Barbed Wire Books

Hands down the best book store in Longmont. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. The book signing events featuring authors from Colorado as well as national talent are always entertaining. The variety of new and used books in every genre will keep you interested for days. It is well maintained and never cluttered. Plus, those cool window displays! Awesome.

This weekend I found myself in Longmont with a few hours to kill. Fortunately for me, I happened to wander into Barbed Wire Books. The used bookstore is a dying breed. This makes me sad. Many used bookstores that still exist manage to eek out a living peddling romance novels and whatever books one might also find at an airport. In the days of the internet, it is difficult to make a living otherwise. Barbed Wire Books, though, while certainly stocking a great deal of these quick-​sellers, also seems to stock plenty of interesting, harder-​to-​find books. The staff at the store were friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. Put that together with a comfortable and convenient location, and I’d call that a winner.

I always feel comfortable here to ask for anything. They are truly very perfesional and kind. Great customer service and the owner makes a real effort to remember your name and preferences. I have not been mistreated as I was at another book store in town. I’m happy to get a wide range of things here, or they’ll order if for you and give you a discount.

Our whole family LOVES this store! The owner, Kathe is wonderful and warm! The atmosphere here is the best. It’s old, funky, lots of great little nooks to hide and read your new (or new-to-you!)books. For not having a big box bookstore, this store is just the best place ever. I’d say, much, much better than a big box bookstore!

Good bookstore.

Great store, trade credit was very fair. they have a good selection of books and are willing to call you when something you are looking for comes in. Staff was very friendly, we enjoyed our visit here and look forward to more visits

Comfortable place to browse, good selection, knowledgable staff. Independent used book stores are so much better than the big box alternative.

I wrote this book store off when I initially saw it because of its Western themed décor. I assumed it was a book store that specialized in Western genres and memorabilia. It’s true what they say about making assumptions…
Barbed Wire Books has quickly become one of my favorite places to peruse used books. They have an impressive collection of fiction as well as mystery, classics, biography, and so on. They also have a large space, so it’s all spread out and feels quite open.
I think the best thing about them (aside from their shelves and shelves of books) is the owner, Kathe. Without fail, every time I have been in, she is helpful and warm. A few times, I’ve even lost track of time chatting with her about our shared love of books. I can always count on her making it a doubly pleasant experience.

I like used book stores, so I’m glad to see another one pop up in my town. Barbed Wire Books is located in old-​town, and is very spacious. Not sure when they opened, but they’re fairly new. Despite that they haven’t been around too long, they already have a large selection of books. I took in a few books for them to look over and they took around three — gave me instant store credit to use the same day or in the future. Very friendly and helpful staff. The store is very roomy, plenty of space for more books and there would still be room to keep the comfy reading areas they have designated for customers. Check it out!

I popped in here one blustery Friday afternoon and was in heaven: The creak of floors, the smell of old paper, people talking happily in a good down-​home vernacular typical of this area.
I was pleased with their book selection (found three excellent volumes to add to my collection) and the woman working there was terrific. I asked if they had any Malcolm Gladwell books and she was not only familiar with his work but offered to put a «want» on any of his books for me if they came into the shop. I can’t ask for better service than that. The rows were marked relatively clearly (although sometimes just from one end) and they really seem to support local authors and DIYers which is terrific, and just the sort of thing that Longmont really needs.

They’re just getting started, though this fiction junkie didn’t have a problem finding several books to buy in no time at all. The woman who runs the store apparently used to work at Used Book Emporium further south on Main, and while this place isn’t there yet they will continue to grow as more books come in. Like I said, I did fine, so they’re worth checking out even now.