Pretty Good Books — Local services in Ashtabula

Found they were open while I visited from out of town on their Facebook page. As they are usually by appointment only as advertised (it was a town celebration), I popped in to see if I could find a few books. Lots of disorganization and I was there for about 2 hours. It was hard to find anything because it wasn't organized and there's a whole other side of the building/business un-pictured. Some parts weren't even accessible because books were shoved in every area along the floor (in both main room and doubly so on the other side), poor lighting, one of the other patrons said they bought out 2 other book stores? Apparently they tried shoving those 2 to total 3 bookstores into a space meant for 1? I've read the other comments, I know they have unique circumstances and this is a labor of love shop. But it's got to be safe and at the least accessible or you've got to close off areas until they are ready for the public. As I was looking, I felt several times I was almost in a space that seemed like it shouldn't be open to the public yet? But there were other patrons there too and no signs to the contrary saying it wasn't open yet, please excuse our mess? Once I realized there was a whole complete room to canvas still, and what it looked like, I gave up. It looked even less safe than the side I entered from. It seems to me the charm from a year ago photos and experiences has been exchanged for a hoarding of too many books? (This poses a whole other set of problems though from an insurance stand point. An old building, tons of books, I didn't want to think they'd be in violation of state fire codes and standards?) I hope they figure out a solution and get back that nostalgic experience clearly others have enjoyed. The responses to comments tend to make me think they really don't like negative feedback. So we'll see how they take my safety suggestions....

Pretty Good Books is exactly that, pretty freakin' great. Imagine a cozy, private bookshop where the owner doesn't just sell books, he hunts them down like a literary bounty hunter if he doesn’t have what you’re looking for. Joe might be part human, part Dewey Decimal System.

The store is appointment-only, which I actually loved. No wandering crowds breathing heavily behind you while you debate between horror or historical fiction, just you, your bookish obsessions, and someone willing to enable them.

The place is like a Narnia wardrobe for bibliophiles. Except instead of a lion and eternal winter, you get indie authors, obscure finds, and that warm feeling you only get when you walk into a place that doesn’t smell like burnt coffee and crushed dreams (looking at you, Big Box Bookstore™).

Pro tip: check the hours before driving in from out of town. It's not a trap, just... you know, an actual system that respects everyone’s time. Revolutionary.

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When i lived down south there was a place called the booktrader… winding shelves of treasurers that someone else had enjoyed… then wanted others to enjoy… really was a magical place… bookwise…. The folks that worked there usually didnt want to chat.. wanted to ring you up send you on your way… in many ways… pretty good books reminds me of that magical place of my youth except pretty good books… is better… the shop is huge full of winding rooms not just winding shelves… space to sit and look especially if you need to put a few back cause your eyes are bigger than your wallet.. and unlike the place down south..the store here is run by amazing folks who care about the folks coming through the doors and want to make the experience more than just coming in to buy a book…. While yes appts do have to be made currently there arent walk in hrs… it is certainly worth the few...