Walking into this place feels like stepping into another universe -- one made entirely of stories, history, and quiet magic. The moment you walk through the door, you're surrounded by towering shelves and beautiful, chaotic stacks of books that feel lovingly curated rather than cluttered. It's the kind of space where time slows down and you forget about your phone because you're too busy discovering something unexpected. Every corner feels alive. The warm lighting, the golden walls, the endless spines of books -- it's cozy, nostalgic, and deeply comforting. You don't just shop here; you explore. And the owner? Truly an angel. Kind, welcoming, and incredibly knowledgeable. You can feel how much heart and soul they've poured into this space. They don't just sell books -- they share stories, recommendations, and genuine warmth. The customer service alone makes you want to come back again and again. If you love books, hidden gems, or places with real character, this is one of those rare magical spots that reminds you why independent shops matter. I'll be thinking about this place for a long time. read more

Century Books - Bookstores Near Me - Pasadena, California

There is no other bookstore quite like Century Books, the owners Judith and Steve are some of the most wholesome people I have been fortunate to meet. Me and my partner love to visit & chat with them about books, plays, and other things while looking around and they are so accommodating, it almost feels like we are their guests in their home. More than reasonable prices and have plenty to choose from. read more

My partner & I love coming here when we get the chance. The owners Judy & Steve are so delightful. The prices here are very great & reasonable for used books. The selection is amazing, always find something! read more

Used bookstores are a passion of mine, the look, feel, and smell of old books is as luxurious to me as precious metals. Give me a nicely stocked shop and at least two hours, and I'll disappear into a world of wonder. Century Books is a long-time staple in Pasadena, having moved recently from its previous location a few doors down, there is still street parking on Green Street but be warned, parking patrol was seen as late as 5:30pm the day I was there. Walking in I was warmly greeted by the wonderful Judith, who, along with her husband, own the shop. The lighting is equally warm in the evening and the books are carefully organized by topic. They're also well curated and better hardcover titles have the mylar dustjacket sleeves to enhance their appearance and longevity. It was a bit cluttered, something I know from working in used books many years ago, but that's part of the charm. The atmosphere is friendly and I enjoyed conversations with some regular customers as well as with Judith. Old World charm and intellectual pursuits make excellent company, I am really looking forward to my next visit and bought a book in like-new condition for my WW2 collection. read more

Century Books - Warm lighting and warmer welcome by Judith, the proprietess. - Bookstores Near Me - Pasadena, California

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They are a wonderful old school bookstore. Great vibe and Judith and Stephen are lovely! read more

Century Books - Mastiff at century books - Bookstores Near Me - Pasadena, California

There are so many book everywhere. It was almost like a treasure hunt. It is a bit hard to walk through at the moment. The owners were so nice and explained the current setup situation. I truly can't get over how nice they are. Almost all the books I saw were so unique and different. I was expecting to spend a fortune on the few I picked out but was so surprised at how low the total was. read more

This is such a adorable book store. My friend brought me here and there was so much to browse from. I spent some time looking around and found a book that I really wanted. It was also at a discounted and very reasonable price. The owners here (Judith and Steve) are very nice people who are always trying to help their customers. They are very friendly and beyond words the nicest people I have ever met. Judith has a personality that glitters with every word she says and honestly is a genuine person. As well for the books, there were plenty around for you to look around. When I came in, Judith apologized for the mess. Even so, it was really easy to find what you need here. Because of the "mess", I found the book I really wanted! Thank you so much for your excellent service Judith! I will be back! read more

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Walking back from T. Boyle's Tavern on Green Street I saw that Century Books had some cheap books for sale outside the store. All of the paperback books outside were 2 for $5. While I was looking at what was for sale one of the owners came outside and asked for me to come inside and take a look at all of the other books they had. He said they had some art for sale also. Feeling energetic and happy after just watching my LA Dodgers win their 8th win of the early 2012 season I decided to walk inside and take a look. Now I love to cook so I was instantly drawn to the cookbooks. As I was thumbing thru them the owner told me that there were more in the back. As I walked to the back to check out the rest of the store his wife (also one of the owners. A great husband and wife team who truly believe in their bookstore. And it shows.) told me that they were going to, and usually, have a live jazz band next Saturday night. She said that they usually have music with wine and cheese on Saturday nights (Starting at 7 p.m.) I told her that I live right down the block. It's great to have a bookstore like this in the neighborhood. I did buy a book and told her that I would be back for the Saturday night jazz. I really look forward to many return visits. With such a warm, welcoming environment I really feel that this is a well needed addition to the community. Thank You Century Books May your bookstore live and thrive for many years to come read more

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This place is magical! We've visited this little book store and stucked in pile of books and couldn't leave after 2 hours because we explored every corner of this book store and all the vitage and antique pictures, magazines, books that draw us back in time like a time machine ! Shop owner is the nicest person we've ever encounter as well, she is passionate about the history behind it and we exchanged many refreshing points when it comes to culture and nationality. So lovely that we are going back for more this month ! read more

This was a very neat bookshop and Judith was both sweet and wonderful! The ambiance is welcoming and I enjoyed talking to Judith as I was browsing. I found books by Simone De Beauvoir and Rainer Maria Rilke! It's also in a great location read more

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Cute bookstore and wonderful customer service. The owners were so warm and welcoming while we browsed the store. Although she wasn't able to find some books due to their recent move, I still was able to grab some books I've had on my list for a crazy good deal. They had a few seating areas where I read a little before deciding to buy the books and the owner graciously offered us some snacks as we hung around. I'd definitely come back around once they get settled in to their new store. read more

Century Books - Bookstores Near Me - Pasadena, California

This is a classic homage to the "old school" book store... quaint, personal service, and a lot of great books! It is in a perfect location in Green Street Village Pasadena. It is easy to spend more then a few moments viewing and browsing all the books. Personal attention and conversation from the staff and owners are part of the daily routine. A beautiful experience. Parking is available on the street. Availability depends upon the time of day that you're trying to park. This store is a nice addition to this area of Pasadena. Fun to take a nice walk. read more

Century Books - Bookstores Near Me - Pasadena, California

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THIS PLACE IS THE BEST!!!! We walked by on our way to a restaurant, and totally lost ourselves in this bookstore for about 2 hours, browsing around and chatting with the bookstore owner. We never made it to the restaurant! The owner was so welcoming, kind, and helpful from the moment we stepped in! She offered us bottled water as soon as we stepped in. And as we spent time browsing around, she answered any questions we had! Such a personable woman that I think I fell in love with the bookstore as much as I did her! They have a great selection of books and it's definitely an adventure to browse around. Plus there's an upstairs with more books too - woohoo! And the really cool thing is that they have events all the time - jazz nights, talks, and if you have a science-loving friend, he/she will love the selections here PLUS the talks by amazing professors/lecturers. If you want to keep updated on their events, like their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/centurybookshop/ If you find a book you like/love - you can be sure that buying it here will be a great steal of a deal! Definitely recommend dropping by, and probably allocating a fair amount of time to browse! Happy reading!!! read more

Century Books - View from the 2nd floor! - Bookstores Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I finally got the last two Harry Potter books that I need to complete my collection. I got them for $15 for a first edition Sorcerer Stone and a Prisoner of Azkaban for $12.95. Small and a bit cramped but had plenty of books of various topics, I had looked around in the art history section but my main goal was to find the last two Harry Potter books I needed to finish my collection. They also had books in the second floor which also had their discounted books area. It took a while to look for them since they had several spots scattered around the place of different Harry Potter books but I had those already. I found the last two near the register since they're early prints and were in great quality. The lady and her husband was pretty nice. She gave me a bottle of water and was willing to answer some questions I had.The lady also gave my books dustcovers for free since I was talking to her about how my old collection was water damaged. We also had a conversation about how to distinguish early prints since I was confused about the differences and I had bought a first edition, 11th printing of the first Harry Potter which is hard to find in excellent condition. It also explained why I couldn't find any of the earlier books in great condition since they were printed in a smaller amount than the later books. She also gave me a discount since one of the books was priced higher than she thought and some of the pages were folded. She also told me that she had a first print, first edition of the Sorcerer Stone but had sold it though she wanted to keep it, she also collected various editions from other countries as well. They take card and have street parking. read more

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Ahhhhhhhhh They moved a couple doors down but still quaint and great book choices! The owner lady is super friendly and eager to talk. It was a sweet home vibes! read more

I wandered into this bookstore and had a great experience. I had a lovely chat with the woman there and we talked about different books and she really knew her stuff. I will definitely be back soon- this will be my go to place to find psychology books at a fantastic price. Thank you for making it such a nice experience :) read more

Thank goodness there are still some old-school style bookstores left! This place is wonderful! A little treasure trove of books, with some art (they have openings in the little gallery space), and knowledgable owners. I love to go here to buy gifts and I just got a great cookbook the other day for a Christmas present for mom. She'll love it. If you love books and bookstores, you must go check this place out. read more

This store is amazing! Came in while wandering around Green Street and impressed by how many books were in a small space. I went upstairs, enjoyed some beautiful art on the walls and eventually found some books on crochet and knitting. A great little gem of a place. read more

This place is a gem, truly. You can stop by and see their shop, between Catalina and Wilson on Green Street, but at 11:30 p.m., when everything is closed, you can order from these dear folks online (and support a local bookshop!) and they will get your book to you easily and with a personal touch, too -- www.century books online.com. -- Lynne read more

Century Books is one of the marquee Pasadena small businesses that you won't find many other places. I am lucky to live very close and often find myself wandering in to/from South Lake to scour the seemingly endless stacks of books from decades ago to newer releases. The store is also part of a historic building on Green Street that takes you back in time, complete with wooden floors and an old creaky stairway that takes you the upstairs loft where there will be jazz performed on Saturday nights or talks with local academics/authors. There is usually art upstairs from local artists that you can enjoy for free or purchase. If you're in need of being able to walk in and find something instantly based on author or title, you will be disappointed. I don't say this as a put down, but as a selling point. Yes, it can be frustrating not being able to pinpoint the exact author, but as you're seeking that book, you come across something appealing that you wouldn't have had you come in, grabbed your book, then left. The store feels like a fun treasure hunt that you have no map for, but come across a gem that made the hunt worth it. For me, its been books by LA food critic Jonathan Gold and Ask a Mexican columnist Gustavo Arellano. I even grabbed a first edition of a well known book from the 1960s from their dollar rack. The owner Judith is very kind, knowledgeable, and appreciates her customers. I always feel welcome and know she can help steer me to where I think I wanna browse or suggest other topics/locations that might also be relevant. She always offers water and will grab you a chair to help you dig through the stacks or if you want to read while in the store. You can tell this store is as much a passion as a business for her and her husband. As one of the few remaining brick and mortars left, the owners knowledge, customer service, and thrill of the hunt keep me coming here instead of Amazon to find great used books for myself or as gifts for others. If you find yourself on Green Street just east of South Lake avenue, stop on in when they're open. You never know what you could find. read more

When I was a bookish child, my two dream jobs were to either be a marine biologist or to run a bookstore. I quickly became disillusioned with both prospects- the first because dolphins turned out to be evil and the second because even though I've found many bookstores that I love, they have never lived up to the romantic, cozy book stores I had pieced together in my head that was a combination of Meg Ryan's book store in You've Got Mail and the Beast's library in Beauty and the Beast. Century Books, however, IS that bookstore. Here are the things I love about Century Books: 1. Stacks of Books on the Floor: I'm sure this would drive someone with OCD nuts, but I love it. It feels like the bookstore is overflowing (which it is) and also that it is living, with its contents constantly in motion and changing. Perfectly organized books on shelves is just too impersonal. 2. Old Books Smell: Anyone else love the smell of old books? So one could argue most used book stores smell like this and that may be true but a lot of used book stores are also dusty. Century Books is clean and bright but still smells like old books. This is much less common. 3. Selection of books: It doesn't seem like there is a strict organizational system going on. I guess this is probably inconvenient if you're looking for a specific book, but if you're just browsing and looking to find something that strikes your fancy at the moment (which is mostly why I visit bookstores) this is great! Also, while they've got a great selection of literary (Tennyson's poems and plays, Yeat's Ireland) and high brow (an entire shelf for ballet and opera) options, they also have fun books scattered all around. We ended up getting a book of poetry and an illustrated book about dinosaurs because it was too cute not to get. 4. The owners: The friendliest people you've ever met. They apologized they couldn't offer us water but then found some peanuts to feed us with. Also invited us to their live jazz event saturday, classical music event sunday, and Jane Austen event sometime soon after. They immediately feel like you're talking to an old friend who is so excited to see you. 5. Live jazz and classical music. I have yet to attend one of these events, but as I understand it they have live jazz every Saturday night. How amazing is that? It's like this little bookstore is its own little community. Overall, this place is a gem. I could not be happier to have randomly stumbled upon them. read more

Nice owners, outstanding service, charming atmosphere and a great selection of books at very fair prices. Art gallery and weekly live jazz and classical music put it over the top. If this bookstore were in a movie you would claim that it was the director's fantasy of what a bookstore might have been 30 years ago. Century Books would be right at home on a small avenue in Paris, but luckily for us it is here in Pasadena! read more

Happened across this store a couple of years ago when I moved to Pasadena. This bookstore is not typical by any means. The owners, Judith and Steve, are as incredibly rare and contain just as much history, love, poetry, and life as the books that line their walls (and everywhere else). This store is less of a store and more of a haven for anyone who loves books or longs to transport themselves to a timeless and unforgettable place. When you walk in you will always be greeted by one, if not both owners. Judith may approach and offer you water and if you politely decline she will ask if you are sure or if there is anything else she can offer you or help you with. She is a humble, delightful woman and I am certain the success of this store is attributed to the loyal customers who love this husband and wife team. Though I don't know how they make a penny because they are so quick to offer you a discount on already great prices. They don't have a tip or donation jar but you'll want to donate something and you should. They have incredible finds and continue to restock their inventory with rare classics and often times new fiction. If you don't find what you are looking for they just might have it in storage, so ask. Live music is played on Saturday evenings and they usually have wine and cheese. If you visit this place you'll never forget it nor will you forget Judith or Steve. read more

Came here on a whim and glad I did! As soon as I stepped in the owner offered me water and so genuinely offered to help. I had a book on my mind and though it wasn't available, she offered to find it at another local bookstore which truly exceeded my expectations. Her commitment was endearing and it was refreshing to see a business owner feed off of the energy of her customers. Hands down, the best service I've ever received at a bookstore. The bookstore itself is small but very charming. I loved how the books were not only shelved but also stacked in nooks on the floor and against cases. There's a section upstairs with contemporary fiction and space for small events. Such a pleasant and welcoming experience that served as a reminder to support local businesses. Left happy and ready to delve into my new read :) read more

This place is such a gem. Century Books is tucked between a variety of boutiques and businesses. Once you walk in, you may be overwhelmed by the amount of things inside, but it is somewhat organized. Although, I think the best things about used book stores is just wandering around and finding little surprises in the nooks and crannies (not surprises like spiders or cockroaches, which this place had none of). There was some music playing from the front desk, where we met this lady who is probably/literally the nicest person I've met in the entirety of my life. She took us on a small tour of the shop, and brought us upstairs and showed us the art that was displayed. I was incredibly charmed by her and her love for what she does. She told us the background of her store, and how it came to be, and she had a fun accent too! In the end, my friend and I purchased a couple books for ourselves, and I purchased two prints of some beautiful paintings, which the woman wrapped and tied up for me which I thought was so sweet. Everything is well priced and also your life will change when you meet this woman. Please visit this place and buy and support their store. read more

How can anyone give this place anything less than 5 stars? The owners are the warmest, most helpful people. The place is so romantically cozy and welcoming, its frightening. In an age of digital books and digital isolation, it is so comforting to know places like this exist. We know where we'll always be buying our books from now. By the way, their prices are insanely competitive, and even beat online pricing, so do not hesitate to visit this lovely couple's little shop. Support the small, support the local. read more

Very quaint bookstore ( I mean that in most positive way possible ). It has a great ambiance and welcoming aesthetic that is reflected by the owners who run the store. They are very helpful with recommendations and are very accommodating to all visitors. I wish more bookstores shared this kind of enthusiasm. I have yet to stop by on Jazz Nights, but I will definitely make sure to do so in the future. read more

Do you remember when bookstores were lively and filled with books, art, music and interesting people? That still happens here at Century Books in Pasadena. Stop by on one of their Jazz Saturday nights. Pick up some books and enjoy. read more

Century Books - Great live jazz, books and people. - Bookstores Near Me - Pasadena, California

This place is just great! I stopped by after work with something specific in mind, a mass market paperback copy of "The Stand" by Stephen King. Not only did they have exactly what I was looking for, but I ended up leaving with several other books at a BARGAIN price. The owner (Judith) was there, and within a few minutes of talking to her I felt like I was hanging out with a friend. She is extremely kind and thoughtful and was quick to offer me some water and even a piece of her chocolate bar! She also pulled up a chair for me to read while I waited for my wife to pick me up. I cannot recommend this place enough. After one visit I am in love with this little shop. read more

A friend told me about this fairly new bookstore so I decided to stop by. The couple that runs this bookstore ought to tour the country and give lessons in customer service. I think that's where their niche is. Upon entering, I was greeted by this slender lady who offered me chocolate and asked if I wanted something to drink. I had just eaten so my sugar was just fine. I browsed their books and found them to be much cheaper than most used bookstores. The store is small but still has a nice selection. True, the books are not one dollar but still very reasonably priced. I was just very impressed with the way these people treat their customers. I walked out of there with a Rick Bayless cookbook. Oh, they invited me to their Jazz event on Saturdays so I will definitely be going back. 5 solid stars for their customers service and love of books. read more

Not much else you could ask for from a bookstore. I walked in and the owner gave me a great little tour of the place. He was extremely nice and seemed like a genuinely good person. The place is small, but packs a lot of good books and genres. There's a sitting area upstairs to read as well. It's a very quiet store, which is perfect to preview books at your leisure. Amazing prices on top of it all! Paid like $3-$5 per book! You don't really need to go anywhere! This place definitely deserves your support! read more

Last time I was in the shop, I mentioned to Judith that I was looking for a copy of Robert Heinlein's "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress." Judith looked through her collection but didn't have one for me, so she said she'd keep a lookout for the book and let me know. A couple of months later I got an email from her letting me know that she found a copy! I was so elated! There need to be more places like Century Books and more storeowners like Steve and Judith in this world! read more

This is the best used book store I've found in Southern California. The book selection tends to be somewhat "intellectual" and reflects the good taste of the owners, but if you don't read nonfiction books on science or history this may not be the best shop for you. The foreign language section is small but better than I've found elsewhere, at least for major languages like French and Spanish. This place gets bonus points for classy music, helpful (but not annoying/pushy) service, no musty smells, and good organization. They even have pillows to sit on if you need to get down to see the floor level shelves. And it's all budget friendly; I found several great things for less than $10 each, so you can get your nonfiction fix on a budget here. I think if you come with an open mind then serendipity won't disappoint you. I'll definitely be going back. read more

New books everyday The friendliest woman on the planet works here Jazz every other saturday night. Coming back as much as I can read more

My boyfriend was just looking for a used bookstore place so we came by. The hours for a Saturday we're really odd - 8-11 PM. When we walked in the owner greeted us and asked if we wanted water. I had never been asked that at a bookstore so that was great. Then she made sure to tell us if we had any questions or needed something in particular to let her know. While we were there, upstairs they had a musician playing the saxophone and other guests enjoyed wine and chocolate. They were very friendly, I went up there only to check it out and 2 people were making seating arrangements for me. We stayed in the store for a while, and I was really surprised at its collection since it's kind of a small space. They were organized, had the stereotypical tower of books that when you pulled one out everything would fall. She even offered my friend a pillow at his seat. Idk where that pillow would have came from. The owners were so nice I was really amazed. I would definitely check this place out read more

What a beautiful and charming little bookstore! I came here by accident- on my way to sushi, we stopped in to hear some jazz, eat a few pieces of chocolate and have a glass of wine. The bookstore has an upstairs area, a couch, a few nooks and crannies and some pretty unique books! Andy asked for a book by Wilhelm Reich and the owner said they have it sometimes. Very cool. I found a child's fairytale book, which is probably 75 years old. I love it. In fact I love everything here. Good luck, Century Books. I look forward to browsing your store again on a lazy Sunday afternoon. read more

This place is wonderful. It is what I think every book store should be. The woman working was absolutely a delight. She offered us a cold drink and was super attentive the entire time we were browsing the shelves of the store. They're still getting everything up and running and are a relatively new store. They host event nights and have music come and play and have great deals on their books. I'll for sure be back =] read more

I stopped in Century Books one day after eating disappointing sushi, and pretty much decided that this was the only used bookstore I would ever need. The proprietors are extremely nice, interested, and willing to find something you're looking for. They're always getting new books in, and their prices can only be beaten by garage sales (and not always then). They occasionally have art and music exhibitions, as well. I highly recommend stopping by to browse their selection. read more

This is the epitome of a mom and pop book store. The couple that runs the store go above and beyond the normal customer service expectations to find the book you are looking for. They even went so far as to recommend other bookstores that might carry the book and look it up on Amazon. You can tell these are people passionate about books and providing excellent service. Five stars all the way ! read more

Century Books - Very cozy book shop and the most helpful couple that runs it . - Bookstores Near Me - Pasadena, California

I happened across Century Books right when they opened, and have been back half a dozen times since. Fadi S. summarizes the layout pretty well, but the atmosphere is really exceptional. Humble, unpretentious, but charming in its own way. It's a small, quiet bookstore, with charming owners, a wonderful feeling, and a great selection. Actually, the selection is the best part: the owners have cultivated a fantastic selection of books for browsing (the only real reason to go into a used bookstore). I've found myself incapable of leaving without at least a couple titles each time I've visited. The overall volume is low, but in comparison to a lot of other local bookstores, the number of books that make me pause and read a page is ridiculously high. Excellent prices: anything that isn't labeled, they just look up the price on Amazon and give it to you for that (plus whatever the shipping would cost), so you lose nothing by shopping there as opposed to the internet. My only criticism is that the fiction section is top-heavy on the kind of big, hardback popular thrillers that make me think of the 90s. Looking forward to coming back time and again. read more