ highly recommend Changing Hands Bookstore!

What gem this place is! I attended Pioneer Woman cookbook signing, very well organized. Great place for gifts! I will be back lots!

I love Changing Hands (and First Draft!). They have a fantastic selection of new and used books and fun and quirky items. The employees are always friendly, the store is always quiet and clean. Plus… it’s adjacent to a Wildflower and about 200 feet away from a Trader Joe’s.
My only gripe is that there isn’t much seating in the bookstore… First Draft has them beat in that department.

I first came to Changing Hands Tempe way back when I was a wee high school senior attending ASU’s Young Adult Writing Project. Part of the program was coming to the bookstore to conduct a poetry reading. I have been in love with this store ever since. My husband has learned that if he needs a gift idea, all he has to do is wander through the store to find a unique coffee mug or novelty item, then grab a gift card toward a book of my choice on his way out. I’ve trained him well. He knows my need to browse bookshelves endlessly, judging books by covers, opening paragraphs, and final sentences. He waits patiently by the magazines.
This store can tend to feel a little crowded, but you are crowded by books and fellow book lovers. No complaints here. The staff are usually happy to help or lend a recommendation for a good book. Check out the Staff Picks wall for ideas on new books. They have never led me astray and i have discovered some amazing writers on the Staff Picks suggestion. You can also find a decent selection of local authors, the classics, and excellent rare books. My husband complains about the lack of automotive books, but he will admit he is not much of a reader so bookstores just don’t do it for him.
Please consider coming here before spending your money at a chain bookstore like Barnes and Noble.
Also, you e-​reader lovers can purchase e-​books via their website!

Really enjoy this used book store. Not only do they have used books, but they have toys, random local goods and specialty items that you could give as gifts. There is a new book section, including a selection from local authors, which is a neat touch. The prices do not reflect used, however, which is disappointing. Overall, this is a cool place with a welcoming atmosphere. We will be back.

Love this place! Wish I had more time to look around. It’s an urban, cool book store selling new and used books… Also filled with random little trinkets and treats. There’s also a little café bakery type placeattached. Again, I wish I had more than just the few mins I had to look around… Nice atmosphere and comfy vibe. Definitely a cute place to check out…
At the entrance, there’s even a little table with FREE books. Cool!

My boss mentioned Changing Hands to me in the past and I can’t believe I did not visit sooner! I called Changing Hands yesterday to see if they would let me place two books on hold. I have a friend who is at the hospital and wanted to get her some decent reading material. When I called I was greeted by an employee named Michelle. I explained my situation and she was helpful, friendly, and prompt,
I stopped by Changing Hands as soon as I got off work to pick up the books. I was not there for long because I was in a rush but I was blown away by how many cool items I simply saw at the front register. I am definitely returning when I get paid and look forward to possibly attending some of the author book signings.

I am in Shock that I have never written a review for this wonderful place.
It has been around for as long as I can remember. Of course it had a different location at that time. Right on Mill Ave. downtown.
Now here it is up on McClintock in a shopping center. You will always know when there is an artist or Writer here, the parking lot is packed!
They bring in wonderful Writers for meet and greet, and to sign your books.
I even went for my Granddaughters favorite writer once. Because, she lives in Louisiana and she was very sick at the time.
Me getting his photo and a sign book put her on the road to recovery I am sure.
We even saw Billy Idol there. He wrote a Book. It’s true, a book about his life. It was truly a most exciting evening.
This book store has lots and lots of wonderful events, Books and trinkets.
Oddly enough it is attached to Wildflower restaurant. Which I find odd as that is a Chain. Changing hands to me is more of a Hippie upbeat, sort of Jack Kerouac kind of place. But, no matter, I am sure you will love it .
From the minute you walk in, till you leave. It is so worth a good look around.

This place is like a used bookstore meets a Barnes & Noble, which I love. Sections are clearly marked, they have great displays (like staff choices with explanations). I loved all the tables in chairs in various nooks for reading.
In shelves themselves are a little confusing until you figure out what’s happening. New and used are shelved together, but the used books have tiny sticker dots on the spines. My only complaint is that used books weren’t as discounted as I would have hoped, but I’ll pretty much pay anything for a book I want.
One thing I enjoyed was the signs around the registered saying, «This is a no cell phone area.» I thoroughly appreciate that. Nothing worse than a customer that ignores the kind store clerk trying to help them.
I would totally come back if I’m in the area again!

I am not much of a reader, but I used to work at a bookstore and I buy a lot of books… creates the allusion of being a reader. But more importantly, I like attending events and getting books signed. I have unfortunately missed Neil Gaiman and Ozzy Osbourne over the years (that would be cool), but I have attended to meet Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of Kiss, Britney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury, and most recently Anne Rice. I have already purchased by ticket for Cary Elwes this week.
I like the store, not only because of the frequent and big-​name book signings, but it is a convenient location to my house, has a great selection, and a little attached eating area. I subscribe to their Facebook page and continue to monitor their newsletter for other upcoming signings. I definitely recommend supporting this store and meeting some of the many authors that come through the doors. Parking is a big challenging, especially during book signings.

Hands down best independent bookstore in Phoenix! Great selection of new and used books. If they don’t have what you want in store, they’ll usually order it for you. There are tons of trinkets, home decorations, and unique gifts. I really like that you can trade in old books for store credit.
Changing Hands hosts many authors, lecturers, musicians, and other important and famous people. I’ve been to see several authors but my favorite memory was when they hosted GRUMPY CAT!

I am starting to frequent Changing hands more and more because of work and each time I enjoy browsing through the large selection… As everyone else notes there is a huge supply of both new and used books…
I love looking through all the Knick knacks… The children’s book section is great and they carry many classics as well as new release books… The sections are very easy to navigate and there are seats/​benches all around the store for your seating pleasure…
The employees are all very nice and helpful…
Also, very knowledgable of the merchandise
Cool bookstore, check it out