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Planet Books

4.5 (102 reviews)
Closed 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Updated 3 months ago

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Monica R.

Are you a collector of books, vinils and pictures? This place is a Disneyland for you! You can pass hours to find a treasure. Really cool places to spend time. The value depends on the object, cheap or expensive. The service is friendly.

Outside warehouse
Alyeska G.

What a gem! Big used bookstore with lots of older books. They're super nice inside and have a lot of knowledge on all the books. Tons of little nooks for you go read and relax. Can't wait to come again! There isn't any directory of books so you just have to peruse around and hopefully find something you want -- but that's all the fun. Things are organized by category but a bit of a mess. Found a used book that came out recently for only $5! Good prices. Plenty of street parking. Located next to the Antique Mall. They accept debit/credit as well.

9 books for $15!!!
Jaeden Y.

This has got to be one of the best thrift books shops I've been too! Located in the middle of an industrial area, it's definitely easy to miss so keep on the lookout. Lots of street parking and some parking available right in front. It's legit a warehouse packed with so many books and vintage posters, pins, records, vhs, and dvds! I caught them at a time where they were reorganizing so I was maneuvering through piles of books and things weren't the most organized. Books were pretty dusty. But it was still really fun to look through! They've got such a great selection of older paperbacks. So many covers with cool artwork that you don't see nowadays. I found an old edition of Anthem by Ayn Rand that had such a cool cover that I just had to get it even though I already own a newer version of it. They do have some newer titles too but not very much. Fiction ranges from westerns, sci-fi, fantasy, mysteries, thrillers. They've got a lot of nonfiction too but I didn't really look there lol. Workers were very helpful and friendly, if not kind of difficult to find behind all the books. Pricing was great! I got 4 small paperbacks for $1 each, one hardcover for $5, and a boxed set of paperbacks that was supposed to be $10 BUT the guy at the register ended up giving me everything for $15 and a tote for free! Shoutout to him, I was really not expecting that bit of kindness! Also, everything I got was in great condition, most of the books didn't really seem like they'd been read before just very old with age. Overall, I had such a great experience here! This really is the best thrift book shop you're going to find with the best deals aside from public library sales! They've got such a great and large selection with some very friendly staff. If you're looking to find some vintage books and spend hours browsing, check this place out!

A Foodie F.

Went to Planet Books back when they were a tiny space on Anaheim. Now they are in a huge space next to the antique mall off PCH. If you want a place to wander for a while, this is the spot. You could know what you're looking for and may or may not find it...be willing to dig and squeeze through tight spaces if you want it bad enough. I found what I was looking for right away- another original copy of Suetonius Lives of the Caesars from 1957. While wandering, I found a cool picture book from Woodstock and an old Triumph Motorcycle Catalog. You can find some cool books here if you're patient. And the prices are reasonable. Different owners own different sections of the space I think, much like how antique malls are set up.

Anna S.

This place is HUGE. Found some great finds and had a fun time searching through everything. The gentlemen working were very friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely recommend!!

Max S.

This has got to be the strangest bookstore I've ever been in. There are all kinds of unlikely books to be found here. There are mostly a load of paperback novels, and yes, high school yearbooks of all things. Lots and lots of books. There are also some interesting knick knacks for sale. The gentleman who works here is helpful and knowledgeable. Not quite sure where he gets his books, but he's busy pricing them to go out on the floor to be sold.

Out front
Chad K.

One of the best kept secrets in Long Beach. It is a hidden warehouse just north of PCH near Obispo on a street called Freeman. This is the best bookstore that I have ever been to. The selection is INSANE. You can find anything that you want, not only books, but oversized books, rare books, foreign books, vintage books, toys, vinyl records, rare art. It is just a crate-digger's dream. To top it all off, the prices are affordable and the staff are the nicest, most knowledgable and friendly people you will ever meet. Do yourself a favor and go to Planet Books at least once.

Scott S.

Planet Books is one of those truly unique bookstores where you can find a plethora of all kinds of titles. The one thing I noticed about this bookstore the moment I walked in is that they have a very large selection of vintage yearbooks. This is something that you'll find at very few bookstores. So, if you're looking for that old high school yearbook that you threw away many years ago, you may very well find it here. But, more than that they have a truly large selection of books on all subjects. They also have a very nice collection of signed and rare first editions. More than just a bookstore, this business also sells a lot of truly unique collectibles. They have signed photographs, they have football helmets, they also have nice selection of vintage toys. In other words, you can find all kinds of great stuff in this store. The shop is very easy to find as it is right off of Pacific Coast Highway. Once inside, you'll find a very large, airy, and well organized shop. Overall, great place to find that rare book you were looking for or a truly unique items such as a vintage toy.

vintage toys
Poupee C.

What a warehouse of books, vinyl records, and toys! I am a lover of books and vinyls. I can never have too many. Lately, I have been on the hunt for cookbooks, from the 1940's all the way up to present day. Found a really cool Japanese cocktail book in the very organized collection of food books. And of course, all other books are in their sections as indicated on the shelves. Can't wait for husband mix me up some adult libations. And another gem I discovered after much digging, a Sonny and Cher record album. Yes! This is another one of my weaknesses, vinyls (ever since the late 70's) One of the owners helped me at the counter. Super nice man. He even offered to cover my book with a dust jacket. Wow! This makes the book look brand new! (What a perk and such customized service!) There was also a gal working there that day and was really friendly and personable. She noticed my vinyl purchase and thought it was cool. Yay! I will be a returning customer for sure. Until next time.

Jonah O.

An absolute fabulous cacophony of books. Reminiscent of a smaller version of the old "acres of books store". Not only do they have a very decent sized array of used books to choose from, it's also has old artwork, paintings, autographs, vintage Bric-a-brac, Comic selections, science fiction and such. This is a great store for Used books and hard to find this style of store around these days.

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Easily one of my favorite used bookstores (unfortunately a dying breed). You could always find a hidden gem in here

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Such a cute place. I went there for the first time and I fell in love. Will definitely come back.

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Ask the Community - Planet Books

Review Highlights - Planet Books

It's everything one hopes for in a used book store and more - including the helpful, knowledgeable, and slightly eccentric bookseller James.

Mentioned in 6 reviews

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4.3(85 reviews)
3.3 mi
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This store made my head spin a bit but used bookstores can be an adventure. It is bigger than it…read morelooks from the outside so be prepared to spend some time here. There is definitely the appearance of organization here. Biography is labeled in this section, military is over here, mystery over there, and so on. But while you probably will find some Agatha Christie in the mystery section, which makes sense, you will probably also find some Christie over in fiction. It is the same with other authors. I don't know if this is the store's doing or whether customers are shifting books around intentionally or otherwise but it is a little maddening at times. Most serious book hunters, especially those found rummaging through dusty used bookstores like yours truly, don't mind spending extra time looking for books. The hunt is part of the fun. They have some real gold nuggets here, if you spend the time. Also, speaking of gold nuggets, although Western is probably not the most popular genre these days, the Western section here is one of the larger ones I have ever seen. This store is well worth a visit. I found nearly all the prices to be extremely reasonable. Free and easy street parking all around. The counter fellow, who may have been the owner for all I know, was a real character and very pleasant.

Revisit? Maybe, once a year or so…read more I would love to be allowed to refresh this place and let my inner Marie Kondo loose. Ah! I love the iconic, inviting Once Read Books in huge blue letters on the building. I enjoy the layout of the shop and how it feels like you can hide and get lost. There's a pleasant muffled bookstore hush. The man behind the counter is nice. Pricing seems fair. All good elements, I just think the book selection, decor, and tidiness could be improved. Ideas: Expand the kids section and add more board books Include more recent titles in the fiction and cooking sections Try to keep popular authors in stock (couldn't find any Stephen King) Cute new chairs, especially in the kids section (love a bookstore with chairs) New rug in the kids section Clean up the random boxes of books near the counter Update the genre and author signs Anyway, even with all that, it's still fun to browse here. If you're looking for older titles, magazines, etc., this is definitely a place you should hit up.

Photos
Once Read Books - The store is bigger than it looks.  You will need to spend some time here digging for the nuggets.

The store is bigger than it looks. You will need to spend some time here digging for the nuggets.

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Fingerprints Music - Front window signage

Fingerprints Music

4.3(493 reviews)
3.2 mi
$$

If you've lived in Long Beach for any length of time, you undoubtedly know of Fingerprints. After…read more30+ years, it is undoubtedly the largest music store in Long Beach, and one of the largest in SoCal. We were there for Record Store Day. Loved the special deals they offered that day and having the chance to listen to a few bands over the course of the day (and get some merch signed!). I think their old store was better for listening, since there was a clear area for the audience--in the current store, we were tucked between shelves of merchandise--but it still worked and we had no problem seeing or hearing the bands. I particularly enjoyed seeing Violet Grohl and her band that day. Dave Grohl was there, but as a member of the audience. It was fun rocking out with him to his daughter's tunes (even if he was a couple of rows away). Love the staff. Rand, one of the owners, in particular, is incredibly knowledgeable. He also does a great job of lining up events and bands. We had such a great day at Fingerprints!

I was there for the first time this past Saturday for the Violet Grohl show. The band was amazing…read more The reason I'm giving two stars is because there was no line control outside. Patrons were cutting in line and arguing and no one from the store was helping. Employees were told several times and they just didn't seem to care and nothing was said to anyone causing the disturbances. When I called today and told the person about what went on, I believe he said his name was Brandon, he said that people need to be better in line and not cut because they were really busy and did their best. I went there to have fun and not to fend off people cutting in line or arguing with each other. Also, the reason I gave two stars is because I ordered an album online from their store that was exclusive to Record Store Day and the order went through and my credit card was charged. I was very excited since that album was sold out everywhere. Two days later, I get an email from Fingerprints saying they are out of stock and canceled the order. When I called and asked, the explanation was the "count was off" and they sold more than they had. My experience with this store has not been good except for the actual concert that took place inside of it. He said sorry you had a bad experience and that was that. No offer to try to get me the album I ordered. I also had to ask when I'll get my credit card charge back. I'm still unclear about that. Look, I know this store is busy and especially right now because of Record Store Day but to let customers order actually go through and for two days let them think they're getting what's sold out everywhere just to tell them oh we made a mistake with the count, is just not good business. I was counting on them.

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Barnes & Noble - Sweetest bookend display for lovers of Jane Austen

Barnes & Noble

4.0(166 reviews)
3.0 mi
$$

This is one of two Barnes & Noble locations in Long Beach; this store - newly remodeled as of…read moreNovember 2025 - is in the Marina Pacifica plaza along with AMC Theaters, Ralph's, and Nordstrom Rack. By far, it's one of the most beautiful bookstores I've been to! A giant floral arrangement greets you the moment you walk in. The space lets in plenty of soft, bright light and there are cognac-colored armchairs spread throughout where you can pick up a book and read awhile. Even the counter says "words are magic," and I tend to agree! Layout-wise, new releases and vinyls are found toward the front, then fiction on the right, fantasy, kids in the middle/back, games and puzzles left/back, and gifts and journals front left next to the registers. There is no cafe at this location (although there is at the B&N Towne Center). I had a pleasant experience, albeit brief, with the associate who helped ring me up. Of course, B&N is retail pricing so items aren't necessarily cheaper, but I'm newly signed up to their membership and sometimes the 10% discount that fetches you comes out to be a little less expensive (e.g. Blackwing pencils, Rifle Paper). Plus, they often run promotions for rewards members, both free and paid, such as journals earning extra stamps during the second half of January. So keep an eye out for those deals!

I really was looking forward to this store re-opening but it was a massive downgrade. Pretty sad…read morewhat has become of it. It used to be open and airy and inviting. Now it's just a maze of bookshelves from floor to ceiling, you can't see further than 20 feet in any direction, there are no visible "aisles" to speak of, and it's literally a maze to get to the back of the store. Did I mention it's a maze?! The bookshelves don't follow any pattern, they are just randomly strewn about and some books are divided between different areas. Some sections got MASSIVELY downgraded! The technology and science books are a TINY little area that is literally about 10 feet wide. Meanwhile the Anime/manga section is absolutely HUGE and takes up several walls. Ridiculous. The workers are all great and it seems like they aren't too happy with the remodel either, as they are constantly asked where everything is now. I have no reason to come here anymore, I'll drive a little further to the Towne Center location.

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Barnes & Noble - Ella working by herself with a positive attitude.

Barnes & Noble

3.4(252 reviews)
4.8 mi
$$

4/4/26 This is one of my favorite locations of bookstores at the Long Beach town. Staff are…read morefriendly and very helpful. The location is perfect. Lots of parking. There is a café inside. As usual, I am surprised that I had not dropped a review for this bookstore, and I am here at least once a month, at the very least. Immense selection of books greeting cards, gifts, fiction, nonfiction everything is arranged and organized accordingly. I just love this bookstore. Great big parking lot that is free but it is shared among many businesses at the Long Beach town center. Great experience each time. Prices are fair (compared to Amazon?) at least you can actually pick up a book. Read it at the café and if you decide to buy it go for it if not, then just return it.

I'm not much of a book guy BUT I bought and own two books from this establishment so I have some…read morecredibility here, I kinda just like going here for a potential third place hangout or study area if ever. You could potentially get away from buying books and just open them up and read them there at the store. They have a large variety that I dare say it's at the same level as if you shopped online, they seem to also have "saucey" content in the mangas sections. The staff is friendly and are knowledgeable so they can recommend you a book! They also have this... $40 Yearly Barnes and Nobles Subscription that knocks off 10% (20% at rare occasions within the year) for every purchase as well as a free cafe drink upgrade if the bookstore has a cafe (NOT A STARBUCKS, THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT STATBUCKS GIFT CARDS), and a free annual tote bag (you cannot double dip for a second bag until you renew it). Unless you're planning on spending $400+ for the next 12 months or you're a regular cafe go'er, I wouldn't say this is for you. The seating for the cafe is fine, but can fill up real easily with most customers that intend to stay more than an hour.

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Very spacious for everyone

Planet Books - bookstores - Updated May 2026

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