Subterranean Books
Share
Open 11-7 Every Day We opened in October 2000 and moved down the street and expanded in March 2021. We also have a free frequent buyer program. Seriously.
We focus on the independent book store best sellers, a diverse fiction collection, children's books, history, and anything else we think is really interesting. Our big categories are literature, music, film, pop culture, children’s, cultural studies, history… Our smaller (but no less important) include religion, crafts, science, nature, cookbooks, gardening, travel…
The entire staff has input on what we stock, so the store is always evolving and improving. We listen to our customers, as well, eavesdropping on what books they’re talking about. We listen to the radio, read newspapers, magazines, blogs—we’re always looking for tips on what’s out there and what our customers might like. If we don’t have something in stock we can always order it for you—either here through our website or in-store. We’ve always had it—since day one back in October of 2000—and it’s always been important to us. We know you have many options about where you can buy books and we really really appreciate that you chose us. The buyer program is free to sign up for and takes just moments while you’re in the store. We’ll need your name, zip code, and the last four digits of your phone number. Then every time you check out we’ll ring your sales under your account and after you’ve bought 20 books (or shirts, or magazines, or stickers) the computer will average out what you’ve spent and apply that average as a store credit. And it does it all automatically. There’s no carrying of a card or remembering where you’re at. (Although we can easily look up your account to tell you how close you are.) We’re a tiny staff of 7 and woman-owned, and we’re all avid readers and are always excited to make recommendations, talk about what you just read—that you just hated or that you think absolutely everyone should read, and take it as a personal affront if we’re not able to figure out what that book was that you heard about on NPR two weeks ago that had something about family and Africa in the title. We LOVE those challenges. So, thanks for checking us out. And please come back.
09/28/2026
Meet the Rep: This is Gina. She's our rep from Hachette Book Group and, like so many of our reps, has an enormous list to manage each season. She comes up from Austin and attended my alma mater, UT. She helps us wade through the brainy tomes from Basic Books, the musical dreamland of Da Capo Press, the fancy Orbit romantasy volumes, and an avalanche of kids' books. Among others. Thank you, Gina! www.subbooks.com
09/25/2026
Meet the Rep: This is Uriel. He is another of our many Penguin Random House reps. He visits us from Chicago and sells us the homey Clarkson Potter, BOOM! Studios graphic novels, sci-fi/fantasy from Del Rey Books, and myriad cerebral and literary imprints. Thanks, Uriel! www.subbooks.com
09/24/2026
We'll be on the Wash U campus tonight for two events: Deb Olin Unferth in Dunker Hall at 6:00 and Haleh Liza Gafori at 7:00 in Knight Hall. See you at one (or both!) All Wash U events are free and open to the public. www.subbooks.com
09/22/2026
Subterranean Books is now accepting resumes for a Sunday book seller. We're looking for someone with retail or restaurant experience, who is a voracious reader, and who works well in a small team. Please drop your resume by the store or forward it via email. www.subbooks.com
09/09/2026
The list is up! www.subbooks.com
09/08/2026
So many new releases NOT in the picture. Switzy has had a lotttt of ink written about it. www.subbooks.com
09/04/2026
It's one of my favorite times of the year: the release of Harper Perennial 's Olive Editions. If I were a collector, I would have started hoarding these years ago. Each year there are 8 thematically related titles released with fantastic covers. This year's theme is fantasy. They're cheap, too! www.subbooks.com
09/04/2026
Meet the Rep: This is Nichole. She's our Penguin Random House children's sales rep. We have FIVE separate PRH reps because they publish So. Many. Books. Some of our reps are phone sales reps.
I've had Nichole for a few years and she is fantastic, but I've never met her, have no idea what she looks like, and only know from caller ID that she probably lives in Maryland. It's tough sorting through all the hundreds of kids' books published each season (everything from tiny newborn board books, to upper end YA chock full of drugs, s*x, violence, and crude language.) She talked me into carrying Bluey because "Bluey books will pay your rent". And she is correct! Thanks, Nichole, for everything you do!
09/03/2026
One Subterranean sees this photo as a "What are you reading?" image and another sees it as "Look at me, not that!" What is your take? www.subbooks.com
09/02/2026
This truly is a display contributed to by all of us because I DID have to read Moby Dick in high school and *hated* it. I've since had many conversations with folks saying it shouldn't be read until your 40s. Anywho, I guess one could also interpret this as "Books I Wish I'd Read in High School [and Was Supposed to Have Done So]". www.subbooks.com
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Category
Telephone
Website
Address
6271 Delmar Boulevard
St. Louis, MO
63130
Opening Hours
| Monday | 11am - 7pm |
| Tuesday | 11am - 7pm |
| Wednesday | 11am - 7pm |
| Thursday | 11am - 7pm |
| Friday | 11am - 7pm |
| Saturday | 11am - 7pm |
| Sunday | 11am - 7pm |
Alerts
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Subterranean Books posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.