Last Exit Books

I have mixed feelings about Last Exit Books. There are things I love about it, and things I find a bit frustrating.
What I love:
–I love that they have a coffee bar now, which is very fitting. Get a nice cup of coffee and get lost in the maze of books.
–The owner is super friendly and very helpful. Just an absolute great guy.
–Fair offers on trade-​ins.
–HUGE selection of books, movies, and vinyl records. It’s amazing that they fit so much stuff into one place.
–Very good prices on all items.
–I purchased many of my Calvin and Hobbes books here, which are dear to me.
What frustrates me:
–Most of the time, I walk out disappointed that I couldn’t find what I was looking for. I typically walk into bookstores with a long list of books I’m looking for, and I often walk out of Last Exit Books without finding anything on my list. Often is the case that I don’t see any books by the authors I’m looking for, whose work I know I would easily find at most other bookstores. I know what you’re thinking… as a used bookstore, they can only sell what they get. But that doesn’t change the fact that I’ve walked out disappointed and empty-​handed more often than not.
–I’ve had similar experiences with their vinyl record collections.
Overall:
Downtown Kent absolutely needs a place like Last Exit Books. It’s a unique store with a great atmosphere, and it’s easy to get lost in everything they have to offer. Unfortunately, by only selling used books, the inventory is a product of what others are willing to get rid of… and it seems to me that this results in serious gaps in what Last Exit Books has to offer.

Check the vinyls they have !!! Awesome! You can spend a good afternoon time in the store! Even just by urself!;)

Last exit books is located in the newly renovated and incredibly fun Acorn Alley section of Kent. This entire area as a whole is wonderful. Last Exit is a great little used book store with books from every genre as well as music including vinyl. I generally look for Christian and Theology books and this place is simply the best second hand book store that I have ever found for religious books. There aren’t shelves filled will old Joel Osteen books and endless copies of the Left Behind Series. The several book cases dedicated to religious studies are filled with classic commentaries, solid authors, and some great scholarship.
Last Exit recently open a coffee shop as well that serves Bent Tree Coffee which is roasted locally in Kent. Go check it out!

This is the type of book shop where I could easily spend hours poking about & exploring new literally outlets. In fact, I really miss seeing old book stores like this & will gladly shop here over high priced, crowded and cooperate run stores such as Barnes&Nobel, etc… I find that type of environment suffocating to the creative mind instead of inspiring.
This cute little shop might not have the latest Oprah book or junk autobiographies on the hottest celerity but that’s exactly why I like it! It’s organized, unique and a great way to support your local businesses. They have a huge selection of books that only cost a dollar!!! And I’ve never walked out of their empty handed– a must see attraction to the curious mind :)

There are days I wish the internet did not exist. Even if that means that I could no longer infiltrate the collective consciousness of the community via Unilocal.People buy books online using Amazon and eBay. There are some who even prefer to read them on electronic devices. They cease to be books when transmitted to electronic data. Online shopping is good for finding a rare book. I feel guilty to do so when so many book stores are going out of business.
I came to Last Exit Books in Kent looking for Henry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer. They did not have it. What they did have was a very knowledgeable store owner who has read many of the books in his store. It is nice to have human interaction. Somebody can vocally recommend similar books instead of clicking links to something you may also enjoy. There is a nice 50 cent rack of books with some great titles. Last Exit Books is a must stop shop in Kent. It is worth the drive down from Cleveland and superior to Half Price Books. The owner is an interesting and enjoyable person to speak with. He also has good taste in music. Billy Bragg and Wilco played while I shopped.

The best place for books, not only in Kent but in the surrounding area. The owner is knowledgable and friendly, and the staff is just as nice. I remember when the place was small, and it’s great to see how much it has expanded over the years; nice to see a local place succeed.

Another little gem in the city of Kent. The store is filled with mostly used books but they also have some new ones come in here and there. I’m a vinyl junky and Last Exit has a variety of records at good prices. From Jazz, Rock, Pop. Also there is new stock that comes in. I got the Jack White lp I couldn’t find anywhere for awhile. Jason the owner is a pleasure to know. Worth a visit you’ll usually find something

Great little hole in the wall bookstore. Offer both new and used merchandise.
The girl working on both days I have gone in was so very nice and helpful. I’ve been looking for a particular book and she had no idea what i was talking about, but used her own handheld device to look it up. Also discussed with me some of the books I was purchasing.
I love bookstores like this. My experiences at this particular bookstore has been keeping me coming back!

favorite store in Kent.
great selection of used LPs and both used and new books at incredibly reasonable prices. knowledgeable and kind proprietor. after expansion, the store looks amazing, more room for gatherings and so much great materials to choose from.
if you are looking for a book to read, go here first!

Last Exit is great. Jason, the proprietor, is incredibly book-​savvy. He has a great collection of stuff, and the books are always in sparkling condition. I think the poetry selection is especially strong – hands-​down, it beats out any other bookseller in the area.
I recently moved out of town, and this bookstore is deeply missed. Stop by and check it out! It won’t disappoint.

I love used book stores! And I love that Kent has one! This place is much bigger than you’d think, and they have a pretty big selection, too. Have nothing to do one afternoon? Go browse the shelves here for a couple of hours. Chances are, you’ll find some good gems. As with any used bookstore, you do need time and patience to navigate the shelves, but it’s well worth it.
They also have a selection of movies and music, if you’re so inclined.
The staff are very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable, so they can probably tell you if they have what you’re looking for. But my advice? Don’t go in looking for something specific. Just browse around until something catches your eye!

Last Exit Books has exactly what every local book store should: a friendly, super knowledgeable owner. He knows what book you’re talking about even if he doesn’t have it. The book selection isn’t bad either. He had what I was looking for for $ 5 (retails at $ 17), so I was happy. The books are in good condition too.
They just renovated/​expanded, and the digs are quite spacious (used to be cramped, I hear). It is a pleasant interior with some nice artwork and decent seating. The storefront is very unassuming, and not much to look at. In fact, it would be easy to miss. The store also carries records, but they currently aren’t all out because of the shifting due to the expansion.
There are also small musical acts that perform at the store occasionally. The owner appreciates Jazz, so understandably that is what tends be playing. So far this is the first place I have found in Kent that features live Jazz (other than performances at KSU).

New location they definitely deserved. But I kinda miss the crammed bookstore charm, and the records.
Nontheless its currently my favorite bookstore. Its oriented towards BOOK books more than anything. Not cookbooks, reference books, etc. etc.
You get the sense that its very much tailored for a kinda specific person, but… thats probably you.

This is a great little unassuming used bookstore. For some reason my first impression was that they bought and sold textbooks, so I must have walked by several times before I realized that they sold other books too (plus DVDs and VHS, as I learned). I had my 2-​year-​old with me, so we focused on the kids books. Their selection was small but good, and very reasonably priced. Whoever runs the place must be a genius because they placed the self-​help books just above the children’s shelves… While my toddler was deciding which book she wanted, I was able to grab a couple of titles on managing the terrible 2s. We both walked out feeling good. Great little shop, I’ll definitely be back. Only warning: definitely not stroller friendly. Aisles are very narrow and crowded. Even the employee knocked a pile of things over when he went to ring me up. Wouldn’t prevent me from going back, just be prepared!

This is a nice little bookstore in downtown Kent. Inside a nice variety of everything is nicely organized and fairly priced. If you want to boost your collection or just get a new book check this place out.