115 W Green Street Lower, Ithaca, NY

It was a bright Saturday morning in downtown Ithaca when I opened my phone and typed what I usually do when I pass through any given town or city: “Bookstores Near Me” Ithaca, being a bright, vibrant college town, they had numerous options. The one I chose for this trip is a tucked away shop that not only surprised but delighted. Odyssey Bookstore may be on the small side but it makes up for it with gorgeous displays and back-lit bookshelves full of new and dynamic offerings.

Upon entering the shop, a clerk greeted me and offered hand sanitizer and a brief introduction to the shop, which was greatly appreciated. I started just to the right of the door where I found a nook full of science fiction, fantasy, horror, speculative, and YA fiction, including some graphic novels. That may seem like a lot for a small nook but they had a great balance between each genre and had plenty of bestselling and brand new titles in each. And each section went beyond the usual suspects, with new titles I hadn’t seen before and lovely displays showing them off.

Moving around the bend I investigated the nook that contains children’s books and titles for younger readers: board books, early chapters, and classic kid’s selections. The room continued into an area for their robust fiction offerings, with new editions of classics, fresh releases, and a 40% off cart that had a mix of everything. The area also has drama, poetry, essays, memoirs, and mystery novels. This is where I found a copy of Ron Stallworth’s Blackkklansman, which I had forgotten was a book before a film (a very good film at that), so I snatched that one up right away.

To the left of the entrance just beyond the front desk area I found another room with a large table and chairs surrounded by nonfiction of all types. As a small sampling, they had books on history, philosophy, biology, sociology, current events, race, gender, gardening, cooking, travel, and much more.

The shop struck a great balance between a wide selection of topics and genres while also offering enough of each to make each section worthwhile—a challenging feat for a shop with only a modest amount of space. And the bright, clean, welcoming atmosphere made it a perfect place to browse in comfort, regardless of any pandemic or seasonal bustle. All in all, top marks across the board. Odyssey is a gorgeous little bookshop with a lot of heart and should be at the top of the list for any book hunters passing through Ithaca.

Atmosphere — This basement shop in a stone building is brighter and cozier than one might think from the outside, and the clean, organized space is a pleasure to browse through. I especially liked the back-lit bookshelves.

Quality — The books are all new.

Quantity — They have a good amount of books packed into this moderately sized shop.

Diversity — This shop hits all the main categories with a superb balance of topics/genres and offerings within each.

Affordability — New books at new book prices, but they have a discount cart.

Amenities — They had tables, chairs, sanitizing equipment, and a cozy environment.

Location — Not far from the downtown Commons area, just a block or so over. I was able to park right in front of it and walk around downtown for a while before going inside.

Customer Service — Exceptional and very friendly. The staff made me feel welcomed and safe.

Overall — A smart little shop with great staff, bright displays, and excellent offerings. Highly recommended.