Rick’s Recycled Books

This store is the best. I wanted to grab a few reads for a long plane ride. When I went in the didn’t have the titles I was looking for but I left my number and the lady called me back when they got a copy. I ended up spending five bucks on two books, which was way cheaper than amazon, but the service is what makes them great.

I LOVVVEE this place. What an amazing hole in the wall Rochester treasure. You’ll be able to find books here you can’t really find anywhere else. I’ve been looking for copies of specific Stephen King books for my Dad for AGES and was finally able to snag them here for under $ 6. Fantastic.
I love that when you walk in it smells like old books and happiness; I feel like I’m in a Harry Potter movie when I’m in there.
It’s pretty hot, though, because they have no AC and it’s a cramped little space, so be aware of that. It’s literally just books on top of books on top of more books, and some books on the floor where they ran out of room. I love it. The guy I always see there is super friendly and willing to help with anything at all, so don’t be afraid to ask if you can’t find your way around.
Great prices, great selection, and a great find! If you’re looking for some books, go here before going anywhere else — chances are you’ll find in it good condition and for way cheap!

This place is amazing, I came here looking for some philosophical texts and also some specific books. I asked the owner about the books and he went and found them for me within minutes. Then he showed me the philosophy section and I dove in. I went with the intention of buying one book and left with four. The total came up to be 12 dollars. Needless to say but I will definitely be making trips back here soon.

If you love books, Rick’s is a kind of run-​down paradise.
The place is packed with used books, all incredibly cheap. At most used book stores, paperbacks run $ 6 – 8, but here they’re just $ 3 – 4. Even better, the owner will buy back any book he sells you for 25% of the price – so everything in the store is potentially ¼ off.
The fiction section is especially strong, with a wide range of the classics and recent literary fiction.
The only downsides are that it’s semi-​gross inside, and that the place is not highly organized. I’m happy to overlook these flaws for the sake of the amazingly cheap prices and great selection.

I can’t find any rhyme or reason to how this place is organized. There are just books everywhere! Sometimes you can find a pattern, but not always. Though the store keeper always knows exactly where things are, so if you are looking for a specific book you are sure to find it. If you are just browsing however this will take some work. But I like that! I like having to spend a long time surrounded by books. They have a great selection of new literature and classics!
I would highly reccommend checking it out. It’s a good experience!

When I am out and about near Monroe Ave I go into Ricks’s and have a look around. The store is pretty cluttered but he has a method to the madness. It is kinda-​sorta alphabetized. Lots of modern bestsellers can be found there but I go for the classics.
If you are taking a literature class in college in Rochester don’t buy the books from your university bookstore or off of amazon until you have stopped into Rick’s because you will probably find it here and it would be way cheaper than paying for shipping (and waiting).
Books are normally under 4 bucks. I leave with one about 75 percent of the time. When they are used I am more prone to marking them up and not feel bad about writing notes in the margins of a spanking new book.
Rick’s also sells DVDs, TV series and I have seen people discreetly go to the back to buy adult vids.

I was directed to this store to search for a physical copy of the out-​of-​print novel, Fast Times at Ridgemont High by the owner of Utter Clutter. She warned me to expect seeing books go from the floor to the ceiling. Boy, was she not kidding…
There were literally hundreds of books, some of them spilling onto the floor in stacks in front of the respective shelves. Each row is organized by subject then each shelf is arranged by author’s last name.
While I did not find the book I wanted, the store was quite an experience to visit and see at least once. The store mostly carries contemporary and classic titles under one roof.
If you’re in the area, visit it at least once.