I have been going here for years now. This is one of my favorite places. When I say this place got me though high school when it came to the books I needed and now in college. It really is a great spot:) read more

A unique shop. Smell is a bit musty, mildew like, so if you are sensitive, take precautions. Not ADA accessible by any means. Shelves are very close together, making it impossible for wheelchair users to access the books read more

Great selection with knowledgeable staff. Stop by and open yourself to a new author ... you won't go away empty handed

I really love this place. I've only been a few times since I found it but I have a really good time browsing around and chatting with Joel, the owner. He's always happy to give you recommendations and chat about any author you want. The place smells like old book which I love. Prices are fair. Books are not marked but I don't think I've paid more than $5 for a book here. Prices are similar to online used books but you don't have to pay shipping. Get a donut next door and come sit and read at this place. It's lovely. read more

On a visit from India, I accidentally came across this wonderful bookstore that has a remarkable collection of priceless books. The owners - Joel and Toni - are delightful hosts. Joel is so well-read that he acts as a mentor to anyone looking for books on their interests. And one of the best features is the prices! I bought three great books for a fraction of the price of the originals, all in the near-original shape. To all book lovers, I recommend this iconic store. read more

Rebound Bookstore - Joel Eis posing for me in front of his treasure trove. - Bookstores Near Me - San Rafael, California

A nice place to browse. Too bad the owners are so grumpy and rude. Even after I gave them a big bag of books! Ugh, not going back there, no thanks. read more

As a life-long book lover I was delighted when I found Rebound on 4th street in San Rafael. This cozy place has a wide selection of books, including foreign language books, which I hardly ever find. The service was friendly and warm and there is a reading nook by the window. Time to go back to Rebound for more books !! read more

i ordered a book online through them & everything went very smoothly.. great price, came quickly and in great condition. thank you for great service read more

(I'm on a used bookstore review binge) A used bookstore in the newly renovated part of town (still downtown), this place has got great deals. Every paperback is $3 and every hardcover is only $4. I found Carl Jung's "Man and His Symbols" a hardcover book from 1964, for only $4. It's usually $20 or more on the web. The website boasts space for spoken word, musicians, and artists. The owner and his wife seemed genuinely excited about what they can offer the town amidst this economy. If you stay and read they will give you tea! I imagine you will find what you are looking for at this place or a writing you were not aware of... will find you. read more

Rebound Bookstore - Rebound Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - San Rafael, California

How delightful to stumble across this book haven! Locally owned and operated for 14 years. Located in the west end of San Rafael, this bookstore is a beacon for foot traffic. How can anyone resist? While small, Rebound maximizes it's space. Books are systematically organized and guaranteed to thrill the eternal Bookworm, like me. There are comfortable chairs found in different sections of the store. The collections are impressive. I found a French children's book for my nephews, a couple romance novels for myself, along with a science book, and a greeting card hand designed by a Swiss customer or Rebound Books. I noticed a collection of Nancy Drew books, a section on rare books, and even a section featuring female-science-fiction writers! In terms of price, the prices are more-than fair! These books are excellent in quality. Rebound even offers customers a punch card. After a certain amount of visits, you receive a free book. The owner Joel is very nice and approachable, very knowledgeable about his merchandise. Every customer in there was treated with respect. Even my husband who was taking a nap on a plush chair. This has been added to my "Must Visit Again" list! Love it! read more

Cannot remember the last time I was in a bookstore where the people actually KNEW BOOKS. Thank you, Rebound.

I freakin' love this book store. It is small and crammed to the brim with books. There are local art installations on the walls and wherever there is space. The owners are super sweet and friendly. I grabbed a book and the man walked around and found similar ones in case I was interested, which I was! I ended up trading 5 books (3 of which were literally antiques from the 50s) for a stack of old DVDs I didn't want. It was amazing. This is the kind of bookstore you walk into and just stumble upon books you didn't know you wanted to read. Celtic fairy-tales? Why not? Scottish history? I'll give that a try! I am a full blown supporter of this shop and I want to spread the word! There aren't many gem independent bookstores like this anymore! read more

One of the best selections of books in Marin County! Support your independent bookstores!!!

Lots and LOTS of great books and very well organized. I can't get over the "honor system" payments! There is a little lock box with the pay rates posted and you just drop in a few bucks for some truly wonderful reads. I have no idea how this wonderful little find is staying open with tough times like we're experiencing. I do know that none of us should waste our money on brand new books (unless we have to for school, etc), so support your local bookstores and include this one among them! And if you've got books to pass on, the owner doesn't seem discriminatory in the least! read more

This is a unique bookstore for used books - it is almost like a thrift store that sells only books. Many of the books are in rather shabby condition, but that is because a lot of the books are donated. It truly is a "stumble upon" bookstore... if you have a certain title in mind, they probably won't have it. However, it's also the kind of place where you'll go in there and find a book you've been looking for for years everywhere, and there it is, for four bucks! I even got an autographed Far Side book here, and it was about ten bucks. Perhaps the best aspect of this bookstore is the community feel -- they care about people, and books, and people who read books. They also do their best to help you not get a parking ticket. :) They have frequent poetry readings and are very supportive of local authors. Once I was there around Christmas on a Friday night, and they had all of these cookies out there, for everyone to eat! Okay, I'm rambling here, but I think the most succinct way to depict the tone of this store is by describing a sign I saw on the front door a while back. The sign advised people who were experiencing a cold or coughs and sneezes to not come into the store (don't share the love, in other words), BUT please call and tell them what books you want, and the bookstore will deliver them to your house. read more

This is my favorite place to go on a day off. The smell of old books is intoxicating, and the variety is fantastic. I find everything I could possibly want here, from Dante's Inferno to Goosebumps to vintage Boy George promo books. The owners are friendly and laid back, and the prices are quite reasonable. I highly recommend this place, it's a real treasure trove. read more

Love this bookstore! Yes it is cluttered but you can literally find any classic book here. They're all reasonably priced and you also can get a frequent buyer bunch card. It's a small place but there's enough space to move around. Smells of old books (which is the best smell in the world lol). The African American section is kinda small. Way cheaper than copper fields up the street! Really nice owners! read more

Rebound Bookstore - Little nook inside the store - Bookstores Near Me - San Rafael, California

Yes, as stated by others, they are thieves. Very friendly thieves, who are overly helpful and persuasive. And the books are not marked; I think he gauges the customer and decides the price. Someone has said their 'kids books' are $3, they charged my child $5 for a commonly available book that's retail price is $6.99. After my son had spent time selecting the book I didn't want to discourage him from buying. And kids use there pocket money to buy books so this is stealing from kids. Shameful! I hope the people who are selling the used books to them are getting a good price at least, though I doubt it. I love going to used book stores and to buy to support them, and this sort of trickery is sad. read more

This place is a gem in the rough. I love dropping off my books with them, and I love shopping there. The owner is super nice and especially engaging with children. They let you browse through books and even encourage you to sit and read. I highly recommend supporting this small business by either donating or shopping here. read more

I have to add though that I have tried calling this place to see if they are open MULTIPLE times and no one EVER answers the phone. The last time I was in there someone even commented to the person working that he had tried to call them off the hook and no one picked up. Glad I am not the only one that noticed. They claimed to be really busy. Hmm. Ok. Also, they are randomly closed. Hmm. read more

Owners are wonderful; collection is well organized and contains a lot of things you won't find on Amazon.

I've owned 2 bookstores. I've bought and sold thousands of used books. Offering 25 cents for any/all books, hardcover or soft, "So we keep the prices low" is a con-man's easy rip-off line, IMO. The prices aren't that low to justify that schtick. Sure makes things ea$ier for the owners, though!! read more

Meh at best. Moved to town recently and was looking for my go to used book store. I loved books and can happily spend hours and hundreds of dollars in the right store. I would not come back here again, and here is why; There are no prices in any of the books. The owner simply stated they are in his head. What?!?! So if i show you a book, out of the thousands in the store you are going to know the price? No way. Scam alert. The books look beat up and in poor quality. I have found better at Goodwill. I get that they are used but come on. Have some standards. Its $3 per paperback kids books and $5 for adult paperbacks? So this place is barely giving 30% off? Rip off and way over priced. The owner hovers. I want quiet browsing time when i go to a bookstore but i get he was trying to be helpful. read more

One day my friend and I stumbled upon Central San Rafael when he decided he needed a haircut. Very well. While walking up to the barber shop, I noticed this small book store literally next door. And when I say next door, I mean inside of the barber shop with a door leading to the book store. It was this store no bigger than "A-L" in the fiction section at Borders. It was just shelves and shelves of books. But not new books or popular books. Not even nice books or good books. Just books. They were there to be there. From Kafka to Rowling, Miller to Sartre, the store litterally felt like a Grindhouse film as a tangible location - the creme de la creme of crap, but the real and authentic works that makes good literature so good. They were all used and grainy and old - each book had lived a life of its own and was passed down to this store in hopes of giving someone else the chance to be changed. I found original copies of "Death of a Salesman", with the original cover art. It wasn't falling apart, but was anything but new. I found a classic version of "The Great Gatsby", all worn out and tired, but oh so delicious. I bought first editions of "No Exit" and "Vanity Fair". Hardcover copies with the strings coming out of the side. Where when you open it, the smell of old library pours out, like forgotten dreams. It was just so nice to be some place so real and authentic in what it was trying to be. I even found an original, first edition, hardcover copy of Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughter-House Five". It was just....beautiful... read more

Just found this place after years of living in San Rafael and LOVE it. Used paperbacks for $3.50- that's less than shipping alone online! Owner was super nice, very laid back and when I bought a whole stack of books, they gave me a discount. I think I've found my new favorite hangout! NOTE: Cash only, come prepared because you'll probably find lots of books to love here! read more

Rebound bookstore greets you at the door with the smell of books that have been loved. In fact the whole place feels like love. Joel and Toni instantly felt like doting family members, answering all our questions and inviting us to explore their many shelves. What a sweet adventure it was, scanning all the titles, finding books you'd never find anywhere else. I am so grateful to know that a small place like this can keep thriving in this big box world...may they never close their doors! read more

I like going in to see Toni and Joel because I know that they'll be able to help me find what I'm looking for--it's comfortable, like going to my aunt's library...each time I have gone to find a specific book, I've gotten what I needed...and more. It doesn't surprise me that they've been voted NUMBER 1 "used" bookstore in Marin by Pacific Sun...Congrats, you two deserve it. read more

Great, huge selection of used books--all or most, I believe are under $5. The woman working there was kind and knowledgeable. Let's support independent, used bookstores! read more

My son told me today that he needed The Great Gatsby for class tomorrow. I got down to the store just past 6 p.m. as the owners were walking out. I told them what I needed. To my surprise, they turned on the lights and found the last copy for me. They could not have been more delightful. Thanks so much Rebound Bookstore! read more

In the used-bookstore world, this is a terrific shop. And for this style of shop, it's top-of-the-heap. There are 1) lots of books, relatively well-organized in sections, great prices, and (in no particular order): 2) a good selection, from intellectual to emotional popcorn; 3) did I mention great prices?; 4) interested & helpful, very nice, if slightly absent-minded, staff/owners; 5) original, quality art---solo (usually?) exhibits range from career fine-art artists to young & developing. Whoever hangs the shows is generous enough to repeatedly climb up 14' to hang the pieces. Granted, views of the art could be better, but only if the owners got rid of some bookcases. Generally, it's a readers' shop, not a collectors' shop. In other words, not $$$ antiquarian or collectors' editions, but clean, very good condition used to a few new books, and lots of out-of-print. I was a book dealer and this reminds me of a friend's shop---quiet, slow, a variety of surprises and oldies-but-goodies. Browsing is encouraged. If you're in a hurry, be prepared---there's an honor system box by the the desk AND you may look by yourself for 5-10 minutes, but someone will come to help. I'm really pleased I found this shop. I misplace library books & the fines do mount up. read more

I think this is a great little place to have a wander. if you want help you can get it by going to the back and asking for it but its more a place to get lost in finding your next greatread rather than a place to seek help looking for it. read more

Fair selection of somewhat organized used books from good to poor condition. When bringing in books for sale or credit make sure you have a complete inventory and get a signed receipt. They "lost" the last box of practically new books I brought in for credit and made no effort to compensate for them. They seem to have a hard time keeping track of the inventory, especially when it comes from customers. They are also somewhat erratic in their selection of books in which they are interested. nice folks, somewhat distracted. read more

i didn't go in, but i called to check if they had the books i wanted and waited for 50 minutes before giving up and hanging up. I'm patient, but i could hear the lady in the background and i could tell she wasn't looking for my books she was talking to someone else. she completely forgot about me on the other line. thoroughly disappointed. read more

Amazing collection, great attention to customer, and comfy space! Really charming. Definitely a hidden token in Marin

When you walk into this quiet little bookstore crammed with all sorts of bargain-priced used books, you'll want to hunker down in one of the cozy reading nooks. This is a charming addition to the west end of Fourth Street where the business theme seems to be quality old-fashioned service. With the publishing of hardback books dying, I am on a bender to find used good hardbacks and love treasure-hunting here...even bought some music CDs on my last trip. This is a husband and wife owned shoe-string operation so cut them some slack on their occasional random closings and instead, support what may be one of the few used bookstores out there. They couldn't be more helpful and take time for your smallest query. Note: cash only. read more

I've called several times and cannot get a person on the line. I entered the store once and was asked to leave because a meeting was going on in the middle of their posted hours. Their website states call for information about books, but I can't find the number on their website. Not a good way to do business. read more

In one word - avoid! Just went there and was given a box of books back and told I no longer had a four book credit. There were books missing - all of the paperbacks to be exact - the owner said something to the effect that we were going to have to agree to disagree. That's great for her but for all intents and purposes she stole from me. She wasn't interested in any compromise, she flat out took books I left at her store and she reneged on her initial offer. It's an outrageous way to operate a business. read more

1 star given grudgingly because Yelp's system requires it. Warning to anyone thinking of re-selling books here: The owner of Rebound Bookstore, Toni, accepted 3 full boxes of my used books, all in excellent condition, and said she would call me by a certain day to tell me how much they could offer me. That day came and went, but she contacted me a few days after that, and left a message on my voicemail. The offer was lower than I wanted, and I realized I could bring them to Black Oak in Berkeley. I called back and received their answering machine, so stopped in literally a couple days later. Not only had they mixed my books in with their general stock, but they were only able to retrieve 12 total (after 2 days), and refused to look for any more. I guess I could understand this if they had warned me not to leave the books for an extended period of time, but it was only a matter of a couple days, and had more to do with their 'system' of receiving books. They had apparently actually taken my books to their home, and had not cataloged them in any way. Also, my books (all recent literary trade paper) were of much higher quality than what they generally had on their shelves (mostly well-worn mass-market paperbacks), so it should have been pretty easy to spot them. Beyond giving my my 12 books back, and offering me *twenty-five cents* apiece for the other 'missing' books, they refused to do any more, and in fact were very put-upon to even find the 12 books they did return. I would strongly caution against trying to re-sell books here, and I personally would never do business of any kind at Rebound Bookstore. What they did was not only unethical, it felt very much like theft. BTW, the next day I took my 12 books and several more to Black Oak in Berkeley and received $70 cash on the spot, which amounted to between $1 and $4 PER BOOK. I always try to support local businesses, but the owners of Rebound really need to clean up their act. read more

Generally I have liked this bookstore. The prices and selection have been good. Unfortunately yesterday I had an experience which put me off. My wife and I took a lot of books there, hopefully to trade for future purchases. We spoke with the owner before bringing the books in. She told us to bring them in because she would have to look at them. We carried the books in, this consisted of several large bags and a carton. She picked through a bag and told us that she wasn't interested. So we had to load the books back into our car. I felt that if she was going to be that choosy she could have come to the car, which was parked right in front of the store, and glanced at them, saving us the trouble of unloading and reloading the boxes and bags. It was not a busy day, there was no one else in the store. She had an attitude that the books weren't good enough for her shop. These were quality books, not worn out paperbacks. read more

SCAMMERS, THIEVES and HIGHLY INCOMPETENT! Sellers of books beware! Unfortunately I have the same experience as many of the other one star reviews. I dropped off four boxes of books, I was quoted ".25 cents a book" if the have interest in book. I was reluctant to leave without getting a receipt for boxes left... But I generally take people at their word, guess I'm old fashioned that way... I should have followed my gut feeling. I dropped them off on a Saturday, left my name, phone number and email address, I was told that they would let me know on the following Monday which books and total owed me. I confirmed "yay equals .25 cents a book and if nay I would pick them up and I will donate to hospitals/nursing homes". No call or email from them, I called on Friday and she could not find my info... I was told they would purchase six books out of approximately 40 left. I told her I would see them next day (Saturday) for my $1.50 and pick up rest of my books... She was flabbergasted... She said "I don't know where we placed them, I didn't know you wanted them back, they were obviously stored and had issue". I was getting upset so I curtly told her I would see them tomorrow. I get there, she fumbles around with cards and again not finding my info but she knew they owed me $1.50. Again I hear " can't find rest of books, thought you didn't want them back, they were poor quality". I don't get how can be missed placed... Store so small-where would they go? Two boxes were wooden wine crates-a little hard to miss, wouldn't you think? I'm wondering if they got some kind of "book laundry" business fronting as a second hand bookstore. Bottom line... DON'T TRUST THESE CONS! read more