This bookstore is awesome!! I can't believe I've never been here until now, though I have visited…read morethe Campbell location. First off, I love the political signs posted on the windows, like the "everyone is welcome here except ICE". When I walked in, the store looked exactly like what I've always envisioned a cozy community bookstore to be like--filled to the brim with books and with a lot of character. I came here to sell some books and it was pretty quick--I had probably 20-25 books and the employee finished in less than 10 minutes. As I was waiting for my books, I walked around exploring. I was very impressed with the selection of fiction. There were actually quite a bit of new releases, but also older books and editions that I would likely not find at a corporate bookstore. If I had the time, I'd love to spend 1-2 hours here just browsing. I didn't expect to get much money for my books; I was actually going to donate them and didn't realize that they still buy books, so their offer was ok. I was moreso pleasantly surprised that the employee was so nice lol, and also a little chatty. Honestly the last time I sold books was probably 15-20+ years ago at Half Price Books and I remember they were always pretty rude/standoffish lol. In addition to the service, the atmosphere, and the book selection, the cherry on top for me was that they have a special shelf where you can buy a book there for 50% off for them to donate to the library at Elmwood Correctional Facility at a bit of a loss for the store. I used most of my credit from the books to get a Stephen King book for the library.

I've been visiting this bookstore for over 20 years and I definitely have a love/hate relationship…read morewith this bookstore lol. The Bad: The staff can occasionally come across as a bit unwelcoming, and I personally wish the storefront atmosphere stayed more focused on books and less on outside messaging. They sometimes price popular or trending used books higher than what you'd pay for a brand-new copy elsewhere. The Good: I absolutely love the character of this bookstore. Shelves packed floor to ceiling, creaky wooden floors, stacks of books everywhere, and even a cat roaming around the store it feels like something straight out of a fantasy novel. I've visited countless bookstores, and nothing beats the old vintage feel of this place. They have a great selection of beautiful leather-bound books, plus an excellent fantasy and sci-fi section. I especially love when they put books out in under $6! The prices at this location are better, and this store feels much more like a classic old bookstore. The Campbell location feels more like a modern bookstore, and the prices there can sometimes be higher. At the end of the day, this place is a San Jose landmark and everyone should visit it at least once. Even when I disagree with certain aspects of it, I still keep coming back because it's nostalgic.

Friendly Staff, good selection of books, and on occasion you may find that book you've been long…read morelooking for!

After lunch, I wanted to check the bookstore next door to the restaurant…read more This is a really nice bookstore with a ton of great books. Each area is divided by subject matter. I really love fiction, so I hung out in that area for a bit to see what they had. I really like the layout of this store and how they display the books. They even had a section called "blind date with a book." They were gift wrapped with a tiny quote from the book or description about the book. What a fun idea. There nothing like have a tangible book in your hands to read. I prefer reading books this way, over using a device. I guess I'm just old school. Prices are what's labeled on the book. They also offer a discount section of books.

Hicklebee's is a great children and young adult bookstore. This was our first time here. The staff…read moreis helpful and friendly.

Hicklebee's Bookstore has been around since 1979. While their emphasis is children's books, they…read morehave something for everyone, including infants, toddlers, kids, teens, young adults, and adults. Besides books, they offer toys, games, and fun gift items, as well as author's readings and other literary events. I was there recently searching for something good to read in the adult section. The adult books include fiction, biography, cookbooks, sci-fi and fantasy, and more. I found several books that looked interesting and settled on a new one by Lily King called Heart the Lover. I don't know anything about it, but enjoyed her last book. I also bought myself a cute canvas shopping bag with cats and a book club theme. I keep thinking about a couple of the books I left behind. I'm pretty sure I'll be back soon to pick them up.

A fantastic Japanese bookstore inside Mitsuwa that carries books in both Japanese and English. The…read morestationery selection is also awesome, with tons of fun and unique items. Walking around the store genuinely felt like taking a little trip to Japan. A must-visit if you love Japanese books, stationery, or culture.

It's not a bad Kinokuniya, but after going to the other ones, this one just doesn't stand out as…read moremuch. It shares the same building with the Mitsuwa Market, so, of course, the shop is much smaller than the other ones out there, making it a bit more cramped. With this in mind, the books, stationery, gifts, and other goods here aren't as impressive as say a standalone Kinokuniya (common sense) or the ones that are located in malls. Or maybe I'm just spoiled by the options that I have in SoCal. It's not bad when you're in the area, but if you're a tourist and want a more comprehensive Kino experience, I would say your best bet is the Japantown SF location. However, it's still nice to stop by and see what cute stuff that they have.

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.

* Ambiance: Fairly quiet and a nice place to study, work, or unwind on a Friday night. Not many so…read moremake sure your devices are charged! * Café: Offers an assortment of pastries and sandwiches. * Selection: Includes a kids' section, with reading options for all ages. * Parking: Ample parking available. * Service: Staff are friendly, helpful, and apologetic about wait times. The only downside is limited staff on the floor--I had to go to the register to ask whether a book was in stock.

Can't go wrong with a thrifty book store. Located in downtown Campbell, Recycle Bookstore is a good…read moreplace to stop buttons for your fix of books. They have a large selection across different genres. You're sure to find something you like from children's books, spirituality, sociology, history... you'll be bound to find an interest. They offer books at new and discounted price if they have been previous read and traded in. When I visit, there is always a book intriguing to pick up. Gotta add to my personal library! Recycle Bookstore also provides merchandise such as tote bags, stationary, and more. It is perfect if you're looking for a gift or treating yourself to a haul. Staff is friendly.

I could spend a whole day in this bookstore! This store carries so many different types of books,…read moreboth used and new. The selection was overwhelming. I stopped by on a Tuesday evening, and it wasn't overly busy. I meandered through the aisles and was blown away by the genres/styles/options. Whether you love mystery or memoirs or illustrated novels or fiction, there is a book for you at Recycle Bookstore. What's more, since they sell used books, there are so many options at an extremely affordable price. I was able to pick up a Spanish vocabulary book for less than $5! The service was unremarkable, which is exactly what I want from a bookstore. I was able to slowly check out all the books without any rush/pressure. There was so much cute merch in the store as well, ranging from tote bags to stickers. If you're looking for a book to read or even some fun souvenirs, check this spot out!

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.

Really cool and really big! Has a huge selection of pretty much everything! Including some cult…read moreclassics I was looking for! If you are looking for physical media this is the place! I scoured through the aisle. In the middle of it, I had to get a basket because I was over encumbered by all the things I wanted to buy. I ended up getting some Japanese horror films and a few TV box sets! Super excited to finally go and watch it all! Service was decent and the value of things are at a decent price! I was looking up prices and they are lower than online values. Excited to finally stop by this place! Will plan to go again!

Came to sell some DVD's and he let me know it would take about 20 minutes. It is huge inside with a…read morediscount clothing store next door. In just less than 20 minutes they gave me a lower than expected price for all my DVD's but I wanted to take them off my hands so I was glad they took it all.

This book store inside the Student Union building sells more than just textbooks and writing…read morematerials. Visitors can shop for an array of merchandise including electronics, accessories, personal care products, snacks & beverages in the marketplace, and more... although I didn't find any campus posters. I enjoyed browsing the unique puzzles, games, and greeting cards, as well as the stationery and household items featuring awesome artwork and designs by Julia Gash. They also have baskets available for your shopping convenience. As a San Jose State alum, I came by this past Friday mainly to replace my old SJSU hooded sweatshirt which I purchased more than a decade ago when I was in grad school at the university. They offer a wide selection of clothing, taking up at least half the space on the ground floor. And I know it's the school color, but I wasn't ready for the blinding overload of blue when I first entered the shop. That didn't stop me from finding the perfect lightweight pullover hoodie, simple and cute, just my style. I really like the fabric of their apparel here, soft and smooth, quality breathable material. The purchase process was quick and easy, with friendly service, and parking was plentiful on E. San Fernando Street midday.

I don't know why this place has such bad reviews. Everything is pretty well stocked, clean, and…read moreorganized. Staff have all been great and helpful. Plenty of clothes and gear to rep SJSU. Prices might be steep, but that's expected.