Wide World Books & Maps

Doesn't Recommend

alexis259

Joined 5 years ago

Interesting Store, Rude Staff. I purchased a few items from this store and ending up having to make a return. When I made the return the woman who helped was sarcastic and rude about the whole thing. I won't be shopping at Wide World Books & Maps again, the staff is pretentious and rude.

Recommends

vt87

Joined 6 years ago

Wide World Books and Maps. If you are planning a trip, this is the place to go. You can always find an appropriate book, or a helpful item to take with you. In addition, the staff is amazing -- they are travelers themselves, and often have helpful information to share. The events at the store are also wonderfully informative and well-organized.

Doesn't Recommend

shovliga

Joined 7 years ago

AVOID AVOID AVOID!!!!. I really want to love this place, I always support independently owned stores, my husband and I often travel and my best girlfriend is an avid reader of travel journals. Instead of being a devoted, frequent customer, I'll never give them my business again. I walked up to the shop about three weeks ago to find a few books for a trip my husband and I are planning. While I was in the store I sat down and thumbed through a few guide books. After about 10 minutes I heard the two clerks talking rather critically about a patron who had just left the store. About her 'smell' and odd behaviour - not exactly professional or kind and that was my first clue. About 10 minutes later, one of these clerks told me that what I was doing, looking through guide books, was unwelcomed. She talked to me with such a condescending attitude, edge and smugness that I was literally rendered speechless! She all but told me to either buy something or get out - and in my experience, one of the joys of a bookstore, is simply looking around and spending time perusing the merchandise. She literally acted like I was an unwelcomed guest in her home who just broke something, I'm sure you know the type! There are so many wonderful, well-run bookstores that give you a sincere sense of community, please support them and DO NOT give your business to Wide World Books, they don't deserve you!!!!

Recommends

ronrr

Joined 7 years ago

Wonderful!. Part indie bookstore, part luggage store, and all brilliant, Wide World Books & Maps is the type of neighborhood gem that every community wishes it had. If you need anything for travel locally, domestically, or abroad, Wide World should be your first destination. And even if you're only looking for an outstanding collection of hand-picked literature, this is the place for you.

Recommends

cfpl

Joined 7 years ago

A Great Get Away. Wide World Books & Maps is a destination whenever thinking about a trip. Suitcases, passport photos, personal items & of, course, a huge collection of books & maps are available. It's also a dandy place to go & just browse. And browsing can lift the spirits on the greyest of days. The staff is very helpful & friendly. A welcoming place w/ a fabulous selection of material for travelling. An A1 place.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Keenly researched guidebooks, gorgeous photo portfolios and globetrotting clerks take you around the world in an afternoon.. In Short
For nearly three decades this unassuming, independent Wallingford bookshop has quietly launched grand international tours, domestic pilgrimages and armchair adventures. Globes, maps, language tapes and books--especially Lonely Planet and Rough guides--emphasize multi-cultural, eco-sensitive, off-the-beaten-path travel. Essential accessories like Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap, waist-safe travel pouches and a sleep sheet for two round out the selection. Classic works by Bruce Chatwin, Paul Theroux and others provide ample reason to stay home and read about travel instead.

Recommends

capttovin

Joined 8 years ago

hugely informative. This is what browsing is for: every time I go on a trip, I find a book or two here to make it that much better. Usually I can choose from among several for the same place.