Super fun shop with a very large variety! Wide selection of not only books but fun and comical book lover gifts. Perfect bookshop for Davis! I shall definitely return. read more

I love this little bookstore in our town, and they can order any book for you and have it within days. Can't say enough good things. I love it here. I've bought many books from them and will continue to buy more :) read more

You know that feeling you get when you are looking for a specific book/ title/ author and you cant find it....??? You book people know exactly what I am talking about. Panic sets in as you obsessively run Kindle and library link searches. And then of course, you call your librarian who shares the devastating news about the book being no longer in circulation in the entire library system! Well that's what landed me at Avid Reader. I was looking for a book that I couldn't get my hands on and the manager at Avid Reader was able to find it on his store computer within a few minutes. I was told that they can order it and that it could take up to 7 days "if" it was available. They did not require me to pay for it up front, however, I was asked to fill out a card with my name and phone number for a courtesy call when it arrived. I was pleased with the costumer service here. I received a courtesy call two days later to pick up my brand new book. read more

This bookstore is pretty awesome. The other reviews are right in that no one really acknowledges you when you come in. But I personally don't mind. I don't like being accosted by overenthusiastic sale-pitches when I shop =P They also have a good selection of books & the store is nicely organized. There's a chess board set up with chairs near the back of the store! My friend and I always use it when we're bored (but have yet to finish a game)... read more

I was with my friend today and we were skimming through books in the upstairs section. However, we were promptly asked to leave because it was not a, I quote, "College Hangout Spot." Won't be coming here again because of terrible customer service read more

If you are going to run a children's bookstore, you cannot get mad at children for looking at books. After my child was reprimanded twice for looking at a book that was out on a display shelf, we left and walked to Borders to buy the three books we were looking for. I bet you didn't think I could hear you speak to my child that way, but I could- even from downstairs. I'm all for supporting small local businesses but also expect a certain degree of respect while shopping in your store. Boo on you! read more

Normally I'm all about supporting local businesses whenever possible but I was very unimpressed with the Avid Reader. I popped in with my daughter and girlfriend as we were waiting for friends to join us for lunch in Davis when my daughter begged us to go in after seeing the Dora the Explorer Book from the store window. There were a few other people in the store positioned comfortably on the floor reading through books. The person at the register looked up at us but said nothing to really acknowledge our presence. Hmm.. whatever. We were looking all around for the children's section and noticed after a few minutes that it was upstairs. Would've been nice if the person at the register looked up to see if we needed help. I would've asked myself but mister was in his own little world looking through the paper. Hmm, probably going through the classifieds to see what other job he could apply for. Wouldn't doubt it really. I didn't really feel like anything was in any kind of order when it came to the children's section. I had a real problem with the children's area being upstairs across the owner's dog holding area. WEIRD! There were a few chairs upstairs but everything was very disorganized and dirty. I allowed my daughter to sit on one chair as my girlfriend sat next to her but I made sure to not let her walk all around and touch anything else. You could just tell that nothing was wiped down or cared for. I can only imagine what kind of germies were left from some snot nosed kid who ran their fingers through all the dusty bookshelves. read more

I think this place has the best selection of all the independent bookstores in Davis. It doesn't have the cool feel of a used book store, but when you actually need a book, well this is your best book. read more

This bookstore has a huge selection of books for children and literature! I love their selection, minus the fact that they are a retail priced bookstore. I usually only buy used books, because of my budget. However, they are a good place to wander in and browse the shelves. Staff is super friendly and willing to help you out. read more

Very lovely and cozy space! Everything is laid out nicely and they have a wide selection of books. They also have cool accessories and trinkets or stationary! Would love to come here and just get lost and read a book on a foggy or rainy day. read more

Great novelty gifts and t-shirts. Wish it had more hardback books, though. Mostly paperback, which I have an aversion to.

Recently I was looking for a book on American history that had received a good review... and decided to check out the Avid Reader. Arrived on a Sunday evening right about 8 p.m. which, it turns out, was closing time. The employee, Brianna, working there let me know that it was closing time (actually a couple of minutes past closing time) and then asked me if I knew what I was looking for..... I said, yes, named the book and author and she said, "Come on in, I can get that for you". She ushered me in (it was now DEFINITELY past 8 pm) and immediately went to where the book was displayed, picked it up, took it to the register and sold it to me. Now THAT is service! Thank you Brianna for not giving me the "Sorry, we are closed" brushoff. VERY impressive service. read more

One of the best bookstores I've been to! Great selection, knowledgeable staff, and fun gifts n stuff like t shirts, funky socks and other cool literary themed items. Plenty of science, current events, politics and the classics. I love this place! read more

I am so impressed with this store!!! I don't know the name of the gal who helped me but I am so grateful! This store has a lot of selection. I love their young readers section upstairs. I wish I lived closer or I'd be in here every week! read more

Needed a book about vermiculture, Borders didn't have it and would have taken a couple of weeks to locate it. Called The Avid Reader, it was in stock. Good enough for me. read more

I loved going to this store and meeting some local authors and supporting this indie bookstore. They kids section is perfect with a rocking chair and 2 soft chairs. read more

When I lived in Davis, this was my go to place whenever I wanted to go to a bookstore. The selection is pretty good for a small bookstore and they'll help you order anything that they don't have in stock. They also have occasional book readings and events. The best bookstore in Davis! read more

Nice book store for Davis. Selection wasn't too bad. They also hold book reading with the author every so often.

Love love LOVE this store!!! Great wide selection and honestly I can spend hours of my time here. Whenever I come to Davis, a stop here is a MUST for me. Plus I love the store's name :) read more

Wonderful community asset! What would Downtown Davis be without some nice small businesses? Every town needs a book shop, nice selection, wonderful atmosphere to peruse books in AND Avid Reader finds ways to support the local community performing arts groups. The manager is especially helpful and nice. read more

I have honestly only gone in here to peruse the book selection, read my own books, and lounge while checking out Avid Reader's books. It is a super good place to read, or give a new book a "10-page chance" before deciding if you'll buy it or borrow it. There are chairs and sofas scattered around the store, and I especially love the comfy red seats at the back by the travel section. It's really quiet and a great place to relax and unwind while reading. Plus they even have a water tank where you can pour yourself a small refreshment or two ;-) I I found their selection to be good. They have many current major titles and popular authors (also, TONS of Jack Kerouac!). There's a children's section and travel section, plus others. I actually haven't *purchased* any books from here, but as far as the bookstore's atmosphere, it's a nice little store right across the UC Davis store. There's Posh Bagel and SBUX around the corner too. Great location and great place to read overall. read more

Just today I decided to call and ask if they sold a Fresnel lens (a page magnifier). As I looked up the phone number it occurred to me that I felt totally confident calling and asking if they had one. I trusted that I'd talk to someone who actually knew what they sold in the store rather than my experience at big box book stores, when I can't even find a person with an answer when I call, or I'm told I'll have to come into the store to look. Once in the store, I'm told, "If we have one, it will be over on aisle...". The reason I felt so confident is that in the 15 years I've lived in Davis, I have always had a great experience with the Avid Reader. Sure enough, when I called I reached a live person who spoke in a very friendly manner and even knew what the product was. He said they didn't have it, asked me to hold while he checked to see if he could order it for me and then came back on the line to recommend another place to look for the product. What more could you ask for? I have always found the staff to be helpful and if there is a book still in print, they will find a way to get it for you. The turn around time for books they order is very quick and I always appreciate the call telling me that my book has come in. I am very grateful for this store and hope it will continue to hang on against the big box store competition. I like to have a choice and the Avid Reader is the choice for me! read more

LOVE this bookstore. They have a great kid's section and they are very comfortable with the children hanging out and looking at books. They have it set up with chairs and there is a chess table towards the back of the store. You can sit and relax and they won't bug you. Great local place. read more

Love them! I know that every single time I come here, I'm going to walk away with a new book that I haven't heard of. Even if they don't have the biggest selection, they have a dedicated team of book lovers who will gladly order and recommend books for you. Also, their author events are top-notch. read more

If I could give this store 0 stars I would. I worked at a non-profit where our goal was to engage our developmentally disabled clients in the community as much as possible as well as showing them social skills. However when we took a trip to Avid Reader one of our clients sat down and picked up a children's book, we were then suddenly asked to leave very rudely and were told to not come back as this store is for "paying customers only". I did't understand how they could be so rude and unprofessional with someone who cannot concept what they are doing is unacceptable. I will not ever support this business and can only hope that they don't keep discriminating against developmentally disabled adults. read more

I have ALWAYS loved this bookstore, until today that is. I have never been more offended then how my son and I were treated today. I have been a customer for several years and my son loved going as well. I have bought several books there for both my son and I, but I don't think I will EVER be returning there again. Today, my son and I were visiting the store and he wanted me to read to him, so we went up to the children's loft area and curled up in the corner and laid down and I read to him. Then suddenly the owner, Alzada, comes up to us and tells us that this area is for children and not for adults to hang out. I told her I'm reading to my son, and she responded again the area was for elementary kids. Well my son is in elementary school, he's 11, he just turned 11 actually 3 days ago. She looked him up and down and then said, well he's big for being 11, never the less, this store is to browse books, NOT HANGOUT, and then she walked away. My son was so sad he just wanted to go since obviously we were no longer welcome. We're both so broken hearted by her attitude. We weren't being loud or in anyone's way. I was just reading quietly to my son. read more

A new resident of Davis, I'm glad to say that a store like this is probably why such a decision was right. I just recently bought a few books for my niece's birthday, and the selection was very diverse with titles she didn't even recognize. Superb! I'm sure to come back again! read more

This place is way overpriced. For a bookstore selling new books, it has a very limited selection and low availability on popular books. I only came here because somebody got me a gift card here. read more

with time to spare, i went back to the second shop on the block where they have games and things for kids although it seems that the board books are in the other bookstore for some reason. So there were THREE employees in the store this time which was great but someone who seemed to be the manager was lecturing them non-stop and loudly about her time at Apple and how she learned that you don't charge your phone until the battery is very low. She kept repeating it very loudly. NO ONE asked me whether they could help me or whether I was looking for something in particular---which I was---and once again, I left, invisible and unnoticed. I like supporting small, locally owned shops but they do everything possible to make me NOT want to patronize them. read more

I cannot imagine why this place has any low reviews. It is an independent book store, the staff are really friendly and helpful, the hours are amazing-till 10pm!- and if they don't have what you want they order it for you in two days with no shipping charges. Not even amazon can compete with that. So you can do right by supporting your local independent book store without sacrificing the benefits you get from the big monopolies. read more

Good independent bookstore. Have found many books that I have enjoyed on their front table with paperbacks. They are especially good if you want to order a book. It comes quickly, and they call you to let you know that it is in. Hope they stay in Davis, so we don't just have Borders here. The only thing I wish they would have would be some books with staff recommendations and a little info regarding the books that they have read. read more

A well stocked bookstore, with additional doodads. I particularly liked the Noam Chomsky and Michel Foucault finger puppets (you could recreate their famous debate with these). One of the two salesperson was not the friendliest one I've ever met, but he was knowledgeable. read more

I'm writing this about the new, second Avid Reader store on the same street. It has cards, games and certain areas not covered in the main store. Those working there are very nice but there is simply not enough staff and often there is NO ONE at the check-out desk who can help. I've gone in three times and it has taken way too long each time. The last time, I finally just gave up and left. I hope that Avid Reader management reads this and does something about it. P.S. the review by Bella is ridiculous---she seems to feel very entitled to use the bookstore like a library. That is crazy! I never would have acted like that when my son was any age. read more

This store is always kept immaculately clean with a wide selectioin of titles from every genre with new arrivals all the time. They always provide entertaining window displays of new books relating to the upcoming holiday and have many comfortable chairs to encourage reading a chapter or two of a book you like before you buy. There is a large Children's section that continues upstairs where a Children's reading area has huge stuffed bears for snuggling and reading with. Overall this place is clean, cute, and very comfortable. read more

I strolled into Avid Reader, short on time (I had an event to attend in 30 minutes) with a particular book in mind. A man playing the ukulele directed me to an employee that would be able to assist me. I told the employee the book I was looking for, and he knew exactly what I was talking about and was able to get it to me very quickly. Since I was buying the book as a gift, I also selected a card from the great assortment available. After my transaction, the worker thanked me with great appreciation and I felt like a valued customer. Overall, my experience at Avid Reader was amazing! Unfortunately, I didn't have time to browse, but from what I saw there is a good selection of books and there is a variety of other fun trinkets (think cards, socks, and I think I even saw soap!) to choose from. From now on, I'm looking for books here before looking on Amazon, because I like supporting small businesses, even if I have to pay a few extra dollars. read more

I really love the Avid Reader. It has a very nice selection of books, for young adults, children, literature and romance. There are lots of places to sit and read, and altogether it just feels like a very comfortable place. I go there a lot with friends to read, write and talk - they have a nice little place in the children's section to go, as well as upstairs. I've read a lot of reviews that say that the people who work there aren't super friendly, which is and isn't true. There are a couple of staff who are like that, yes, (i go there a lot) but mostly they're very nice and willing to help out if you're willing to ask. Would definitely recommend it. :) read more

I recently bought a GRE book, and discovered that it was a very bad book, and had very little relation to the test. (I am an SAT, ACT, GRE tutor.). I returned the next day hoping to return it or at least exchange it for a different book, since I paid $40 for it, when as you all know, I could probably have gotten it online cheaper. I decided to be honest and tell the staff member that I had put some hand marks at the very beginning of the book, and the staff member then said that they could not take the Book back or exchange it. To be honest, this seems unfair, that I have a product that I can't use, and they were not willing to work with me. That is their prerogative, but it would've been nice for a neighborhood bookstore to have been willing to help me out. To me, that is what differentiates a neighborhood bookstore from Amazon. You pay a little extra money for actual service. other staff members I have interacted with have been very friendly, and helpful, which is why I expected more from the store. read more