I absolutely loved this place. It's a charming treasure of a store!…read more It was a little hot but there was also an air conditioned room where we were able to have some respite. We were in the area last Labor Day and I couldn't recommend this shop more. We brought our pet guinea pig in a carrier and no one was mean about that. We parked in the street close by. We browsed their extensive book collection. We bought a magnet and a beautiful bouquet of sunflowers. The $6 sunflowers were in a bucket in the shop from a local farm and I paid for them using a QR code.

Cute indoor/outdoor bookstore where you can find some seats that are scattered to have a moment to…read moresit and look through some books before purchasing them. I love the nature aspect of this little gem with all the plants throughout the space and having the fresh air and sunlight come through the roofless areas.

I began visiting Krotona in the 1970s when I attended the public talks of J Krishnamurti in the Oak…read moreGrove, which is just down the hill behind Krotona. Always a sanctuary of spirit, Krotona is a beautiful community with residences, bookstore, library, and the Institute of Theosophy, where I studied with the late Joy Mills in the early 1980s. As an academic, university professor, I am sceptical and critical, but also deeply interested in the history of Theosophy and its appeal to realities that introverts are at home with; extraverts may find Theosophy weird, unscientific, and a little cultish. I am an introvert and a student of Jungian psychology. My imagination, intuition, and such intelligence as I have find harmony and peace at Krotona. I love Krotona as a wonderful, mysterious, somewhat mystical home for meditation, philosophical and psychological study, and intellectually challenging. Every visit has been inspirational, and every time I have been there I have tried to imagine what it must be like to live there. Peaceful, beautiful, friendly, welcoming, the library and bookstore are open for visitors, especially to those who seek to understand life, nature, the universe, and the 'gods'.

Beautiful and relaxing place to visit. I first learned about comparative religion here as a kid,…read moreand it blew my mind! I love the gardens, the library, and walking here from the Ojai Meadows Preserve. Be ready to be quiet and contemplative when you're here.

I am so happy to repost this review with a 5 star review. Years ago I tried to patron the Calico…read morewith my children and the cashier was anti-child. I recently visited Ventura and stepped into the Calico and started chatting with the owner. I told them about my experience and they knew who I was talking about and said that she had been let go years ago and they work most of the time now. so Yay!! Their collection is large, obscur, and some fun rare finds. It's a great space, kids are welcomed again, and he even has a cool kids collection.

I love all bookstores, no matter what, all of them…read more This one was slightly harder to love. First the positive: it has a great name. But alas, no cats. Second, I did find about four or five books here (used) that I have not been able to find elsewhere, so that is a big positive. The organization of the books here leaves something to be desired. Some of the books are in alphabetical order. But many are not. That is a bit maddening. There is also no obvious organization of the books by subject matter. But it is a small shop so it is not that difficult to snoop around. If you are looking for the latest pop novels, this probably won't be your happy place. But if you are looking for classics or hard to find books, this just could be your happy place. If you are willing to overlook the somewhat chaotic organization of the books, you could spend some time here and find some real nuggets. The prices seemed fair to me.

It was super cute! Lots of good books and sell used books at a cheaper price! Buying the used books…read moresaved me a good amount of money! The staff is also really sweet! The extra goodies like merch, bookmarks, stickers, etc. were really cool as well! Highly recommend if you're ever in the area!

This little bookstore makes a big impression! The environment is so welcoming and inclusive and has…read moreservice that exceeded my expectations. The team is so approachable and welcoming, so looking for niche romance novels is never intimidating. I'm a sucker for a good and cheesy romance novel and this spot meets my needs and more. In addition they carry beautiful local made trinkets and have the best selection of book related stickers!! Everything is reasonably priced and you have the added benefit of supporting a lovely Ventura business. Smitten holds release parties and while I didn't get to attend the one I purchased they held my book for me and even kept a pin for me that they gave out at the party! I hear rhag it was a black light event with games and snackies, what a treat! I hope you can visit sometime soon! Okay thanks bye!

SUCH A GREAT SELECTION! I absolutely love a good bookstore featuring used copies and this was the…read morefirst one I've wandered into since coming back to CA. I walked out with three incredible finds after like 20 mins of exploring and probably could've stayed for another hour if my party wasn't waiting in me. The used prices were higher than what I'm used to at my usual place in Boston, but I think that's just because we're in CA. Highly recommend book lovers to check out the Den if they're ever in SB.

The Book Den is an awesome indie bookstore located on State Street. To get here, there is a nearby…read moreparking structure or street parking all around the area. The shop is on the smaller side but definitely very cozy and packed with tons of good finds. The owner of the shop is friendly and helpful. There is a good selection of different book genres and books in both new and used condition. The books are also definitely reasonably priced. Come stop by and support a local business and pick up a good read!

Timbre Books is a thoughtfully curated independent bookstore in the heart of Midtown Ventura. It's…read morecalm, inviting, and easy to browse at your own pace. The book selection feels intentional, with a good mix of familiar titles, indie presses, and unexpected finds. I've picked up several great reads here for my Caracol Book Club and always feel good about what I bring home. Pricing feels reasonable and consistent for a shop this well curated. The staff pick recommendation cards are genuinely helpful, and the loyalty rewards program is a nice bonus. I also love the seating in the back. It's the kind of spot where you can actually slow down. Journal, read, and sip a coffee from the neighboring coffee shop, Singing Sun, without feeling rushed. In addition to books, there's a solid selection of stationery, greeting cards, and small gifts, plus gift cards that are easy and practical. They also host author events and community gatherings that feel thoughtful and well done. Whether I'm browsing for myself or picking up a gift, Timbre is consistently a good experience. Ventura is lucky to have an independent shop like this.

~ A BOOKLOVER'S HAVEN ~…read more Timbre Books is everything I've ever wanted in a bookstore. When you walk in, you're greeted by a bright, airy, modern, and warm space. There are a couple of two person tables near the front, next to big, dreamy windows, perfect for working or reading. To the right, there's a wonderful selection of children's books and cozy reading nooks. It was heartwarming to see kids sprawled out, reading and lost in their own worlds. There's also a table towards the back with charming cards for purchase. Their book selection is impressively diverse and thoughtfully curated, with many titles featuring staff recommendations and reviews. I especially enjoy horror/psychological thrillers and nonfiction memoirs, and there's plenty of those, as well as the newest, hottest books from social media (booktok). They have a rewards program and a monthly newsletter that's thoughtfully crafted giving us the scoop on new arrivals, events, and book recommendations. Their book club meets monthly and has a laid-back, low maintenance vibe making it perfect for busy people who just want to casually discuss a book. I happened to visit during one of these meetings, and it was so wholesome to see people sharing baked goods, laughter being heard, and enjoying each other's company. The atmosphere here feels like a true community, and it gives you those warm, fuzzy feelings. When I mentioned it was my first visit, Mirna quickly made me feel welcomed by sharing details about the store, answering my questions, and suggesting some of her favorite books based on my interests. It's great that the staff have diverse tastes and can offer varied recommendations! Overall, Timbre Books is a unique gem in Ventura, and I'm excited to come back and join the next book club! *HOT TIP: There's plenty of parking available in the lot behind the store and on the street. *HOTTER TIP: Before heading in to browse/read, don't forget to grab a coffee from the charming coffee shop two doors down!

Wow! The scent of paper and print hang heavy in the air. It has been a long time since I have…read morebeen in a book store that is as densely packed with such an array of reading material. If they don't have it, it probably wasn't worth reading anyway.

While my family has been going into Chaucer's for many years, it is due to the fact that they're…read morethe only surviving bookshop in Santa Barbara. We have seen chains like Borders and Barns & Noble, as well as locally owned shops - Granada Books and Earthling - all sadly disappear from our community, and I am concerned that Chaucer's has become complacent, secure in the knowledge that they hold a monopoly on Santa Barbara readers. Chaucer's selection is expansive, however, in their effort to provide a broad range of titles, there is usually only one copy of each. The staff over-crowd their narrow aisles, oftentimes with books stacked on the floor, a difficult navigation when you are also trying to squeeze past another patron in their aisles that are barely two-people wide. I also am ambivalent about Chaucer's organization. Mind you, it is easy to miss the placards that indicate each section and sub-section, as they are the same hand-written signs on cardboard that have been stuck between the books for the past 20 years. It is unclear also who is staff and who is not, because there is no dress code and there are no nametags... except on the dog wearing a bandana identifying her as 'Shop Dog.' Look for whoever is actually behind the counter, I suppose. It must be said that they are friendly and helpful. If they do not have a specific book that you are looking for, they always offer to order it for you.

Wish I had the capacity to read a book a day. I could load a truck with books that drew me to them…read more Spent hours just exploring.

I have been visiting the Krotona Library and Bookshop for many years, and I hope to be able to…read morecontinue enjoying the natural beauty that surrounds them and the peace there that feels like natural meditation. To dig into ancient wisdom and relevant modern studies, explore the library and the bookshop and let the books call to you. They come alive when you read and study them, but they seem to me to have a magical power of calling my attention to them. When I am ready and sensitive to my inner needs, the library and bookstore generously feast my heart, mind, soul, and body, and I am deeply grateful.

**February 2024: Saturday Afternoon Visit**…read more This Goodwill is tiny, but the items they put out are really good quality and the prices are fair. I don't think I would go out of my way to visit this thrift shop, but if I'm in Ojai I would definitely take a peek to see what treasure it may hold. On my recent trip I bought a white puffer vest that fit me perfectly and it didn't even look like it's been used. I suppose consider the size of the store they only put out the best items so it's worth a look if you're in the area.

I love thrifting. This one is better for dropping off donations as the store is tiny and really not…read morevery good. They charge too much and don't give bargains as much as other stores. The staff are so rude every time I drop off where they don't thank you for donations but make you feel like they are drill sergeants telling you where to put your items and if you mess up they correct you fast. Iykyk how it is then you'd agree. The bins are labeled confusing so it is guessing sometimes.

Sooooooo many books! Piles everywhere! Not perfectly organized, but so many choices. Fairly priced…read more I will say that a good chunk of the store is taken up by Christian-themed books (hence the name?) so you might not find a ton of stuff in the "other religion" or LGBTQ+ books here, but I wasn't really looking.

I really don't want to share this secret with the world, but because I have fell madly in love with…read morethis wonderful world full of really dope books I had to share! You really just have to come in and submerge yourself into this place. This place is just full of history and it's just a dope atmosphere it kind of feels like a movie set. The smell the lighting just has so much personality. The book selections just are priceless just really great taste, you find yourself just sitting on the floor just looking and reading book after book after book , just really dope! Forget social media for a cool 3 hours and just really touch and smell and read books is truly amazing! Peep it. It's dope in here.