Audreys Books

I think the selection is awesome. The layout is great. I liked the staff and especially their «staff picks» shelf. You can tell they have a great sense of humour.
I went to Laini Gile’s book signing today.
Stores that support the local talent are fabulous.

Audrey’s Books is perhaps my favourite local new bookseller in Edmonton. They have a great selection of books and are walking distance from many other destinations downtown and from where I live they are easily accessible. The store is close to LRT, buses, and has a decent online storefront as well.
I really like their children’s book and toy section downstairs and the recommended books from their staff members are pretty great too! That said there are some books that are difficult to find or which they don’t get in stock acceptably quickly after release which saddens me because I really would like to shop local rather than online on some occasions.
I probably only shop here once or twice a year mostly because it is super tempting to buy books when I come in here and I would rather not multiply my collection more quickly than I read them. That said, they do run great author/​poet events and I highly recommend attending some of these!

I have been into Audrey’s on many occasions and always find lots to be impressed with. I think they do a great job of displaying the works of Canadian authors who might not get that much attention from the huge chain bookstores. I also applaud them for putting their gay and lesbian literature in an easy to find place and not stuffing it into a small corner like they do at Chapters and Indigo. Finally I also have to note that despite the fact they are a small independent operation their prices are right on par with the those bigger stores that I just mentioned.
Despite all of this however I think with the exception of a box of discounted greeting cards post Christmas I have never actually purchased anything else despite my many visits. Part of this had to do with the fact I primarily read mysteries which I find their collection to be a bit lacking in for my tastes but another larger reason has been a total lack of customer service. I have read all the other reviews for Audrey’s which have left me puzzled as to why my experiences have been so different. I do notice that everytime I am in the staff seem to be enthusiastically chatting with other customers which leads me to believe they take good care of their regulars and could easily answer any question you approach them with. In 5+ visits however I have never received more then a hello on one of those occasions so it’s likely that Audreys will just continue to remain a store to pop into when im downtown needing to kill free time.

Most interesting biography/​autobiography section in the city!

I haven’t been in this store for a couple years but I’ve always liked it. One could say they have the best prices in the city because they would sell books at the US sticker price, not the Canadian one. Not sure if they still do that but with the dollar doing so crumby now it would be cool. Great location and good service too. Always helpful… just ask!

Great local place to buy books. The environment is fantastic. It is nice to be in a quiet and well laid out bookstore.
The best part is the service. The staff are always willing to offer suggestions.

I love love love the IDEA of Audrey’s… however the few times I’ve been here I almost always leave with out buying anything. I just find their selection kinda… meh.
The last time I was here –admittedly right after Christmas– the selection was honestly pathetic. That said, the staff seem friendly and the store is very clean. Their prices I think compete favorably with the likes of the box stores. I’m not sure what their strong categories are but sports and current science don’t seem to be it.

Nice local bookstore, great selection and staff. Way better service than chapters.

Very warm and welcoming atmosphere here! The prices on books here are fair and they even carry extra goodies like greeting cards!
The layout of the store makes things easy to find. Unfortunately they didn’t carry anything pertaining to my interests this time around (Japanese language, literature, associated materials). When my friend and I dropped by sometime last year, they did carry some books by Haruki Murakami.
They do seem to be getting new stuff in all the time though, so it’s worth checking back.

Beautiful bookstore in downtown. Lots of selection, and staff members are very helpful. Staff is happy to spend lots of time with you if you need to make many, many special orders. Just love the atmosphere there.

If your in the market to finding a new book, but cant seem to find it anywhere? Well head over to Audreys Books, if they don’t have it they will happily order it for you. Which is exactly what I had to do. I thought I was doomed looking everywhere, here at Audreys, I ordered it and they’ll call me when its in, No more worries. They even have weekly specials and on occasion they will have certain authors come in for book signings. They have a great selection, which means tons of books. Here, Its a Book Lovers Dream come true.

Exceptional service! I was recently in a bind, needing to purchase a bulk order for a big corporate meeting, and on a very short timeframe. I explained my predicament to Kelly, who was so sweet and helpful. She showed me all the titles in the subject area I was considering, and together we narrowed it down to one book. You can tell she really knows her stuff.
She informed me the publishers were local and called them, confirming they would be able to deliver the bulk shipment on time. Not only were they able to get them in on time, they could get it in a day early! Payment wasn’t a fuss, and she was able to give me a 10% discount because of the bulk order.
The staff I spoke with on the phone when calling in the day after were also very pleasant and courteous. I love that Audrey’s cares about its customers and really goes the extra mile to make sure people are happy. Plus, they’re a local independent book shop, which you’ve gotta love!
Big thanks to all the staff at Audrey’s, you were all a huge help!

The best of the best! They are so friendly and so helpful! This is the best book store in Edmonton.
They are so helpful when you want to order a book. I have had only great experiences buying books here.
Support a local bookstore, a local business and a great group of people. When you need a book buy it at Auderys books!

I read a lot, and likely should hit the library instead of buying so often… but there is nothing like a random walk through a bookstore to see what you might find and coming home with an armful. Chapters is ok, but Audrey’s is my preference. I love their columns of featured and recommended books and always pick up a couple from there. If I go on a search, they will always either have it or order it for me. When our dollar is high, they give US pricing. Staff are helpful and unobtrusive. There are frequent readings from local authors, if you want to bask in the presence of Edmonton’s literati.
No in-​house coffee shop or multiple copies of the latest vampire novel, just the best atmosphere to indulge your inner escapist.

I love Audreys Books. Why go to Chapters when there’s Audreys?! The store is a very spacious two-​floored store (basement being the second) with a huge selection of books. It’s, by no means, small or limited.
They have discounts on all Globe & Mail bestsellers, which is kinda cool and have a nice selection of cute gifts etc. that usually adorn a part of every bookstore. The best part of the bookstore is the Children’s section which is really like a playroom with all sorts of kiddy things, like colorful blocks to sit on, interesting stuff toys etc. A great place for parents to come with their kids to find the perfect book!
Nice store, well located on Jasper, near Corona Station (I think :-P).

Not only is the store located in the heart of Jasper Avenue, it’s selection is incomparable and the moment you step in those doors — «Toto, I don’t think we are in Kansas anymore.»
This big-​city book store has a small-​town feel and plenty of good food surrounding it to boot. Accessing various book genres is easy and the staff have endless suggestions with no time limit on assistance.
Two years back, I found one of only a select complete works of George Orwell hard-​copies in this store — it’s a very difficult book to find.
Not only do they sell diverse books, anyone can stroll on down there and pick up a copy of the New York Times Newspaper.
Looking for an afternoon to fill? Head down to Audrey’s, pick out a few good reads and take yourself out for near-​by lunch. The Druid is located on 116^st and Jasper, and sushi restaurants like Mikado are around the corner.
Take my word for it – the store is awesome and for book worms, an afternoon to yourself with new books in tow on Jasper Avenue is always a good time.
Two thumbs up.

The difference between an good independent bookstore like Audreys and the bookmart which is Chapters is that you can get books that are about something here.
Listen, if your idea of high literature is Harry Potter or you spend time worrying about Team Jacob, then you’re admittedly better off buying at Chapters. They’ll have thousands of copies and probably some event involved.
However, if you love books, books about ideas, emotions, humanity and sheer knowledge? Then, an independent like Audrey’s is the place to go. It really is a treat to buy a book from people who read, and to discover some «wouldn’t even be stocked at Chapters» treasure and it being in stock at Audrey’s.
There is a lot of pressure on independents with Chapters and eBooks; these people are in this business because they love it. There are only three really great independents left in the city and maybe a half dozen of the really great used bookstores. Seek them out and find something special.

I had to check out Audreys Books because everyone keeps telling me how great it is.
I have to say, I did really like it! It’s a great place to go if you are sick of the corporate monopoly that is Chapters.
The staff here are so knowledgeable and they are so helpful. It’s obvious that the people who work here are passionate about books and they are passionate about other people who love books.
They have a great selection of books but the best part of the this place is the atmosphere. It’s really relaxed and it’s all about the books. It’s great!

Audreys doesn’t feel like a bookstore that is solely constructed around marketing. It feels like a bookstore that is constructed around a genuine passion for books.
Unlike Chapters, Audreys has books on display that aren’t just money-​making best sellers, but books that are eternally interesting or that are by talented Canadian writers that would otherwise be overlooked.
It’s easy to browse this store and not get bored. There are several tables with lots of interesting finds, like Andy Warhol Portraits.
I also like that Audreys has its books catogorized into more specific sections than Chapters. Some that caught my eye were Globalization and Lesbian Literature. I fell in love with the Feminisms section – there were so many books I wanted to buy.
Downstairs, there’s lots of great finds in the discounted Lemon section, and there’s an amazing children’s section as well. Readings and presentations are also held down here. I’ve attended a few readings, and it’s a nice intimate atmosphere.
I think that Audreys really does its best to compete with such scary competitors. And sometimes it’s just worth spending a little more to support such a great local store.

Audrey’s Books is on Jasper Avenue in downtown Edmonton. I make it a point to stop at this very nice and comfortable independent bookstore when I’m in town. I usually come here after going to the nearby Alberta Crafts Council gallery and sometimes just before going to Earl’s on Jasper Avenue for lunch or dinner. Beth Shalom is also a pleasant walk down the street.
Audrey’s has a great selection of hard– and soft-​cover books and a nice Children’s section and book-​ordering service downstairs. I have found the staff to be very knowledgable and engaged about their books and author readings.