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BAY AREA

Books Inc.

VARIOUS LOCATIONS

booksinc.net

Calling itself “the West’s oldest independent bookseller,” Books Inc. is a San Francisco and South Bay favorite (and with J. readers as well), with three stores in the city and several on the Peninsula. Featuring a wide range of books — including children’s selections, cookbooks and Jewish titles — the stores regularly host authors’ readings (during normal times.)

 

SAN FRANCISCO

Green Apple Books

(415) 387-2272  •  greenapplebooks.com

Green Apple Books in San Francisco was founded in 1967 and has grown 10 times from its original 750 square feet, and now has two locations: Clement Street in the Richmond and Ninth Avenue in the Inner Sunset. With a huge selection of new and used books, magazines and music, the store hosts its own authors’ nights and book fairs and also outside events. Past readings from literary luminaires include the likes of Rachel Cusk, Hari Kunzru, John Waters, Michael Chabon and Catherine Lacey.

 

EAST BAY

Pegasus Books Downtown

BERKELEY and OAKLAND
(510) 649-1320  •  pegasusbookstore.com

Pegasus gets a five-star rating from many of its customers for great selection and service that sets a new standard. There are many ways to find and order the perfect book: in-store, online, phone, delivered. Their Bookseller’s Manifesto speaks to their belief that the printed word represents “the alchemy of handing the printed word to others.” Two stores in Berkeley and one in Oakland.

 

SOUTH BAY/PENINSULA

Kepler’s Books

MENLO PARK
(650) 324-4321  •  keplers.com

Reopened as of Sept. 1. J. readers are rejoicing as one of their favorite places is live again! Launched in Menlo Park in 1955, Kepler’s calls itself “an intellectual and cultural hub for the Peninsula,” normally hosting a full calendar of author events and book club meetings. The formerly family-owned institution, a leader in the paperback revolution, reinvented itself several years ago with a for-profit bookstore that supports a nonprofit organization offering cultural and educational programming.

 

NORTH BAY

Book Passage

CORTE MADERA
(415) 927-0960  •  bookpassage.com

Upcoming Book Passage Presents will feature well-known (and some lesser-known) writers, such as Yotam Ottolenghi, Ina Garten and Matthew McConaughey. Marin winner Book Passage, which also has a store in San Francisco’s Ferry Building, not only features a wide selection of books, including top-selling fiction and travel guides, it also hosts hundreds of author events, as well as writing and language classes, literary salons and annual conferences.

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