Bluestem Books

They don’t come much better. A strong section on Americana, Nebraska, the Prairie States, and American Indians. Books on foreign languages — old, foreign-​published, small runs — that are sometimes difficult, sometimes impossible to find elsewhere (such as on amazon). Good selection of history books. Excellent selection of Loeb Classical Library books (Greek and Latin) from Harvard. Good holding of familiar classical literature (mostly English). Fewer books on religion and science, though the selection of spiritualist books is interesting. Some rare volumes.
The books here are neither cheap nor common. If a familiar title, the book is (usually) uncommon in binding, cover-​boards, size, part of a series or collection, or other production quality.
Store is neat, clean, very well organized. The owner and his family are fantastic. He has specially sought specific books for me, and provided them at perfectly affordable, yet commercially reasonable costs. If I could visit only one bookstore in the entire world, this would be it. (I visit Lincoln usually twice a year, and pick up half a dozen to a dozen books each time.)
Alack, that future generations may see no more bookstores like this than were seen in «Fahrenheit 451», though for reasons less statist!

Great little bookstore tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the street. Good selection, fair pricing, and a friendly store-​owner who talked with me for a bit.

Upon walking into Bluestem Books for the first time, I was greeted by the familiar smell of aged pages and leather covers. The stacks of books adorning the walls, counters, and every space in between were artfully (but not inaccessibly) laid out by genre, then by author, and the cutest, softest, smiliest dog greeted me. Nostalgia took over, as this sweet pup was the spitting image of my childhood dog, and I had a mini wig-​out, took his photo and gushed about him to the owners of the shop.
After that, I meandered around the various rooms of books, finding my happy place in poetry and nature writing, while my mom got lost in the travel section. Another patron in the store picked up an Ogden Nash book and mentioned to her husband that she can usually never find Ogden Nash in bookstores. Of course, I quoted one of his best poems in her direction, unsolicited: «God in his wisdom made the fly, and then forgot to tell us why.» It was a glorious moment of obscure-​poet fan meets obscure-​poet fan, and damn if it wasn’t just lovely. And the DOG. I adore this place.

A pretty neat little bookstore. I was only here a few minutes, stopping by during a long walk, but it definitely has some charm. There’s a pretty decent selection, for the size of the place, and the prices seem very reasonable. I bought an older print of «Breakfast of Champions» by Vonnegut for 5 bucks, when a newer (but not any more readable) print runs 15 at other places.
Most of the stacks up by the front deal with nature and that sort of thing, then as you move towards the back there’s the philosophy section, a side room with children’s books, and then finally the literature section. Almost all of their books are old, but in good shape. They also have a few carts full of newer collections of books.
The three people who run it (at least I’m assuming they ran it) seem pretty friendly. I even had the pleasure of eavesdropping on some hilarious story about a one-​eyed animal or something.
I’ve spent innumerable hours of my life at Barnes & Noble, but it’s interesting little bookshops like Bluestem that will always be near and dear to my heart. They just have a character you don’t usually get at the bigger, chain stores.

Went in the other night and got some love from Diego. He ran right up to us, made my night. They have a great selection of books, too. Love going there. It’s a real treat. I usually stock up for a few months a time.

very nice people. great selection. We drive in from TX twice a year and always hit it at least once per trip.

On store fronts peppering this city you’ll see posters encouraging folks to pick 3 small businesses to spend $ 50 with each month, as a way to bolster the local economy during these precarious times.
This is on my Top 3 list. Eminently browsable stacks offer a broad selection of engaging books; eminently pettable Diego, el doggo de Bluestem, greets you happily each time.
From the exterior, the store looks small — and it is — but its narrow rooms go deep into the back of the building, and its bookshelves are floor to ceiling. We dropped by for a look, stayed for an hour, and busted our book budget, which is a lot to say for a space that can’t be much over 600 square feet.

Bluestem recently moved to a new location at 137 South 9^th, so if you approach the old address and are disturbed (we were) never fear! They are still in business a short walk away.
I stop in here every time I’m in Lincoln for a nice browsing session. I liked the atmosphere of their old location better, but the 9^th St. store has more space and is nicely organized.
Drop in and sell your old books and find something new to take home – their prices are excellent.

Friendly little bookstore near the Haymarket with a great selection of used books. One of my favorite places to browse.