I like this lovely little local bookstore. I was very surprised to find that they even have books in Italian! 10/10 - I would definitely check them out again to see what's in store. read more

Pegasus Books - Un nuovo libro (per me) in italiano ! La mia amica ha comprato questo libro per me oggi in libreria di Pegasus - Bookstores Near Me - Berkeley, California

One of the truly great independent bookstores, a vast resource for learning and exploration in liberating ideas.

Racist as hell, not only did the old lady behind the counter charged me twice for two of the books, when I went back to question the charges. She had the nerve to ask if I paid for the two monster truck my kid was holding at the time of purchase. Disappointed as hell. Won't ever go back again. It had been one of my favorite book store since childhood and had hoped to offer the same experience to my child. Very upsetting, got refund and offered 20% off coupon. But damage is done. Too PISSeD. It took everything in me to not Karen on her and only because I had my kid around. read more

I have consistently found amazing used CDs and DVD's over the years. I also sold most of my books for fair prices! I mean who reads books when there are so many podcasts! read more

Amazing locally owned independent bookstore, with a great selection of new and used books. Great service, takes special orders, famous for its annual selection of calendars and its blowout calendar sale after each new year. Ask for a loyalty card when you check out and they will reward you with a discount once your accumulated spend warrants it. read more

I love bookstores especially independent ones that sell used books. Asked the front desk for assistance and she was quick to help. Offered to order a book that they didn't have. Bought 3 books, 1 new/2 used total under $40. Great bargain! Would def come back. Need to check out the Oakland location. read more

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Love coming here to spend some time just browsing around for new items to read & getting lost in the world of books.

I don't go to Berkeley very often. In fact I hadn't been to this part of Berkeley in at least 3 or 4 years, I had never been inside Pegasus. I have well a defined library and as much as I would love to simply impulse shop I have very specific items I am looking for and very specific genres that I consume. Mostly this comes down to cooking, travel, cartography, historical cartography, artistic cartography, photography, other art and gardening. Here they have a wonderful selection of art books. Books of art, about art and how to art. I found a few things I had been looking for used. The staff was super chill and way helpful. I had some light business in the area and decided to get lunch next door. My visit was primarily a way to kill time and empty my wallet. read more

Pegasus Books - Art section. - Bookstores Near Me - Berkeley, California

Pegasus on Solano Ave in Berkeley has been one of my main go to bookstores for over 30 years. If they don't have a book they'll order it for you and they have a great selection of used books as well. Great cards, children's books, travel books and book wrapping available at no charge. It's like home away from home!! read more

It may be the only bookstore on Solano Avenue or at least the only one worth a reasonable browse. I'm most familiar with their College Avenue store since it was just a block from the Rockridge BART station where I used to commute. But now that my life has moved from summer to autumn with a few of my leaves discolored and falling off, this outlet is now the one closest to me. The irony is that the clientele actually does seem older here. It also feels a little bigger but just as densely stocked with no place to sit, which I assume is an intentional business decision. But even though Amazon provides deep discounts, Pegasus is an indie that deserves my support like purchasing local legend Betty Reid Soskin's bio, "Sign My Name to Freedom", here (photo: http://bit.ly/2Di55AS). RELATED - Looking for a bookstore to browse? Here's a list of stores I've perused and reviewed: bit.ly/2KXQ0D6 read more

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Wonderful medley of knowledge. There was a pretty large section of children's books and a few in different languages. I'll be coming here first for the next book I read. read more

The bookstore was very well ventilated and had a variety of unique books. My favorite book I found was a 1952 chess book that had original documents from chess matches in 1954. read more

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I still love and shop at Pegasus. I was there today to pick up wall calendars for Alan and me. They didn't have the California landscape calendars we usually gravitate towards, but I got him a New Zealand one and me a San Francisco one. Over the years I have bought a number of books here, avoiding Amazon as much as possible. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly and if you wait as long as I did this year, there are no lines around the store to buy calendars. Maybe that's why they didn't have the California landscape one, though. I waited too long. Needless to say, I will be back. read more

Knowledgeable book staff. Great selection! Welcoming environment. Unique selection of magazines and specialty books along with current bestsellers. read more

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No longer pays cash for books. I took some art and photography books there to sell recently -- some vintage and rare. I've sold books there for years and our family still buys books there. The were very polite but told me that they're trade-only now. I've chalked it up to challenges in the retail book business so I'm definitely not upset with them at all. That said it was a bit of an eye-opener about how much monetary value our books now have in the digital age. read more

Love this place. Real old-bookstore feel complete with salesman just crotchety enough to be genuine. He can be excused because I had the calendars I came for and then spotted a box of unprocessed 2nd hand books near the register. Not being able to resist a whole stack of vintage Dell and ACE SF books my eyes fell on a little green volume with a sailor on the front and the title A SEAMAN'S COLLECTION OF GREAT SEA STORIES. Well. Had to have it. Asked if I could buy even though it was not yet priced or shelved. Man said he'd look it up. Proceeded to mumble to himself (and to me?) Grumpy mc-grumperson then said, "$8?". Says I, "I'll take it!" Says he, "That is a very good price you know!" Yes. But for Captain Alan Villiers' collection of stories from Joseph Conrad, William McFee, Sir Ernest Shackleton, and more, a real deal! Book measures 4"x6.5", of lovely old paper with green-tinted page edges. read more

Pegasus Books - Captain Alan Villiers' Great Sea Stories, 1959. $8. - Bookstores Near Me - Berkeley, California

Working at a bookstore is a labor of love -- I know firsthand. Pegasus has been a gem for decades, a place to browse, for letting serendipity guide you to that undiscovered book or music that becomes a part of your life. The staff there goes above and beyond, and to prove it they contacted me about a recent online order just to make sure I hadn't accidentally ordered an inferior copy of a classic. They also sponsor school book fairs! read more

The music is always too loud here. Why do the employees/management think that's a hospitable business environment for a bookstore? Anyway the staff is really nice and it's nice to support the local guys. read more

Affordable discounted books in like new condition I mainly searched the children's section and found some good used books as well as some brand new ones (at full price). Another star for the really cool selection of cards I always enjoy a unique card and they had plenty of them. I will definitely be back. read more

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great selection, chill vibe, knowledgeable staff. My neice and nephew love taking me here when we visit from out of town.

Used, new and other book store at the top of Solano near Zachary's. Very cozy and happy book mongers. I feel so happy at a place where the people seem to love each other. I usually get my UNCUT and MOJO magazines here. Right now, there are calendars for a dollar each, I buy them and make art with them! Score! Most of all they love my pup kizuna, and she Loves them too. A big cozy spot for kiddos too! And a secret that I won't share that makes this place a diamond. Thanks for reading! read more

Pegasus Books - I went to Pegasus books and all I got were these left hands - Bookstores Near Me - Berkeley, California

3.5 stars. Every single time I come to this location I'm misgendered??? Main person who runs the place. I don't have this issue anywhere, but I guess based on the books I read I'm a woman? Y'all are in the Bay. Please use gender neutral pronouns for folks! If you don't know what pronouns they use, use their name. If you don't know their name, ask them what pronouns they use. It's hurtful!! Read the room-- especially as Trans rights are being jeopardized in the US. Folks who work here are really kind and work hard don't get me wrong, but it's awful. I come to this spot because they actually help customers find books they're looking for, but always run into the issue of being misgendered. Can't win :(. read more

This Pegasus is my neighbourhood book store. I can walk here from home and over the years I have grown up in the children's section with my kids, been one of the first patrons inside the store during the annual calendar sale, and have randomly stopped in for magazines, journals, and of course quality new and used books. This store has been my sanctuary, a neighbourhood meeting place, my muse, and a clear preference over the old nearby Half Price Books. It's also close and convenient to Peets, Zachary's, and other upper Solano shops. I stopped in today after a workout at 24 Hour Fitness and some grocery shopping at Andronicos. I admired the relatively new section containing high end comic and graphics books, checked out staff recommendations, and ended up buying the McSweeny's (No. 33) Panorama Newspaper (by David Eggers). There were also a few happy dogs withing this canine-friendly bookstore, especially when the doggie treats were pulled out from behind the counter. read more

See the owner update...and hugs and kisses to them for correcting my info. I AM SO GLAD that they are independent! And, yes...they are a truly awesome bookstore! BTW, I brought a Pegasus bumpersticker to Port Townsend, WA where the local librarian proudly displays it on her car. Bookstore fame travels fast'n far! read more

While I did not find what I was looking for when I came in to this bookstore I did find a lot of other things that appealed to me. Top on the list is that it is locally owned. They do offer a card that they record your purchases on it, and when you reach a total of $200 you get $10 off your next purchase. They have a large selection of new and used books. They also have a nice selection of magazines, just not any that I was looking for. I guess I might have to subscribe to some of the ones I want to read read more

COVID19 hours as of 24 July 20: 10a-5p. Curbside pick up. Call in advance. OR if you have a list of books, email to solano@pegasusbooks.com

Such a great bookstore though I wish they had a larger assortment of stationery. Lots of fun magazines to browse and you can always count on Pegasus for calendars. I almost bought Juicy a Unicorn calendar ...but I thought 12 months of mythical creatures hung on her wall would be just too cruel. My friend read me a kids book about a bear who wouldn't go to bed .... and I read him a book about what is Yummy and what is Yucky. We learned that "burgers are yummy, boogers are yucky! Sandwiches are yummy, sand is yucky." Seems like an afternoon well spent. read more

Summary based on many visits over years: --Good selection. Oftentimes current edition travel books are cheaper than Amazon. --Ok service --Parking can be challenging --Cost is generally reasonable. Good place to hang out while waiting for Zach's, next door. read more

Pegasus Books - Bookstores Near Me - Berkeley, California

Not only is the staff here welcoming and helpful, they really share their recommendations. I've found some "new" old favorites by taking their advice. And in the event of a special need....well....I needed to special order 11 books (some out of print) for a party and the patience and support I got was amazing. And their selection is great - whatever section turns you on! This is a dog and kid friendly spot for book lovers of all stripes. read more

My favorite bookstore. Always worth stopping in. Never lacking in ideas and inspiration. They even buy some of my books sometimes (the rare ones that I haven't ruined with coffee stains...gah!) Staff always pampers my dogs with treats. Great vibes and I've always enjoyed book readings here. Love that they're open late! read more

I like ordering my books online and just having my hubby go by and pick them up. I am not fond of going into the book store itself and having to look through the titles because it is always packed and the books are somewhat out of order. Like some already mentioned, you always feel like you're bothering the clerks by asking them for a specific title or author, so like I said I save myself the trouble and just order them online! Once they have the books ready an actual person will call to let you know whether they're all ready or just some of them. They will then follow up with another phone call when your other books arrive. Pretty convenient. read more

So many affordable, used books and shiny new ones too! I come here to sell old books, and use my store credit to buy new childrens books for my little dude. They have a solid selection for kids & babies. If you're selling books, they take mostly recent titles and offer about $4-5 credit each. Not a ton, but it's something to help fund the a virtuous habit (reading!) Their annual calendar sale is fun, and I just love the vibe that Pegasus adds to Solano Ave. Every neighborhood needs a bustling bookstore like this. read more

Used bookstores rock! Whenever we're back to visit my home town, we always go to Zachary's. And Pegasus is right next door, the perfect place to browse while we wait for a table. I never escape without buying 2-3 mystery paperbacks - half off list price! Also, when I was moving 9 years ago, I brought boxes of books in here to sell and they bought a bunch of them. I like the quirky, eccentric staff, who aren't bubbly and fake so much as "real and genuine". I need a used bookstore down in Southern California so I can have a Berkeley haven like this, and it better have a cat. You can't really have the same experience when you buy books on Amazon! read more

Just walking in to this bookstore puts a smile on my face! They have a really terrific selection of books, the setup to the store is inviting and designed in a way that you want to spend hours inside, and the staff here is helpful. They also have a Gift Card Drive for local non-profits where you can buy a Pegasus gift card for any amount and donate it and a local non-profit coordinator will then use the collected donations to buy the books they need. Terrific idea! And a nice and easy way to give back to the community while buying books for yourself. read more

How come our local bookstore became so unfriendly? Drove me to order from Amazon today (and saved $12). Wanted to continue to support them, but the brush off was unacceptable. Sorry. read more

Excellent shopping experiece today. We were walking along Solano Ave. looking for a graduation gift (perfect choice) found some cool cards and nice selection of books. I was looking for a book I had just read a review on recently and of course was having a "brain fart" and couldn't for the life of me remember the name only what the cover looked like ... (sort of like that scene in Clerks " remember that guy in that movie")I told the poor clerk I remembered the nature of the story and that it was fiction and that the cover was dark blue with a yellow lab, just the kind of customer you'd love to hate. But the two girls that helped me were fantastic and stuck with me. One on the computer and the other scouring the New Fiction section. And "Yep" they found it! " The Art of Racing in the Rain" , they were truly patient with this "Old crazy lady". And then while my daughter was getting her books rung up, the guy helping her offered the same book she was purchasing available used at 60% less. Which she took him up on the offer, not knowing it was available used. Great staff, nice bookstore, very inviting. Nice extra: **They even offer "do-it-yourself" gift wrap.** I also bought this hilarious looking book from the counter (impulse buy) called "BigFoot, I Not Dead" that I cannot wait to dive into when I relax later. The gal at the counter said it was a fun read. Support Independent bookstores, especially the ones with used books. You never know what treasures you'll find and you won't find those at the big ass chain stores. read more

Emily is awesome. We bonded over a mutual appreciation of Mike Jung and I now consider her a friend. Thank you for the great books and community, I always recommend your store. read more

I heart my local bookstore! It's not that it's just a great collection of new and used books,lovingly selected and nicely displayed...nor that it is run by one of the nicest, smartest, funniest, and coolest guys on the planet (if you detect a secret crush, you're right), with some of the sweetest co-workers...nor even that they're happy to order anything for you on the spur of the moment, have a place for the kids, and the cheapest and best calendars in town every year. No, it's more than that. It's that they've dedicated to making themselves a community hub, providing that something extra, most recently in the form of their First Person Singular Shows. From seeing local celebrities Josh Kornbluth (of Haiku Tunnel) and Ralph Carney (who's played with Tom Waits, among many others) do a reading and saxophone accompaniment of Ginsberg's "Howl", to seeing the very funny and talented rian Herndon and Ken Sonkin do "What's Strunk and White and read all over?", a hysterical reading of the classic English reference book backed by a band playing songs from Schoolhouse Rock. ...An acoustic version of Bruce Springsteen's "Nebraska", an all-female reading of "Glengarry Glen Ross"...the hits just keep on coming. Find out about upcoming events here: http://www.1stpersonsingular.com/index.html (including Hoot nights at nearby St. Albans) No less than Griel Marcus calls it "...a performance series that means to redefine not only the literary event but the literary as such." But more importantly, Go. Buy books. Buy calendars. Buy cards, music, magazines. Support this wonderful neighborhood bookstore that has a ton of heart, all of it in the right place. read more

Just had very negative experience in this beloved store,where I've been a patron for over 30 years. A slapdash review of books I brought in to sell, 95% of which they took but at exceptionally low prices they wouldn't explain. Really rude treatment, no engagement, with blaring metal music from the 80s or 90s making you want to flee the store. When I asked for explanations of the pricing and commented on the music, I was treated dismissively and rudely. I got a quick and hostile "Sorry about that," which expressed the opposite of "sorry." I bought a new book with my credit using up my credit and ran. What's happened to this place? I realize the book business is hard, but this kind of treatment of old customers is a real turnoff. read more

I don't know about you, but I am sick and tired of having to manage hipster bookstore clerks who can't seem to summon the energy to assist me- let alone simply and succinctly communicate with me - when I am in need of assistance. I realized yesterday, after a couple of years of regular service, that I am sick and tired of feeling like I'm bothering the people who work here by asking them - as politely as I can, which I think is pretty polite - to do their jobs. For the record, I stopped at both the Albany and Berkeley Pegasus stores on Monday, December 9th, in search of one specific title. After looking for the book myself, I went ahead and decided to risk asking someone behind the counter. I approached said counters and asked if they carried the specific title - I gave them the title and the author - to which I was responded with a grunt and a few mumbles and an overwhelming sense that a) whatever it is that I was looking for they knew all about already and why the hell would I want to read that, and b) I was really putting them out by asking. Again: I realized yesterday that I don't really have to put up with this. As much as I'd like to support "local" business, I think I'll just cut to the chase and start going to 1/2 Price Books, where at least they're nice. Oh, and can - as I tell my two year old on a daily basis - "use their words." Thumbs down, Pegasus. I'm out. P.S. I've copy/ pasted this verbatim for the Downtown Berkeley store. read more