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BAY AREA
Books Inc.
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
booksinc.net
The oldest independent bookseller in the West, Books Inc. has 11 locations throughout the Bay Area, each independently owned and operated. The company employs over 100 knowledgeable booksellers “who are passionate about helping everyone find their perfect book, and dedicated to enriching the literary scene in their neighborhoods.”
SAN FRANCISCO
Green Apple Books
(415) 387-2272 (RICHMOND)
(415) 742-5833 (SUNSET)
(415) 567-8027 (FILLMORE)
greenapplebooks.com
Green Apple Books sells new and used books, and the Clement Street location buys used books. Community involvement is part of the store’s philosophy: “We helped found the San Francisco Locally Owned Merchants Association and we served on the boards of the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association and the Clement Street Merchants Association.”
Bookshop West Portal
(415) 564-8080 • bookshopwestportal.com
A community meeting place since 2006, Bookshop West Portal — a new Readers’ Choice winner this year — is a locally-owned, independent store in the heart of the West Portal neighborhood. “We are a group of booksellers with an enthusiasm for books and serving our community.” Part of the West Portal Merchants Association, the shop often holds community events.
SOUTH BAY/PENINSULA
Kepler’s Books & Magazines
MENLO PARK
(650) 324-4321 • keplers.com
Founded in May 1955 by peace activist Roy Kepler, the shop describes itself as “the intellectual and cultural hub of the community for over 69 years.” Known for its “outstanding literary events, knowledgeable staff, its broad selection of books and magazines and for its deep ties to the community,” Kepler’s also operates a nonprofit literary foundation.
NORTH BAY
Book Passage
CORTE MADERA
(415) 927-0960 • bookpassage.com
Known for classes, conferences, children’s events, writers’ organizations, book groups and other activities, Book Passage bills itself as “The Bay Area’s Liveliest Bookstore.” The store was founded by a former teacher and school principal more than 45 years ago and author events started “well over 30 years ago.” Read about some of those memorable events on the website.
Copperfield’s Books
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
copperfieldsbooks.com
With headquarters in Sebastopol, Copperfield’s Books — a new Readers’ Choice winner this year — operates nine stores in Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties, with locations in Sebastopol, Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Napa, Calistoga, Novato, San Rafael and Larkspur. “Our booksellers are readers who are ready to talk books and help you find what you are looking for.”
EAST BAY
Pegasus Books
(510) 525-6888 (ON SOLANO)
(510) 649-1320 (DOWNTOWN BERKELEY)
(510) 652-6259 (OAKLAND)
pegasusbookstore.com
Boasting “three great bookstores in three great neighborhoods,” Pegasus Books offers a mix of new, used and remaindered books and is “renowned in the Bay Area for our selection of beautiful, funny and artisan greeting cards.” Pegasus Books started in 1970 as Pellucidar Fine Books and Pendragon, both carrying used books and newspapers.
A Great Good Place for Books
OAKLAND
(510) 339-8210 • ggpbooks.com
A Great Good Place for Books, a new Readers’ Choice winner this year, is a cozy, full-service bookstore in the Montclair Village neighborhood. The shop is known for hosting book promotion events with emerging and well-established writers and specializes in “personalized recommendations and literary fiction for all ages.”