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.

Books Inc. is my go to bookstore when I'm in the Pruneyard area. The employees here are always…read morewelcoming and friendly and will help you find what you're looking for. They offer some books on sale or clearance at a great value. I have purchased many books here for birthdays, Christmas and for myself. They have the children's book section with plenty of children's books, stuffed animals, and seating for looking at books and reading.

I haven't been to Barnes & Noble in a long time. There aren't many locations left but the Santa…read moreClara one withstood the times with the everchanging tech environment. I stopped by to look for music CD and manga. The store has a dedicated section for movies, music and games in the front of the store. It's a huge size bookstore spreading different sections of categories, magazines, and a kids area. There is a coffee station in the center and tables where you can read and work as it's pretty quiet inside. The manga section is big and the magazines as well. There were quite a bit of KPop magazines amongst others. You'll find quite a few things you didn't think of when you come across cute and unique accessories. If you want to get out of the outside and enjoy a quiet atmosphere, it's Barnes & Noble.

Went to Barnes & Noble on a Saturday afternoon and was surprised (and happy) by how crowded it was…read more Nice to see people shopping and studying and drinking coffee at the last B&N in San Jose. Fortunately, it's a spacious store with room for everyone. It's also nice that there is a dedicated parking lot in the back, again with enough parking for everyone. I went there looking for a specific Miffy keychain, but the Miffy goods were picked over pretty good and they didn't have it. Ended up leaving with two books, a journal, two chocolate bars, a reusable shopping bag, and a Miffy blind box. It was a pretty good shopping spree.

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.

Hicklebee's is such a lovely small bookstore with a wonderful selection of books for all ages. If…read moreyou are part of a school, they also offer story time for children. Hicklebee's is a truly special place for the community in the Willow Glen area.

One of my favorite spots for cds and physical media but I did not enjoy getting profiled upon entry…read moreat my last visit. The woman gave my friend unnecessary attitude for something that could have been resolved without being rude. We've been here regularly but that's our first experience at a place me and my friend usually enjoy and it really just made it awkward. Still was helped by other staff, still got what we wanted, but I can't help but feel like weird about our interaction.

Cool place to find cd, vinyl, dvd. Large assortment of everything, can spend hours here.read more

My daughter Aaliyah and I made a special trip to Beyond Text for their "shop with a cause" day,…read morewhere a portion of every purchase went to The Butter Paddle to support Pacific Clinics' work with local at-risk kids. Love that kind of thing -- buy a book, actually do some good. The store itself is small but really well put together -- think cozy neighborhood bookstore, not big-box chain. They've got bestsellers, a great kids' section, and some genuinely fun oddball picks (an encyclopedia about historical attitudes toward magic? sign me up). You can tell the person curating this place actually reads and cares about books, not just sells them. The owner Tanya wasn't in that day, but a woman named Lina was working and was an absolute delight -- she took a break to play hide and seek with Aaliyah, which was such a sweet, unexpected moment and honestly made the whole trip. We walked out with "The Knight and the Dragon" (a very chill, nap-loving dragon, we approve) and a pirate-themed Water Wow activity book, both instant hits at home. If you're looking for a bookstore with heart, a great kids' section, and staff who go out of their way to make your visit special, Beyond Text is it. Bonus points for giving us an easy way to support a great local cause while we were at it. We'll be back!

Beyond Text Bookstore is what happens when a bookstore has personality- and fully leans into it…read more The selection is thoughtfully chosen, priced right with something for every kind of reader, and then there's the fun stuff: witty stickers, clever little finds, and those "I didn't know I needed this" moments tucked everywhere. Tanya absolutely lives up to it. she's warm, engaging, and clearly invested. Her personal touch is all over the shop - from the creative, artistic decor to the way she offers suggestions that feel like they were picked just for you. Come in, browse a little longer, admire the artistic, creative decor, and support a local gem - before you default to the chain store down the street. Trust me, this is the better detour.

Book Go Round is one of the most affordable used bookstores in the Bay Area, and all proceeds…read morebenefit the local Saratoga library. It's a quaint little shop with a great selection of books ranging from 50 cents and up. Yes, you read that right 50 cents!They also carry CDs and DVDs. The books range from acceptable to like-new condition. My wife and I walked out with 7 books and 2 CDs for $28, which is an insane deal. Friends of the Library groups are usually at every library in the Bay Area. They're kind people who volunteer their time to help sell books and fund local libraries. The workers here are all volunteers, so they're not getting paid they're there to support their community. Big props to all of them. If you're looking for a book in the Bay Area, I'd recommend stopping here first or checking out your local Friends of the Library shop before going to a for-profit used bookstore or buying online. Your small purchase can make a big difference in your community. Happy reading Bay Area! Always support your local Friends of the Library!

Heaven! This store is all based on donated books, and the proceeds go to the Saratoga library,…read morewhich I love. They have a great selection of books, and the person at the front desk was very helpful and friendly. Please go here and buy a lot of books! ,

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.

lovee this place to the bone spend like 60 dollars here at least every time i go love this place so…read moremuch, where i get most my bsd merch from. so frickin awesome. i love my bsd stuff. selection is meh depending on when i go, usually good tho. love how kind employees at front are.

Cute bookstore with little gifts and pens and notebooks. I saw a cute Sanrio pencil pouch I was…read moregoing to get but it was $30! lol. These tariffs are no joke and not worth the 30 bucks. Overall, it was nice to walk around and see the stuff. We didn't buy anything.