University of Pennsylvania Bookstore

It’s beautiful and pretty convenient, but jesus, is this place expensive. One of my books for this semester was only $ 68 on Amazon. The price tag at Penn’s bookstore? $ 117. Case closed.

This store has a lot going on, which is a good thing, I think. There’s an information desk, check-​out counter, and children’s area on the first floor, and there’s a PennCard Center, student textbook area, and a spacious café on the second floor. And there are plenty of books available on both levels. I typically go here to study or purchase a few books. The only time that I would avoid this place is when the Penn students return to campus for the fall semester. This place gets packed with lines snaking back through the store. I’m guessing it’s one of the go-​to stores for students.

The bookstore is ok, they have a pretty good selection of Penn gear, but its not as comprehensive as it could have been. I was looking for a Wharton branded like jacket, but didn’t really find anything reasonable. They have a good selection of t-​shirts and hats though. Also, there are actually books!

I could live here. Snack bar with a great selection of food and drinks, an amazing selection of books and Penn paraphernalia. What more could a student want? Little pricey, but whatev. Nice vice, great service.

Great Barnes and Nobles book store with a Penn look and feel. Its has all Penn paraphenalia and attire. The service was nice and helpful but the process are very high.

The Penn Bookstore is a very nicely run Barnes and Noble bookstore that tries to be all things to everyone. There’s a decent array of Penn clothing, lots of popular books, an okay magazine section, and a greatly expanded games and puzzles section. The ground level computer store has moved to the upper level and it looks pretty nice. Upstairs there are stationery supplies, bookbags, course books, a café, and more books. If you want a good bookstore, this is not the place. Go to Barnes and Noble in Rittenhouse Square instead. If you want a nice place to meet a friend on campus, go to the café here.

Probably one of the best college bookstores in the area if you are like looking for study guides and academic text books. Café upstairs. and many many magazines to browse through. Pick up a Penn sweater while you are! Pricey but made out of good material.

I really enjoy bookstores! (proud nerd?) There’s just a lot to browse through, good books, cool items, and fun toys!
Whenever I’m at the bookstore, I’m either studying or catching up with someone! Ever since they added the extra quiet room upstairs, I’ve been a huge fan! I only wish it was bigger! The starbucks upstairs is also great if you need some caffeine to keep you alert or just want a refreshing drink.
In terms of the actual bookstore, I would say there’s a great selection of books. However, in terms of textbooks, I think they hike the prices a little too much. I’m a poor college student! They are also in need of much better arts and crafts supplies.

I will agree with most of the other reviews and say that this bookstore is reminiscent of all the big chain bookstores around.
Based on its proximity to the campus it definitely caters to alumni, students, and possibly tourists with its large apparel collection right as you walk in. You will walk right into t-​shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, workout pants and so many more little Penn branded items as you come in the main entrance. Great sales technique on their part, congrats.
I wasn’t able to tour most of the book collection since we came in specifically looking for a sweatshirt. While I was there the whole front book section was dedicated to Philadelphia in every way imaginable. It was fun looking through all the offerings while checking out.
Location is king! I can see students from the campus here all the time.

They’ve certainly updated the store since I was last here.
Instead of books lining the front when you come in, you’re greeted by a huge section of Penn clothing & gifts. Literally, all the books, the children’s section, etc. have been moved. The computer store at the back is now moved up to the second floor, the non-​textbooks are crammed in the back, and the textbook section upstairs is consolidated a bit better on metal racks.
The prices… well, high (a baby sweatshirt for $ 30… well. alumni want the name on their kids, right?) — but not unexpected.
Overall, though it feels much less like a bookstore and much more like a gift shop … well. I don’t even get the vibe that it’s run by Barnes & Noble anymore — can anyone confirm? With all that Penn gear upfront and the books regulated to a corner, I’m not sure if the entire university has gone e-​book crazy, or I’m a sad relic for wanting to bring my little one through aisles of books and let her choose one she wants to have in her hands, physically. Aside from the lovely $ 30 moleskins sitting on one display.
Also — the computer store wasn’t open at all on this weekend? Really?

Wish I could give it more stars because it’s a HUGE and beautiful bookstore. The apparel is cute (and overpriced) and well organized.
The lines are awful… both in the front and up in the Starbucks café and there is often no where to sit.
The selection of apparel and school supplies is great though.

***University of Pennsylvania Bookstore is very nice – lots of apparel options and lots of Penn branded stationary, glasses, novelties, and other stuff; it also has a great, clean and professional look (the store is also very well organized); you will find a quick grab-​and-​go coffee shop on the second floor with all kinds of snacks and such including bags of local potato chips (Herr’s); the only area to nitpick would be the quality of their shirts – slightly lower quality than some of the best university bookstores (like Stanford) and Penn’s shirts do run too big***
Metered street parking is nearby.

I love this bookstore. Yes, it is a typical B&N boiler plate store design, but it’s really big with more interesting books than your typical B&N. And I’ve found the students who work here to be very helpful when I need to find certain items. I also like that if I buy food in the café, they’ll let me eat it at a desk elsewhere in the store, not just in the café (sometimes there are no open tables in the café).
Unlike B&N these days, there are a lot of tables and chairs throughout the store and even one comfy sofa like thing in a nook. Ample outlets for charging smart phones, tablets, computers, etc. Easy, free WiFi and hardly ever any screaming children like at most Barnes & Noble stores. I go here more often now because it’s QUIET.

I go here quite frequently as my «office away from the office.» The café offers plenty of seats with plugs and the music playing over the speaker isn’t so loud that it precludes conference calls (yes, I’ve done it!). The drinks here do not always taste like those made at a real Starbucks — if you’re getting the chai latte, make sure you ask for extra chai. Otherwise, it’ll taste a bit diluted. The sandwiches here are overpriced, but I wasn’t expecting anything different. Bathrooms are clean, and if they’re not, then they’re quickly cleaned up. Come, sit down, grab a book, relax.

Penn Bookstore is a perfectly adequate source of Penn paraphernalia, popular books, and other gift items. They get pretty festive for the holidays — I was there the other day & they had mounds of free cookies and cocoa to give out.

Walked around the UPenn open campus and stumbled upon their bookstore. there were a zillion Penn Paraphernalia for sale everything from the common tee-​shirt to the unnecessary ie. Golf balls. The place was pretty though with several floors of books other intellectual things, I just browsed and watched all the smart little college students scurry away in their busy busy lives. i’m sure they were all off to go study.
There is a help desk in the middle of the ground floor that seemed to be offering more than just help with finding things, but when i approached i think the workers were uncovering the meaning of life. no seriously they were having some philosophical conversation. Dang these Ivy League kids even ask smarter questions at the bookstore.

Great place to study, grab a coffee and read a book.
They have plenty of seating, although they got rid of an entire section of large tables.
They even have seating downstairs by the magazines.

One of the nicest looking college bookstores I’ve been to. Typical overpriced collegiate wear and books, but very nice café, modern furniture, and inspirational quotes on the wall in the lobby.
lol at Secret V.‘s review.

I asked the person behind the help desk to search for a book for me. She typed it in to the computer.
«I’m checking all the bookstores in Philadelphia,» she said.
«You can see what every bookstore in Philly has?»
«Well, every Barnes & Noble. And Barnes & Noble is the only bookstore in Philadelphia.»
So, this is what they’re teaching kids at Penn?

If you’re around Penn’s campus, and don’t have a pesky student ID[1], this bookstore’s the perfect place to get out of the rain or kill time.
It’s a standard Barnes & Noble template (complete with escalator), with almost everything at market price save for assorted Penn gear (who wants a Penn-​branded g-​string?) and Apple hardware (see the Apple department, perfect for window shoppers; student ID needed). Besides shopping, the store offers plenty of seating to study, or to chill with friends. Addicted to coffee? Hit up the café.
Of course, plastic’s accepted if you’re short on physical cash.
[1] I’m all for security at universities!