This store is a dream come true for people who live books about culture, art, music and society…read more The service is personal and friendly and you can easily get lost there for hours, browse and sitting down for a deeper inquiry.

Arcana is a very cool and modern bookstore in Culver City with a lot of different art books to…read moreperuse. You could definitely spend a good 1-2 hours in here!

I have been dying to come to The Ripped Bodice for so long and my husband had a random weekend off…read moreand decided he would take me. We are coming from San Diego so it was only a 2ish hour drive, we found parking right away which was really nice and I was so so excited to check it out. As soon as you step in you're greeted by such a whimsical display of books and I was instantly obsessed. The bookstore is really large and has so many great options for romance books, ya and some children's books plus tons of bookish merch. It was really hard to choose which book to get, but I ended up getting a paperback of Eldritch by Keri Lake, a magnetic book marker and a tote bag, thank you to my husband for that. I love the little Ripped Bodice tote, instead of a paper bag, they offered a reusable tote for I think $2-5? Which was a fun little souvenier! Also super dog friendly everyone was so sweet to our little Kodi!

I cannot say enough great things about this romance-focused independent bookstore. But here is a…read morevaliant attempt: 1. Expertise -- If you are new to the contemporary romance publishing scene, walk in here and be amazed. There are sooooooo many romance titles under every conceivable subgenre, and the choices are almost endless. But maybe you're looking to expand your list of favorite authors or dipping your toes into romance for the first time, and you feel overwhelmed. Fear not! Walk right up to the friendly staff and just throw out ideas. My friend asked for recommendations of romance that involves: (a) career women who takes care of everyone and needs to prioritize herself; (b) older women with life experience looking for love; (c) romance by black women about black women, just to name a few. The lovely staff member said, "I got you!" and proceeded to walk us around the store to show us her recommendations and share why she loves them. Her passion is infectious! My friend found a stack of books she's excited to read. 2. Creativity -- from the moment you walk in the door, the fanciful and whimsical decor catches your attention and exudes joy and wonder. But don't just admire the flying books all the way to the ceiling or the pink skeleton in a Ripped Bodice t-shirt. You must check out the "water closet" before you go. Trust me on this one. 3. Inclusion -- The Ripped Bodice doesn't just do romance, they do sex-positive, inclusive representation. You'll find curated selections on romance with disability and LGBTQ+ representation, romance by BIPOC authors, non-fiction books about women's sexual health and pleasure, menopause, polyamory, trans bodies, etc. and a gigantic LGBTQ+ rainbow flag made of romance covers. And have I mentioned their monthly stand-up comedy show, which features different comedians who have relatable and funny materials without the mysogynistic cringe. This place is a safe space for people of all genders and sexual orientations. 4. Community -- The spirit of community is everywhere in this amazing bookshop. You see pictures of the sisters who started and own the shop and their family (including kids) on the wall. They have book clubs for fans of historical, fantasy/paranormal, LGBTQ+ romance and more. They have a writing club that reads a book together and discusses what works and what could be better. They have book launches and author talks, including a ton of local authors as well as national phenoms. They attract people from all over and are ultra-local at the same time. And you feel like you belong, no matter who you are. Bonus: the store is in the heart of Culver City. Farmer's market, fancy ice cream, movie theatre, and a cafe that plays soccer all the time... they're all right here. 'Nuf said. Go check them out!!

A Good Used Book is a neighborhood & independent bookstore that focuses on - as you can probably…read moreguess - used books. The bookstore is best known for Every Sunday Funday Markets from 12 PM to 4 PM, but check their IG page to confirm dates and get details on vendors. They also host occasional Saturday pop-ups like Saturday School (12 PM to 4 PM) - again check their Instagram page for specific dates. [Parking]: Street parking only (free), but I found few spots available on W Court Street on Saturday afternoon. [Saturday School]: Our group visited one of their Saturday School pop-ups and vendors like WEPA Pa'l Mundo (Puerto Rican food) and Ako's Tea (specialty teas with a modern twist) were set up in front of the bookstore. No outdoor tables so expect to eat or drink while standing or inside your own car. Our party came at 3 PM on Saturday and most food from WEPA Pa'l Mundo was already sold out. However, our party did end up getting a drink from Ako's Tea and Sticky Rice Pu-erh Tea was quite refreshing. [Bookstore]: I could tell firsthand that the staff here handpicked the used, vintage, rare, and new books. The bookstore has an interesting book selection. Smaller used books are wrapped in plastic so you can't browse them for previews, but larger books are unwrapped which allow visitors to flip through the pages. [Buying program]: The shop selectively buys used books in the following categories: vintage paperbacks of all kinds, modern and literary fiction, classics and cult classics, translated fiction, radical theory, cultural nonfiction, art, photography, film, design, and music. Canonized and outsider, essential and unexpected. Condition matters (clean and readable) and they offer a percentage of what the store sells for. Please do not bring books to sell on Sundays due to Every Sunday Funday Markets. [Conclusion]: A great small and curated local bookstore with a personal touch.

A Good Used Book is so much more than a bookstore. It's a true beacon of community, connection, and…read morecreativity in Filipinotown. Chris and Jenny are such incredible owners, and you can feel the thought, care, and passion they pour into everything they do. The work they put into sourcing and curating their books makes every visit feel like a discovery. There's a real intentionality behind the collection, and it's clear that they believe books can do so much more than sit on a shelf. They can bring people together, spark conversations, and open doors to new ideas. Their pricing is also refreshingly fair, making books accessible to more people and reinforcing the idea that the joy of reading and discovering a great book shouldn't be a luxury. Their Sunday Funday markets are another reason this place is so special. They create space for local makers, neighbors, and friends to come together in a way that feels genuinely welcoming and full of life. It's the kind of place that makes you feel more connected to the neighborhood just by showing up. Independent bookstores like this are so important, especially when they go beyond selling books and become gathering places for the people around them. Chris and Jenny are doing something really special, and Filipinotown is lucky to have them. Come for the books, stay for the community, and keep coming back because places like this deserve all the love and support they can get.

My first time visiting Taschen and I was amazed. I left with 2 new books! They are perfect art…read morebooks for the coffee table. They have a nice selection with a small upstairs sitting area. The decor and art work is amazing of course ....make sure you look up at the ceiling to catch the beautiful art. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I plan on checking out their other locations as well.

This is a very beautiful bookstore. I came to check out the books, and they have a big selection…read more It reminded me of the time I was in my college library.

A new woman-owned indie bookstore on the west side! Great selection, including some used books…read more($5-10), and varying across all genres and age ranges. I also saw they had some signed copies of certain books! They have a book club available & are opening up a cafe right next door. I love that they have staff recommendations peppered all over the store. You'll definitely find what you're looking for here, or it'll find you. Can confirm this will be a neighborhood bookstore on rotation for me.

Such a cute lil bookstore. I love when bookshops make an effort to be a hub for the community by…read moreoffering in store events and GGB has book clubs and other neat things. This is a great place to pick up your next book for a summer reading challenge. Also worth noting that this has a gender neutral bathroom so our trans and NB friends and neighbors are more than welcome here. Street parking available. I parked in a residential area between Pacific and Wade, and it was a 7 min walk.

We are so lucky to have a bookstore like this in Venice…read more I have been coming here for years and it is wonderful. Hidden in plain sight, tucked behind the bar. The selection is the thing I find most impressive. I've bought a myriad of books over the years, often looking for specific translations or editions and they almost always have what I'm looking for. The people that work there are nice and helpful (in a slightly "idc" barista/mixologist cliche kind of way, ha) All of the books I've purchased there (often classics) have been between $10-20. Also, they have fat cats cruising round! I absolutely love love this place. Maybe I need a tshirt at this point. Or a tote bag

This is a safe haven for those walking around Venice beach!!! When I saw the storefront sign, I got…read moreinstantly excited and dragged my partner in! Hahaha The store is well organized. It's situated behind a restaurant. It is actually quite spacious and has a ton of great books of all genres. A ton of popular, recent books! Loved the environment and how it's a gem tucked away at the beach.

The pearl in the oyster of a bookstore. It makes me sad I do not live closer so this could be my…read moreregular book haven. The world needs more book stores like this. While I was purusing, I heard the sales associates helpiing others with book searches and book club information. It sounds like they have a number of book clubs going at the same time which makes me green with envy. Somebody please open a bookstore like this in Santa Clarita Valley, Ca.! At the time of my visit there was a children's reading event going on in the children's section. There were young adults picking out their spring break reads. There is also a courtyard and coffee shop somewhat attached. I did not try the coffee, but will the next time I am in Manhattan Beach. This is a charming bookstore, well designed, with sooo many staff picks and recommendations. Make sure to pay them a visit when you are in the area. And if you live close by, I hate you :) I paid to park on the street very close to the shop, however there may be other parking I am not sure. Happy Reading!

Pages Bookstore is one of my absolute go-to indie bookstores in the South Bay. Located in the heart…read moreof Manhattan Beach, it sits close enough to the ocean that you can practically feel the sea breeze as you browse and that adds to the charm for me! They carry a great selection of books: new releases, children's books, cookbooks, travel guides, gifts, and more. They also host tons of author events, workshops, and community gatherings. The staff is always very helpful and while the prices are what you'd expect for a small, local shop, the experience is worth it. One of my favorite things is the cozy open area they share with the coffee shop next door but you do have to leave your drink outside the entrance to Pages. Parking can be tricky and usually requires paying a meter, but it's a small price to pay for such a great browsing experience. You're almost guaranteed to walk out with something new to read or gift.

My rating is on the store. Now as far as location....I wish it was in a nicer area. As soon as I…read morepulled up after missing it the first time I saw a homeless person wandering around and the building next to the book store are abandoned and graffitied. There is only street parking but there aren't meters. When I walked up to the store I noticed it was locked....which at first I was shocked because it was 30 minutes after their store opening time. I peeked through the window and a worked came and greeted me and said it was open. (In hindsight when I went to leave the store I had trouble with the doorknob so maybe it wasn't locked at all and I didn't know how to open the door) lol The book selection is great and most of the books are primarily in Spanish, not too many bilingual books which I was avoiding. The employee was very helpful and pointed me in the direction of the types of books I was looking for. They even have a 40% discount table on some books. Prices aren't bad, average is about $15 a book for the younger board books, pop-ups which is what I went to get. I will be back!

What an incredible spot for kids and families! We want to a read aloud event here and it was so…read moremuch fun. The space is beautifully decorated and so thoughtful. They have tables for kids and so many fun events! The books are mostly in Spanish, which is so important to have here in LA for kids!