Ken Sanders Rare Books

A fun used bookstore to browse. Everywhere you look, there's something to be discovered. Ken was great, and they wrapped the dust jacket of the book I bought for free. Highly recommended.

On a walk back from the gym, we saw signs for banned and rare books—of course, we had to stop in. The attendant was kind and helpful when we asked where to find the banned books section. Most of the titles were familiar, many of which were required reading for me in high school—The Kite Runner, 1984, Slaughterhouse-Five, Catch-22, and works by the incredible Toni Morrison. There were also some newer titles related to Pride Month I hadn't seen before. It wasn’t quite the “banned” collection we imagined. They also had a shelf featuring books banned specifically in Utah—mostly YA fantasy novels by authors like Sarah J. Maas. Downstairs in the rare books section, it was cool to browse old tintypes and even handle books from the 1600s. But here's the catch—many of the rare books weren’t in great condition, yet some were priced at $4,500+. For that price, you'd expect better preservation. There were also newer books in the rare section that didn't seem rare at all. For example, we found The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo priced at $100. When we asked why, the attendant guessed it might be signed (it wasn’t) or a first edition (also no). Eventually, she mentioned its popularity, which felt like a stretch. The shop spans three floors and is a fun place to explore, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re looking to buy something truly rare or collectible. That said, flipping through the old stereoviews brought back great childhood memories of those red toy viewers—definitely a nostalgic highlight.

I don't know where to begin! This book store is AMAZING!!! Three floors. Books galore. There is even a RARE Book Room!!!! The Books in that room are super old and beautiful, you might find some awesome treasures if you look for them! Honestly, I could easily get lost in here and be ok with that! Oh!! I also had the opportunity to meet the owner extraordinaire, Mr Ken Sanders, himself!! That was truly a delight in my day!!

This is truely a gem of a bookstore. A wide selection of general books is complemented by an enormous section covering local Utah history, and the history of the LDS church. I could spend days browsing and always find something new.

Though most every bookstore pays homage to a certain ideology to some extent, this one is uniquely evangelical. Nearly the whole ground floor is dedicated to The Message, with those pesky classics and requisite literature shunted to the basement. Signage and decor insist the store is about books second, and something more niche first. A bit too much for my tastes.

2022 09 22 Sunday= Sweet gem of a book store, worth stopping by any time you are in the mood to remember what a book smells like! Cluttered chaos, it's freaking splendid! Grabbed a couple used books for new price, but it still made me feel all warm and cuddly inside to support this place! New and used books packed to the brim, and then some! I'll be back!

I came here about 3 weeks ago with my wife one night to check it out, and we both walked away with mixed feelings. On one hand, there is an incredible amount of books to pick from and I found so many new books I never heard of or thought to find. In that way this store is truly a treasure and I hope it never leaves. But on the other hand, there were things that could use improvement. The cold temperature and concrete floors don’t give it the classic cozy feeling usually associated with bookstores. Add on top of that the exposed urban ceiling with eclectic decor and its kind of a cold environment. The aisle’s were also very close giving it a cramped feeling that we both felt acutely with the crowd there. We both felt relieved instead of sad when we left. Overall this is a wonderful place and I truly hope it doesn’t ever close its doors. But there are also some improvements that could be made to truly make it too-notch.

Favorite place in SLC! Loved the old building but the new one is just as nice! I love the atmosphere and vibes of place!

Trivia: Who is Ken Sanders? (Seriously, I don't know, someone educate me!) The first thing you need to know is all the books you probably want are located on the third floor of books, which is down, not up. The second floor is the coolest. Definitely take a look through the window, or step inside if they're open. The bottom floor will have a bunch of used, fairly priced books of all genres. Found plenty of interesting titles within minutes. Clerk was helpful and friendly. She told me that since they've been short staffed, the middle floor rate books have been closed.

I usually like my books medium to medium rare but I will accept rare, if need be. I guess this is their "new" location. I have no idea where they were located before but I almost couldn't figure out where they are now. The signage isn't great and I wasn't sure if I was entering the correct door. However, it is absolutely worth the effort in finding this place (and the correct front door), if you love books. I was worried that they would only have "rare" books, perhaps the kind where you have to blow off a storm of dust before you open the front cover. Well, they definitely have rare books, like first editions, out of print copies, and stuff that is impossible to find anywhere else. But they have "normal" books, too. There are three floors. The first floor has kid's books and poetry and politics and more. Then you head downstairs a level where the true "rare" books are found. The door was locked, presumably because these books are truly rare and valuable. Onward. Head downstairs to the bottom/third level where you will find aisles upon aisles of fiction and travel and many other subjects. I found so many hard to find and out of print books here, I couldn't believe it. I found the prices a little high but generally reasonable given the rarity of some of these books. This is an EXCELLENT bookstore. I guess I like my books rare, after all.

Great new location just moved here and walk by the old location all the time . Employees were great and friendly and helpful. Loved the space . 3 levels . I send postcards monthly and they insisted I take as many as I want for free but paid them something since I needed 30 of them . Thank you !

The Ken Sanders Rare Book store moved recently to the Leonardo after the old building was being sacrificed for new development. It's a shame, that old building fit the personality of a rare book store so well. I think they're doing the best with what they have. The new location finds the bookshelves in part of the Leonardo museum. There are three levels-you enter on the top level, then can go downstairs to visit the other two floors. As for the collection itself, there's a good variety of many different kinds of books. I spent several minutes browsing through the books from my childhood-The Velveteen Rabbit and the Babysitter's Club series. It's a bit of a time warp. In addition to books, they hold events here occasionally. As a partner at the Leonardo, you can expect some interesting activities and events. Be sure to check in occasionally to see what they have to offer.

I love Ken sanders, I always find something fun & unique there. Books are always a great price. I am sad about their old location but I'm glad they found someplace else!

Still open!! Moved to a slick modern location in the old library. Store is spit between three stories. Great selection of books, ephemera, and vintage posters. Prices are on the higher side. The legendary Ken Sanders is still there and chatting with him was worth the stop. Their Rare Room is closed and you have to get someone to open it and stay there with you, which is annoying but I understand.

the free book wall is looking a little sad but i love the concept. the bookstore gives me Tattered Cover vibes with a more antiquated feel. probably not a frequent return for me but the vintage children's books were definitely a love.

Those of us who enjoyed those childhood scenes when young Harry Potter met Mr. Ollivander would undoubtedly get excited about the prospect of stumbling into such a place in the real world. Well, if you have a chance, and are inclined to so explore, I promise you will enjoy this venue and it's environment even more. (Sorry, reading Gawain and the Green Knight before seeing it Friday and my brain is all verse right now) Per chance you are as fortunate as I was on my visit, you may meet Mr. Sanders yourself, reviewing books with a kind smile and pleasant demeanor. I explored the shelves of rare books, stacks and stacks zigzagging through the narrow corridors and with a familiar albeit nostalgic smell found often in old, settled places that preserve many of the books and tomes from earlier and other worlds. If nothing else, you can recycle by buying a book and supporting a local business. I added to my religious studies collection of modern movements, in my Scientology series. It was a fun trip and it was great to check out exceedingly rare establishments. Let's look after those local businesses who have looked after our past! Check out Randy's Records as well.

The selection of books is fabulous! The staff is friendly and helpful. The prices are on par with other bookstores with rare books selections. I had a few books mailed to me in California, the shipping was cheap, the books arrived promptly.

Books for everyone!!! I wasn't sure what to expect coming to this store. I love books and book stores. This one has so much! Stacks upon stacks of books. Older books and newer books. Book lovers should expect to spend hours in here browsing. I couldn't because the dust started to irritate my husband's allergies. I found a good find though. Score!

Two words: Book heaven. Any genre you can think of upon rows and rows of stacked high books. You can get lost here for hours, browsing stacks upon stacks. They have all different price ranges with all kinds of subjects. I particularly enjoyed the older books section and found 2 books from the 1910s for $14! I am amazed of all the treasure this place holds- I just wish I would've had more time to explore! If your are a bibliophile you gotta swing by thins place!

Nice place, very disorganized inside, stuff everywhere. Had a hard time figuring out the place, found a couple good books. Prices good. People friendly.

I ventured out specifically to find this book store. If you are in need of rare books, this is the place for you. Although it seems messy, you are able to find your way through the shelves as they are labeled. Be prepared to spend some time looking through everything. Not a lot of "newer" book options, but that's to be expected! Not a lot of great air flow, it was pretty stuffy in the back of the store with a mask on. I couldn't stay super long as I was getting over heated but I wanted to see what more I could find. It was a great local spot to hit.

Super awesome iconic historic gem and famed book store existing in Salt Lake City! There are awesome rare reads here as well as first, second, and third editions of books you wouldn't be able to find anywhere else. I was so happy to finally get to experience this place!!!!! I have lived in Salt Lake City for almost 3 years and I hadn't been here til just recently. It is everything it is talked up to be as far as a bucket list place for Salt Lake City while you are visiting or whether or not you live here. The building is iconic and the outside makes for great pictures as well as some wall murals close to the side of the building!

Great bookstore to spend an afternoon. I intended to be in and out in 15 mins, but ended up spending an hour browsing the shelves. They have a vast collection of books on almost every topic. I wish the shelves were better arranged though. The store looked more like an attic with books piled everywhere, though that might be what gives this place its charm.

It seems blasphemous, but in my humble opinion, some bookstores are just too big. This is entirely personal preference. Are you interested in having access to nearly anything you want or are you interested in a more off kilter experience? This is the latter, but wait, it can still work for those who prefer the former. There are wicked good $1 book deals. Yes, you may have to schlep through many undesirables but there are gems to be found. There are various genres on display, although many of them aren't vast. This is definitely okay with me. What Ken has done, is created a humongous archive for the state of Utah. There are bountiful amounts of resources for you to learn about literally ANYTHING Utah. Additionally, there are many western centric books for you to discover. These are definitely niche, but if it interests you, this is your store. Period. It's a cozy environment but it is definitely weird. Books strewn everywhere, naturally, it never looks immaculately organized. But that's not why the man does it! He does it because he's good at finding the real shit! Like various first edition signed books. They get pricier for certain, but they're rare. There are also places for you to take a seat. Helpful, because the aisles can get real narrow. Check it out. I could not recommend Ken Sanders enough.

My favorite bookstore in the country. Aisles and shelves overflowing with every possible book you could dream of. Antique art as well. You can get lost in there for hours. It's a dream.

There's something enchanting about small bookstores. Is it the overflowing shelves or the smell of ancient pages? I don't know but I really was entranced by the selection. One moment you're deep into Rumi poetry and then suddenly transported into a mystery novel written in 1886. This is a perfect place to escape and take home a few treasures.

I wish I had more time to browse the shelves. This place is great and I've been telling my friends about it. As a flight attendant for a legacy carrier, I fly all over the country and love finding little places like this. The type of place where you ask for a layover in SLC because you want to go back so badly. I love books, and especially old books! This is the place!!! It isn't huge, but you could spend a couple of hours checking out the shelves. I can't wait to go back. Bought a 3 book, annotated and illustrated edition of Sherlock Holmes (1968), which I carried back precariously in a bag on a scooter. Fun times!

What an awesome book shop! I was in awe when I laid my eyes on the outdoor library. The area was perfect, the murals were a great touch and the entire ambiance of the book store was very nostalgic. The woman behind the counter was on the phone while I was visiting but I was able to make myself right at home. It was an absolute pleasure to come and stop by!

Wandered in to this magical place about 30 minutes before closing time, so I didn't get the complete experience, nor did I have the opportunity to spend the time I wanted to spend there. This is not the place to go if you are looking for something specific and want to dash in, buy it, and dash out. But if you have time and enjoy getting lost in the magic of a used bookstore, you've come to the right place. What it lacks in organization is definitely made up for in serendipitous surprises and charm. Will definitely make it back here next time I'm in SLC.

The artwork on the building is cool, but make sure you GO INSIDE! I could spend days in this book store. You definitely need check this spot out if you're an SLC local. If you know anything about Utah history it's super interesting.

I cannot believe how I was handled at this beautiful book store today by the female cashier. I am still in shock at the condescending rudeness I received. Up until that moment my experience in the store was excellent. How disappointing that the one interaction I had with the staff was the very reason I'll not be a return customer. She ruined my experience there and came close to ruining the rest of the afternoon. I had to reach deep to not let her sour mood dampen my day of celebration. Words go a long way lady, kindness is always the answer.

Omg, I am in heaven. I could spend all day here, unfortunately I had another appointment so I only purchase two books. Both of the girls at checkout were great AND gave great suggestions for local eateries. Thank you, this place is a treasure.

Coolest bookshop in Salt Lake City. Truly an institution and symbol of this city. If you can, donate to their gofundme!

Love this book shop! I never leave empty handed. I can always find something interesting for myself and my daughter. I also like that it's downtown and offers more of a old world book store experience.

I love a great bookstore and this is it! There is something to be said about organized chaos in a book store, it brings a certain air of mystery. You could spend hours getting lost in the labyrinth of books, there are some real gems just waiting to be discovered.

This is a really cool bookstore with an eclectic yet well-curated collection. There are even a lot of art pieces on the wall including historical posters available for purchase. The location is cool, and a quick walk to the Dunkin Donuts or City Library. Cool mural on the side featuring Joe Hill, labor activist and class agitator who was executed by firing squad in 1915 after an ostensibly dubious murder conviction.

I'm pretty sure I will be here at least once a week on my lunch break. I love that it is only a few short blocks away. It is a fun and inspiring atmosphere and there is nothing better than the smell of books. I am glad I moseyed my way there today. I'll definitely be back often.

Oh Ken Sanders, A treasure-trove knowledge and must and nuggets of humor among the dust and the bookstore is great too...

A bookstore for people who love books too much, run by people who love books more than is healthy. This place is fantastic. It's filled with towering, tottering shelves of books of all ages. The organizational method seems a little haphazard (almost as if they were going to finish organizing once they finished just this one chapter), but perhaps one visit simply isn't enough to grasp their system. A must visit for any bibliophiles in the area.

One of my favorite places in Salt Lake. It's so genuine and full of life. They have an incredible post card collection from different eras and categories... ranging from $1-$15. I have dozens of them. It's my favorite thing to do sorting through them. The guys working are super chill and they know their stuff. They'll recommend books or give feedbacks on ones you have. The owner is rad. Just a very pleasant local shop. Must visit.

A literary treasure. One of the best book stores in the world. Best to go there with no specific book in mind but just to wander and daydream.

I really like this place. Massive selection of hard-to-find books for great prices. It's always fun spending a couple of hours looking around the store's crowded shelves.

Always the best place to browse for a great selection of books. They are always friendly and helpful. I've found some wonderful finds over the years and hope to find many more for years to come.

Ken Sanders gave me kind of a run around once when I was trying to buy some stuff from out of town. I was not happy about that but the truth is I like his store. He knows books and he has some great stock in many fields. I've always enjoyed every chance I gotten to visit there. His store generally has some pretty interesting and hip volumes. I highly recommend that you make a point to stop in there.

Whenever I'm in Salt Lake, I stop in to see what they've got. There's always something new (or rather, old) and interesting.

This review only pertains to inventory. I didn't speak to any staff. This place is a bibliophile's paradise. Walk around and dream about collecting all your favorite first editions from the shelves. So many first editions. Pretty awesome place, even if you cant quite afford the books you most want. Just remember, book collectors never regret their purchases, only their economies.

They have a lot of books. Book store people aren't known for being friendly but every time I have gone there the customer service has been horrible. Rude and condescending when asking about selling books or information on books.

This place is weird! I did not like a book and its pages after we bought it. They would not let us return it!! It was because I was BLACK. The reason I know it was because under their mormon breath they said black people are trying to get things for free Dont go here and be discriminated against, in fact protest it

I really dislike weaving in and out of downtown traffic but I set aside my senior driving skills to roam the isles at Ken Sanders. I have to set a spending limit as I'm always hooked by a wonderful find. The prices aren't out of sight. Usually other customers are also from the third standard deviation. I have always felt comfortable here. The staff knows their stuff and they are friendly. For me, you get back what you give. Have a seat and enjoy a very special environment created and maintained by special folks. If only The Soup Kitchen was next door...

I love this store! Great books, knowledgeable staff and the owner Ken is a great guy! the other day I was in the store and the owner spent almost an hour with me just showing me books that were interesting to me. He even showed me some that he knew were out of my budget just to educate me. I'm so glad we have a store like this in Salt Lake City

Best used bookshop in Salt Lake City. There's something here for almost everyone, from expensive rarities to inexpensive paperbacks. Ken has the best deals I've seen anywhere on vintage and standard, used paperbacks. The range of holdings is astonishing. It can be chaotic at times, with piles of books stacked here and there. But I exult in that, so it's not a criticism.