No better bookstore than Vroman's! At least...within the close vicinity! This bookstore has it all…read more- they have Tepito Coffee inside (shoutout to proceeds going to Homeboy Industries), so many gift items, cards, knick knacks, things that - if you're looking for a gift for someone, you'll find something. Not just books! Not to mention their book selection is stellar and on point. When I went here recently (I come here often), they had an author speaking upstairs, and plenty of chairs out for an audience. Upstairs, they have tons of boxed cards and single cards, and again, lots of things that you may have not known you needed - or wanted to gift someone. I can truly spend hours in this bookstore. They also have additional seating and another drink menu inside as well. Literally, something for everyone! The prices are normal and I'm so happy to support local business in any way that I can. They also share a parking lot in the back with Total Wine and a couple other retailers. I had no idea! But definitely helpful. All this to say - worth checking out, and just know that you'll spend a ton of time here. It's good vibes all around - a perfect place to visit on a weekend, but really, anytime!

Grew up around the area and was this has been a mainstay in my life…read moreA fabulous independent bookstore that managed to stay in business all these years Great selection of titles, gifts and fun stuff

My go to bookstore for specific finds I need, and when I don't wanna support big box stores. These…read moreguys are informed, kind, and well inventoried! They carry new and old books with VERY large selections. Their manga and comic section is really great, and I love to pop in to see what's new. I think they understand there's lots of art students nearby that love these books! :) Thank you, book alley. They helped me snag a specific book I really wanted to avoid buying from amazon, and couldn't find anywhere else! Make sure, if you're in the same boat, give them a call and ask if they can do the same for you! It might incur a fee, but they got my book to me within a week and I didn't have to pay extra! :) Wahoo!

Book Alley is a cool place to browse if you love books and records. They have a great mix of new…read moreand used books, and it's the kind of bookstore where you can easily lose track of time wandering the shelves. The staff on the floor are engaging and genuinely helpful when you're searching for a particular find. That said, my experience selling books was disappointing. The process felt impersonal, and the seller/owner was not particularly engaging. One example: I brought in a brand-new book that originally cost $40 and was offered only a $1 store credit. I understand used bookstores have to make a profit, but the experience left me feeling like my books would have been better off in a friend's library. Great place to browse and buy, but I would lower expectations if you're planning to sell.

We stumbled upon this book store in Pasadena and had a wonderful experience. The owner was…read moredelightful and provided amazing customer service. Upon entering there are towers of books all around, so much so that it's a bit difficult to walk around, though they appeared to have been in the midst of reorganizing and cataloguing new inventory. Regardless, it was like a treasure hunt to find books that piqued my interest. The prices were great. I'll definitely visit again in the future! The owner did mention that she had some personal matters to attend to the next few weeks, so the hours would be sporadic. If you love supporting small local bookshops, I recommend giving this place a visit!

Walking into this place feels like stepping into another universe -- one made entirely of stories,…read morehistory, 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.

I noticed this bookstore on one of my walkabouts, and decided to finally stop in…read more Generally, kinda cluttery. Lots of shelves and books everywhere, but each shelf is home to specific categories of books, and there's LOTS of categories! Looking deeper at each collection, I was really impressed with the range of what I saw. I noticed these two super nice quality cookbooks and snagged them! I didn't realize at first, but the prices of the books seem to be marked in pencil on the first inside page or so, and I got a really good deal (imo!). I was in there for just a few minutes before the clerk/owner noticed me (he was busy in the back I think?) and turned on the AC and some cool music. :) That was appreciated, thank you!! I'll stop by again sometime. This feels like the place you should go to when you're not sure what you want, but you want a great price and rare find!!

Really nice shop with lots of not-the-same-old stuff. I like Vromans for what it is - super clean,…read moreshiny, showy, fancy, full of currently popular items. I hope The Battery Books will forgive me for the comparison, but they seem to do well as a contrast to all that. They're stacked with books, sound recordings, odd stuff. (Need a Makanda Ken McIntyre discography?) THIS is the kind of place I love.

The bookstore is very aesthetically pleasing and pleasant to be in. I enjoyed the fish tank (very…read moreclean!) and the labyrinth-like layout of the store. However, the selection of books was confusing and very disappointing. Their contemporary fiction section was severely lacking and needs serious work.

Wow! First time in the area and visited this place. It's so cute small labyrinth and you get lost…read morewith the choice of books you see! And the plants make it a plus! Book lovers definitely need to visit!!

What a spectacular bookstore. I never knew what it felt like to be part of the majority, and how…read morecomfortable it would be to look around and see characters like me looking back at me while browsing for books. I also love all the craft and craft adjacent things they have. I've always wanted to try cross stitch, and now I have a new sampler to try out and a sticker which is amazing.

Super nicely curated, tiny bookshop with some other wonderful items, my son bought a cup holder…read moremade out of climbing rope, and I was incredibly tempted by the Octavia Butler votive candle! But I ended up with a couple of books instead, which came with nice complementary bookmarks.

Definitely one of my favorite places to visit in DTLA, and I love taking friends from out of town…read morehere because it's so spectacular inside, especially with the "arch of books". You can take some great photos here. If you are into unique books, this is paradise! It's famous for the swirling book tunnel, the giant book arch, and there are original bank vaults that now house true crime, horror, and rare collectible books. The Last Bookstore is California's largest new and used independent book and record store. Josh Spencer founded the OG bookstore in 2005, and it moved to this massive space inside Spring Arts Tower (a converted 1914 bank building) in 2011. The inside feels like a castle of books, with high ceilings and marble columns, and heavy bank vaults. It's a must see if you're downtown and want a unique shopping experience. There are thousands of new, used, and rare books, plus a huge selection of vinyl records, CDs, and DVDs. There is also a "Labyrinth & Art Annex". The mezzanine level features a maze like collection of indie artist studios, local art galleries, and a massive stock of bargain books, including a selection of $1 books. Parking in downtown LA can be a pain, and this store doesn't have its own parking so I think the easiest place to park is the surface parking lot next door at 449 S. Spring St. You can quickly pay on site via the ParkMobile App.

As a destination for book lovers, The Last Bookstore is definitely a worthy spot to add to any…read morelist. I had to visit when I was in LA recently, and I'm so glad I did. TLB is in a giant former bank. It was aisle upon windy aisle upon small rooms in bank vaults of finds, with shops and a cafe also tucked in the upper level. What makes it truly stand out though is the book-themed art installations throughout the space. A tunnel made of books, a circle of books to look through -- these surprises make the space even more fun to explore. But these unique views also provide a backdrop for photographers, I now know. There were a handful of photographer-and-subjet duos throughout the space when I went. This was fine, except for the fact that they took over areas of the store for an extended period of time, making it hard to browse. Now as a used bookstore itself, the selection left a little to be desired. I didn't find anything that I had to have, and I really hoped I could come home with at least a book or two. It felt like the selection came from a decade or more ago and hadn't been added to since. Still, it was such a fun experience to peruse. Also, while I was there, I noticed a large group mingling in the first floor and then a man behind a table signing books -- a book signing, I presumed. When I was about to leave and was purchasing a T-shirt, I asked the cashier who was doing a signing. He said those folks just showed up and that no one at the store knew there was going to be a signing today! What a funny experience all around.

Selection was larger than I expected and the breadth of genres was impressive. I've worked in…read morePublishing/distribution/sales for this industry and I enjoyed the service and quality offered. There are not many booksellers left but I'll always stop when I see one and buy, not that I NEED more books but I like to do my part to keep this institution alive. I never buy from Amazon and shop publishers directly online so that my money goes back into publishing and not someone's yacht.

I've been shopping at this store for the past seven years and have always enjoyed the atmosphere…read more The employees have been friendly, although they don't always acknowledge you unless you approach them first for assistance. Unfortunately, my experience this past December left me with a bad impression. I stopped in to buy Christmas gifts and while I was being helped by the employee at the register, I asked if they happened to have small handouts explaining the properties of a few crystals that came from the glass shelves. They weren't sure, so they asked the older employee/manager standing nearby. His response was rude. He came over and said they would have to print one out and didn't have time to do that. I wasn't expecting anyone to go out of their way to print something--I was just asking in case they had copies available at the front. A polite "no, we don't" would have been fine. Instead, the sharp tone was embarrassing, especially since it happened in front of other customers, the employee helping me, and my partner. I still purchased my items, but the interaction left me hesitant to return. This is a shop that should feel warm, welcoming, and relaxing considering what it offers. Nobody should leave feeling uncomfortable after a simple question.

Very friendly space book collection is éclectique.Friendly staff with a dog mascot crafty schedule…read moreof classes and unique handmade goods available for purchase.

Who said that bookstores were a thing of the past!? I looooovvve that Monrovia has a gem nestled…read moreacross the street from the library. I popped in to get a Christmas gift for my middle school aged niece who loves to read. They helped me with some recommendations, and one of them is even by a local author that had signed the book! The service was top-notch and the selection was plentiful.

We've visited this amazing rare book store twice and magically have walked out with an item each…read moretime. If you're an avid book collector or have a great interest in books from collection or historical perspective. This is a must go to place to browse their selection or check out their catalogue online. They have an impressive collection of first editions, signed editions and collector worthy inventory. For pieces you can also work with them to custom make book holders to protect your investment. Staff is super knowledgeable about their product in answering your questions and allowing you to view the books.

Fantastic, trustworthy. I worked with them on selling a book. They were great to work with.read more