Oklahoma has a way of surprising you when you least expect it. You might pull into a strip mall thinking you are just running a quick errand, and then you walk through a door and suddenly find yourself surrounded by floor-to-ceiling shelves, the warm smell of paper and possibility, and a staff that actually knows books.
That kind of discovery sticks with you for a long time. Best of Books in Edmond is exactly that kind of place.
A Locally Owned Gem in Edmond, Oklahoma
Edmond, Oklahoma is not the first place most people think of when they picture a legendary bookstore, but Best of Books has been quietly proving that assumption wrong for years. Tucked into a neighborhood shopping center on East Danforth Road, the store carries the kind of energy you feel the moment you step inside.
Something about it just feels right.
Locally owned and deeply rooted in the community, Best of Books is the sort of shop that national chains simply cannot replicate. The shelves are curated with care, the layout invites exploration, and every corner seems to hold something worth picking up.
Regulars describe it as a place they never leave empty-handed.
What makes an independent bookstore thrive in a world of online shopping? At Best of Books, the answer seems to be a genuine love of reading combined with a real investment in the people who walk through the door.
Visitors consistently mention feeling welcomed, not just as customers, but as fellow book lovers who belong there. That sense of belonging is rare, and it is worth seeking out.
The Store That Grew Around Its Community
Some stores feel like they were built to last, and Best of Books has the kind of history that backs that feeling up. Reviewers mention coming here since childhood, which says something powerful about how long this shop has been part of Edmond life.
A place that spans generations does not happen by accident.
Over the years, the store has expanded its offerings while holding onto the soul that made it special in the first place. The selection has grown to cover everything from bestsellers and classics to local author titles and hard-to-find reads.
Handwritten staff reviews line the fiction shelves, giving browsers a personal guide through the stacks that no algorithm could match.
The store also has a reputation for going above and beyond in ways that leave a lasting impression. One family drove five hours from Dallas for a book signing event, and when their young child accidentally left a beloved stuffed animal behind, the staff opened on their closed day just to return it.
Stories like that do not come from a business manual. They come from people who genuinely care about the humans they serve.
Fifty Thousand Books Under One Roof
Walking into a store that holds tens of thousands of books is a different experience than browsing a typical retail shop. The sheer volume of titles at Best of Books means that almost any reading mood is covered, whether you are after a gripping thriller, a quiet literary novel, a classic you missed in school, or a picture book for a toddler who just discovered stories.
The selection earns consistent praise from visitors, many of whom note that the store feels larger on the inside than it looks from the outside. Genres are well organized, and the staff keeps things fresh with rotating featured titles and curated displays.
School-assigned reading is reliably in stock, which parents of students appreciate enormously.
Beyond the expected categories, Best of Books carries a local author section that spotlights Oklahoma writers and signed copies that add a collectible dimension to the browsing experience. Pre-ordering is also an option, and orders arrive with charming bookmarks that make the whole transaction feel like a small celebration.
Finding a book you did not know you needed is practically a guarantee here, and that kind of happy accident is exactly what a great bookstore is supposed to deliver.
Rolling Ladders, Handwritten Reviews, and the Art of Browsing
Few things signal a serious bookstore faster than rolling ladders on floor-to-ceiling shelves. Best of Books delivers that classic image, and it is not just for show.
Those high shelves are packed with real inventory, and getting to the top tier requires the kind of reach that only a well-placed rolling ladder can provide. Browsing here has a theatrical quality that makes the whole trip feel like an adventure.
Scattered throughout the fiction section, handwritten staff reviews offer something no bestseller list can give you: an honest, personal recommendation from someone who has actually read the book and wants you to love it too. These little cards transform passive shelf-scanning into an active conversation between reader and recommender.
Regulars say they have discovered some of their favorite reads this way.
The overall browsing experience at Best of Books rewards patience and curiosity. Displays change regularly, seasonal picks appear near the front, and the layout encourages wandering rather than rushing.
Visitors often describe arriving with one title in mind and leaving with four or five. That is not an accident.
The store is designed to spark that kind of joyful, unplanned discovery that book lovers live for, and it succeeds consistently.
A Children’s Section Worth the Trip Alone
Parents and grandparents who visit Best of Books often mention the children’s section as a highlight that stands on its own. Stocked with picture books, early readers, chapter books, and learning toys, the area is designed to make young visitors feel like the store was built just for them.
Kids who walk in skeptical tend to walk out asking when they can come back.
The staff’s patience with younger shoppers is something multiple visitors have pointed out. When little ones get restless or overwhelmed, team members step in naturally, offering coloring pages, buttons to collect, and gentle suggestions that turn a potential meltdown into a memorable moment.
That kind of attentiveness is not something you can train quickly; it reflects a genuine warmth toward families.
Baby shower gifts, birthday picks, and holiday shopping for the littles in your life are all covered here. Visitors note that the selection works even for the most particular young readers, and the staff can make solid recommendations across age groups and reading levels.
Gift-wrapping is available during the holidays, which turns a simple book purchase into something that feels genuinely thoughtful. Families who discover this section tend to become regulars quickly.
Events, Book Signings, and the Bookstore as a Gathering Place
A bookstore that only sells books is missing half the point. Best of Books understands this, hosting events that turn the shop into a community hub rather than just a retail stop.
Book signings draw readers from across the region, with visitors reporting drives of several hours to attend signings by favorite authors and illustrators. The events have a personal, unhurried feel that big-venue signings rarely match.
Seasonal events add another layer of fun. A summer Where’s Waldo activity during July is mentioned fondly by families who return for it year after year.
These kinds of touches show that the store thinks beyond transactions and toward experiences that build lasting loyalty. When a bookstore becomes part of your family’s annual rhythm, that is something special.
Local authors also get meaningful shelf space and event opportunities, making Best of Books a genuine supporter of Oklahoma’s literary community rather than just a passive seller of national titles. Visitors who attend signings often describe the atmosphere as warm and celebratory, with staff making everyone feel like an honored guest.
For anyone who has ever wanted to meet the person behind a book they love, this store provides that chance more regularly than most shops its size.
Gifts, Bookmarks, Puzzles, and Treasures Beyond the Shelves
Not every visitor to Best of Books arrives with a specific title in mind, and the store is perfectly prepared for that. Beyond the extensive book selection, the shop carries an impressive range of gifts, bookmarks, puzzles, and literary-themed novelties that make it a reliable destination for anyone searching for something a little out of the ordinary.
Finding the right present for a hard-to-shop-for person becomes surprisingly easy here.
Visitors regularly mention discovering items they did not know they needed, from unusual gifts to charming knickknacks that catch the eye between the shelves. The gift section is curated with the same thoughtfulness that defines the book selection, meaning nothing feels thrown in just to fill space.
Every item seems chosen because someone at the store genuinely liked it.
Pre-ordered books arrive with cute bookmarks tucked inside, a small detail that turns a standard transaction into a little surprise. Holiday shoppers particularly appreciate the gift-wrapping service, which saves time and adds a polished finish to purchases.
Whether you are shopping for a lifelong reader, a puzzle enthusiast, a curious child, or someone who just appreciates beautiful things, Best of Books has enough variety to send you home satisfied. Often more satisfied than you expected when you first walked in.
Hours, Location, and What to Know Before You Visit
Planning a trip to Best of Books is straightforward, and knowing the basics ahead of time makes the visit even smoother. The store is located at 1313 E Danforth Rd in Edmond, Oklahoma, easy to find in a neighborhood shopping center that is accessible from major roads in the area.
Parking is convenient, and the entrance is welcoming from the moment you pull up.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 7 PM, giving most visitors a comfortable window to stop in after work, on a weekend afternoon, or during a day off. The store is closed on Sundays, so plan accordingly.
If you have questions before making the drive, the team can be reached by phone at 405-340-9202, and the store website at bestofbooksok.com has additional information about upcoming events and inventory.
Service animals are welcome, which visitors with accessibility needs have specifically appreciated. The store can also order titles that are not currently in stock, so even if your exact book is not on the shelf, the staff can help you get it.
First-time visitors are encouraged to arrive without a strict agenda and simply let the shelves guide them. That open approach tends to produce the best results, and the most memorable afternoons, at Best of Books.
Share this story
