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    4.4 (177 reviews)
    ModerateBookstores
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Reviews With Photos

    Kathleen B.

    It's right downtown, so parking can be a pain, but it's Alameda. You're not that far from a parking garage that you can walk from. It's such a cute small bookstore and they have wonderful selections. They're very helpful when you're looking for a book. The website isn't always as accurate because it said they had a book in stock, but by the time I got there they didn't have it. Overall, such a cute local bookstore. I'd definitely recommend this for any books you're looking for.

    Winnie V.

    Books Inc is such a great local bookstore in Alameda. It's super well organized, with sections by genre and a nice new books section in the front. I love how their new books section seems to highlight books from more diverse authors. There is also a nice discounted books section in the back. One of my fave parts of the store though is the puzzle section - it has the bestttt selection! So many cute puzzles!!

    Phil A.

    I've been in a few Books Inc in the Bay Area, and they're all pretty similar. Clean, quiet, and well organized!! This one in Downtown Alameda on Park Street was all those things! I came in here to get a book as a gift for an avid reader that I know, but I soon ended up browsing for myself, you know how that goes!! This store is a bit small, but they had a very good selection of all types of books, magazines, greeting cards, and an assortment of other items. The staff here was very friendly also!!

    Nadav M.

    Amazing customer service. Usually I enjoy looking around but this time I wanted to save a trip and called. The item was there and one is allowed to but a book on hold for 3 days by last name. I did not know they had rewards and I think this is great because it makes guests want to come back for more. And for signing up one already gets perks and then being an independent bookshop is a plus. As I picked it up I asked for gift wrapping and during the holidays they have an extra table with holiday, winter, Christmas, and Hanukkah wrapping paper. Very satisfied.

    Summer book bingo!
    Tiffany S.

    Really like the curated displays, they have special sections for Latinx and Asian authors, and special handwritten notes on recommendations. In the summertime they have book bingo for k-12! They have great programs engaging the teens and youth- wish I had a bookstore like this growing up.

    Kiki M.

    I always love the vibes here. Nice, quiet, and chill. The place is also always super well organized and stocked with lots of different options for everyone. The employees are also really friendly :)

    Sales section is not one to sleep on!
    Evelyn E.

    Tonight was my first time in this bookstore. We just picked up Poke Koma for dinner, and needed to kill time while we wait for our son's soccer practice to be over. They had a wonderful children's Halloween display at the window which attracted us in. At the door, they have mask, gloves, and hand sanitizer for customers; Which was great! Upon entering, we were greeted right away by an employee at the register; a BIG plus as it made us feel very welcomed! We were very pleased by the selection of books. It's like a cozier Barnes & Nobles. What we were really drawn to was the Sales area! They had a great selection of books that there significantly discounted! Definitely a section I'll be checking out regularly! We got a baby board book that showcased California. And we got a large sized Earl Carle "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?" Both books for under $7. Again in the Children's area, an associateasked if we needed help. I told her I was looking for a larger print of the Very Hungry Caterpillar. She searched around and told me that she can order it for me if I'd like. However, we needed it like yesterday. So, we bought the small board book. The person who rang us up was so personable. Despite Covid and the safety precautions, it was nice to feel normal and have a friendly conversation that makes you forget that everyone's wearing masks & gloves. We will definitely be back as books are just as equivalent as food in our household!

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    2 years ago

    I just love this bookstore where the staff actually read and love books and can give recommendations!

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    1 year ago

    Great local shop service, products l, gift ideas , etc. highly recommend this shop. Xxxxxx

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    3 years ago

    We get books here all the time. Lovely store. Fun to visit. Great staff. Rewards program.

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    4 years ago

    Great independent book store with friendly staff. Decent selection of current books and they can order a wide range for you.

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    Page 1 of 5

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    Review Highlights - Books

    There are 11 locations in California, including Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, and one in Alameda on Park street.

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    Clio's Bookstore and Bar - Partial reading area

    Clio's Bookstore and Bar

    4.0(121 reviews)
    3.2 mi

    I've been here a couple times, once for a community event and once to have drinks with a new friend…read more- both times did not disappoint! The vibe here is old skool intellectual lounge meets chic cocktail connoisseur. (Although I enjoyed a crisp glass of white wine during my second visit.) The literary selection in each room is vast and interesting. The seating is comfy. The staff are welcoming and fun. Moderately priced, Clio's is a must each month if you can swing it.

    I have waited to write this review, but I'm seeing that other bipoc customers have had similar…read moreexperiences. I went to Clio's in the first 6 months of them opening and my partner and I have not been back. When I entered the space, I was excited to try something new- but it started when I went to order tea- I know now that the guy at the bar was the owner- I asked what kind of teas they had and he seemed annoyed at my question- like I was wasting his time. I had to ask again but then asked my partner who is white to deal with the rest of the ordering. We are a queer couple and both felt the vibes were hella off. Lots of white men in the space at that time. I also remember they didn't used to have any books by people of color. They had a "world" section of books though (lol) and throughout the rest of the place, a bunch of stuff written by white men. I feel like the stuff they have up now is a performative attempt to not appear what they actually are. I have not gone back since and don't recommend it

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    Clio's Bookstore and Bar - A Friday night at 10pm, busy and loud. Nice bartenders.

    A Friday night at 10pm, busy and loud. Nice bartenders.

    Clio's Bookstore and Bar - Blackberry sage shrub

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    Clio's Bookstore and Bar - Interior

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    Interior

    Bibliomania - Niche genres at Bibliomania!

    Bibliomania

    3.3(78 reviews)
    3.4 miUptown
    $$

    I often went to the Fox Theatre but somehow always missed the bookstore across the street! So often…read moreolder books (those published 20+ years ago) are often super pricey. But many of these books are very reasonably priced, like $7.50-$25! Almost all of the stock is older, even obscure books. But it's a book lover's treasure hunt. I picked up a really interesting book about San Francisco's history from 1948 for only $10! Definitely recommend this place and it's a very quick walk from the Broadway BART station. The only thing I'd "change" is recommending that the owner put more of their stock on ThriftBooks.com to enhance their profits. But that would be at the peril of Bay Area bookworms! :)

    I ordered a book from them in Aug 2024. It never arrived, and after multiple attempts at contacting…read morethem, they finally said they had moved and couldn't find the book at the moment. (Luckily they hadn't run the charge through on my credit card yet). Every couple of months or so I'd follow-up--sometimes they'd respond, sometimes they wouldn't. Still couldn't find the book, and kept asking me to be patient. I was patient for a long time. Now it's July 2025, about 3 weeks shy of ONE YEAR since I ordered the book. Wrote to them again, no response. But they still have it listed for sale on their website, so I took a shot and ordered it again. Then they wrote me a snotty note and told me to quit ordering it, they haven't found it yet. I wrote back and asked how they can possibly still be looking for a book after one year? Then they wrote back and said they were canceling my order! Very crappy customer service. Zero stars.

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    Bibliomania
    Bibliomania

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    Books - bookstores - Updated May 2026

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