Okay, bookstore lovers this place is the real deal. Three floors of books organized by vibe: main floor has your general selection and kids books, top floor is romance, and the basement is where the horror and sci-fi live. Naturally, I spent most of my time downstairs. The bookseller on the lower level was so knowledgeable! We got into a whole conversation and they pointed me toward several horror picks I never would have found on my own, including some horror graphic novels I'm genuinely excited about. That kind of interaction is exactly why indie bookstores matter. They also have an in-person horror book club, which honestly made me a little sad because I couldn't join. If I lived in Sacramento, I would 100% be a regular here. Highly recommend if you're passing through. read more

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As I embarked on a journey to explore diverse reading options for my family, the owner and team at this extraordinary bookstore were instrumental in guiding us every step of the way, showering us with warmth and support. Witnessing the spark of curiosity ignite within my children, as their vocabulary and reading comprehension flourish, fills me with immense pride and gratitude. The unwavering dedication of the team at Capital Books has been a beacon of inspiration, fostering a love for learning that deeply resonates within our household. By sharing their vast expertise and compassion, they've gifted us a treasure trove of knowledge, nurturing minds and hearts alike. I attribute my family's blossoming love for reading to their extraordinary dedication, as a parent, I'm eternally grateful for the boundless gratitude, opportunity, support, and nurturing love from the owners of Capital Books and their entire team. I'm profoundly thankful for the impact this book store has had on our lives and I would like to highly recommend experiencing the ultimate literary haven at Capital Books, located on K Street, where the pursuit of knowledge and wonder awaits. ~ Johnson Thanadabouth #JTPOSITIVITY read more

Capital Books-- Thank you for bringing my favorite authors into town. 3 stories of books, what more can I ask for. As a primarily romance and fantasy reader, the bottom floor and top floor, Knotty Novels and Another Universe were made for me. Support your local indie bookstores!!! read more

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This store is carefully and thoughtfully arranged and the staff could not be more helpful. My difficulty had to do with their return policy. I purchased four books as Christmas presents and specifically asked about the return policy due to the age of the recipients. I went back to exchange one for an entire boxed set and was severely questioned about the book that had spent the week in the backseat of my car, unread and untouched. I left the book and purchased the set but will never return. Running a small business must be difficult but, there are better ways to deal with problems and way too many other independent book sellers. read more

Capital Books - I am looking forward to reading the series with my niece... - Bookstores Near Me - Sacramento, California

The generosity of the owners is amazing! I was in a very stressful domestic violence situation and they offered immediate and necessary help. They support the community and really care! I am Forever grateful read more

Came to Capital Books while on a bookstore crawl with my husband. We were pleased to see this store was much bigger than it appeared from outside. They have three floors which include Sci-Fi, games, DND items, fiction, fantasy, nonfiction, and a ton of romance upstairs. While I enjoyed the overall selection, there was something about the ambiance that I just didn't love. At one point, the bookstore started to have a few different smells going on, and it felt stuffy, so maybe that contributed. Check it out if you're in the area and looking for a good read. The staff will be happy to help you. read more

What a wonderful bookstore! It's located in a vibrant part of Sacramento and easy to get to. (There's a public garage a very short walk on the opposite corner, and a light rail stop outside the door. The store looks small from the outside , but it's enormous. There are four floors, including the basement. The selection of books is amazing--of course they stock the bestselling books, but also have a wide variety of special interest books. This includes a display of banned books many of which where assigned reading in schools. (Books like, To Kill a Mockingbird, Catcher in the Rye, The Handmaid's Tale, and Ruby Bridges.) If you can't find what you're looking for someone is always happy to help. And, if you don't have something specific in mind, they'll give great suggestions. They also hold regular book events where you can meet authors, ask questions and even get a signed copy to take home. This summer, Knotty Novels returns to promote romance novels of all types. Check out their website for a ton of information about books and events. read more

Where every Sacramentan should shop for books. I absolutely love this bookstore and wish I've been a patron for longer. I've always known it was there, but was always deterred by parking. All that to say, NO MORE! I will continue to be a patron, often. I might be bias, because they offered the first (that I know if ) Romance Book club in the area, with a safe space to meet and connect with other fans of romcoms! I will say though, their customer service is just eh. They aren't the warmest or friendliest staff. They can be amiable, but I'd never say friendly. It's not an issue for me and I've had a couple rough encounters, but I keep coming back and plan too. They are a safe space and welcoming of the LGBTQIA+ community and are open and loud about this. I absolutely love this about them. If you see hateful reviews based on this and agree, YOU are the problem. Their book selection is incredible for how small the bookstore is. Well, it has three stories so looks can be deceiving. The main floor is where the majority of the books are. It's so quaint and full of books, just what I hope for in an independent bookstore. If you wander downstairs you'll be immersed in Anime/Manga and superheroes galore! And more recently, if you ascend the VERY creaky stairs, you'll be enveloped in Romance! Romance of all kinds in their new space dedicated to this genre and where we host our book club meetings. They are helping me curb my Amazon habit one book at a time! read more

This was a pretty cool place! From the outside it looks like it may be slightly small inside but it actually has 3 floors. We were greeted as we walked in and the employee working in the basement was very informative and even gave us some tips of places to visit in the area (we were visiting from Tx). There are a large variety of books and they are categorized by genre. The prices were average. They had an area of $5/book for kids but I didn't see a clearance section for other books (but I also was not looking for a clearance area so there may be one and I missed it). We really enjoyed this store. read more

Capital Books - Bookstores Near Me - Sacramento, California

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Been here for multiple book signing events and their events were wonderful. Staff was great. It's located in downtown Sacramento. There's parking garage block away and very easy waking distance. Only complaint is no AC/fan. Completely hot during summer. Need to put some seats around store (on all 3 levels) for customers to sit and relax. read more

Great independent bookstore! This place has an incredible variety of books spread across all three floors--from romance novels and YA to manga and so many other genres. They also host some really fun book events, which make the space feel super lively and welcoming. That said, it can get really warm inside during events or busy hours--definitely recommend adding a few more fans or turning up the AC. The staff is so kind and helpful, whether you're searching for a specific title or asking about upcoming events. And bonus--they have the absolute cutest dog, Fern Heads up: there's no street parking, but you'll find a few parking garages nearby that make it easy to park and stop by. read more

Never knew Capital Books was on K street, until a friend of mine recommended this bookstore. I went one day when it opened on a Sunday. I easily found street parking near the store, which was a plus. Upon entering, I was greeted by a staff worker and given details about the bookstore. Well organized and has an upper and lower level of books. Great selection of new books! Recommend if you're in the area. read more

Came here recently for a reading of the third volume of the Pacific Crest Trailside Reader - "Crossing Paths" at the invitation of my friend and we both got to check out this small independent bookstore. I have probably walked right by the location (nestled right next to the Crest Theater) a thousand times and never knew this bookstore was even here, so it was great to finally experience it as I love to support local businesses and adore a good book. The woman at the counter let us know the reading was upstairs and then left us alone to browse. Our later interaction with her (when I paid for the book after the reading) was also indifferent. The layout in the small downstairs area has shelves against the walls with new books of typical categories, a few tables in the center, and a children's nook area to the back. No seating. Nothing also stood out as unique or inventive. The upstairs area seemed overlooked (or possibly under construction) in comparison to photos posted previously. Very few books and a disjointed -maybe this is just a storage area- kind of feel. To me it seems like a missed opportunity to change the vibe of this store, which comes off as pretty sterile compared to the other indy bookstores in town. Several reviews make reference to the store custom ordering books, so maybe that's more of their thing here. One reviewer a couple of years ago mentioned the possibility of a cafe area upstairs, which would be nice to experience. I'd return when that happens. read more

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Love this bookstore. Three floors of heaven. Upstairs for the romances, the ground floor for fiction and kids, and downstairs is sci-fi/horror/manga. Something for everyone. Very clean, and friendly staff. The only thing that would make this spot better is better parking. read more

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I came here a couple of times. I have found some interesting books. Managed to find a couple of books. It has three floors with books. The employees are nice. Have had a good experience when I had came in with my mom. Will be coming back. read more

What a nicely curated bookstore! The vibe is clean, welcoming, and cozy which creates that ideal other worldly mindset while pursuing a bookstore. The selection included authors and titles that were uncommon or even unavailable at major retailers, but they still had quite the selection of best sellers. The price is the same as what the book retails for, so you don't expect to get a cheaper price by visiting. It's also right across from the station so if you need to fill half an hour or want to get lost for an hour or more, this spot is perfect! read more

I don't shop anywhere else for books anymore. Great location, friendly staff, good management, and able to order lots of niche titles without paying high shipping fees (aka a good value). GREAT selection of books. There's something for everyone, and if they don't have what you're looking for? You can order it directly from their website. I'm often ordering books from their website - Native American new releases, First Nations poetry, and tribal history non-fiction - and they come relatively quickly. REALLY appreciate this resource. The staff are SUPER friendly and helpful. I had a lot of specific parameters when looking for a Christmas gift for my 17-year-old cousin who loves Dungeons & Dragons, and they helped me pick out just the right gift. read more

Capital Books - assortment of cookbooks - Bookstores Near Me - Sacramento, California

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This is genuinely one of the coolest book stores I've ever visited. From the outside appearance, I'd never expect it to be so large in the interior, with even a unique basement with much to look at. It has the most extensive book selection I've seen of an independent book store, and I absolutely love the ambiance of the store, and it being nestled right next to Crest Theater and so close in proximity to the state capital. Zoe was so incredibly kind and knowledgeable, and I ended up purchasing two of her recommendations. While I know pricing is something some may bring up, independent bookstores will never be able to compete with Amazon, and purchasing local has such an impact on the community. Support local! read more

Capital Books - Entrance to Capital Books. - Bookstores Near Me - Sacramento, California

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It's a great store with an excellent selection on multiple levels. There is always something happening and the employees are fantastic. Check out the There and Back Wine Bar around the corner full of games. Also owned by the same lovely couple. Don't pass them up, you can lose yourself in their businesses. read more

Capital Books - This hole in the wall store is simply magical! - Bookstores Near Me - Sacramento, California

This is a great little bookstore that's bigger than it appears from the outside. I live near another bookstore, but I frequently come here for romance fiction because they have the largest selection in town, and always do something fun for Bookstore Romance Day. They have lots of great gifts too, I've bought some fun puzzles here. Last time I visited I was in the romance section shopping for a gift for a friend and an employee came up and asked if she could help. I was holding a romcom at the time and told her I was looking for a lesbian romance. She recommended Our Wives Under the Sea which I bought, but it turned out to be a horror novel. After my friend hated it, I looked up reviews which said it was "the saddest horror book I've ever read" and we got a good laugh about what a terrible pick that was for someone looking for a romance. So while this store may have a great romance selection, it does not necessarily have staff who understand the genre. I'm not usually so trusting of staff recs, and I learned my lesson to do a little research before buying! read more

Went in a few weeks ago and felt mostly indifferent after checking out the store, selection available, and service from the front. Left slightly disappointed and gave a quick 3 star rating on google because I wasn't satisfied with the experience, but not upset. Later I received this comment reply from the business owner. Extremely unprofessional and uncomfortable to see them search through my review history because they were unhappy with the rating I gave. Scrolling through other posts/reviews there, it seems the owner has made a habit of harassing low star reviews. Would not recommend supporting an establishment with this kind of attitude. read more

Capital Books - Business owner's reply to 3 stars... yikes. - Bookstores Near Me - Sacramento, California

A small independent book store nestled in downtown. The staff is very friendly and attentive. The selection of books is vast and diverse. Downstairs is a fantasy sci-fi comic book readers dream come true. I highly recommend taking the time and stopping here. read more

Capital Books - Fantasy book - Bookstores Near Me - Sacramento, California

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Loved this place! Soo many selections and they had a downstairs! It was a cool place to go browse!

Huge selection of books. It always amazes me to see so many authors and titles that are not carried at the chain stores. You can tell there's care put into curating their selection. read more

Lovely little local bookstore downtown. My first visit was this week and it was charming. Small location that stores more books that one might guess at first. There are three levels: the main floor with the most books to peruse; the mid-staircase area that seems to be the office; and the top floor that has about half filled with books and the other half seems to have something in the midst of being created. Later found out from the staff that they are seeking to have a small cafe/coffee area upstairs when covid is closer to ending. Great idea! Hope I can get a window seat with a book and tea. While I didn't find a particular book I was looking for, they do order for you. There are also a great number of books in the expected genres for sure to find someone one will love. There is a large section for kids, manga, and other non-typical areas. Give it a try and I think you will be pleased.. read more

Capital Books - Outside storefront - Bookstores Near Me - Sacramento, California

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During COVID, the physical bookstore is closed but their online shop is not. Check it out capitalbooksonk.com. You can also view their inventory (books and games) on Facebook and Instagram. They can ship items and are currently offering curbside pickup. Awesome! #capitalbooksonk #smallbusiness #shoplocal read more

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I love this bookstore. They let me order books if I can't find them in the store. And children's book section is lovely.

Really cool place, the fun stuff is down the basement, absolutely love their selection of comics and figures. They had a really cool alien display, too. read more

Absolutely love this store. I was searching everywhere for a How to Be a Fabulous Drag Queen book for my 2 year old. Thankfully I stumbled into Capitol Books & Gifts! In addition to what I was looking for, I found other gems, like a Carl Marx tarot card deck and a shadow work journal to help me channel my inner Antifa diva goddess. In all seriousness, this is a great bookstore. I did pick up a great photography table book, and the atmosphere is fantastic. It's a local Sacramento small business, and family owned. Highly recommended. read more

My favorite bookstore in Sacramento. Always well curated, and even though it's not a large bookstore, they often have what I'm looking for. My daughter loves the kids section. I make a point to buy my books here because of the great customer service. read more

The whole experience was just AWKWARD. An employee (younger lady) followed my friend and I around and made us feel very uncomfortable. Another employee (older lady) made a weird comment at check-out insinuating that I was stealing something. BTW - They had free items (poster, stickers, etc.) that were promoting that book I was purchasing! I am a paying customer and do not appreciate being treated like a thief. While I made a purchase here today, I'm going to think twice before stepping foot in this establishment again. I should have said "F&C# THIS" and left after the unwelcoming treatment. P.S. There is a very creepy murder/fetish looking dungeon set-up downstairs. NO BUENO! read more

Love this place! It's exactly how I expect great bookstores to look-original, with books and nooks everywhere. They also have all varieties and different topics, as they don't ban voices different from them, which sadly is becoming increasingly more common. Told my teenagers all about this place as they are looking for local places to get books. read more

Came here today to check this new bookstore out that's next door to the Crest Theater! Great little mom and pop shop that reminded me of Meg Ryan's bookstore in "You've Got Mail." The staff was very friendly and welcoming including their beautiful dog Lily and their cute little helper walking around handing out business cards! They had a great selection including children's and cookbooks! I bought 2 books for a Mother's Day gift. They also have a rewards program too which I love and a mailing list that sends out the latest books they have in stock and more. I am definitely a fan of this place and will be back very soon! Come by and make sure to bring the kids read more

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A dying breed. Small business, local, diverse, community focused book store. Order online, have it ready to be picked up or even delivered. Want something they don't have? They can order it for you! Vote with your dollars and keep those dollars flowing in our city. Keep up the good work folks. read more

This bookstore has great events! They did an event for Women in Politics by Mary Hayashi and it was amazing. I highly recommend attending one of their author book talks. read more

Love shopping local bookstores. Prefer the more casual vibe and friendly staff. If they don't have what you are looking for, they are happy to order it. Basement is a treasure trove for fantasy finds. read more

I love this place, and the passion, kindness, and care found in the owners and employees who work here makes me feel like I am a part of something bigger than me. It's truly a community and the owners and employees put in a lot of work to make it so. I go often, more often than my wallet would like, it's a great experience every time. read more

Capital Books is bookstore that makes it worth my while to wear my reading glasses. I've loved books my entire life. The last few years I've primarily used ereaders because they're convenient and I can adjust the font size and skip wearing glasses. Capital Books has made me love paper again. I love the diverse selection, wonderful staff picks, games in the basement and romance upstairs. I'll be heading to Capital Books frequently to get my fix. The coziness of the shop, well-curated selection, and friendly staff make it worth my time and money to shop local and break out the reading glasses. read more

Just bought most of my Christmas gifts--a few I'm having delivered across the country instead of using Amazon. During the pandemic they were hand delivering--that's dedication! I like supporting local small businesses, and this business along with their cafe There and Back Again around the corner support their community by working with other small businesses and by providing fun programming throughout the year including book club, fiction-inspired feasts in their fun Flamingo Room on the top floor, and Where's Waldo. I covet their flamingo wallpaper and pink couch. They have an excellent cookbook section and even tell you when they're trying a new recipe that sometimes makes its way to the cafe menu. Their basement is great for your inner geek with lots of Sci-fi, fantasy, games, and a Harry Potter section under the stairs of course. If you're lucky you might see one of the bookstore dogs or cat, a princess reading to the Little Ones, or a local author speaking. I follow them on Instagram, which is a good way to know what events are coming up. read more

Love this little hole in the wall bookshop. Small, but still a good selection, and two distinct identities - the more intellectual / literature-oriented upstairs and the more nerdy/geeky downstairs with sci fi, games, graphic novels, etc. Worth a visit when you're in the area for sure! read more