Of the ten New York Times bestselling books we used to compare the selections of online bookstores, Barnes & Noble carried each title in print and ebook versions, and all but one in audio. Barnes & Noble also ranked right behind Amazon for lowest prices, making it our second-place contender in this category. In addition to new and collectible print books, Barnes & Noble also offers magazines, music, movies, tv shows and an affiliated used-book marketplace on its site, as well as large libraries of ebooks and audio books. It also offers students the option to buy new or used textbooks and sell back old textbooks. Barnes & Noble's site is well-organized and easy-to-use. There are features for basic and advanced searches, browsing by category and saving a wishlist. Barnes & Noble also features a distinct benefit of having 658 brick-and-mortar stores nationwide: you can locate and reserve a book at a store near you, then simply go pick it up instead of waiting for it to arrive in the mail. For the reader who likes to research before buying, Barnes & Noble offers ample editorial and user reviews of its titles, as well as a section of tabs called More About This Book. This section includes information such as the suggested reader's age, related categories to browse, a profile of the author, interviews with the author, excerpts of the book and more. The information Barnes & Noble includes about each title and author is much more thorough than what we found on any other online bookstore we reviewed. For the avid ebook reader, Barnes & Noble manufactures a line of NOOK devices and over one million ebook titles, including a massive section of under-$5 titles as well as Book Bundles, which are series of books that can be purchased as packages in order to save money. Barnes & Noble also offers an inexpensive membership program with lots of perks. For a $25 annual fee, Barnes & Noble Members receive 40% off hardcover bestsellers, 10% off other items, free express shipping with no minimum purchase required and member-exclusive coupons. In terms of the cost-to-benefit ratio, this is the best membership package we saw during our review process. Barnes & Noble supports charitable causes by sponsoring and donating to a variety of literary, arts and educational organizations at the local and national levels. Barnes & Noble's 2013 Holiday Book Drive succeeded in collecting over 1.5 million books that were distributed to children in need through local charities across America. Its Summer Reading Program "fosters literacy and puts more than one million books in the hands of children each year." Barnes & Noble also participates in local book fairs, supplies local libraries with books and invites children to visit its store locations for free storytimes and activities.

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The Bad

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Issues with advanced search

As with the Kindle, the NOOK is primarily intended to support NOOK books. If you'd like to read a file format other than a PDB, PRC or ePub on your NOOK, you'll need to either convert the file or download another app to read it on. This can be a hassle for readers who have acquired an extensive ebook collection from other sources. While Barnes & Noble's basic search function worked pretty well, sometimes it's necessary to conduct a more advanced search - but you'll have a hard time finding where to click to do so. We found the Advanced Search option at the very bottom of the site under the internal footer links. This is a minor gripe but it could cause some serious frustration if you're in a hurry and find yourself having to ironically search for the Advanced Search.

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The Bottom Line

Barnes & Noble provides a large selection of reading materials and decision-making tools to the reader, has a rich history in the bookselling industry and has managed to stay afloat despite Amazon's ability to take a sizable bite out of the bookselling marketplace. In addition, Barnes & Noble may have an advantage in being the only bookstore powerhouse that is also able to provide personal, face-to-face interactions and the convenience of being able to run over to the local shop; it can engage both online and offline consumers, which is something Amazon can't do. Ebook sales still make up only 30% of the book-buying market, and the print book could make a comeback, indeed: Barnes & Nobles' 2013 profits were its highest in four years. So feel free to head over to Barnes & Noble, whether online or just up the street.

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User Reviews

Star Rating

4.7

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47 Reviews

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Kaylee Gay Columbia, MO

I love how easy Barnes and Noble makes it to purchase books online and to go pick them up from the store. Shopping online makes it so much easier to pick specific categories or authors that you want instead of traveling through the store. I always buy my favorite books from Barnes and Noble because they are affordable and reliable. I love to buy book series and I always ask for gift cards for my Christmas present every year.

4 years ago

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Brittney Mac Gregor Louisville, KY

I enjoy going to Barnes & Noble so much that I drive 30 minutes just to get to the nearest one. Bookstores are a dying business, at least in my city, so I am glad I still have this one to go to. They generally have a good clearance section where you can pick up some good deals on books. They also sell other accessories and novelty items.

5 years ago

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Desiree Pleasant Grove, UT

Barnes and Noble is my FAVORITE bookstore. They have so many books, stationery items, and journals! Their staff are so sweet and kind and super helpful. This bookstore is my comfort zone and a place to unwind. Love this store so much.

5 years ago

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Gavin Barkum Madison, MS

Absolutely Fantastic Store! I visit by here all the time for another manga book and coffee. The service in the coffee section is flawless. As for the books there, they have a great variety of genres. Would recommend to bookworms and people who want legos and other things they have to offer there. 👍

6 years ago

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Eddie Rios Ogden, UT

Barnes & Noble always offers an elevated book buying experience online. I prefer their selection and at good prices. Never once have I been disappointed in the quality or timeliness of the books purchased. I hope Barnes & Noble sticks around for a long time to come as it has become a favorite online seller!

6 years ago

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Nishita McLean, VA

Bought tons and tons of educational, and fun interactive books for my niece in India. Found exactly what I was looking for, spent a good $100 but I know these books will last for generations... that's how good the content and the quality is. Very Happy with my purchase.

7 years ago

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Patrick Orem, UT

My grandma and I love Barnes and Noble. It is great place to buy books. There is nothing spectacular or bad about it but the store has everything you need. It is always clean in there and you can also get some coffee inside the store. I really like that.

8 years ago

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Pete Centerville, UT

Barnes & Noble is one of my favorite places to get books. I also really enjoy using Nook. It makes it really easy for me to get the books i want and to always have them ready to read on my phone. I've been able to read a lot of books because of it and I really enjoy it.

8 years ago

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Shari Evers Lehi, UT

I love that bookstores are still around. There’s just something special about holding a book! I shop Barnes and Noble all the time. The store is huge and the employees are always willing to help me find my way around!

8 years ago

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Natasha Salt Lake City, UT

I absolutely love books! This is one of my favorite places to get them. I could spend hours searching for new great reads. They have great customer service and always have the newest books.

8 years ago

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Derrick Martinez South Jordan, UT

I love Barnes and Noble. If you need a book. They got it. Need a snack. They got it. Service is great . They need to do some major advertisement tho to get themselves out there.

8 years ago

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H Moore Lehi, UT

Barnes & Noble has plenty of books on sale, and it seems that every time someone gives me a gift card, it's for this store. The website is user friendly, and the books arrive in excellent condition.

8 years ago

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Anoushka Ahuja Orlando, FL

Barnes & Noble’s website is very easy to navigate and there are a lot of great selections I was quickly able to get the SAT prep workbook.

4 years ago

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Elisabeth Kinghorn Bangkok, 10

I love to shop at Barnes & Noble for books. They always have the best quality books. I love finding special edition books here!

5 years ago

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Heather Milke Olney, MD

I know that Barnes & Noble will have what I need when I am searching for a book. I also like to buy B&N gift cards for college students as gifts.

5 years ago

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Sicely Lyn Russell Show Low, AZ

Barnes and Nobles has so many books options! They have classics and new types of books! I lohe browsing through the book selection!

5 years ago

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Nichola Churchwell Tallahassee, FL

Have good value for books, definitely beats Amazon with prices, I brought a book from them. It was reasonably priced because it included shipping.

6 years ago

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Anita pea Dallas, TX

Barnes & noble was a great choice to find my books. The websites were easy and the prices were perfect. I found all the mangas I ever wanted

6 years ago

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Annie Chow Tallahassee, FL

Love this bookstore. Super dependable but their variety could use updating, in reference to having newer books that aren't mainstream.

6 years ago

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Kaitlyn Rios Ogden, UT

Barnes & Noble is a fantastic book store through and through. They have a wide variety. With an easy to use website. They are the best!

6 years ago

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Hunter Nobles Olivehurst, CA

I love the selection provided by Barnes & Noble. I get excited every time I get a gift card! I just can’t wait to get new books!

6 years ago

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A Craw Draper, UT

I really the nook I just purchased from Barnes and Noble. So helpful to read books I love at the pool! Employees were very helpful.

8 years ago

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Abigail Land Tallahassee, FL

Has not only great books, but paper items, magazines, puzzles, and board games as well. Shipping is fast.

4 years ago

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Natalia Correa MDTribe Tallahassee, FL

Barnes and Nobles never fails me. They have every kind of book possible. They also have amazing customer service.

6 years ago

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JD Dunklee Hattiesburg, MS

I love using Barnes & noble online. It’s always a good way to get my textbooks for college at a better price!

6 years ago

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Collin bowman Ellisville, MS

The books they have are very interesting and the coffee shop is brilliant because the are always listening

6 years ago

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Greybl ,

Super fast support and great discount. Always there to help me find the right book!

6 years ago

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Jeff Martin Layton, UT

Buy a lot of my books at Barnes & Noble. They make your online and in-store experience good. Would recommend

8 years ago

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Suzanna Wootton Springville, UT

I love the selection of books at barnes and noble. Its such a great bookstore!

8 years ago

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K Robison Layton, UT

Awesome book store. Buy a lot of my books here. I enjoy the store environment too

8 years ago

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Brette Draper, UT

Great place with a great atmosphere! I always have help finding what I’m looking for!

8 years ago

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Grossarth Family Herriman, UT

Great source of hard to find books and other products.

4 years ago

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Spencer Goodworth Pleasant Grove, UT

My favorite place to go book shopping. Could spend hours in there.

8 years ago

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Julia Scoville Pleasant Grove, UT

Good selection of books. High quality. Order came on time.

8 years ago