Mac’s Backs Paperbacks

the books are not brand new, but priced at new prices. there were classics for $ 15! they were not even in good condition, and you can go to Half Price Books and get the same book for 99cents! Do NOT waste your money here with delusional thoughts. Do yourself a favor, and just go to Amazon (where I am sure they purchase the books themselves, no doubt) or Half Price Books. Furthermore, It must be said that the basement smells like literal feces. horrible, filthy place

Excellent, independently owned bookstore! Great selection and friendly staff. I ordered a book here a few days ago and it came on time. Staff talked to me about it, they’re so friendly.

The only reason Macs Backs doesn’t get a perfect score is it is very small and the books are spread out over 3 cramped floors. No wheelchair access. Great variety of books to browse and a very laid back hippy vibe. Bring in books and they give you store credit for half off your future purchases. I’d rather get cash or straight credit.

There are three floors (well, two floors and a loft) full of mostly new and some used books. You can get store credit for gently used books, but I come to this indie store for the monthly book club (third Wednesday of the month), sometimes having coffee and a nosh next door at Tommy’s first.

Everyone is so friendly here, and they have a great selection of books. If they don’t have it they’re happy to order it got you and it only takes a few days to get in.

I really enjoy reading. I live near this bookstore and wanted to check it out. I heard nothing but good things about it. Well, unfortunately my experience was far from pleasant. I entered the store and was immediately turned off by the smell. It smelled like cigarettes and old lady feet. The books were really high priced for the condition that they were in. I asked the lady at the counter if she had any Henry Miller books and she said «no». What kind of bookstore doesn’t have books by him??? So then she told me about a book by a local author that was about a punk rock band. I paid 15 bucks for this book. It was probably the worst book I ever read. I couldn’t even get halfway through it. I threw the book away and will never go to this place again. It needs to be cleaned up and quite frankly it’s kind of a dump with a dirty vibe.

One of the best bookstores around! Used and new books everywhere, in every genre you could need. The used books are a liiiittle pricey compared to some of the bigger stores you might find, but it’s definitely worth it for the quality. It has a door leading into a restaurant next door, so that’s definitely a bonus. The employees are super nice, and very helpful — they’re definitely some of the best on Coventry! I go there every time I’m in the area and I almost always buy something.

The vibe here is great — chill, unpretentious, and lots of inspiring topics. A good percentage of the stock are used books, and it’s fun to wander around. (They have a huge vintage sci-​fi section on the second floor!) Staff is awesome. They actually started carrying Monocle Magazine, after I asked about it. Only wish they had a few better spots to pull up a cosy chair and read. More of an explore-​and-​go-​back-​home-​with-​your-​treasures kind of place. Gem of a place, though.

Mac’s is my favorite bookstore in Cleveland, hands down. Whether you like it or not will have a lot to do with what you’re looking for.
Mac’s is primarily a used bookstore, with some new stuff mixed in. Their basement houses mostly history and a fair amount of other non-​fiction — I never spent too much time down there but have found a few keepers in the racks. The main floor is where most of the fiction is, with a solid collection of literature as well as contemporary popular fiction. But the upstairs? Ahh, the upstairs is a haven to sci-​fi and fantasy fans! I’ve never seen such a great collection of genre in a used bookstore as you will find here. I have spent hours up there and come away with piles of treasure. When living in Cleveland, I had to restrict my visits or I would have bankrupted myself on all of the great books up there!
The selling part is a bit less awesome. You can only get cash if you are selling back science fiction or fantasy (and if you’re a SF/​F fan, you know how hard it is to part with those favorites). They will buy other used books, but are picky and primarily seem to want rare or unusual titles. Mass market, blockbuster fiction titles are less likely to be taken, and unless it’s sci-​fi/​fantasy you will get a store credit instead of cash. When using your store credit to buy books, you can only pay for (max) half of your purchase with credit, the other half has to come out of your pocket.
The staff is super-​friendly and there are good finds everywhere in the store. But it’s the SF/​F that keeps me coming back every time I’m in town.
P. S. Pop into Tommy’s next door for a milkshake while you’re there. Best shake in town, worth the wait!

One might say that I’m a reader. Always have a book by my bed, go to the library for fun, schedule time to read into my schedule… books are kind of my thing. So when you see that there’s a bookstore in Coventry, you’d think I’d be all over it, right?
Sadly, no. I’ve gone in there probably 6 or 7 times and I have, not once, bought anything.
First of all, the woman who is almost always at the counter is so sweet. She always seems genuinely pleased that you’re there, and offers to help you find anything you might be looking for. Customer service is not something that is lacking… at least initially.
A couple of times I’ve wandered into the basement, and once I had a fairly bad experience. There was a woman working down there, and I was trying to browse casually. It was just me and her. She kept watch over me like a hawk, making me super uncomfortable. I felt like she must have thought I was going to scoop all of the books into my bag and make a mad dash for the stairs. I mean, what am i going to do? I’m just trying to look.
That strangeness aside, I’m also less than impressed with the books. I’m someone who is interested in everything from classics to self-​help to psychology to gender relations to cooking to modern fiction… and I can still never really find anything that appeals to me.
If I do find something that I like, it seems to be a bit overpriced. I’ve been to many bookstores in my day, and I know what the going rate should be for certain books… Mac’s prices are much higher than those I’ve paid at other establishments. I respect that this bookstore is locally owned and operated, and maybe if I had a bit more to spend, I’d be happy to pay their prices. But I simply can’t do it right now, especially when there’s a cute little library right down the street.
I wish Mac’s Backs were for me. I really wanted it to be!

This place is right next to Tommy’s in Cleveland Heights. The staff was friendly but honestly, if I am going to go to a bookstore I would rather go to the Visible Voice. Mac’s is nothing but a collection of old paperback books with a few new things mixed in to it.

Great little bookstore. Good selection of local and classic books. Staff are extremely helpful and knowledgable. Make sure you check out the loft and basement while you’re there!

A fantastic selection of both new and used books, as well as many great sections worth your attention. Including special sections like local interest, comics, small press, current events, and a great poetry section, there’s something for everyone here. (Especially you sci-​fi geeks, they’ve DEFINITELY got you covered with an entire second floor with loads of used paperbacks and pulp. Enjoy.)

I came here for a reading last month and left happy. I am glad that there is a store like this in town. Everybody seems to be buying from the internet and reading Nooks and stuff. I got the new issue of Found magazine and it was funny as usual. Keep hope alive.

Ahhhhh. Mac’s. One of the best book store I have ever been to! They have absolutely EVERYTHING for EVERYBODY!
The staff is always so caring and helpful! Their Sci-​FI section is HUGE and they have a poetry section! A POETRY SECTION!!!
I just love to grab a shake at Tommys, and then head through the little whole in the wall to go check out a few books!
Over Mac’s is FANTASTIC! I recomend it to anyone who loves to read or is just looking at something for fun!
P. S. This is one of only a few stores in Coventry that you do not have to be 18 or with a parent to go into! Kids are welcome!

Heaven on earth. Mostly inexpensive used books. Sci-​fi and mystery sections are huge. Staff is friendly, passionate, and willing to help (or just chat). The way books are organized and displayed doesn’t always make sense, but it’s what it is, I guess. (And the slightly-​confusing configuration makes it ideal for stumbling onto some unexpected jewels! – This place is not a library, so I don’t consider this a reason to take off points.) I could live in their basement for days and be totally content. BOOKS. YES.

This place is always cozy and inviting, with a large selection of both used and new books. Don’t forget to check out the basement selection! Staff is awesome. Your imagination will always be sparked by something unexpected upon a shelf. One of the BEST places on Coventry.

WOWEE I enjoyed myself here!
I can’t believe I had never gone here until halfway through my 4^th year living in Cleveland. I’m ashamed to even tell you that…
Anyways, I came here because I wanted some plane/​pool reading for spring break and boy, did I find some! I left here struggling to peel myself away from the shelves and stop buying books! Carrying four out for under $ 20 was victorious, but I so badly wanted to keep shopping! I didn’t even go downstairs!

This used bookstore is awesome. In particular, I loved the magazine selection they had. After looking at the selection, I had about 4 different magazines that I haven’t seen at any other bookstore ready to buy them, each with different topics I had never heard of. Every neighborhood should have a great bookstore like this and I’ll definitely return if I ever get a chance to come back in the future.

Mac’s is a wonderful bookstore in Coventry. I was going to write that it’s a wonderful «little» bookstore, but it’s actually not that little. OK, well maybe it is. But actually, it’s not. It’s got the perfect combination of being cozy and cavernous – as in being meandering and multi-​leveled like a cave – and they actually have a poetry section.
I don’t think I bought too much stuff from here, but I was a lowly volunteer at the time, and what was lacking in actual financial support was made up for in the hours I spent browsing the used paperbacks, strange history books, and chapbooks. Yes, they have chapbooks.