Berkeley, California
ForumFavorite Bookstores
Melde dich bei LibraryThing an, um Nachrichten zu schreiben.
Dieses Thema ruht momentan. Die letzte Nachricht liegt mehr als 90 Tage zurück. Du kannst es wieder aufgreifen, indem du eine neue Antwort schreibst.
1tom1066
Moe's Books -- Four floors of books, mostly used and rare. Moe's is for my money the best bookstore in the Bay Area. Its proximity to the University guarantees a constant stream of interesting and unusual books, and the prices are always fair. Fun fact: Former employer of Jonathan Lethem.
Black Oak Books -- Another great bookstore, though smaller than Moe's. It has unbelievable sections in math and science and medieval/Renaissance studies. The prices are sometimes higher than elsewhere in the area, but the stock is always worth a look.
Serendipity Books -- The legendary bookstore. Though it is not really set up for browsers (most business is by catalog order), walk-in customers are welcome. The stock is on the high end, with prices to match. Fun fact: Serendipity made book collecting history in the 1960s with a catalog featuring modern firsts, creating a marketplace for such first editions that had not existed before.
Shakespeare and Company -- Disclaimer: I worked there years ago. In business for over 50 years now, Shakespeare is the prototypical small, dark and cramped used bookstore. Right across the street from Moe's, it's prices are usually at or below the competitions', and there are plenty of treasures on the shelves if you look hard enough. Fun fact: Named for Sylvia Beach's famous Paris bookstore, it is one of about 20 stores of the same name located all over the world.
Berkeley Public Library Book Room -- Located in the walkthrough mall under the Sather Gate Garage near the University (and a block from Moe's), this store sells donations from members of the public. Prices are usually rock-bottom. Notable finds: A first edition of Faulkner's second novel, Danny Lyon's monograph on bikers, and an 1860s edition of Child's Ballads.
Urban Ore -- This recycling center is (I believe) sponsored by the city, and contains a sizable section of books on all subjects. They are well-organized and occasionally a rarity hits the shelf. Worth a look, as prices tend to be low and you may see something you've never seen before.
Black Oak Books -- Another great bookstore, though smaller than Moe's. It has unbelievable sections in math and science and medieval/Renaissance studies. The prices are sometimes higher than elsewhere in the area, but the stock is always worth a look.
Serendipity Books -- The legendary bookstore. Though it is not really set up for browsers (most business is by catalog order), walk-in customers are welcome. The stock is on the high end, with prices to match. Fun fact: Serendipity made book collecting history in the 1960s with a catalog featuring modern firsts, creating a marketplace for such first editions that had not existed before.
Shakespeare and Company -- Disclaimer: I worked there years ago. In business for over 50 years now, Shakespeare is the prototypical small, dark and cramped used bookstore. Right across the street from Moe's, it's prices are usually at or below the competitions', and there are plenty of treasures on the shelves if you look hard enough. Fun fact: Named for Sylvia Beach's famous Paris bookstore, it is one of about 20 stores of the same name located all over the world.
Berkeley Public Library Book Room -- Located in the walkthrough mall under the Sather Gate Garage near the University (and a block from Moe's), this store sells donations from members of the public. Prices are usually rock-bottom. Notable finds: A first edition of Faulkner's second novel, Danny Lyon's monograph on bikers, and an 1860s edition of Child's Ballads.
Urban Ore -- This recycling center is (I believe) sponsored by the city, and contains a sizable section of books on all subjects. They are well-organized and occasionally a rarity hits the shelf. Worth a look, as prices tend to be low and you may see something you've never seen before.
2oregonobsessionz
Moe's is definitely hazardous. I wandered in there last summer, and by closing time I had acquired too many books to fit in my carry-on bags. They shipped everything for me. The books arrived in a short time and in good condition.
3tom1066
I am in Berkeley for a few days, and I've come across a couple of other places worth a visit.
Turtle Island Books -- On Claremont Ave at Prince St., this store specializes in rare books on gardening and travel, but has a nice selection of fine literature and other non-fiction as well. They have some particularly nice artwork for sale as well, including some original drawings of Where the Wild Things Are characters by Maurice Sendak.
Half Price Books -- Though it is a chain, the Berkeley location is near the university on Shattuck Ave. and consequently seems to get a better than average selection of used books. Their fiction sections are particularly good for a Half Price location.
Dark Carnival -- Near Turtle Island on Claremont, this bookstore specializes in genre fiction, especially fantasy and science fiction. While it generally has new books, there are some used and rare gems on the shelves. Also, the store tends to buy large quantities of hardcovers and does not return them. A keen-eyed shopper can spot some choice items that have gone up in value since their release and still buy them at cover price. Dark Carnival also often has UK and limited edition releases.
A Change of Hobbit -- Located next to Half Price on Shattuck, this store was closed when I was down there, so I can only say what I remember from when I was there last. Like Dark Carnival, it specializes in fantasy and science fiction, but has more in the way of collectible pocket books.
Pendragon/Pegasus Books -- This is a mini-chain with brances on College Ave in Rockridge, on Shattuck Ave near the university and on Solano Ave. in North Berkeley. They mainly specialize in new books and used copies of popular books, but there are occasionally some nice first editions on display on upper shelves.
Black Swan -- On Piedmont Ave in North Oakland, this bookstore is small but always has some items of interest to collectors of all kinds. The store generally has some rare item you've never seen before, and at a fair price.
The Book Mark -- Run by the Oakland Public Library on public donations, this store is located in downtown Oakland in a beautiful old storefront. I've found some great books here over the years. The prices are somewhat higher than at the usual public library book bin, but the stock is also of a better quality. They have books in all categories, all well-organized.
Keep in mind that these are just some of the bookstores in the East Bay (there are more in Contra Costa County and elsewhere south of Oakland), and there are at least as many good bookstores across the Bay in San Francisco.
Turtle Island Books -- On Claremont Ave at Prince St., this store specializes in rare books on gardening and travel, but has a nice selection of fine literature and other non-fiction as well. They have some particularly nice artwork for sale as well, including some original drawings of Where the Wild Things Are characters by Maurice Sendak.
Half Price Books -- Though it is a chain, the Berkeley location is near the university on Shattuck Ave. and consequently seems to get a better than average selection of used books. Their fiction sections are particularly good for a Half Price location.
Dark Carnival -- Near Turtle Island on Claremont, this bookstore specializes in genre fiction, especially fantasy and science fiction. While it generally has new books, there are some used and rare gems on the shelves. Also, the store tends to buy large quantities of hardcovers and does not return them. A keen-eyed shopper can spot some choice items that have gone up in value since their release and still buy them at cover price. Dark Carnival also often has UK and limited edition releases.
A Change of Hobbit -- Located next to Half Price on Shattuck, this store was closed when I was down there, so I can only say what I remember from when I was there last. Like Dark Carnival, it specializes in fantasy and science fiction, but has more in the way of collectible pocket books.
Pendragon/Pegasus Books -- This is a mini-chain with brances on College Ave in Rockridge, on Shattuck Ave near the university and on Solano Ave. in North Berkeley. They mainly specialize in new books and used copies of popular books, but there are occasionally some nice first editions on display on upper shelves.
Black Swan -- On Piedmont Ave in North Oakland, this bookstore is small but always has some items of interest to collectors of all kinds. The store generally has some rare item you've never seen before, and at a fair price.
The Book Mark -- Run by the Oakland Public Library on public donations, this store is located in downtown Oakland in a beautiful old storefront. I've found some great books here over the years. The prices are somewhat higher than at the usual public library book bin, but the stock is also of a better quality. They have books in all categories, all well-organized.
Keep in mind that these are just some of the bookstores in the East Bay (there are more in Contra Costa County and elsewhere south of Oakland), and there are at least as many good bookstores across the Bay in San Francisco.
4tom1066
Two more I forgot:
The Book Zoo -- On Telegraph Ave at Alcatraz, this shop is owned by two guys who started it several years ago in an oversized closet nearer the University. They've since expanded into a much larger space and have managed to maintain the personal touches that made the earlier store a success. Though they don't have the depth of selection of other Berkeley bookstores, the Zoo always has some choice rare and unusual items.
Book sale room at UC Berkeley library -- The place has no name, as far as I know, but down a long corridor in the library is one of Berkeley's best-kept secrets. Much of the stock is donated by professors, presumably, as it often has their bookplates and stamps. Other stock is ex-library. The selections understandably tend to the scholarly, with emphasis on literature, classics and history. Prices are often just a bit lower than market value, but many of the books are hard to find even on the Internet. Open 11 to 3 Monday through Thursday -- cash or check only.
The Book Zoo -- On Telegraph Ave at Alcatraz, this shop is owned by two guys who started it several years ago in an oversized closet nearer the University. They've since expanded into a much larger space and have managed to maintain the personal touches that made the earlier store a success. Though they don't have the depth of selection of other Berkeley bookstores, the Zoo always has some choice rare and unusual items.
Book sale room at UC Berkeley library -- The place has no name, as far as I know, but down a long corridor in the library is one of Berkeley's best-kept secrets. Much of the stock is donated by professors, presumably, as it often has their bookplates and stamps. Other stock is ex-library. The selections understandably tend to the scholarly, with emphasis on literature, classics and history. Prices are often just a bit lower than market value, but many of the books are hard to find even on the Internet. Open 11 to 3 Monday through Thursday -- cash or check only.
