Literati Bookstore

Absolutely lived up to all of my expectations. Located in an adorable, booming, downtown with lots of street parking & shopping close by. I had wanted to go to Literati for a few years. The selection is amazing & the staff are super knowledgeable, helpful, and enthusiastic. I can’t wait to go back!

Literati is an amazing little bookstore! The nonfiction nature section on the lower floor was phenomenal in particular. I also had a lot of fun reading the staff recommendations in the fiction section. There were lots and lots of new releases and interesting titles, and the store had a very nice ambiance. They also had some very cute prints, a public typewriter, and a cute little stationary section. I could've spent hours in there!

My husband and I entered the bookstore and was not greeted. However others who came into the store after us were greeted promptly by the staff. There was three people working and we never received any assistance. As we were about to checkout, the cashier looked me in my face, turned her head and continued her conversation with her coworker. She never acknowledged me and I asked my husband to put his book back because it was time to leave… I will not give my money to a business who doesn’t value customers. I was extremely disappointed about this experience, because this bookstore came highly recommended so I wanted to give it a try. Never again! I will NEVER go back. I will take my business elsewhere!! Do NOT go here unless you want to be overlooked, ignored, and treated poorly!

Can’t visit Ann Arbor without stopping into this gem of a bookstore. The store has 3 floors with a selection ranging from current popular adult fiction, to children’s books, to every nonfiction topic you could think of. Everyone is super helpful and the staff picks have never let me down. Highly recommend !

Very cozy and pretty little bookstore. Has 2 levels lots of options

I’ve visited Literati many times, but I’m now done with this bookstore. It’s 6 degrees cold outside. NO CUSTOMER RESTROOMS. A bookstore without a customer restroom! Seriously? Staff referred me to outdoor “Throne Restroom” which I found impossible to access. Mynt House Coffee on Main Street!!! Great coffee and restrooms.

Literati Bookstore in Ann Arbor is a gem for book lovers. The ambiance is cozy and inviting, creating the perfect atmosphere to get lost in a good book. The selection is impressive, ranging from bestsellers to hidden literary gems, catering to diverse tastes. This bookstore has three floors and it is dog friendly. By most of the books you will see notes/ reviews by the staff/readers. The staff is not only knowledgeable but also genuinely passionate about literature, offering helpful recommendations. Also, it is dog friendly!

Great local bookstore with a well-curated selection of books, as well as lots of other stickers, stationery, and whatnot. I primarily read horror, and even though the horror section in this store is a bit slim overall, they include a variety of good titles and independent authors that I recommend (as opposed to the B&N standard plastering of King across multiple shelves). Moreover, the employee blurbs often highlighted titles which I also highly recommend to friends and others, which gave a big boost in assurance that the staff knows what they're talking about and have good taste.

Great bookstore. There's definitely something for everyone here! Love the variety of books, gift items, toys, etc.

Business trips are not fun. Every time I am in Ann Arbor I'd rush back to the hotel after work so I can continue to work. I told myself that this trip would be different. I love visiting bookstores. The overwhelming excitement as I see stacks and rows of books to skim, feel, and to purchase never cease to amaze me. There's an upstairs and a downstairs! There are events posted on the website. Unfortunately there wasn't an event this week, but I was so happy that I drove to downtown for desserts and found this place serendipitously. I did have it bookmarked but I wasn't planning on visiting a bookstore that evening. Service was amazing. Everything was organized. I never walk out of a bookstore empty handed.

The coolest independent bookstore in Ann Arbor. We enjoyed exploring the up and down stairs, very imaginative and playful environment! Love the open to play typewriter downstairs & friendly staff.

Adorable, cozy old- school bookstore in the heart of downtown. Great layout and labels, with descriptions of books. Staff is very friendly, and they even host events. We purchased a few books, stickers, t shirts and a cool tote. We explored only the top 2 levels. Upon leaving, I discovered that there is a basement with games... for my next visit!

This was my first time here and it is a very interesting bookstore. I didn't take the time to look around because I was with my 98 year old uncle and I didn't want to delay getting him back home. He was looking for a specific book and Literati had it in stock. Unlike the big box store, Literati knew what was in stock and was able to find it. The staff was very friendly and helpful. I didn't have a clue about paying for parking, they helped me with the situation. Books were labeled according to the subject matter. One of the reviews mentioned a basement, so hopefully when I'm back, I will take my time and check everything thing out . No idea how prices compare to others, i bought a just released book. Check them out

Cute little bookstore located in downtown Ann Arbor! The staff were very helpful in providing recommendations and also helpful in finding my selections.

I've loved reading since I was a little, little kid. There's so much magic in being able to travel through time and space, through real and fantasy, walk miles in someone else's shoes, gain endless knowledge and wisdom, all through books. Literati captures all the magic of reading and of independent bookstores and is truly a delight to walk through every single time. These are booksellers that love books and want to share that love with you. Their shelves are PACKED with handwritten reviews and recommendations, and it's always fun to slowly browse and read them. Shopping at Literati always feels so much more of a personal and sentimental experience than shopping at other large bookstores. They've also done an amazing job cultivating themselves as a premiere bookstore for events, both local and national. I just went to two cookbook talks within the last couple of weeks, they were a stop on Michelle Zauner's tour. They host in person and on zoom, and give a sense of really bringing the community together over shared interests. They celebrated their 10 year anniversary this year and I'm looking forward to the next 10!

What a great place. I enjoy the detailed staff recommendations and always stock up on cards while I'm there.

Ahhh, I the smell of new books. This is the cutest bookstore located in downtown Ann Arbor. And definitely one of my favorites. Every time I come in looking for a very specific book recommendation, the staff delivers! They have recommended some of my now favorites, and I can't wait to go back. I do, however, miss their teas and coffee in the upstairs level (I haven't seen the station open for service in years). FYI, parking is a little tough. You will likely need to pay for street parking (which can be hard to find) or go to a paid structure.

Fun small but large 3 story book store. Never shopped here until Literati hosted food author Kevin Pang for his new release of a Chinese cookbook. I am very excited to cook some of the recipes.

Love this store. Staff is amazing with recommendations and have loved all the books I have gotten here. Can't wait for another visit

An absolutely wonderful -- thoughtfully curated -- bookstore. If Clare is representative of the rest of the Literati crew, the store is staffed by terrifically knowledgeable, generous book lovers. Clare's love of reading and wide ranging knowledge of books and writers is evident in every syllable she utters. Her recommendations were absolutely perfect. Stores like Literati make the world a better place!

Cute multilevel downtown bookstore, nice selection of new and older titles with staff recs. Fun and cheerful selection of art prints, greeting cards, and stickers. Friendly staff, highly recommended!

What a delightful bookstore! There are three levels that feel very welcoming and homey. There were a lot of people in the store at our visit, which was great to see. We spent a lot of time upstairs, where they have fantastic kids and young adult sections, with some nice seating and plentiful book choices, plus additional gift items. The staff was friendly at checkout.

Wandered into Literati while in the neighborhood and ended up browsing for twenty minutes, which felt like too short an amount of time given all the interesting books lining the walls. While I didn't venture upstairs, the first floor--which was essentially one open space with shelves lining the walls and table fixtures in the center--had plenty of varied options to check out. Other patrons seemed to feel the same since on a Sunday afternoon this place was fairly bustling. I especially loved the hand-written reviews by the staff, attached with little cards under many selections. For the fiction books, these gave intriguing insight into each book, generally disclosing the premise and a couple themes but without giving too much away from the plot. They really lent a personal touch and were a terrific way to pique potential readers's interests! I hope to be back soon to buys a couple books!

Adorable bookstore. We stopped in because it was dog friendly. We stayed for the books. My kiddo took time going through the large selection of graphic novels upstairs. Nice sticker and card collection. Very friendly customers and customer service. We would come back.

Whenever I'm in Ann Arbor, I never miss the opportunity to stop in at literati. The space itself is warm and welcoming, and the inventory never fails to disappoint. The poetry section, in particular, is well-stocked with multiple titles by the leading voices in poetry today. I also enjoy reading what shoppers have typed on the portable typewriters on display.

Ah! So glad they reopened right before I happened to be there for work! What a neat ode to the classic bookstore that disappeared when Borders and Barnes and Noble hit the scene in the late 90s. I love that they still have their typewriter downstairs for people to type anonymous notes. The upstairs kids section was thoughtfully organized with a good mix of books, stuffed animals, and games for kids of all ages and educators. I came in just before closing on a weekday and they were quite the popular spot. It would seem that they need to stay open later as I saw at least 8 different people try to open the door after they locked up and I was outside waiting to be picked up. I picked up a few great picture books for my nephews and nieces and a non-fiction book for myself. I'm so glad they got the support they needed to get through the pandemic and I hope they are around for generations to come - what a gem!

So appreciate this bookstore in our town - they continue to provide robust educational experiences for our community and outstanding service.

Oh. My. Cute. Little. Bookshop. Floor to ceiling shelves of books, ranging from fiction to sci-fi to poetry to biographies. The staff have hand-written personalized notes for their fav books, which is a nice touch for personalizing the so even more. Check them out it you're in need of a new book (or 5)!

Wonderful bookstore! They require masks indoors as an FYI. So many floors filled with well organized and staff picked books. Great selection of pens and journals.

This bookstore is like one you would imagine in a library both inspired by Harry Potter and a hipster dream. It also kind of reminds me of that fresh little wand shop in HP. The organization is impeccable, the vibe is so cozy (enough to make even people who aren't naturally inclined to the wonder if reading excited about being in a book shop), the aroma of the fresh pages is invigorating, the cafe is dope, the staff is inviting, and the ground level floor with books from lined up floor to ceiling is inspired. This book shop is everything that I could ever want it to be

Exactly what an independent bookstore should be! As an avowed fan of all things literary and of small, independent bookstores everywhere, I found Literati to be the epitome of what an indie bookseller should be. I love everything about this store, from excellent customer service with a personal touch and decent prices to the varied inventory to the layout and be prime location downtown. I shop in here pretty much every time I'm back in Ann Arbor, often picking up a new book or two or occasionally giftware etc (and often a latte upstairs in the cafe). I like this shop because it's not homogenized cookie cutter boring, not it's large enough to carry a nice array of fiction and non fiction, plus giftware and reading accessories, but it's not too large and impersonal, either. It definitely isn't lacking in regards to the personal touch that is the hallmark of small, independent business and I like that. If there's something they don't have in stock, the staff will order it. If you're looking for a new book recommendation, they'll offer it and it will usually be a pretty much solid tip. Oh, and I love the cozy reading nook downstairs and I still love that old typewriter they have down there where you can type up a quick note (if you can actually use one- I am clueless, but I like the concept).

My beloved Literati! If I could, I would give Literati all the stars -- five just isn't enough! I will forever have an undying love for this bookstore, my favorite bookstore ever. This bookstore is what all bookstores aspire to be. Right when you walk in, you are hit with the wondrous smell of new books and coffee mingling together, the sound of the creaking staircases as people walk up and down and of the clicking of a typewriter nearby, and the sight of all those books just waiting to be chosen by you and those staff review cards sticking out under so many of those books to help you in your difficult decisions on what to read next. You walk through the store feeling the sturdiness of those gorgeous, floor to ceiling shelves they bought from Borders, and know that this place, despite being on the newer end, is filled with history. There are not enough words in the English language, nor am I eloquent enough, to capture exactly how wonderful this bookstore is in the span of one review, but know that you and your canine companions alike will have the most wonderful experience in this place. The employees work here because they love it. The owners are never too busy to stop and chat with the customers. This is a place built on love and passion, and it shows. I miss you, Literati. Every day this pandemic continues on, I miss you a little more. I'm eagerly awaiting the day when your doors will open so I can walk upon the black and white checkered floors once again. Until then, everyone continue to support your local bookstores during these challenging times!

It's hard to believe that for a short time Ann Arbor - the town that Borders started in - lacked a new bookstore downtown (there were/are plenty of other used or niche bookstores downtown - just not an all around new bookstore). Literati has done a fantastic job of becoming THE downtown Ann Arbor bookstore. A cool space, an incredibly well curated selection and they host a lot of great readings. Here's to hoping the great coffee store they have upstairs reopens once the pandemic is behind us.

A great little bookstore in the heart of Ann Arbor with a downstairs and an upstairs and an excellent children's section.

I can't say I've ever purchased anything here, because I'm a book blogger and my TBR pile is always insanely large, but I love browsing. There aren't really any "real bookstores" around anymore, and certainly not in the metro Detroit 'burbs (no, Barnes & Noble does not count). Whenever I'm in Ann Arbor and near Literati, I like to stop by and browse - they even have handwritten recommendations from their staff up by each of the books that they recommend. They do a ton of events here, too, in the basement area, and I believe the store itself is 2 or 3 levels - the basement, the main floor, and I think there's a kids floor on the 2nd floor, though don't quote me on that. Their Instagram daily story is always awesome as well, if you are looking for book suggestions. Definitely worth a stop if you're a book fan and in Ann Arbor!

I love Literati, but twice the books that i have bought turned out to have a hole or tears in some of the pages. They have a great selection and organization of the collection. Had I not encountered this problem more than once, I would have given a higher review.

I absolutely love this bookstore. Whenever I'm downtown, I try to stop by here to browse their books and stationary. I appreciate the effort put in to spotlight various books on a rotating basis with personal notes written by staff. Literati also carries great stationary such as Japanese brand Midori. There is a first floor and basement filled with books. In the corner of the basement, there's a fun old fashioned type writer many guests like to type little quotes and notes on sometimes staff will tape to the nearby wall. I love that there is a coffee shop on the top floor one can grab a quick beverage from to enjoy with their book. Definitely a gem of Ann Arbor, I wish this bookstore many years of continued success.

This place was packed at opening two saturdays ago! I was very happy for them and impressed. They are no longer a cafe from what I saw? I think they converted to three stories of just books. I bought some cool cards and a book while there. I didn't explore it all because it was so busy (and I already have so many books waiting to be read at home haha). I'll definitely be back though. It's right in the main downtown shopping area near cafes and restaurants and lots of other shops. Cute shop, great location.

Purchased my first book and there coffee mug back in 2015. Love there coffee shop on the 2nd level. So many books to chose from, you won't be disappointed (:

I took a day trip out to Ann Arbor to explore some of the local bookstores and was not at all disappointed. This bookstore offers a welcoming atmosphere and is full of so many different genre options that everyone who steps foot inside is sure to find something that they're excited to leave with. With three levels stocked completely with books of all kinds, no one will be left wanting. The employees are friendly and excited about their jobs. Everyone I spoke to was happy to be of help and gave wonderful recommendations. Very happy with my experience here today.

Indy rules! Borders Books was once the best bookstore before corporate mergers and gross mismanagement erased it from the face of the earth. Today Ann Arborites can enjoy three floors of fun chock full of books and simple but nice decor. Perhaps the periodicals section could be larger, but given the space they have I'd say any compromises are still in the consumers' favor. I particularly enjoyed the non-fiction section in the basement. Book-for-book the selection was a balance of established classics and new releases. The fact they exist downtown makes me very happy. Although smaller, Literati is comparable to Vroman's in Pasadena, CA. Both are independently owned and dialed in. Upstairs is the wonderful Espresso Café where book signings and other special events take place. I will review the café separately, but suffice it to say, if I had room in my suitcase I would have loaded up today.

Perhaps the best thing about Literati is their uncanny ability to not overwhelm the shopping reader. I wager I speak for many shoppers when I say that I don't know what I'm looking for more often than not. This becomes an issue when I step into a shop with endless walls of books shelved sardine style. For example, stop one--which is typically Fantasy--is clean an organized by author, and by popularity to a degree. There is no time to peruse thousands of possibilities. Thank you for providing a streamlined yet welcoming and memorable shopping experience. Job well done.

This bookstore might be one of the main reasons I decide to stay in Ann Arbor long term... Kinda serious about that - because let's face it, the weather is not really a selling point. But if there are good books, good coffee, and a quiet place to read and/or journal all in one place, well you can get through many dreary winter days. Great place to discover good authors and expand your literary circle.

If you love small little independent bookstores, you will not be disappointed in this location. My son wanted to support a local business while we were in the area, so we passed a few chain bookstores to get the book he was after. Unfortunately they did not have the book he was looking for, but they stated it could be ordered on their website. He already had their website open on is phone, so he just ordered for in store pickup. Not sure about nearby parking, as we lucked out and snagged a parking spot right in front of the store. Support your local businesses, and check this place out if you haven't yet. You'll be so glad that you did. I will definitely be back when I have a lot more time, I need to check their coffee and other levels out.

There's a quote on the wall outside Literati that reads, "I walked in expecting to fall in love with books, not the person I walked in with." I walked in to Literati partly because I liked the name and partly because Boyfriend and I were searching for something to do to pass the time. What I wasn't expecting was to fall so in love with this bookstore. I already really like bookstores. I practically grew up in bookstores. I love books. I love people who love books. qed: I was already primed to enjoy browsing around Literati. But this bookstore is phenomenal! Alongside their book displays, there are little person handwritten cards from staff members of Literati describing some of their favorite books and why they recommend them. This is just one of those extra little personal touches that pushes Literati into that special category of "places with heart." The main floor houses the newer releases and popular favorites. The second floor houses the children's section and the coffee shop. The basement houses more niche category books-- cooking, medicine and health, politics, etc. While browsing around, I noticed a book called "Notes From a Public Typewriter," which I thought was pretty adorable. THEN, Boyfriend and I wandered downstairs and came across the typewriter. Apparently, when the owners first opened the bookstore, they decided to put a typewriter in the basement with a fresh sheet of paper to see what would happen. No prompt, no nothing. What came out of it was something almost "Post Secret" in nature, with people typing out random things or confessions or musings. It's actually very quite cool and something that I think could only come out of an independent bookstore like Literati. tl;dr: A bookstore so nice, we went there twice in one weekend. If you are a fan of small businesses and independent bookstores, you must must MUST check out Literati.

I've been into Literati countless times since they opened but I spent a particularly large amount of time in there around Christmas, picking out gifts for several people on my list. It. Was. Packed. All three floors had tons of people browsing, chatting, walking around and carrying armfuls of book each. I hadn't seen anything like that in years! And instead of getting annoyed by the crowds (which I normally do in busy shops) something magical happened--I teared up. Yes, I got overwhelmingly emotional. Why? Because the 15 year old suburban kid in me that used to hang out in Borders for hours, pouring through books and magazines, drinking coffee, and longing to be way older and more sophisticated than I was, came back with a vengeance. And you know what? I missed her. Sure, Borders was a chain, but it was a locally based chain and in the 90s, living in Dearborn Heights, it was the best I had. And it was actually pretty good. We had a shop full of people who knew their stuff. They held signings and readings and listening parties. You even had to take a test to just get an interview (I never got an interview). Spending my time there introduced me to worlds I never knew about. I stumbled upon a lecture and meet and greet with Lloyd Kaufman from Troma Entertainment one night (and thus a brief dalliance with Z-horror films was born), I made friends with the clerks over a shared love of Britpop (thumbing through Q Magazine and browsing the music biography section for a new Unauthorized Blur biography) and secretly caught up on the old YA series' I left behind (aka grabbing the latest Baby Sitter's Club book and skimming it in the corner, lest anyone see me). News of a bookstore's closing has always bummed me out, to be sure, but I never realized how acutely I had missed them until that moment. The moment when I saw Literati overflowing with readers, thinkers, and yes, a few loiterers. I never realized how much I missed a place to read the chicken scratch of "staff recommendations" on index cards (although the staff at Literati has VERY legible penmanship!), to thumb through the stiff pages of a new hardcover, and the joy of noticing a book I'd never heard of before but picking it up because the jacket looked cool (sorry, I know we shouldn't judge books by their cover but it happens!) and discovering it was actually pretty great. It's the best feeling, you guys! Remember it?! Sure, a few chain bookstores remain but there's no real soul there left. Those days are gone. It's time to go back to basics. To excellently curated shops with passionate clerks and a love of literature. To teenagers and adults and children (seriously, the children's section is the bomb) discovering new things about themselves through words. To lectures and readings, poetry and plays, cookbooks and economics, children's story time and book clubs, and a cozy basement level with a working typewriter so you can bang out some prose and tape it to the wall to share with others. That's what you'll find at Literati. It's glorious. And what a blessing to have them in our neck of the woods. Ignore the naysayers--the printed word isn't dying. It just needed to find a more nurturing home. And if 3 floors of shoppers packed in on a December evening is any indication, its future looks secure at Literati. And I couldn't be happier. Ps--if your inner teen also needs a coffee fix the delightful Espresso Bar on the top floor will take care of that for you. Another evening found me there, sipping a latte and catching up on a little work when (much to my surprise) my old high school debate team came in for their first public exhibition of the school year. In that moment I really DId feel 15 again!

What a cute little bookstore! I had an hour to wait for a restaurant nearby so me and my boo stopped here to read a book, chat, and sip on some delicious teas from the coffe shop upstairs. I love local bookstores. This one is not huge, but the book selection is diverse, the employees are kind (and funny!), and the attached coffee shop upstairs is a great little refuge.

Very few experiences stir the sense that life is slipping away as much as visiting a good bookstore. So many good things to read, and that I should have read already! And so much writing left undone! This isn't a bad feeling actually--just a reminder of possibilities for richness and awareness in life that are too easily deferred. I don't get that feeling so much at the chain bookstores remaining here. They more often make me wonder if anyone cares about good books anymore. No danger of that at Literati. Although the selection isn't enormous, the quality is exceptional. The best current fiction and nonfiction, on the bestseller lists or not, can be found here. And the handwritten commentaries on "staff picks" books are priceless: detailed, informed, and very often impassioned. Honestly, I shop here as much because I feel like I'm among people who love and understand books like I do as because of what's in the stacks. Sometimes I'm not able to find older titles, and I'll admit that I don't always have the patience to do a special order through this store. But I find enough newer and classic titles here that more often than not I discover I've forgotten my Amazon password when I want to order through them. I do find it's harder to keep up my love of reading as time goes by. More than almost anything, Literati helps sustain it.

Books, coffee, tables, available electrical outlets, inter-web access - all the major needs met in one cool as the dickens place downtown. From the typewriter downstairs to the coffee up and the sandwich of books in between, the place reeks of a moveable feast to the palate and mind, which makes it a pleasure to attend. WiFi is fast as is the coffee Access, and one can take breaks browsing the shelves as a paradise lost. The downtown location is close enough to campus to be convenient, as well as proximal to the various eateries which easily tempt the many different tastes. This is indeed an A2 treasure.

I love this bookstore. Has great reviews in store and they really try to help you what you are looking for. Spend too much money when I go there. Haha. During COVID19 I plan I'm ordering from them, but I miss browsing in the store... Ann Arbor is so lucky to have them.

One of the best local bookstores I've ever seen. I love Literati for many reasons, but especially because of their selection of books on any subject you could want, staff recommendations wall, and fantastic organization. I love that I can come here and see the newest popular romance novel and a collection of essays on gender and policy side by side on the front table. Downstairs, the shelves are divided into sections covering everything from cookbooks to world history to feminist literature to "autumn activities" or whatever might be relevant at that time. I always walk out of here with a new book or two and an entire list of the ones I want to buy next. Come for yourself or to get a gift for someone - I guarantee there is a book for everyone here.

Happened upon this hip little book shop yesterday ... loved it! Friendly staff. Impressive kids section. Good selection of recent fiction and best sellers. I had my little one with me, so I didn't make it downstairs. Next time, for sure! So glad to find a nice general bookstore in downtown AA. Looks like they already have some in-store events planned for April. Nice!

THE bookstore for people of all ages who love reading, touching, smelling, and looking at books. From the literary fiction and poetry selections to cooking, art, gardening, books on race, history, politics, and the environment and much much more, Literati is a gem of bookstores and deserves nationwide recognition for the quality of its inventory and educated employees. The store also has a full selection of children's picture and board books, middle reader books, and books for YA readers, as well as a terrific selection of jigsaw puzzles and a wonderful area of children's toys and gifts. It's impossible for me to walk out empty-handed!

Loved this little local book shop. We almost missed that there was a downstairs. Loved the many typewriters, including some upon which you can bang out a few lines of inspiration. Best thing: little hand written reviews/ quick descriptions of books they had featured on display. Way cool, and compelling. Enjoyed wandering around this shop!

Ann Arbor is not lacking for good bookstores, making Literati's ability to stand out all the more impressive. I'm not one to bracket off history and context from my assessment of a place itself. Consequently, I have to mention Literati's origin story. A couple from New York came to A2 and wondered why there was a paucity of NEW bookstores downtown (the used bookstores are plentiful). They brought the kind of bookstore they wanted to see into existence. In doing so, they also recruited a graphic designer to create the very distinctive look of the building - the minimalist typewriter key lettering of the logo and the book quotes littering the bricks of the exterior walls. The inside is wonderful as well. The selection is well-curated. One of the most important facets of a good bookstore is the employee reviews/recommendations; in that regard, Literati delivers. Every shelf is filled with hand-written paragraphs recommending a particular book. Each recommendation is trenchant in its insight and earnest in the author's adoration for the work. I've blind bought many a book here due to these recs. My only criticism is the dearth of horror literature, critical race works and a surprisingly emaciated art and film section (which is mostly comprised of reference books as opposed to film criticism, art criticism, and essay work). That aside, this is a great addition to downtown.

5 stars for the most wonderful bookstore in the whole world. Literati is a small piece of heaven, and is an absolute must-see during a stop in Ann Arbor whether you're in the market for some new books or just want to browse and get a coffee in the cafe upstairs. The selection is fantastic, and the front table is constantly updated. The staff write hand-written book reviews of their favorite new releases, which are always spot-on and so much fun to read. I've always appreciated how helpful they are with book recommendations and ordering anything they don't have in stock right now -- I've had staff help me pick out gifts for family and friends and they always knock it out of the park! Whatever your bookstore needs may be, Literati is an amazing place that you absolutely must visit.

5 stars for not yelling at me whenever I come in to peruse their books with no intention of buying. But seriously, this place puts on great events and has a nice, comfortable space upstairs to get nose deep with a book you just purchased. Support small businesses and go buy a book!