Best second-hand, used, and rare bookstores in town? (Glendale, Pasadena: sales, rent)

[js63]

I'm visiting LA for the first time next week. Any recommendations for which bookstores I ought to go by?

Thanks.

[Lumerian Feast]

The Brand Bookshop in Glendale is worth checking out.

[drunk on kool aid]

If you find yourself in Pasadena, check out Cliff's Books or Book Alley. Search on Yelp.com for a complete list of used bookstores (with user reviews) in the area where you will actually be. Many thrift stores have a pretty large collection for dirt cheap; downside will be the total lack of organization. Used bookstores and bookstores in general have been taking it on the chin recently (e.g. Dutton's).

Hope you find what you're seeking.

doka

[js63]

I'll be in Santa Monica for a couple days, then moving over to Hollywood. I mostly expect to hit those areas, West Hollywood, Westwood, and downtown.

[uptown_urbanist]

Check out Caravan Book Store: downtown LA at 550 S. Grand. It's near the central library, which is also worth a visit (check out the elevator with the old card catalog "wallpaper"!)

[Bunjee]

Midnight Special is closed in Santa Monica, unfortunately. When you move on to Hollywood, go to Book Soup. Not so much for their used selection but for their frequent author events. The schedule is online. Great vibe, great staff. For used and rare, check out Arundel, Heritage and Michael Thompson, all pretty close by on the west side.

ETA: If you're visiting or would like to visit in February 2010, the Antiquarian Book Fair is in LA (alternates between LA and SF). It's probably the best opportunity to find everyone in one place! The market is less brick and mortar walk-in these days. Lots of online and private libraries instead. With the cost of rent I can hardly blame anyone...

[KnoxTown]

Originally Posted by Lumerian Feast

The Brand Bookshop in Glendale is worth checking out.

Is it really good? I drove by it a couple days ago and was curious.

[sarahkate_m]

http://www.bookagain.com/ or any thrift store.

thrift stores are the best for finding what you need for altered art projects. you can try yard sales but that's alot of work.


kate

[somedaynow]

This is a great thread, thanks for asking, js63! Book Soup looks, incidentally, like *exactly* the kind of place I'm hoping to frequent once I move. Support independent bookstores!

[majoun]

Originally Posted by drunk on kool aid

If you find yourself in Pasadena, check out Cliff's Books or Book Alley. Search on Yelp.com for a complete list of used bookstores (with user reviews) in the area where you will actually be. Many thrift stores have a pretty large collection for dirt cheap; downside will be the total lack of organization. Used bookstores and bookstores in general have been taking it on the chin recently (e.g. Dutton's).

That's true but Dutton's really made some bad decisions that made them go out of business faster than they would have otherwise. They had an offer to move to Culver City with reduced rent (made by the city of Culver City) but didn't want to leave Brentwood despite the rents in Brentwood being far too high to support their business. Midnight Special made a similar mistake when they decided to stay in Santa Monica rather than pick up on an offer by the city of LA to move to Hollywood Boulevard. In addition, Midnight Special wasn't really right for Santa Monica - too left wing political and not film/entertainment industry oriented enough.

There is a really good used bookstore in Santa Monica on Pier Ave., forgot the name.