The Village Booksmith

This place is more of a book museum than a book store. You can seriously get lost here for hours. There were so much to see and the staff was very friendly. This is a must stop for any book-​fan.

Didn’t spend too long in here, but it definitely has the «feel» of an adorable bookstore run by someone who loves books. The place feels a bit cluttered, but not in a horrible way. Some of the shelves are so stocked full that books are laid sideways on top of the rows of books. However, none of the shelves are so packed that you have issues getting the books back onto the shelf if you pull one out (serious pet peeve of mine).
The staff who were working were super friendly. When I inquired about the location of some books, he took me straight there and tried to further inquire so he could make more recommendations inside of the genre. Very helpful and very friendly.
Prices here are a bit high, but not insanely so. In case it wasn’t obvious, the books here are used books. The paperback prices are usually pretty reasonable ($ 2.50 to $ 4), but hardcover seems to get expensive really quickly ($ 8 to $ 25+). I had the really watch the prices when I was shopping here, but I did pick up a couple paperback books that I wanted to read for less than $ 8.
They accept credit.
Quaint little store that doesn’t quite compare, price-​wise, to my favorite used book stores, but it does holds its own in décor and a lovely place to feel «welcome» as a reader. Great place.

To me, there is a certain romantic notion when it comes to reading a book. I am speaking of an actual book, be it hard cover or soft, just not electronic. I know that the text is the same on a kindle as it is bound, but it is just so much more delicious to get lost in the pages of a book. Understanding my position on books, know that there are there are bookstores that rise above the rest. These are the shops that the ones one can linger in, get lost in, find five books you never knew existed but are now on your to read list. The Village Booksmith is all of that. Aisles and aisles and nooks to wander around and get lost. Come here when you have at least an hour to kill. The time will fly by.

My wife spent over an hour in this little store and said she could have easily spent an entire day. There are TONS of books — old, new, used, rare, current — fiction, nonfiction, cooking, science, crafting — and tons of places to just sit down and enjoy a good book. It’s definitely worth stopping in!

A recent trip to Baraboo revealed this gem to me, nestled between a small pharmacy-​style shop and a floral gift shop. The Booksmith is presided over by a wonderfully kind woman who knows her shop better than almost any other shop owner I have ever met. Her lovely pup is a welcome addition, lounging in a chair just inside the door and happy for attention from customers. The store boasts a great variety of books, including many I have never seen elsewhere. Reading areas abound, for both adults and children, and several novelty items are available by the register.
If you go, make sure you use the restroom, known as Shakespeare’s Head. An odd suggestion, but literary and theatrical fans will be happy they did.

i lived in an apt above a shop around the corner from the village booksmith for 2 years. this was 2000 – 2002. the booksmith was my favorite place togo when i had an hour or so of free time. annie (the proprietor) was always super friendly and knowledgeable about her books. she loves the arts and loves to connect people to them. i can’t say enough good things about this place and about annie.