Robin’s Book Store

What a fun place to find slightly out of date, or used magazines from Europe. Magazines, being my guilty pleasure, are a great find in this spot. Love to read? hit this place up.

So I’ve been here a couple times. The first time I checked this place out I browsed all the sections pretty casually, ended up picking up some local authors’ books of poetry. The poetry section is rocking, so check it out – they have rare finds and a great assortment. Unfortunately much of the inventory is cover-​price, but upstairs there are discount books, so you can find something if you’re on a budget. They also recently did a sidewalk book sale that was apparently pretty cheap. Like $ 2 for a bag of books.
The second time I visited Robin’s was earlier today, where I saw a poetry reading. I saw Pam Brown, Magdalena Zurawski, and Ron Silliman read poetry and prose, the event being hosted by CAConrad. The speaker system was DIY but the upstairs fit a lot of people (maybe around 30?) for a book store reading, and everyone was very friendly. At one point the owner of the store tried to find additional seating for standing people. The store’s events are often and consistent, a mixture of all styles. It’s definitely the best independent bookstore I’ve had the chance to visit since moving to Philadelphia. There are a couple other goods ones throughout the Center City area, but Robin’s is classic.

When I first walked in here I thought, wow, this is a really nice used bookstore. All the books look brand new! It was at this point that I found out all of the books actually were brand new. I almost never buy new books, but if I did I would definitely come here. They have an incredibly diverse selection of kids books, art books, african american literature… you name it. It has the feel and integrity of a used bookstore, with none of the mass produced shine of a Barnes and Noble. I put it up there with the small Penn Bookstore as a place that maybe I will frequent when I am rich.

Ditto to the two previous reviews. Another great thing is the discount magazine offerings. I’ve also enjoyed some of their speakers.

This just might be my favorite bookstore in Philadelphia. Great selection of art books (there’s a Basquiat book that I am seriously coveting) and graphic novels as well as an extensive kids book section with really cool titles (and the full Judy Blume catalog!). Discount magazines and a helpful staff make this a place I’ll go out of my way to visit in the near future.

Cool. another good first for me apparently. while I really like the one on 18^th (and am sorry to see that it’s going to be leaving soon), this Robin’s is the real deal and original. The staff is always very friendly, it has 2 floors of incredible books, and lot of good reads that you won’t find in a typical borders situation.
Robin’s also has one of the best free publication sections in the city. and its pretty awesome for a bookstore to maintain it so well. definitely check here out the next time your looking for a good book to pick up.