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Berkeley, CA

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Revolution Books

4.4 (41 reviews)
InexpensiveBookstores
Closed • 12:30 pm - 7:00 PM
Updated over 3 months ago

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Recommended Reviews - Revolution Books

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Quality merch and carefully selected books to promote diversity in either a home or school library.
Sophie R.

Such knowledgable and helpful staff. They went out of their way to tell is about the latest diverse books on their shelves. They are so well informed on banned books and helpful in ensuring you pick diverse books for your home or, in my case, school library. Educator discount available.

Jo W.

So, new location calls for new reviews. It's a small, quirky, indie bookstore, but that's what you get with a book that specializes not only in Communist literature, but also with all kinds of social justice, ethnic/gender/sexuality studies, and environmental issues, among many other topics. The store is run by volunteers, and while I appreciate friendly staff at any establishment, I like to browse book selections in peace, not have people come up to me trying to strike up conversation about Mao and modern day socialism, interrupting my thoughts and relaxation time of browsing books in silence. I had to nod and go, "Mm-hmm" countless times, trying to give a hint that I want to be left to my introverted devices. I appreciate the fiction section, and the used book cart that sits outside the store has some sweet deals ranging $2-9. I found an old edition of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and books by Gail Tsukiyama. While this doesn't offer the wide range of books you can find at Moe's down the street, or even at Barnes and Noble for a much bigger selection, this quirky, tiny bookstore is unique to Berkeley. In fact, probably one of the few establishments left in today's gentrification takeover that gives Berkeley its Beserk-eley charm.

Ferdinand B.

I love Revolution Books bookstore, they have all the classics in all areas of politics and even some literature classics. It's a small store so they don't have piles of books but you can stay there reading for a while on one of the chairs. Bookstores like this are what are keeping some people from slipping into complete complicity, stupidity complacently, and total subservience to "authority".

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19 years ago

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Review Highlights - Revolution Books

“Now I am a Marxist, but NOT a Maoist so I don't agree with the people who volunteer there on a lot of issues.”

Mentioned in 3 reviews

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Moe's Books - T shirts and book bags

Moe's Books

4.5(485 reviews)
0.1 mi•Telegraph Ave
•$$

I fell in love with this bookstore. I'm sure my sons regretted we went in because I spent time…read morehere. They have so much new and used selection. All types of books. I'm a non-fiction bookworm and this place is a heaven. The value for most books is reasonable and lower than a regular book store. I loved how organized it was on each floor and there were posted guides if you wanted to see more what floor to find them. They have a top floor with staff by appointment for special books. Other than that there's no staff interaction except at payment. I also loved they had table and chair seatings in random places be use you will get tired of checking out everything. Yes, I left with 7 books, no regrets and wish I could've taken more. I will def be back! They have straits and elevators but I recommend taking the stairs as they have interesting frames on the way and shop on lower level by stairwell.

Moe's is iconic for plenty of reasons, but one staff member today isn't one of them. I've shopped…read morehere many times, but this was my first time trying to sell. I came in with a big box of books and a man checking out customers pointed me to the counter by the window. While I waited, I set my box on an empty part of the counter. The man who'd be looking at my books told me I'd have to wait 4 minutes. His tone was hostile, so I just told him I was waiting. When it was my turn, things got sour fast. The offer felt low, so I asked if there was any room to negotiate. Right away, no. Fine. I asked if there were other options, and he said I'd get more in store credit. Since I hadn't decided between credit and cash, I asked if he could write the offer down so I could come back another day. Again, an instant no. He said he was "too busy." I don't know what kind of training Moe's gives its staff, but this gentleman could use some customer service training. Maybe Moe's could stock a few books on the subject and encourage him to read them. There are plenty of other great bookstores nearby. I'd recommend Pegasus Books for your book fix.

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Moe's Books - Upstairs

Upstairs

Moe's Books
Moe's Books - At Moe's perusing the endless aisles of books

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At Moe's perusing the endless aisles of books

Half Price Books

Half Price Books

4.0(372 reviews)
0.6 mi•Downtown Berkeley
•$

Love this place. Come here all the time. The nice thing is that they have a network of them and…read moretheir inventory system is very good. You can order online of course; or go in the store and order them from another store which will ship over for free. I was able to find some (what I thought were) esoteric titles surprisingly. Staff are very friendly. Chairs here and there making it feel welcoming. Quite big and large selection. Very sad it's closing soon- grumble grumble landlord.... Hope it sprouts up somewhere else- not as if there aren't vacant retail properties ALL over the place. It's definitely an anchor to the block and the "arts district."

Save your time! Save your money!…read moreIt's time that they got what was coming. We came here and it was an absolute waste. Most of the stuff they have are packed up in the boxes that you can see in some of the pictures. You can also see they pulled a lot of stuff off the shelves and the prices are higher. I have a picture of two of the same books. One looks used. The other one looks new and one is 699 and the other one is 599. It isn't like one has a signature or anything. It's not special. It just cost more. The people who work there were kind of just hanging around in the back and not doing much. And they're already closed! I remember what the days when they were open until 10 11 o'clock at night but that was a long time ago back when they were relevant. I say it's karma because they didn't buy everybody's books. I have a picture of them saying they are no longer buying books. They don't buy books from Black people, full stop!And so. Bye!!! The problem they always said they had my books that my books are old. So why am I looking at a bookstore with nothing but old books. If they have separate pricing for Black people, they should just say that and suffered the consequences for that. This is a place I used to go to for all my books and I loved going there because I love getting a bargain, however, when I wanted to sell some books that's when things got funky. I find it interesting that I get more money from other places selling less books than I've ever gotten from them and I never did do my experiment where a white friend would walk in and sell my books so that I could see how much money she got. I bet she wouldn't have been told about how old her books are, which is hard to understand when the books are old as Methuselah! But, now they won't be my inspiration for purchasing off of Amazon, which is pretty much what they've become to me. I see a book in the store, look up the author and the book online, and if I can get it at my library or on Amazon, I will get it because I don't wanna waste money with people who say they buy books and don't buy them., full stop! Bye...

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Half Price Books - Recent purchase of random selections.

Recent purchase of random selections.

Half Price Books - Ad Hoc@ Home + French Laundry set for $49.95 before tax!

Ad Hoc@ Home + French Laundry set for $49.95 before tax!

Half Price Books - Thomas Keller love: both for less than $50!

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Thomas Keller love: both for less than $50!

Clio’s - Partial reading area

Clio’s

4.1(134 reviews)
4.0 mi•Adams Point

After a long walk around Lake Merritt with my niece, I was on a mission to find a restroom. She…read moresuggested we stop by Clio's Bookstore & Bar, describing it as part bookstore, part reading lounge, and part bar. I expected a quick pit stop--I ended up wanting to stay. This place is an absolute gem. The atmosphere is eclectic, cozy, and full of personality. The shelves are lined with books spanning more eras and genres than I even knew existed, making it feel like a literary treasure hunt. Every direction I looked revealed another fascinating title or beautifully aged collection. One of my closest friends is a librarian, so I found myself snapping photo after photo to send her because I knew she'd be completely enamored with this place. I didn't order food or drinks during this visit (I rarely drink), but I already know I'll be back. The ambiance alone is worth experiencing. It's the kind of place where you can lose yourself browsing vintage books, settle into a chair with a good read, and simply enjoy the unique energy. From what I could tell, many of the books are also available for purchase, which makes it even more tempting to return. I also noticed that Clio's hosts community events, so I'll definitely be checking their calendar before my next visit. Whether you're a book lover, a history buff, or simply someone who appreciates unique spaces with soul, Clio's Bookstore & Bar is well worth a stop.

Came to Clio's for book club and we were actually having a really good time. The place is super…read morecute and we all ordered drinks from the bar. Since the only food they really had were $24 charcuterie boards, we DoorDashed some food. A lady came over and told us we weren't allowed to have outside food, which okay, fine -- but there are literally no signs anywhere saying no outside food or drinks. What really bothered us was that other people came in with outside food and were eating it and nobody said anything to them. If that's the policy, then it should apply to everyone, not just certain tables. Such a shame because we really liked the place and were having a good time. We were buying drinks and would've definitely stayed longer. If outside food isn't allowed, just put up a sign and enforce the rule for everyone.

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Clio’s - Blackberry sage shrub

Blackberry sage shrub

Clio’s - A Friday night at 10pm, busy and loud. Nice bartenders.

A Friday night at 10pm, busy and loud. Nice bartenders.

Clio’s - Interior

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Interior

Revolution Books - bookstores - Updated October 2026

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