I needed some books for two baby shower presents and I was surprised I was able to find these…read morehardcover baby books! Their Children's section was MASSIVE AND incredibly welcoming! I remember bringing my son to their story time, as a little boy- now he's 20, so he's out grown it, but I'm glad post pandemic, this event is still happening! I loved finding all the various authors and craft books and "how to" sets! They even had some science sets! The only drawback, I'd say was how the outside trash can was overflowing and there were flies all over. So I didn't walk by it. I'm sure that's going to attract the wrong type of attention, so that's the only reason why I'm giving them a 4 instead of 5 stars. However, everything within the book store was clean and organized. So I appreciated that. I'll be back, I'll just park away from the public trash can hee.

I haven't been to Barnes & Noble in a long time. There aren't many locations left but the Santa…read moreClara one withstood the times with the everchanging tech environment. I stopped by to look for music CD and manga. The store has a dedicated section for movies, music and games in the front of the store. It's a huge size bookstore spreading different sections of categories, magazines, and a kids area. There is a coffee station in the center and tables where you can read and work as it's pretty quiet inside. The manga section is big and the magazines as well. There were quite a bit of KPop magazines amongst others. You'll find quite a few things you didn't think of when you come across cute and unique accessories. If you want to get out of the outside and enjoy a quiet atmosphere, it's Barnes & Noble.

Cute and bustling shop in downtown Mountain View. We stopped by on a Saturday evening, and it's fun…read moreto see literary being promoted. Staff are helpful and friendly, so ask away. Pretty good recommendations in the small manga section they have. Some series that have anime adaptations so it's a good balance for people who aren't super dipped into the otaku world yet, like Demon Slayer being recommended, and also some peak, like Kaiji. There's a children's section too with some plushies and lots of recommendations throughout. There's a wall at the front with events that they have, community resources, and much more. Not bad.

I stumbled across this shop thanks to the rows of discounted books outside--such a fun, low-stakes…read moreway to browse and discover something unexpected. I walked away with a Harlan Coben thriller, a whiskey-themed calendar (because priorities), and a charming Italian cookbook I didn't know I needed. I popped inside briefly, hoping to find a journal, but their selection didn't quite grab me. That said, the overall vibe was inviting, and I'd absolutely come back for another treasure hunt. There's something special about a place that lets you stumble onto joy in book form.

Yall are sleeping on this, legit the best manga store in san jose. Im a regular and I love it! The…read morestaff are always nice and the service is beyond expectations. Whenever I cant find a book they always take their time away and help me find it. The value of the books are the right prices especially for japanese and English. If anything lets blame Donald Trump for these tariffs, but otherwise I love this store!

Cute bookstore with little gifts and pens and notebooks. I saw a cute Sanrio pencil pouch I was…read moregoing to get but it was $30! lol. These tariffs are no joke and not worth the 30 bucks. Overall, it was nice to walk around and see the stuff. We didn't buy anything.

Soyodo is a place that feels deeply familiar and comforting to me. My parents used to come here…read moreoften, so every visit carries a sense of nostalgia and connection to home. Since Chinese painting and calligraphy are among my favorite hobbies, Soyodo has always been a meaningful place to find traditional Chinese painting supplies and guidebooks esp for maobi, painting flowers, landscapes, and ancient figures. I really appreciate that they also carry crafting supplies and classic Chinese literature, not just generic art books. Everything here feels rooted in tradition and care. The store also offers novels, children's books, Chinese New Year decor, vases, and small toys, which makes it feel like a cultural space rather than just a bookstore. On top of that, the pricing is very reasonable. I've even found books for as little as $2-4, which makes browsing and discovering new reads even more special. The owners are an older Chinese couple who are quiet, reserved, and genuinely kind. One of the things I cherish most about Soyodo is how peaceful and calm the store is. It's the kind of place where you can slow down, browse without pressure, and feel grounded. Stores like this are rare and I truly hope Soyodo continues to thrive. If you value culture, tradition, and supporting a small family-owned business, this is absolutely a place worth visiting and supporting.

The store has a large selection of Chinese calligraphy brushes, tools, Chinese novels and…read moretranslated Western -authored books. It also has herbal ai cao 艾草related products and other health tools , and other Chinese culture-related accessories.

You can smell the herbal magic inside this gift shop. Sure, there are some books available on the…read moreshelves (especially the self-help variety), but this store offers so much more. Buddha statues and figurines, tarot cards and oracle decks, zen gardens, wishing activity kits, art supplies and coloring books focused on self-care, rainbow candles, clothing, kitchenware, and dragon and unicorn themed products. A therapeutic setting, with alluring decor and even a beautiful fountain sculpture near the back. I purchased a gratitude tree and zen gong before leaving, and service was fast and friendly. A great experience overall.

This is literally my favorite store in the Bay Area! The moment you step in, it feels calm,…read morepeaceful, and full of good energy. Trust me, the vibes are heavenly. You'll often meet spiritual and like-minded people here. And yes--they actually have a small indoor waterfall where you can sit and meditate. It's beautiful. The staff will pray for you if you write it on a piece of paper. As a Nepalese person, it makes me really happy to find spiritual Nepali items here. The statues are affordable, and I've picked up some lovely crystals and bracelets. Since it's in downtown, some crystal pieces can feel a bit pricey--but overall, the selection is worth it. They have huge crystals. They have paintings at the end of the shop. You can also find sale items near the shelves there. I've bought so much from them over time--oracle cards, books, journals, incense sticks, candles, crystal jewelry--you name it. I've never regretted a single purchase. They also have a second-hand book section with great finds at lower prices, and they often put sale items on display outside. FYI - dogs are allowed!!

One of the best bookstores in the Bay Area! Love their selection of books, hijabs, gifts, scents,…read moreand more. The staff is friendly and it's a lovely place to access inspiring knowledge.

This bookstore has a great selection of books, clothes and musks and really anything related to…read moreIslamic culture. The service is always great and welcoming, their prices are very reasonable. I highly recommend this little store!

Linden Tree Books is a children's bookstore located in downtown Los Altos, but they sell adult and…read moreYA books as well. Super cool that they host author events here and also have storytime for kids on the weekends. Cute decorations and in a cute little neighborhood, right next to Manresa Bakery. In the past, I've visited to see Stacey Lee and Stephanie Garber for a book tour event. Bought plenty of books here before. Will definitely be coming back!

Wonderful book store in downtown Los Altos. Very family friendly with a good selection of kids…read morebooks and toys. Wish they were a bit bigger (store is a bit packed and the shelves are close together), but overall a fun place to look around in.