Cute and bustling shop in downtown Mountain View. We stopped by on a Saturday evening, and it's fun to 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. read more

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I stumbled across this shop thanks to the rows of discounted books outside--such a fun, low-stakes way 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. read more

While I'm sad that Barnes & Noble had to buy Books Inc., I'm also glad that they saved them and Books Inc was able to keep its name. I love the neighborhood bookshop atmosphere (including the warehouse sales that B&N doesn't have), and the staff are kind and helpful. Note that they don't necessarily have the same stock as B&N, which is special in its own way. read more

I love this location. They have a wider selection of sale titles than the Campbell location, from classics and recent fiction bestsellers to plenty of nonfiction and cookbooks, too. I always walk by with something new to read. :) I recently stopped by and found that they had stepped up their activism, from featuring a small selection of titles that you can purchase to donate to the prison literacy project to providing multilingual "rights cards" should you be approached by ice agents . Glad to see this local treasure is standing behind their progressive values -- offering reading materials at great prices, supporting literacy for underprivileged children, and disseminating important knowledge about your rights to the masses! Come support them! read more

Books Inc - Upcoming events! - Bookstores Near Me - Mountain View, California

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Cute book shop on Castro St. Lots of selection and everything was well organized and visible by category. They also had a section of books on sale. My husband picked up some manga books, and I thought it was a nice touch that they give you a bookmark w/a purchase. The girl stuck it in one of his books. On the back of the bookmark, there's a list of their other locations. read more

Books Inc - Bookstores Near Me - Mountain View, California

Love bookstores! Books Inc is an independent book shop here in the SF Bay Area. We should all support having these around to explore and have our kids have a place to see why books & reading are cool activities! Right? read more

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Solid bookstore located in Mountain View. It is a very inclusive bookstore. Each section provides short recommendations from the employees. The fiction section has lots of items, especially for science fiction. Fantasy is also bundled in that section. Half the store is dedicated to kids and young adult books. Extremely kid friendly with a place to read. They have a members program where you get points per purchase. Don't miss this gem of a bookstore! read more

Books Inc - Bookstores Near Me - Mountain View, California

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Great bookstore in downtown Mountain View!! Everything is very organized and easy to find. There's really no place to sit in here, so you will find people sitting on the floor reading books. And if you're not trying to spend too much, there is a table with books for sale with some really good deals, I almost always find a book I like there. read more

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It's a shame that I'm giving this place a bad review. I love book stores and I had plan to buy some new books but didn't get an opportunity to look around longer. If there's anything I despise most, it's people who judge other people, and that's how I felt when I walked in. So much that I didn't feel comfortable walking past the table at the very front of the door entrance. It's a decent size book store and I may have covered only 3% of it. It was my sister's birthday and I wanted her to have a good night. But comments were made and she felt unwelcome in the store. It is what it is, still got a cute handmade pen pouch out of it. But I'll pass on going back. read more

It's a very small place to find books they have. They have fiction, cooking, history, and other kinds of books. However, you won't find most of the books you need due to the size of this place. I honestly wish that they have manga, but don't think they have them in stock. Probably gonna need to ask them next time though. They also have sections where they have books on sale though I did find ones that were very pricey. Still a good book shop to go to! read more

This store is conveniently located in downtown Mountain View, only a few blocks from the Caltrain. They have a wonder selection of books, a great sale selection, and fun little gifts. They have a great rewards program that allows you to accumulate points, which you can then redeem for $$ off! I recommend checking them out, and seeing what events they have going on read more

Still a good bookstore that is easy to quickly pop in and check out new titles. The chain is one of the strongest supports of books and authors. This location, while not expansive overall, does have a lot of the space devoted to kids' books. Love walking in here to pick up a new book for me most visits. read more

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Was walking in this area and stumbled upon this cute book shop. I love how they have everything organized and even have little reviews and recommendations posted around the store by the employees. The staff and super friendly and the store is very clean. Wish I lived closer to drop into this cute bookstore gem. read more

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Great neighborhood hangout. Their staff is friendly, books are well arranged and highlighted. We are regulars here to buy books, gifts and gift cards. read more

I really enjoyed my recent trip to Books, Inc. in their Mountain View location. They had a great selection of books on sale that were hard to resist. Their membership program is awesome, so I signed up for that since your accumulated rewards points can be used to buy books. I received excellent customer service from Loren. Let's please step up to support our local businesses, including local bookstores! I am looking forward to returning to Books, Inc. again. read more

I'm grateful to have a bookstore in downtown Mountain View. They have a wonderful selection of books and they are very good about ordering books that aren't in stock. The staff is helpful and friendly and the books are reasonably priced. It's always fun to drop by. read more

This place is so cute and located in the heart of Castro Street. They have so many different things from travel books to cook books to fun socks. I love the vibes here just perusing all the books with coffee from a patisserie on a Sunday morning stroll. Would recommend to anyone looking for a cute bookstore on Castro! read more

I have been coming in here for a while, and do try to be friendly every time I go in but I have to say that the employees here are among some of the least friendly booksellers I have come into contact with. The other day I browsed for thirty minutes and they didn't so much as look up from their conversation. A couple of them are sweet and kind, but I really think they could make the shop more welcoming just by being a little less snooty and turned into themselves. read more

I always make sure to stop here when I'm in Downtown Mountain View, which is pretty often! It's always so bright and welcoming coming in to this bookstore. You can find so many great books and great gift ideas too. It's so organized and easy to find whatever you're looking for. They also have a date with a blind book which is my favorite! It has great descriptions and also includes trigger warnings, which is really helpful. I also enjoy reading the staff reviews attached to certain books. Make sure you stop by when you're in Downtown Mountain View! read more

Cute little book store with a decent selection. Staff was friendly and even offered my pooch a treat. We ended up with 3 books and a card game. Worth the little bit of a drive from Fremont to check out. read more

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Nice local bookstore. They have a good selection plus puzzles and other items. It's small but it has enough for browsing and the newest releases. read more

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Lovely little bookstore right on Castro! They have a wide selection of books, fiction and nonfiction, travel, history, cookbooks, etc. They have a table of staff picks that offer an eclectic set of recommendations. On top of that they have a selection of sale books that are under ten bucks! They're not just the leftovers that no one buys either - these are popular titles and great reads, at an affordable price! read more

Books Inc - Bookstores Near Me - Mountain View, California

New Blind date section! Adding a new update here to a very cute bookstore on Mountain View. They now have a blind date section where you can pick up a 'covered' book with little hand written notes by employees about what's interesting about the book. You're still technically judging the book by its cover ('s content) - but still a fun idea! read more

Books Inc - Blind date with a book section - Bookstores Near Me - Mountain View, California

I've been to this bookstore a few times- no one has ever greeted me. This speaks volumes of their customer service, but yesterday I had an even more unpleasant visit. Yesterday I came in before closing time. Their version of an announcement that the store will be closing is equivalent to the lights being dimmed- that's all. Okay, I was browsing and the female cashier stopped new patrons from coming in saying they were closing, but for us to take our time. A few minutes later, an older man very rudely asked "you know we're closed, right?". Guessing he is the manager who is really in need of a crash course in customer service. There was also a page on my book that was really bent (this book would be a gift). I asked for a discount, but they said no since the cover was not damaged. It still wasn't in the best condition. Find a small business that actually appreciates their customers. I will not be returning. read more

Awesome Find. They offer a unique selection of books. They have a great section for kids with a good selection of various reading levels. The rest of the store had very unique selections, not everything you'll find in a typical Barnes & Nobles. The shelves/sections are marked appropriately creating a seamless flow of the book store. There aren't any seating areas to read, so you'll find people on the floor going through their books. This can be disruptive if you're trying to get to a shelf of your interest. Other than that, I would definitely recommend the store. read more

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Great local bookstore that supports local schools with different shopping night fundraisers and, at times, donations. Small businesses and chains that support the communities in which they are always get my support in return. Keeping the money local is so important. The staff is knowledgeable, and I enjoy the conversations I have with hp about new authors and books that have come out since my last visit. The loyalty program is back and it was missed. Looking forward to using my birthday reward in the coming week. The events at this store trend toward technology and business, and there have been some excellent children's and YA authors in discussion, too. I saw that children's story time is coming back after a long hiatus. Truly a local store that keeps in mind what local readers want. If they don't have it, they'll happily order it for me. Also love the selection of puzzles and cards. The romance section has expanded over the past couple of years and the children's section is always well stocked. read more

I went to thid location recently to buy some books to give as gifts. The store is pretty large, somehow seemingly bigger than the rest of the stores in the same row, so the selection here is really large. They also have about three different huge racks that are sale items so you can definitely get a good value if you shop there. When checking out, the guy at the register was really helpful and told us about the best coupons to use and how to get the most out of the free store member card so we ended up getting an extra ~$20 value so the service is great. read more

This is a nice local bookstore. They have a nice coffee at the coffshop upstairs which is absolutely great. I came in to buy some books as a gift and found what I was looking for. Service is good and overall I had a good experience. Keep it up! read more

I lived in Mountain View for more than a decade and visited the former Books Inc location countless times. These days I don't visit nearly as often but the spirit of the old store still comes through in the smaller space. Some thoughts: * The staff is universally friendly. If I'm looking for a specific book, they'll tell me whether it's in stock and even go get it for me. If I'm getting a gift for someone, they give useful advice on potential books. * The staff book picks are a great way to explore new books. I haven't gotten to the point that I know which staff mirror my own tastes but I've been happy with the 4 or 5 books I've picked up based on their displayed recommendations. * The greeting card section is pretty good. Between here and nearby Therapy, you can find a card to fit almost every occasion. And not a card that everyone will have, something reasonably different. * The kids section of the store is much bigger than you'd guess. It's in the back so you might not notice it at first. There's even some places for kids to sit and read/play. I admit I miss the old bookstore with the upstairs cafe but I'll keep coming to Books Inc -- even though I can longer walk there from my house. read more

Books Inc - Bookstores Near Me - Mountain View, California

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I just visited the location a few days ago. The current location is much larger than its previous location. It is also much brighter. They definitely have the book that you want. I'll be sure so come back in the future when I am in the area. read more

The positive: great location, good selection for its size. Good front section with carefully chosen titles that reflect what's new and hot in the industry. The negative: some staff can be snooty. Perhaps they are understaffed and under lots of pressure? read more

While the customer service can be hit or miss here, the books never disappoint. I really like the size of this book store. Not huge likes Barnes and Noble and Borders (for those of us who're old enough to remember this chain). On the other hand, you can't just sit there for hours in a comfy chair and there's no coffee shop inside the store. So, you have to buy your book and get going. I bought 101 Great Hikes of the SFBA here in May 2017 when I visited my brother in Mountain View. That's what motivated me to make the family trip a family + hiking trip, so I made a last-minute decision to go hiking in Point Reyes in Marin paradise :-) I had so much fun hiking in Point Reyes! Lately, I've returned to buy the latest Michael Lewis book: The Premonition. Doing my bit to support brick and mortar bookstores. read more

Books Inc - Bookstores Near Me - Mountain View, California

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Cute little shop with a nice selection of new books. I managed to find two books I wanted to read when I visited here, so I call that a success! One book was on watching hummingbirds, the other on the commodification of user data. For a new books store, this place has a diverse selection, including a section of manga and graphic novels. I would feel comfortable returning every month or so to see what new offerings have been added. I imagine that most adults and kids would find at least one book to catch their interest here. read more

New store is open! And it is absolutely lovely. (Why did I do this to myself??? My god, it's like sending a crack addict to a cocaine festival.) Looking through some of the older reviews, I really think they took into account all what people wanted in the new store. More chairs, so you didn't have people sitting on the floor like that one girl with the dog I saw in the last store. There's now more of a sectioned off kid's area in the back. Actually, in general, I feel like there was more of everything. More products (there was more of a selection of notebooks compared to before), more books, more displays, and larger sections. The sections are all well-labeled, but for the interested parties, the young adult section is in the back. I don't think they're quite that organized yet though. For example, if you're look for notebooks, they'll be on the wall opposite of where the register is, as well as the standalone table display to the left of aforementioned register. I found multiples of some books displayed in multiple different sections (to be fair, some where displayed and some might have just been left there by customers). For the most part though, it's all very neat, warm, and welcoming. A genuine treasure trove for the book lover. Seriously, the feel of it is like your childhood book store. All save for a cozy chair (the ones they have are more like office chairs), and a drink. But I kinda get why they didn't do that? There's a LOT of cafes to compete with on Castro Street alone. The two walls of windows from the old place brought in a lot of natural light, but they didn't skimp on lighting in the new place either. That means more shelves. Actually, walking through the place, I get the vague impression that while the old store had more height (and that cafe upstairs), they have more square footage in the new place in terms of length. I ended up buying three more books to add to the three books from last time. My excuse is that at least it's better than the seven I originally had piled in my arms. Now, I can go on about how it's all about supporting your local book store, but it's honestly just comes down to "I have no self restraint". Visit, book-lovers, and be sucked into the void. read more

Books Inc - New store - Bookstores Near Me - Mountain View, California

My family stopped by this really cute bookstore after having dinner, didn't realize it was 20 minutes before closing. The moment I walked in, I immediately felt unwelcome and uncomfortable. The staff member went to close the door and a customer who was walking out made a comment about "they probably closed the door so they don't steal anything". Excuse me? I don't have any reason to steal. I understand that they can't control what other customers say but they didn't try to ease the vibe. The entire time I felt like their eyes were following me around the store, I couldn't even finish looking around so I ended up just purchasing 1 item. Should I have supported a business like this? Maybe not, but the Cativity book I got was very cute. read more

Walked in this book store and found they have a coffee shop upstairs...how cool is that!? I decided to get 3 princess cakes with almond paste. OOOOO MY GOSH!!!! THEY ARE SOOO GOOD!!!! 5 STARS. The server behind the counter was very timid. For as second I actually thought she did not speak English. Could be she was new. The coffee shop has plenty of seating. I'm not sure how the coffee but if it's 1/2 as good as the princes cakes I could see myself getting hooked C: read more

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Great local bookstore with a good supply of new books. The staff are always really friendly and the location is great. Prices are very on par with other local stores and it always feels good to support local businesses. read more

I came over to this book store with my grandkids looking for a new place to go as they are both avid readers. Loved this place. So many books to review and choose from my grandkids ended up getting 4 new books each. I will be back for Christmas books read more

This is a real bookstore guys If you wanna know what a real mom-and-pop bookstore looks like, look no further. This place has always been in the same location for ages, and probably will remain there for the foreseeable future. In my mind, this book store and downtown mountain view are one and the same--mountain view wouldn't be mountain view without this bookstore Inside, the books are up to date, but the vibe of the place feels somewhat retro, kind of like the bookstores I used to go to when I was little. There are a lot of gifts, postcards etc that most people probably won't buy, and an upstairs coffee place, that also looks pretty old school. In general, a warm, family bookstore. You can't miss if as you walk up and down downtown mountain view. Definitely worth stopping by everything you see it, even if it's just to browse around and take in the family vibe! read more

Books Inc - Books - Bookstores Near Me - Mountain View, California

Books Inc is the type of store that would have flourished 10-15 years ago. Quirky, with unusual gifts and fun staff reviews, they remind my of my local Walnut Creek bookstore I grew up with. Sadly however, It's not 1996. I love coming into this space for their gifts, but I almost wish they had an agreement with kindle. That the bookstore would receive a percentage of each electronic purchase in store. Because their reviews and the way the store is laid out make me want to buy something. Indeed, I have purchased books here... but again, then I own a new hard copy book. That I paid money for. That I won't be able to unload until I practically pay someone else to take it. People want to be turned on by books in person, but until this store figures out a way to connect e-reading with in-person purchasing, I'll continue to have a hard time convincing myself to spend money here. Even if everything about the store makes it incredibly tempting. read more

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