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Book Passage

3.9 (170 reviews)
ModerateBookstores
Closed 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

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Leigh Bardugo - book tour for The Familiar (2024)
Jessica T.

Yesterday, I made my first visit to Corte Madera to see my favorite author, Leigh Bardugo, at Book Passage. This was the final stop on her book tour for The Familiar, and I'm so so so grateful that she came to the Bay Area! Thank you to Book Passage and all of its staff for helping create such an enjoyable event for us fans! Leigh Bardugo is a best-selling author, widely known for writing the Grishaverse (Shadow & Bone, Six of Crows, and King of Scars series), which was adapted into the Shadow & Bone Netflix series. My favorite of her works is Ninth House, a supernatural, murder mystery, and thriller novel. Tickets for this event sold out fast, and I was not surprised to see a long check in line outside Book Passage. After checking in, they handed us our copy of The Familiar (included with the price of the ticket). Then, we picked seats (first come, first served). Luckily, they let us tape name tags to the chairs so we could walk around, purchase from the cafe, and use the bathroom before the event. The staff introduced Leigh and we were all so excited! Audience members were able to submit questions in a basket for the event. Leigh was so funny and tells stories so eloquently. She answered audience questions and it flew by so fast! After the event, she signed books from the audience (2 per person). This was the first book signing I've ever attended and I'm so glad it was with Leigh. The staff even took a picture of her signing my book, which is 20 seconds of my life that I will treasure forever! The Book Passage staff was very efficient and orderly in setting up, managing the line, and making sure that everyone followed the rules. It was a packed event, but it was very organized. Thank you to Book Passage for hosting this event!

Author Laura Pavlov and Author Liz Tomforde !
Belle M.

My friend and I went to Book Passage at Corte Madera for a book signing event celebrating the rerelease of "Always Mine" by Laura Pavlov & accompanied with another amazing author of the Windy City Series, Liz Tomforde. This was our first time going to this bookstore and probably our last time. We entered the store and staff at the front register greeted us. We asked if we could sit in the seats where the event was taking place and they said it was fine - while reminding us that the event started at 11AM. We took our seats, chatted with a few readers until the authors were introduced and the conversation began. The conversation segment and the Q&A's portion went smoothly - and it was one of my favorite parts of the event. The authors had a fun and insightful conversation about their stories, their style of writing and upcoming book releases- and even their personal stories before they became full-time authors. The Q & A's was just as fun. This was an hour conversation + Q&A - and it was time for the book signing. This is where everything went downhill - The event coordinator/planner of the event, CHERYL instructed the front row and so forth to line up for the book signing. There were no issues there, readers lined up accordingly with their books in a single filed line and patiently waited for their turn for signing - and that's when things took a turn for the worse: - A reader stood by the Liz's right to take a photo (the reader asked Liz if it was okay to stand there and Liz told her it was fine) and Cheryl angrily yelled at her not to stand there and instead stand in front of the signing table. Liz apologized to the reader for getting her trouble and Cheryl didn't even bother to apologize for yelling at the reader. **Word of advice - Cheryl, how about informing readers and the authors beforehand what the rules were prior to the photo sessions before yelling at readers? Just common courtesy and manners - Oh and an apology works too. ** - Another reader was walking over to take a photo between the authors and again, CHERYL rudely yelled at the reader that it wasn't allowed and again- didn't apologize. ** Again, was the yelling really necessary? It's giving unprofessionalism. ** - I noticed that CHERYL was getting more impatient which led to readers trying to talk as fast they can to the authors and take photos (which she would rudely interrupt the reader in the mid-conversation with the author if they wanted their photo taken instead of waiting till the conversation was over) **Cheryl, did you need to go somewhere? If this was a timed event - please note it on the event page and also if the reader wanted you to take their photo- they will politely ask you.** - While Cheryl volunteered to take photos, she was literally stepping on my foot to take photos of readers and was aware as she looked back at me AND didn't even bother to apologize either. **My foot is fine, Cheryl. Thanks for the concern!** - My friend and I were the last ones to go since we had more books to get signed - and didn't mind other readers lining up ahead of us to get their books signed. While my friend was talking to the authors - I moved to the other side of the room to record her moment with the authors and CHERYL interrupted me during recording- and rudely said " OKAY CAN YOU GET YOUR STUFF NOW?" ** Common courtesy and good mannerism isn't that difficult, Cheryl.** -Cheryl also was rushing Laura to the back while I was still in conversation with both of the authors. I talked to Liz a bit longer before Cheryl showed up again and still rushing Liz to the back- and I managed to give my mini gifts to Liz (for her and Laura). **It's giving lack of good mannerism** My friend and I didn't even bother packing books into our book sleeves. We quickly packed our books in our tote bags and just left - ya know - just in case, Cheryl appears and starts yelling at us too. PROS: - Parking was a breeze, there's plenty of parking even though the bookstore was surrounded by small businesses and stores. -It was easy to navigate around the area and the Book Passage sign is visible - There are two separate sections to this bookstore: (first section - has the cafe and variety of books of different genres - no public restroom) (2nd part of store focused more on books for children, great customer service (staff was polite) and actually has two public restrooms - need to borrow key in order to enter the restroom) The authors were wonderful and genuinely kind- and engaging! The readers were just as amazing and I loved the conversations! Despite a couple of mishaps, the authors were patient and welcoming. CONS: CHERYL For future events, please be more clear regarding rules of photo sessions, the actual time in which the event will end while also maintaining a standard of professionalism.

Bagel
Barry B.

I love book passage- but this specifically is about their cafe. It's an unexpected find in an area with lots of upscale restaurants. Was hungry after the DMV and had a lovely side salad, tomato soup and toasted bagel with my espresso. Totally made my afternoon. Soup was amazing!

Espresso
Sidney M.

Very chill spot. Great coffee and book selection. I had a wonderous time purchasing a bunch of used books that benefit a scholarship for the youths

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Thank you Susan for the kind words! We truly appreciate you!

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Review Highlights - Book Passage

Wonderful, independent book store with a decent used book section.

Mentioned in 8 reviews

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(11 reviews)

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Town Books is one of those cozy little spots that makes you want to slow down and just browse for a…read morewhile. It is small but packed with a nice mix of used books and the prices are really easy on the wallet. I have found everything from fiction to memoirs and kids' books here. It is always a fun surprise what you will come across. The store is super clean and well organized which makes it easy to find what you want without feeling overwhelmed. I love that the books are sorted by genre because it just makes the whole experience more enjoyable. They have two entrances you can use to get inside. One from Pine Street and another from San Anselmo Avenue. Town Books is located in the Courtyard building at the end of the hall so it is easy to find once you know where to look. The people working there are absolutely lovely. They are so friendly and welcoming that you instantly feel comfortable walking in. They are always happy to chat or help if you are looking for recommendations and you can tell they genuinely enjoy being there. Also they appreciate book donations. They accept gently used books during open hours in limited quantities about three boxes or bags per household. They also accept DVDs and CDs in their original packaging. They do not accept cassette tapes, vinyl records, magazines, games or puzzles. The nice ladies toward me that all profits from the sales go straight to supporting the San Anselmo Library so shopping here feels really good. If you are ever in San Anselmo and want to spend some time with good books and great vibes this is definitely the place to check out.

The cutest book nook in town! Town Books has an amazing selection at affordable prices. It is fully…read morevolunteers who run the shop and all proceeds go to the San Anselmo library. Every time I am in San Anselmo I make sure to grab my next favorite read from here!

Book Passage - bookstores - Updated May 2026

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