Head House Books

I've been to Philly a few times and this bookstore has become a staple of my visits. The selection is really well curated and displayed, with great staff picks and recommendations. The staff is always super nice and personable. On my most recent trip, I actually forgot the books I purchased in the store and called when I got home and realized it. They were incredibly helpful and allowed me to have them shipped which reaffirms that I'll always stop in and support when I'm in town. Highly recommend!!

Wonderful bookstore! Amazing service. I loved how the books were displayed -- visually appealing -- so many wonderful books. Cozy nooks where you're able to sit and look at your treasures. Such a wide variety of books to select from and I'm 100% sure you're going to be able to find the right book for you.

Great neighborhood bookstore with a fun, thoughtfully curated selection of books for a wide variety of reading tastes. I appreciated the staff book suggestions on display, and was impressed with the quality of books on hand for children, teens and adults. They do a lovely job of giftwrapping books for you, and there are comfortable spaces to hang out. The store also has a nice selection of gifts.

Head House Books in Philly is a true treasure for book lovers! 📚 this indie bookstore is a cozy escape for anyone who loves the feel of a well-curated, locally owned shop. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with both bestsellers and hidden gems — all picked with care. 🌟 The staff at Head House Books are absolute book enthusiasts! They’re always ready with great recommendations, and it’s clear they know their stuff. I’ve walked out with books I never would have found on my own, thanks to their awesome suggestions. They’re as passionate about books as they are about the neighborhood, making it feel like a community gathering place rather than just a store. 😊 The selection is impressive, with everything from literary fiction and nonfiction to gorgeous coffee-table books. I recently picked up Circe by Madeline Miller and a fascinating design book on mid-century interiors — they truly have something for everyone! And if they don’t have a book in stock, they’re more than happy to order it for you. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick browse or looking to get lost for hours, Head House Books is the perfect spot. Grab a coffee from a nearby cafe, and settle in to explore. It’s one of those places that makes Philly feel special, and I can’t recommend it enough! ✨

A wonderful independent bookstore that sells the latest novels, craft books, cookbooks, children's books as well as novelty merchandise. Staff was really friendly and offered to order a book I was looking for that was out of stock. Pity I was only visiting Philly or I would have taken them up on the offer.

I will come here every single time I’m in Philly (says the Tennessean) honestly one of the highlights of my trip! The selection is astounding! Many many offerings for any kind of reader as well as gifts and greeting cards. I had the best little time and the customer service… more than five stars should be awarded to the sweet woman who went through the trouble of gift wrapping a coffee mug for me- it’s no easy feat but we laughed together through the process.

This is a really cool bookstore! There's a great selection, and it's got some places to sit if you want to spend some time reading before buying a book. I really enjoyed the children's section in the back, too. They had a lot of cool children's books and toys for my nieces to look at

Happened upon this store, sad to have only discovered it now when I live in the neighborhood for months already! Will certainly be back as they have a great selection, welcoming staff and a cozy ambiance.

A fabulous little shop with so much to offer. I love the ways the categories were broken down- and the displays had a lot of unique genre features. We toured for a bit- hiding little treats throughout the books in the store! So go buy a book & you may find a sticker, bookmark, or word of affirmation :) The staff were wonderful too- we overheard them chatting with online buyers picking up- and they seemed to have a great operation with ordering unavailable books, so options are limiteless!

This is my favorite independent book store. It's so nice to take your time looking around, checking out all of the wonderful books and other items (totes, cards, journals, etc.) they have. It's welcoming and relaxing! The staff is always friendly and willing to help with any questions you may have.

I love this book shop so much. I hate coming here because it's bad for my wallet and grows my TBR pile. But in all seriousness the staff is great and I always end up taking home a staff pick of some sort because who to trust more than a knowledgeable book store worker. There's also a huge selection of books. Please support your local bookstores :)

Very good new bookstore. The curation is really well-done and the staff are friendly with picks as well. It skews fiction and current events. Scifi and fantasy section is very small.

Staff was incredibly rude. Made me feel like I was wasting their time when I asked a simple question about one of their titles.

One of the best bookstores in Philly and I'm so happy its only a short walk away for me! The selection is great, and if you can't find something, they'll order it for pickup within a few days. The staff is always so friendly, the space is inviting, and it's a great place to check out new books. I LOVE that there is also a wrapping station for gifts! Multiple paper choices, ribbon, etc. such a nice added touch.

The staff are always so kind and knowledgable. I love that they make both ordering in store and online so easy!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I walked through the swinging screen door to Head House. What I found was overwhelmingly delightful. Tall ceilings, bright floors, and dark shelves filled with beautiful new books. They even had hard to find titles that were sold out everywhere else I looked. I had a wonderful time perusing the table displays. The children's book area was particularly impressive with a wide range of titles, some new and some I recognized from my own childhood when I glanced around. The person working was super friendly and helpful. They even directed me to the game space down the street for a delicious chai latte. This commitment to community and uplifting others is really what made me feel so comfortable. Along with the truly incredible book selection! I'll definitely be back!

Lovely bookshop with great selection. Games and gifts abound, too. Staff is courteous and helpful.

The vibes were immaculate I don't know what else to say they just were!! The employees were amazing and we had nice conversations about books and Emily Dickinson. All of the things that this store sells were so cute and perfect; bookmarks, tiny pencils, notebooks etc. I went there for a concert and throughly enjoyed being at this store. They also made an account for me and said if I get 100 points then I'll get a discount and even rang up my 2 pieces of chocolate (after I bought a book) so that it would count for the points!!

my score for the the store itself would be a 5. however the customer service is 1. this is the second time I've gone out of my way to support this small business instead of going to Barnes and noble. the employees on both occasions don't even look up when you walk in the door. I spent a good 20 minutes trying to locate a title and never once was acknowledged. I came and went without a single word from the employees both times.

This bookstore is a dream! The staff are always friendly and not only willing but super excited to give you recommendations. Last time I came in with a very vague "cozy cabin read" request and discovered books I wouldn't have discovered on my own. The selection is fantastic and the hours are convenient (they are open daily, and until 7 on weekdays). Philly is fortunate to have many independent bookstores, but this one is a true standout that I really like to support. This is my new go-to for special ordering books as well. It's always a pleasure to stop by for a browsing session!

Our trio wandered into Head House on a rainy Sunday afternoon. We were looking for a couple of books sold only through independent bookstores, but also just wanted to check out the space. The bookstore was fairly busy, but it wasn't difficult to get questions answered. The passages are quite narrow, so I felt very wary of passing through with my yoga mat and shopping bags. The books we were looking for were not in stock, but we were offered the option of having them ordered for pick up. I also asked about events hosted in the store, and was directed to the website for more information. I will definitely return for an event soon, and would also love to pop in and get some recommendations for books to add to my TBR based on some of the books I've enjoyed reading recently. Although online shopping can be more convenient and less expensive, I prefer to shop and support local businesses. If you're looking for a charming independent bookstore, definitely stop in!

A great local book store. They have a great variety of books and the children's section is large. They also appeared to gift wrap, which I imagine is nice for children's birthday presents If you are in need of a book and in the area, stop by! Shop local!

This bookstore went from first to absolute worst. It is now a joke of a bookstore, the owners choosing feng shui over customer convenience. Looking for a book on the shelves? Good luck because they're randomly shelved, alphabetical neither by author nor by title. They're just placed to "look good." Huh? Do you enjoy blank stares? If so, try asking the person at the counter about any book. Since you probably don't have time to look at EVERY BOOK ON THE SHELVES to try to find the one you seek, ask about, say, the highly anticipated, newly released The Candy House. The response? "Who wrote it? Let me look it up on the computer." Try asking about any play by Shakespeare aside from the ones commonly taught in high school. Another blank stare. I thought at first this was all a prolonged April Fools joke, but apparently it's not. It's just a joke of a store.

I understand people need to alter their hours and business practices during the pandemic, but if you're going to do so you need to adjust your website to show your current hours of operation. I walked all the way over here today looking forward to trying a new book shop only to discover that they are not currently allowing in person shopping whatsoever. Their website still reflects the hours from before the pandemic. It's just an irresponsible way to treat your customers.

With the dwindling economy and the rise of selling books on Amazon it's good to know that there's still some solid new book stores like Head House in Philadelphia. after reading about it in City Paper's book issue two weeks ago I knew that I just had to make the trek and give it a try. And I definitely found it to be a treasure trove of literature. Inside Head House you'll find a better display of new releases than you'll find at either of the big B's (had to borrow that one Karla.) and you'll find a friendly staff who knows their literature and are capable of making good suggestions. While I could have easily walked out with 5-15 books I held back while my friend walked out with "The Lost City of Z: A Tale Of Deadly Obsession In The Amazon". But through him I got to learn that they have awesome discount offers listed in their newsletter, and you can sign up to be a friend of the store and receive even more discounts. With an incredible selection and incentives like that I know I'm sold.

I love cute little bookstores. Don't get me wrong - I do love B&N but sometimes it can be a little too crowded and overwhelming. I like that I can quickly pick up a book for myself and my son without having to spend hours looking for the perfect book. I also love that they staff there are knowledgeable about what is in stock and can give great recommendation. Oh and upon reading other reviews, I'll definitely have to check out their story time!

I have been here a few times to look around, but recently went here for a book tour and signing. First, the fact that the bookstore supported a HAES (health at every size) RD and her work was major brownie points for me. The space is small and it was crowded- but that's just because they brought in an awesome author! I would definitely recommend this place for when you have something specific youre looking for and even more so when youre just looking to poke around and find a new book, a card, or a little toy for the kiddos in your life :-)

This bookstore receives 4 stars because it is so small that you can't come here looking for some weird title or only one specific book. This is, however, a great place to spend an afternoon browsing and talking to neighbors. They have lots of the new books, and keep a smattering of older books as well. If you really really need a certain book, call and they will order it for you.

I love supporting local stores, especially a curated bookstore, but how about showing some courtesy to customers who don't happen to live around the around the corner and updating your website to reflect the current status.

I really love this book store. I've been visiting it for years. You can get a membership and they will special order books which is nice. As a parent, I attend dozens of kids birthday parties and I love this store for several reasons related to kids gifts: 1. They have a good kids selection of books. 2. They have a lot of kids toys from toddler to older kids 3. They will gift wrap for you!!! 4. You can get a gift certificate to give the kids (parents) if you're not sure what to get them.

This beautiful bookstore has an incredibly curated collection of books. Stop in and ask for personalized recommendations, or browse the beautiful (and large) children's section. It's an independent book store paradise.

There's something magical about the way a little bookstore smells. You can't replicate it in big-box chains, not really. A little shop like this has that distinct smell of old paper, vague wisps of leather and coffee and worn oriental rugs. A smell of hundreds of thousands of pages, pressed together, bound, selected and arranged by loving hands. You can't get that in the flourescent-lit megastores, even with all their miles of magazines and picture frames next to the Starbucks cafe. You also can't get the personal service. I'm lucky enough to live directly across from this cozy, tightly-packed shop and have found myself browsing through its tall wooden shelves many times. There's a great selection of best sellers, cookbooks, art books, children's titles and other gems tucked away. I love browsing the front of the store for titles and authors I haven't heard of before and chatting with the lovely employees about stories someone recommended or we heard about on the radio. This weekend, I ordered several books as gifts and they arrived just a few days later. A friendly clerk kindly giftwrapped one and sent me home with nice paper to wrap the other (after I'd finished reading it, of course). Happy to spend a few more dollars per order if it means keeping businesses like this in our community.

Head House is one of those local treasures that often gets overlooked by the Big B's [being Borders and Barnes and Noble of course] with their internet coupons and nifty membership cards. The front of the store is usually filled with newer titles minus the Michael Crichton novels and whatever's on Oprah's book club. Their genres range from art and architecture to environmentalism and spirituality to political science. It is more of a place for the intellectual than for the cheesy romance novel reader but their fiction collection is still worth a glance. Their Steinbeck collection caught my eye today but my favorite is still the colorful wonderland of a children's section. Check their website for a list of in store events including book signings and chess tournaments. And if an item isn't in stock just ask someone at the counter to order it for you. A few days is usually all it takes and your money is going to help keep a local business thriving instead of being pumped into the veins of big business.

Gotta love local businesses. And this is one of them. And they're proud of it. I went in looking for a specific title, found it instantly, and bought a second book that looked good just to show my support. The man working the cash wrap was very friendly. While I was browsing, I overheard him searching online for an obscure book one woman was looking for. Then I heard him mid-discussion with a young child, complimenting his book choice. Very charming spot! No complaints here :)

Love this little store. Their selection is thoughtfully stocked, the folks who work there are knowledgeable, friendly and so helpful. I'll admit to more than once realizing I needed a gift ASAP, called to ask for a recommendation en route and had it waiting for me when I got there. Free gift wrapping just rounds out the awesomeness. They also have storytime Friday at 11am (I think Wednesday also?). The back area is perfect for my little one who is in love with pulling books down and flipping through them. Claire read through probably 8-10 books, all fun and many I'd never heard of and had to make mental notes about checking out later. The crowd ranged from a few months to a couple years, it was a fun time, and they were totally cool with us hanging out afterward.

When I moved here I had a huge independent-bookstore-shaped-hole in my life. I went to pretty much every bookstore in Philly to try and fill the void, and this was far and away the best one. If you're looking for the instant gratification of asking for something very specific and getting it right away, this is probably not the right place for you--it's small, so the on-site stock is limited. However, this means that what they do have in the store is well-curated and easy to find, and they'll order anything you'd like and give you a call when it comes in. I'm don't have kids, but do have an appreciation for children's books, and their kids section is incredible. The best way to describe this store is cozy, or the kind of place you'd want to be on a snow day. Everyone who works there is warm and friendly, and it's perfectly acceptable to browse for as long as you want or sit and read for a little. I also love this store's commitment to the neighborhood--I live around the corner, and they recently included a coupon for the store in my small neighborhood newsletter. Please try to buy from here whenever possible!

Very cute bookstore with superb organization and the latest in popular reads. There's a large children's section in the back, which I'm making a mental note of for when I have little ones of my own. Prices are similar to your big name book vendors, so why not support your local business if you're going to pay full price?! I wish they had a cafe because I could see myself spending a some time here, coffee and book in hand. Their website has a list of local events and you can order books online. They have a book club, but there wasn't much information about it online. Definitely stop by if you're in the area though!

Thank you Head House Books! They went out of their way to get me a book at the 11th hour for Christmas gifting. And they gift wrapped it! Great neighborhood spot. Shop local!

I have been compiling a long list of new books I'd like to start reading. Finally I was able to visit here earlier today and check it out. I was just looking around and seeing what they had, and the woman behind the counter (her name was Claire) asked if I needed any help and we just started having a really nice conversation about good books that are out currently. She didn't have any books that I wanted, but kindly put the one book I wanted on order for me (no charge) so I could pick it up in a few days. It's a friendly environment, very relaxing and you can just walk around as long as you want without feeling pressured or rushed to choose something. I will for sure be coming in here more often.

So all the books at this store are more expensive than you can get them online... or pretty much anywhere else. But I still buy books here because it's a beautiful locally owned shop where I love to peruse books. It's great for last minute gifts for children's birthdays, as there are few other walkable options. I think of the pricing as a cover charge for the joy of having the physical bookstore near my house. It's worth it to me.

This place is adorable. I visited on a lazy Saturday afternoon and the store would've been absolutely silent (less than a block from South Street, even!) if it weren't for some soft music playing in the background. There were only two other customers when I was there, both also browsing silently, and the woman working was very friendly during our short exchange (mostly about the gorgeous spring weather). I'll admit I popped in with a specific book in mind (Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma"), which they had two copies of, though I didn't see any of his other books. I'm very glad it saved me a trip to "the Big Bs", and it seems like a great place to browse for books in a general area when you're looking to discover something new. The foodie/nutrition section (my topic of choice) was full of assorted titles that looked fascinating, and I'll definitely return once I've finished this book to find a new point of view on the subject!

I absolutely adore this place. From the second you walk in everything is warm and welcoming. The lighting, the decor, the staff. I just came in to browse because I'd been looking for an independent bookstore and had checked a few out. Head House Books is by far my favorite. They have a pretty diverse selection from bestsellers to more obscure art and philosophy books. The woman working while I was there was really friendly and we had a short conversation about the book I was buying, but what struck me more was that she took about 10 minutes to help this group of people from out of town figure out how to use septa. There were other customers in the store browsing, but she focused on helping these folks, and it really gave me a good look at the type of place this is. They also have a pretty sweet discount if you're a member/friend of the store - $7 towards your next book once you spend $100. I haven't run into many independent local businesses who offer any sort of membership reward like that, so it was a nice surprise. I truly enjoyed my experience here and definitely plan on returning often.

This is a great place to loose yourself in a book, or in selecting a book as the case may be. Their selection is pretty standard - but the staff picks are spot on. They are however always more than willing to order things and have them fairly quickly (but I have to admit, at that point, I turn to amazon). I've spent quite a few lunch brakes here - and really enjoy the comfortable, homey feeling. Just a great place to relax and enjoy books for books sake. Also - gotta love the tag line: "Local & Independent, like you" this place really strives to set itself apart & reach out to the community, and with events and e-newsletters, does a good job too.

Small locally owned independent bookstore in the heart of Headhouse Square. While the space itself is small, it is well-organized and offers a wide selection of books in a variety of genres. I was very happy to see a Paddington Bear plushie sitting in an armchair right by the window, so naturally, I got a picture of him, and no one in the store made a fuss about it. So if you're not a slave to your e-reader or need to find a tangible copy of a book, give this shop a chance...you could leave pleasantly surprised!

Where to begin? First and foremost, head house books exudes Philly Charm. It's cute, quaint, yet very practical. The inventory is not prohibited by its independent status and instead contains titles of interest for the tourist and Philadelphian alike. The children books are great gifts and abundant and the employee working was knowledgable and very interested in what they carried. I will be visiting this store each time I am in town going forward to support their obvious Commitment to books and literature in the most pleasant way possible. 5/5.

ahhhhhhdorable, small bookstore that has like all the new released books and a cozy back corner where I could sit with my imaginary toddler while we read stories. it's the place you cross your fingers that online bookstores don't become too popular and drive little places like this out of business. :-/

Such a cute shop and they gift wrap! Lots of unique finds in here and I heard the woman working their mention they hold children's music classes

Great independent bookstore. Why get a gift card to Target when you can get introduce friends to a unique shop with a friendly owner and wonderful staff. I attended a book signing the artist Charlie Santori who drew a small picture on the title page for our kids. Highly recommended.

This is a great, cozy independent bookstore. They have a great selection of suggested books towards the front the of store and a cozy window seat complete with coffee, I believe. This is a good place to shop if you like to browse a bit, without being overwhelmed by titles.

I'm someone who believes in supporting local businesses whenever possible and Head House Books is the perfect example as to why. The staff was friendly and helpful; they genuinely seemed to appreciate my business. But the thing that really struck me was that while I was in the store, a woman came in looking to browse for a very specific genre of book. One of the gentlemen in the store - whom I believe might be the owner - indicated that they didn't have much of what she was looking for, but suggested a nearby store that specialized in the subject. I think that really speaks volumes to the type of place this is. As someone else mentioned, they have a membership club where once you spend $100, you get $7. I'll definitely be back.

This is such a charming bookstore! With a good mix of fiction and non-fiction, a section of children's books, and a central table of staff recommendations, I always find something unexpected and wonderful in this store. They have a couple of tables that invite you to sit and flip through some books and the staff has made good suggestions when I needed guidance. Head House Books is a really friendly and well-stocked store, and it's a great place to pop in and gain some cool sanity from the South Street bustle.

Great bookstore. Wonderful ambiance, friendly staff. They could improve the children's selection slightly, but that's my only complaint.

This is an amazing book store. My children and I have spent many hours getting lost in books here and it has been a key in developing their love of reading. It is a truly magical place!