As I mentioned in my previous post, I’ve read quite a lot in the past few months. I (shamefully) buy a lot of books from Amazon and Thriftbooks (which, IMO, is one of the best places to buy used books online).
But what about brick-and-mortar stores? Although they are not as common as they used to be, I’ve gathered a few that I think are worth your time. All but one are located in California.
Grab a friend, some tea (or coffee), and follow me as I show you some of the West Coast’s finest bookstores!
Located in Downtown Los Angeles, The Last Bookstore is a bibliophile’s dream. The building, (which is an old bank) makes you feel like you’re stepping back into time. They sell used and new books, records, and art. Hands down, this is probably the best bookstore I’ve been to and if you’re new to Los Angeles, I beg you to go and visit!
This one is for my Orange County locals! Arvida Book Co. in Old Town Tustin is quaint and sweet. They opened not too long ago and sell both new and used books. They also happen to be next to one of my favorite cafes ever, Morning Lavender. However, Arvida actually has its own cafe inside of their store. What could be better than that?
Here’s another Los Angeles gem. Skylight Books has it all; good vibes, great decor, and an excellent selection. It’s well organized which makes finding books a breeze. The biggest downside is parking; it’s absolute garbage. If you do decide to check Skylight out, make it a day trip. There’s plenty to see and do in Los Feliz!
The Pacific Northwest is littered with bookstores but I only went to one; Twice Sold Tales. I even mentioned it in my post about Seattle. This place is CRAMMED with used books and the lady that runs it is both charming and insane. The store is also home to several cats so all in all, I give this place a 10/10.
I must admit that up until recently, I had an aversion to Santa Cruz. As time goes on, I’ve come to cherish it as a strange beach town. Bookshop Santa Cruz is larger than it looks and I personally liked that they had a section on books that were about or set in Santa Cruz. I even ended up reading one of the books they recommended.
That’s it from me guys! Happy reading and book shopping. If you have any bookstores you recommend, please let me know! I’m always on the hunt for my next read or any amazing independent bookstores 📖💖.
