Tucked away at 660 E Grove St in Reno, Nevada, Grassroots Books is the kind of place that makes book lovers stop in their tracks and forget what time it is. With thousands of used and new books spread across a massive, well-organized space, this store has earned a loyal following and a stellar 4.5-star rating.
Whether you are hunting for a childhood classic, a homeschool curriculum, or just a great read for under three dollars, Grassroots Books delivers every single time. Once you walk through the doors, you will quickly understand why shoppers say it takes nearly all day to explore everything inside.
A Store So Big, You Will Need a Game Plan
Walking into Grassroots Books for the first time feels a little like stepping into a city made entirely of stories. The sheer size of the place is genuinely surprising, and many first-time visitors admit they had no idea what they were walking into.
Shelves stretch in every direction, organized by genre, age group, and topic, making it easy to lose yourself for hours. The store carries both new and used books, so there is truly something for every kind of reader.
Smart shoppers arrive with a loose plan — maybe start with fiction, swing through the kids section, then work your way to the outdoor sale area. Coming without a strategy means you might miss entire sections.
With a 4.5-star rating from hundreds of happy customers, it is clear this bookstore has mastered the art of making people stay longer than they planned.
Unbeatable Prices That Make Your Wallet Very Happy
One of the first things shoppers notice at Grassroots Books is how incredibly affordable everything is. Used paperbacks regularly go for just $2.99, and hardcovers can be found for as little as $4.99 — prices that are hard to beat anywhere else in the region.
One reviewer shared that they walked out with nine books for under $30, which works out to roughly $3 a book. Another family replaced their entire home library for just $103, filling bags with quality titles in excellent condition.
For readers who go through books quickly, these prices mean you can explore new genres without the guilt of spending too much. Budget-conscious shoppers, homeschool families, and casual readers all benefit from the store’s commitment to keeping books accessible.
At Grassroots, building a solid personal library does not require a big bank account — just a willingness to browse.
The Legendary Sunday Bag Sale Is a Total Game-Changer
If there is one event that Grassroots Books fans talk about more than anything else, it is the Sunday bag sale. For just five dollars, shoppers get a generously sized bag and can fill it with as many books as it will hold from the outdoor selection.
That kind of deal is almost unheard of in the book world. Reviewers describe leaving with multiple bags stuffed full of fun reads, cookbooks, children’s books, and more.
One shopper called it “outrageous” in the best possible way.
The outdoor sale runs weather permitting, so checking conditions before heading out is a smart move. Arriving early gives you the best pick of titles before the crowd thins the selection.
Whether you are stocking a classroom, building a home library, or just love a great bargain, the Sunday bag sale alone is worth the trip to East Grove Street.
Kids and Families Will Absolutely Love This Place
Parents, teachers, and homeschool families consistently rave about the children’s section at Grassroots Books. It is not just a small corner with a few board books — this is a full, sprawling section packed with picture books, chapter books, young adult titles, and educational materials.
One reviewer, clearly moved by the selection, said the kids section would make every grade school teacher cry with joy. Another family replaced each of their children’s entire book collections in a single visit for just over a hundred dollars total.
The staff is known for being especially warm and kind toward younger visitors, making the whole experience feel welcoming rather than stressful. For parents trying to raise readers on a tight budget, this store is a genuine lifesaver.
Kids are encouraged to explore, and with prices this low, saying yes to one more book is actually pretty easy.
Homeschool Families Have Found Their Happy Place
Ask any homeschool parent in the Reno area where they shop, and there is a good chance Grassroots Books comes up immediately. The store carries an impressive range of homeschool supplies, workbooks, and educational titles that can be tough to find elsewhere at reasonable prices.
Reviewers have called it “a true godsend for homeschoolers,” and it is easy to see why. From science readers to history texts to language arts workbooks, the educational section covers a wide range of subjects and grade levels.
Buying curriculum materials new can get expensive very quickly, so finding quality used educational books at a fraction of the retail price is a real advantage for families who teach at home. The store also regularly refreshes its inventory, meaning new materials cycle through frequently.
Homeschool families who visit once almost always come back — often many times throughout the school year.
The Outdoor Dollar Book Section Is Pure Treasure Hunting
Located just to the right of the building, the outdoor dollar book section at Grassroots Books feels like a treasure hunt every single time. For just one dollar per book, shoppers can dig through a rotating selection of fiction, nonfiction, classics, and more.
The inventory changes regularly, which means even frequent visitors can find something new on every trip. One reviewer discovered several books they had never heard of before, which turned into some of their favorite reads.
Another shopper grabbed several titles from the outdoor section as part of a nine-book haul that cost less than thirty dollars total.
Rain or shine, the outdoor section draws a crowd of dedicated bargain hunters. For travelers passing through Reno, it is a quick stop that can yield surprisingly good finds.
And since the post office is just up the street, you can even mail your purchases home at low book-rate postage.
Free Tea and a Free Book Coupon for First-Time Visitors
Not many bookstores greet you with free tea and a book coupon, but Grassroots Books does exactly that. First-time visitors receive a coupon for a free book, which is a wonderfully generous way to welcome new customers and encourage them to explore the whole store.
Free tea is available throughout the day, adding a cozy, relaxed atmosphere that makes browsing feel less like shopping and more like hanging out in a friend’s living room. It is the kind of small touch that turns a casual visit into a genuinely enjoyable experience.
These little perks reflect the store’s overall philosophy — books should be accessible, welcoming, and fun for everyone. Whether you are a lifelong reader or someone just getting back into the habit, walking into Grassroots Books feels warm and unhurried.
The free tea alone is a good reason to slow down and stay a little longer than you planned.
Spanish-Language Books Are Well Represented Here
Finding a solid selection of Spanish-language books in a used bookstore is rarer than you might think, but Grassroots Books makes it a clear priority. Reviewers have specifically called out the Spanish section as impressive, noting a wide variety of titles across age groups and genres.
For bilingual families, Spanish-speaking readers, and educators who work with English language learners, this is a genuinely valuable resource. Being able to find affordable Spanish books in one convenient location saves a lot of time and money compared to ordering online.
The children’s section also includes Spanish titles, making it easier for parents to raise bilingual readers from an early age. Grassroots Books reflects the real diversity of the Reno community, and stocking Spanish-language materials is one clear sign of that commitment.
It is the kind of thoughtful curation that makes this store feel like it actually knows and cares about its customers.
You Can Sell Your Old Books Here Too
Grassroots Books is not just a place to buy — it is also a place to sell. The store buys used books Monday through Thursday between 9 and 11 in the morning, giving readers a convenient way to clear shelf space and put a little money back in their pocket.
Payouts are modest, which is pretty standard for used bookstores. Paperbacks typically sell in the store for $2.99, so the buying price reflects that.
New release hardcovers from the last sixty days can fetch around $7, which is a solid return for books you no longer need.
If the store cannot buy your books, you can donate them for the monthly warehouse sales instead of hauling them back home. It is a full-circle system that keeps books in circulation and out of landfills.
For anyone with a stack of books collecting dust, the selling program is a practical and easy option to explore.
Fantasy and Manga Fans Will Find Plenty to Love
Genre fans often worry that used bookstores will let them down with a thin, outdated selection — but that is definitely not the case at Grassroots Books. The fantasy and manga sections have both received enthusiastic shout-outs from reviewers who were pleasantly surprised by how deep the inventory runs.
One shopper specifically praised the “amazing collection” of fantasy and manga titles, noting that used books were generously priced and that even new books were sometimes available at nearly half price. The store also continues to expand these sections, according to the owner’s responses to reviews.
For teens and adults who burn through series quickly, finding affordable copies of beloved titles makes a huge difference. Whether you are catching up on a manga series or hunting for a fantasy classic you missed, the selection at Grassroots Books makes the search genuinely exciting rather than frustrating.
The Staff Makes Every Visit Feel Welcoming
A great bookstore needs great people behind the counter, and by nearly every account, Grassroots Books delivers on that front. Reviewers repeatedly describe the staff as friendly, patient, and genuinely helpful — the kind of people who make you feel comfortable asking for recommendations or help finding a specific title.
Checkout lines move quickly even when the store is busy, which is a small but meaningful detail that regular shoppers appreciate. One visitor mentioned being third in line and still getting through checkout in no time at all.
That kind of efficiency, paired with a warm attitude, keeps customers coming back.
The owner also actively responds to reviews online, showing a real investment in the customer experience. When things go wrong, there is a genuine effort to make them right.
That level of care and accountability is refreshing and speaks to why so many people consider Grassroots Books their favorite spot in Reno.
A Constantly Rotating Inventory Keeps Things Fresh
One of the things that keeps shoppers coming back to Grassroots Books week after week is the fact that the inventory never stays the same for long. New books cycle through constantly as people donate and sell, meaning even the most frequent visitors can always find something they have not seen before.
The owner has noted in review responses that most sections feature a huge number of different titles every single week. That kind of turnover is exciting for serious readers who have already picked over a store’s usual stock and are hungry for fresh finds.
Travelers passing through Reno have even made it a point to stop at Grassroots Books on every visit, knowing the selection will be different each time. For locals, it practically functions as a subscription service — show up regularly, and the store will keep surprising you with titles you never expected to stumble across.
Location, Hours, and Everything You Need to Plan Your Visit
Planning a trip to Grassroots Books is simple, and the store’s hours make it easy to fit into almost any schedule. Located at 660 E Grove St in Reno, Nevada, the shop is open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 7:30 PM, and on Sundays from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Parking is plentiful right in front of the store, so you never have to stress about finding a spot before your big browse session. The phone number is 775-828-2665, and the website at grassrootsbooks.com has additional information if you want to check in before heading over.
One handy tip from a seasoned visitor: the post office is just up the street, so if you are traveling and pick up more books than you can carry, you can mail them home at an affordable book-rate postage. With a rating of 4.5 stars and hundreds of happy reviews, Grassroots Books is absolutely worth the detour.