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 Pollinated by the students |
2904 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94705 United States +1 510 549 3532 |
Since the early 1980s, this bookstore has been popular for its huge variety of both new and used books. It deals in fiction, mystery, travel, art and just about every genre. You can even rent books on tape for a daily fee. One thing that makes this store a particular must is the nice and surprisingly large selection of history, anthropology and other subject books bought from college students. Those looking for rare and/or obscure texts along those lines may just be in luck here. Bring any books in good condition for trading or selling. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 One person's trash |
2280 Fulton Street Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 849 3199 |
At this tiny shop across the street from the University, you will find an array of nicely preserved (and stacked) antiques and collectibles, a veritable cross-section of 20th century Americana. George Kimacek has assembled a collection that almost feels like a casual museum. Find dishes from the 30s onward, Art Deco costume jewelry, dolls of all types, baseball and football cards (in their original packaging!), vintage Playboy magazines, Halston posters from the 70s and 80s and all manner of timeless bric-a-brac in between. Kimacek is willing to trade if you have something of interest. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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More history than the books |
1491 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94709 United States +1 510 486 0698 http://www.blackoakbooks.com/ |
This purveyor of both new and used books has gained a reputation around the Bay Area as a prime spot to search the shelves, relax in a corner and hear authors from all walks of life (from minor poets to national literary figures). It hosts readings and carries smaller journals, zines, magazines, chapbooks and the best of the small presses. It publishes small chapbooks and does broadsides for local poets that are available for purchase. The space is bright and open, so there is plenty of room to move. It features a very well stocked art and rare book section. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jacek S. |
 Photo: anonymous |
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How do you spell relief? |
2026 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 843 5002 http://www.comicrelief.net |
Since the 1980s, this shop has garnered several local Best Comic Store awards and the Will Eisner Spirit of Retailing Award. Wall to wall comic books, graphic novels and related toy and art paraphernalia will surround you. This is definitely one of those stores where if they do not have it, it probably does not exist. Everything you need, from strips, media, TV and movie reference, anime and manga, zines and fringe art, can be found here. The vast selection includes Calvin & Hobbes, Dilbert, Eightball, Sailor Moon, Star Wars Book, Asia Cinema, cult, horror, X-Files and Star Trek. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Colleen |
 Photo: Lily Etner |
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New, used, fantastic |
5433 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94618 United States +1 510 653 9965 http://www.dieselbookstore.com |
High ceilings atop brick walls allow for tall bookcases filled with both new and used (80 percent new) selections. You will find everything from hardbacks to paper, from current bestsellers to the classics, all at your fingertips and all nicely spread out. After choosing a book, head for one of the comfortable couches in the back and peruse your selections by the fireplace. Weekly events include author readings and signings, and book groups and discussions. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Echa Schneider  |
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Wisdom from the East |
1986 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 548 2350 |
An excellent resource for those in search of new, used, popular and/or rare Asian and Asian-American literature, Eastwind is a cozy little shop that stocks an amazing breadth of books and subjects. From cookbooks to Buddhist history, Chinese herbal medicine to university texts, Eastwind has it all and then some. You will also find shelves full of all you need for doing second language study, as well as flashcards, origami and calligraphy supplies, and other art and language learning aids. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Half price, full time |
1849 Solano Avenue Berkeley, CA 94707 United States +1 510 526 6080 http://www.halfpricebooks.com/ |
Walk beneath the CASH FOR BOOKS signs and find yourself in a world of dog-eared tomes whose subjects range from Russian classics to classic cookbooks to the Anarchist's Cookbook. A little bit of everything can be found here, and rifling through the shelves and piles will be a pleasure for those detective types, though perhaps the bane of others. Nevertheless, it is worth your time if you are looking for cheap paperbacks or that rare Existential treatise, a great many students sell their textbooks here, making for interesting finds indeed. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Nghiem Thai |
 Photo: ns.ae |
 News from around the world |
3167 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94705 United States +1 510 601 8602 |
Away from home and need to catch up on local events? Curious about the goings-on a hemisphere away? Or just across the Bay? No other newsstand in the Rockridge or Elmwood area has as larger a selection of foreign papers. Just about every time zone is covered, as you can tell by the several clocks on the wall indicating the time in major world cities. It also sells a large selection of local papers and lots of magazines, from glossies, art, specialty, trade, comic and literary. It even sells gum and candy. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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The essence of flowers |
2513 Telegraph Avenue Berkeley, CA 94709 United States +1 510 548 0380 |
If you are into flower essences, Chinese herbs, holistic therapies, or are looking for gifts for some one who is, Lhasa is one-stop shopping. Known throughout Berkeley as the premier place for Eastern and alternative remedies and supplies, in addition to their hundreds of herbs and tinctures, it has a nice selection of related books, bath soaps and supplies, henna, and even some lovely bags and tea pots. The staff knows their herbs well, and can holistically assist you with your ailments and/or offer advice on wellness in general. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Britpop, krautrock, hip hop |
2136 University Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 486 1880 http://www.modlang.com |
This cool indie rock shop stocks thousands of rare and sub-sub genres. It specializes in European and world imports (British imports especially) and classic issues of indie labels. Find a huge selection of psychedelic, funk, space rock, Britpop, punk, electronica, acid jazz, ambient, spoken word and then some, as well as releases from better known artists like the Beta Band, Enya, and Belle and Sebastian, to the lesser known sounds of Blonde Redhead, Mojave 3 and Gomez. It also stocks quite a good selection of music memorabilia like posters, T-shirts, autographs, zines and British music magazines. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Michael Lawrence |
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By which others are judged |
2476 Telegraph Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 849 2087 / +1 510 849 2133 http://www.moesbooks.com/ |
Here book-lovers will find the romantic notion of shelves stacked up to the ceiling with books, so heavy they threaten to give way. The fading smell of bookbinding glue conjures images of ancient libraries. You could spend hours wandering the aisles like that kid in The Neverending Story. If you do not find what you are looking for, which is nearly impossible since Moe's has just about everything ever printed, you are sure to find something to appease you. For those looking for antique or rare books, check out the huge collection on the fourth floor. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: TAJIMA Haru |
 Photo: Elisa Mai |
 Photo: Colby Gutierrez-Kray |
 Photo: Colleen |
 Photo: Brian Chu |
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Bargain legal books |
950 Parker Street (between Eighth and Ninth streets) Berkeley, CA 94710-2524 United States +1 800 728 3555 http://www.nolo.com |
Here you can buy top titles in legal books and software discounted up to 40 percent off the regular retail prices. Local patrons include law professionals, students and self-help readers. The outlet sells numerous titles and series by all the notable law publishers, including the Nutshell Series, as well as Federal Procedure and California Civil Code publications. You will also find plenty of law study guides discounted 10 percent, including case notes, the LSAT Triple Prep, Emanuel and Gilbert's Study Aids. Plus, it features a variety of legal forms and literature on small business self-help. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Science fiction and fantasy |
2020 Shattuck Avenue (between University Avenue and Addison Street) Berkeley, CA 94704-1117 United States +1 510 848 0413 http://www.otherchangeofhobbit... |
Once upon a time, there was a bookstore called A Change of Hobbit, which begot The Other Change of Hobbit. Although the original no longer exists, the latter remains as one of the best science fiction and fantasy bookstores in the Bay Area. The store itself is large and, though stacked with new and used tomes, the wide aisles and high ceiling fight feelings of claustrophobia. You will be hard-pressed to stump the friendly sales staff about this genre. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Tensegrity Dan |
 Photo: Krishna Raghunath |
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Fly on in |
2349 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 649 1320 http://www.pegasusbookstore.com/ |
Berkeley's famous independent bookstores tend to occupy the most unlikely of places, and Pegasus, in the former home of a car dealership, is no exception. Being an expansive, former showroom, it lets you browse the selections with lots of air and light at your back. Find a broad range from bestsellers to the classics, from the obscure to the out of print. It boasts a huge selection of overstocked, discounted titles, as well as an ever-growing used section. There is a huge magazine and newspaper rack with many international journals, as well as CDs, gift cards, and bags. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Nghiem Thai |
 Photo: Nghiem Thai |
 Photo: Michael Van Vleet |
 Photo: andrew bailey |
 Photo: Catherine Meng |
 Photo: seaofclouds |
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Fine used books and CDs |
5560 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94618 United States +1 510 652 6259 |
This independent bookstore, which has been around since the 1970s, has expanded considerably. Even though the shelves stretch from floor to ceiling, there is an open and airy feel to the place. Although originally a used-only store, it stocks many bestsellers and current releases. The genre section is impressive, and includes sci-fi and fantasy, art, cinema, metaphysics and a great section for children. The magazine rack is also well stocked with glossies, literary journals and local papers. The store buys mostly books in good condition, but it now buys and sells CDs as well. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Kids 101 |
5511 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94618 United States +1 510 601 5437 http://www.rockridgeshop.com/ |
This store is a veritable playground of puzzles, dolls, trucks, kites, stuffed animals, Duplo, Lego, Playmobil, Eloise and just about every toy you can fathom. There is even a book corner with chairs for the less rambunctious. The kids are invited to dive in. More than just a toy store, you will find everything from infant accessories like first dishes, strollers, car seats, teething toys and pacifiers, to infant and children's clothing and books on parenting. It also features children's toys for adults, including a beautiful collection of dollhouses. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and willing to giftwrap! Review © 2007, Wcities |
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The Bard's got it |
2499 Telegraph Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 841 8916 |
Since its founding in 1964, Shakespeare & Co. has become one of Telegraph Avenue's world famous bookstores. Here you will find tomes stacked floor to ceiling, close as stalagmites. Although it carries some new titles and bestsellers, the treasures are its used books, with thousands covering just about every subject and genre. For the student there are many textbooks, as the owners are constantly buying and reselling. Check them out, especially if the hunt is as important as finding the book itself. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Colleen |
 Photo: Barbara Musial |
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Travel, environment, nature |
6014 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94618 United States +1 510 658 7470 http://www.sierraclub.org/ |
Since 1892, the Sierra Club has worked to preserve our natural resources, and to change our attitude towards the environment. The Sierra Club aimes to show us that the natural habitat is something precious that we should respect and cherish for future generations to enjoy. Find a large selection of books relating to world and local travel with a focus on nature, like hiking, boating, camping and mountain trips. In addition, there is information on local events sponsored by the Club, like river touring, rock climbing, and monthly dinners and slide shows. Sierra Club members receive a ten percent discount. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Candy, toys, women's fashions |
2903 College Avenue (at the corner Russell Street) Berkeley, CA 94705 United States +1 510 549 1211 |
This unusual establishment consists of three shops within the same block (2901, 2903 and 2921) of College Avenue in Berkeley. The two neighboring shops are independent toy stores with a whimsical atmosphere that invites children and adults to shop to the sounds of Beatles tunes on a children's tape player. The third store is part candy store and part home accessories and gifts (notecards and candles) outlet. The back room is filled with women's clothing, such as fuzzy leopard slippers, slinky XOXO dresses and Hawaiian board shorts. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jin Zhu |
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Ten thousand minds on fire |
2430 Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94704 United States +1 510 548 0585 / +1 800 676 8722 http://www.universitypressbook... |
Since 1974, University Press Books has offered rare, unique, and hard to find titles from university and academic presses from around the world. Whether you are looking for medieval history, linguistics, cinema or literary theory, you are bound to find it here, and probably a few more titles you did not know existed. It stocks both new and out-of-print books. You will enjoy the search as well in this two-story, floor-to-ceiling-with-tomes store, with lots of nooks and stairs to curl up on and flip through your current find. There is even an inviting table with chairs in the back. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Alex Shepard |