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Aardvark Books
Category: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Bookstores [Edit]
227 Church St(between Market St & 15th St)
San Francisco, CA 94114
Neighborhood: Castro
(415) 552-6733
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 10:30 am - 10:30 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
154 reviews for Aardvark Books
Review Highlights
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"They have a great selection on used graphic novels." In 10 reviews -
"...of all -- you can find deals here, unlike at Green Apple." In 13 reviews -
"It has a great selection of fiction." In 14 reviews
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154 reviews in English
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Review from David M.
Oakland, CA
4/8/2012
The best bookstore in SF. Their selection of used books is fantastic- I've never NOT found what I was looking for.
Bonuses: There's a really friendly orange stripey cat who's often asleep in the window AND they play music that I can only describe as "old-timey." -
Review from Raquella R.
San Francisco, CA
2/22/2012
It's okay.
The pros: it's close to the bus stop, so it's a good place to hang out while I wait for the bus. It's reasonably priced for the books as well. Also, it stays open pretty late, which I love.
The cons: They don't have an inventory of their books, though they don't have a wide selection anyway. If you're looking for something in particular, it can be hard. If it's fiction, that's whatever, but their nonfiction is crazy unorganized. I don't care for the employees either. I'm never greeted or asked for help. Not that I need my hand held while I'm in a book story, but these people don't even look up when you enter the store. There isn't a place to sit and browse selections, and it's kinda musty in there too. -
Review from Jessica L.
Honolulu, HI
12/30/2011 1 photo
Aardvark Books is a darling book shop in a relatively relaxed part of the Castro. Awesomely varied selection - I was able to get a collection of Emerson/Transcendentalist-themed essays and a poppy fashion magazine for only a few dollars.
The orange tabby gave excellent customer service and made sure everyone was properly greeted with a robust "Mrar~" and a furry nudge.
Love! -
Review from Cheryl L.
San Francisco, CA
5/13/2012
Probably the only bookstore in the area that actually still bought books between 2008-2010. They have an excellent selection of books and have the best graphic novel section. The staff is friendly but a lil' distant in my opinion. But I wanna say they are professional. They get 5 stars from me.
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Review from Dan S.
Oakland, CA
5/10/2012
Great selection, late night hours, knowledgeable service and an affectionate orange cat - Aardvark books has literally everything you want in a used book store. This is the perfect place to swing by on your way home from an evening in the Castro, or a destination in its own right while you're in the Mission. 5 stars. (If I could, one more star for Ace the cat.)
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Review from Kathryn S.
Ann Arbor, MI
5/11/2012
Great used bookstore! I finally found a copy of The Master and Margarita - a nice copy, with the original English translation! - and for only $7 (hardcover, cloth binding). This victory after combing what felt like every used bookstore in Chicago. So that was a win.
Also, randomly, a great children's selection with *good* children's literature, which is rare in used bookstores.
The store cat was very friendly and sat in my lap and systematically destroyed my T-shirt (yeah, I lose a lot of shirts that way...) while I read through books in the back corner.
They also have a sizeable new-release magazine selection that includes feminist periodicals like Bitch along with a range of LGBT rags and the expected "mainstream" intellectual fare.
Definitely a place to get lost in on a rainy afternoon or a slow day off. -
Review from Babs J.
San Francisco, CA
4/1/2012
Best bookshop in the city, as simple as that! Great deals and an amazing variety of interesting books. I always find something unexpected and surprising even when i'm not looking for something in particular. Comics and art books are always driving me again and again to Aardvark!
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Review from Fra'tan L.
San Francisco, CA
11/25/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Aardvark is always where I come when I have the idea of a book I want , but am not sure what it is. Often times, they can't fulfill my request. For example, I wanted a book on pickling, but they didn't have any.
No matter. It's a great place to look around and still have the opportunity to feel books, open them, and read a few lines.
Also, they've got bookstore cat. Love that cat. Last time I was here, the orange tabby was in the front window soaking up the rays. I had to drop by to give her some love.
Aardvark, you're a dying breed and I hope you are here forever. -
Review from Eric C.
San Francisco, CA
11/15/2011
A quintessential used bookstore, perfect for a variety of reasons:
- Piles of books stacked to the ceiling (Please note they won't support your weight if you decide to go for an impromptu climb. I've tried.)
- Orange tabby stalking the shelves like some kind of book jungle tiger.
- Photography/art books in the biblically huge dimensions of the slab of Ten Commandments.
- Grumpy, curmudgeony staff chatting idly about demon customers.
If things like the above bug you, you're liable to miss out on the random finds this place offers.
A meticulously researched journal about Okie Dust Bowl migrants and their settlement patterns in Southern California? Check. A brand new copy of Mission Street Food before its official release date at a used price? You got it. -
Review from Joanna R.
11/13/2011
I need to find some real good bookstores around the city.
This was one of the first I've been to. I think it'd be nice to come every once in a while. They have a pretty wide selection of books, but I don't know... maybe not exactly the books I'd like to read.
I'll be back though for sure. I could probably stand in there for hours. But I guess that's another thing, I have to stand.
Heh. Will be back! To say hello to the cat sitting on the counter (: -
Review from Elham A.
San Francisco, CA
1/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
The best deals on used cookbooks and calanders! Aardvark Books has a great collection of new and used books with great prices!
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Review from Mel G.
11/1/2011
Lately I've been on a small independent bookstore kick in SF (I suppose that's really the only bookstore that exists here in the city). I've been enjoying my City Lights & Green Apple expeditions, and Aardvark Books was the next stop on my list. When I first walked in, I was a bit surprised that it was a little smaller than the aforementioned stores, but it also has it's charm, most definitely.
I ended up buying 2 Buddhist magazines that are a bit harder to find in other bookstores, and felt content browsing the aisles. The organization is a bit overwhelming (like most used bookstores), but it was enjoyable. -
Review from Lia R.
San Francisco, CA
8/24/2011
I love this store! Not only is it close and convenient, but it has a huge selection of well-priced fiction--everything from classic literature to chick-lit. Not to mention the well stocked art book collection.
Yes I will agree that the staff (two men and a woman?) can be annoying with their at times smug attitudes and the way that they absolutely have to finish their conversation/argument before they will help a customer. Try being a teenager who happens to look like a pre-pubescent tween and it gets worse, believe me.
Minus one star for the demon cat that has free reign of the store that somehow always manages to sink its claws in my pant leg whenever I'm in the store. -
Review from Ronny C.
San Francisco, CA
8/15/2011 20 Check-ins Here
This is a really good book store if you read a lot of mysteries and science fiction. They have pretty good large selection of used paper backs which are half off the cover prices. This means you'll end up paying a buck or two for a lot of good older books. Other stores say half off but have a minimum price but not here, half off is half off.
I also like history and lit selections too but I end up getting more mystery and sci-fi here. -
Review from Jessica L.
San Francisco, CA
12/22/2011
One of the greatest reasons I love San Francisco is it's literary culture; San Francisco is a haven for bibliophiles, clearly shown in the continued struggle of book stores that pop up all over the city. I love the fact that in San Francisco, we have speciality book stores like Omnivore and Borderlands; ones that pride in their "only in SF" vibe such as Anarchist; but the rock of the literary scene here is the used book store, of which we have many mom-and-pops still standing strong despite Amazon, despite B&N, despite the rise of Kindles and iPads. Though beginning to dwindle in the Mission neighborhood, a beacon still is alight in the Church Street corridor with Aardvark.
One of my favorite used book stores in the area, it's the attention to organization, well kept used books, and the easy maneuverability of Aardvark that appeals to me most. Many used book stores I go to are just... overwhelming, and some of the books I can't imagine buying, just falling apart left and right. But, at Aardvark, it's nicely laid out, easy to find, books in good condition, brightly lit, and doesn't smell of dust and moth balls.
The process of having books bought here has also been a nice experience. While perhaps not the most friendliest of staff, they're very professional, to the point, and reasonable.
I come back for the comic books, Murakami, Dumas, to mingle with the large orange tabby, and coffee table behemoths. Long live the used book store! -
Review from Bobo B.
San Francisco, CA
9/24/2011
Perhaps the last of its kind. I love this place. And the staff is amazingly nice, well read, and helpful. Never a snarky comment, even when deserved.
Best cats as well, though I miss Ace (RIP). -
Review from kelvin n.
Assonet, MA
3/10/2011
I have been a book collector for a number of years and lately I find the need to sell some of them off.I go to Aardvark only because it's close and walking with books is quite tiresome.
I bring books all the time to them and they act as if they couldn't be bothered. It feels like I am interrupting when I ask if they would look at my books. There are 2 men and 1 woman who buys. By and far the woman is the rudest b!tc4 I have ever run into. She makes little conversation and never buys a single book. She looks at them up and down, front and back, flips through and then says no. Now if she's working I walk right by. I don't want to deal with whatever crawled up her and died cuz it stinks. Interestingly if I bring the books back the next day to one of the men I usually sell some.
Of the 2 men one of them will actually check the shelf to see if they have a book. But the personality is the same. Disinterested and annoyed that they are looking at your books. Sometimes it feels personal.
The offers they make on the books can be insulting. Low and lower than any place else. Sometimes I need to eat so I take what they offer. Other times I say no and set up shop myself outside their store.
If you got books to sell, don't make a trip to Aardvark, you'll be disappointed. -
Review from Mel P.
11/15/2011
Nice little bookstore. If you are in the neighborhood and looking to kill time or browse, this place is cool. I admit I came in because I thought the cat who was sunbathing/sleeping by the window was too cute!!!!
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Review from Brian C.
San Francisco, CA
10/13/2011
After Green Apple in the Richmond, this is my favorite used bookstore in the City. For a relatively small store, it's got an outstanding fiction section and Greek/Roman classics section. Great prices, lots of new stock coming in and out. Friendly cat that sleeps most of the time, and the staff has been around for years and years. Definitely a place to browse for a long time.
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Review from Liane C.
Buena Park, CA
2/3/2011
I usually look for craft books here, but they definitely have a great selection of graphic novels and art books. This is a cat friendly store, so no dogs allowed. I don't think people normally bring their own cats since the store cat might not like that. I've managed to find plenty of good half priced craft books, and the comic book options are endless...
I'm sure the store has a good selection of books other than craft and graphic novels, I remember my friend found a signed copy of a David Sedaris book for a good price. Parking is not easy here, so taking Muni is recommended since the location is so close to the Church Street station, as well as the F Street Car line and the 22 line bus.
The staff is courteous and friendly when you are checking out, they are not falling over themselves to sell you anything. I learned from one of the workers that the store used to be a theater, which is why the ceiling has an interesting tile pattern and the front top window looks a little different from the inside. -
Review from Lola S.
San Francisco, CA
9/24/2011
Owen! Oh and there are some books, too.
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Review from Adam H.
San Francisco, CA
1/31/2011
They've always been great about buying my books (and not buying most of my books (granted, many of them are self help books I've been given by my well meaning mother)) and seem to somehow ALWAYS have what I'm looking for. Vollmann, David Foster Wallace, Celine, Pynchon, and some great metaphysical books all at decent prices.
The staff is courteous enough to mind their goddamn business and never once asked me to check in my bag, even though there was probably a sign by the counter that said to do so.
Yes, excellent place to duck in and get lost for a few minutes.
And although Green Apple is bigger, maybe a little cheaper, I find myself enjoying Aardvarks a lot more, maybe just because the selection is less overwhelming yet still top notch. -
Review from Marck N.
9/21/2011
They have a great selection on used graphic novels. Not the best considering what to expect, but good. I found a diamond in the rough graphic novel that i didn't pick up and within 30 minutes, it was gone. Lesson learned......sad Marck.
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Review from Tiffany N.
Denver, CO
5/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
Aardvark Books looks like a bibliophile filled his or her house with books and then threw open the doors to sell them all. What I mean to say is that it's a comfy place. The kind of place I want to spend a Saturday afternoon browsing. And I like that.
There are rows and rows of fairly organized reading materials from books to comics. There is a ton of used stuff, but a decent selection of new books, too. The people working here are friendly. And while I didn't find every book I was looking for I did find that I enjoyed my time in the store which is really all I'm asking for when I'm browsing for reading materials.Listed in: San Francisco's Castro area
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Review from Michelle B.
Seattle, WA
9/13/2009
Perhaps it's gauche to abridge literature but it's certainly A-Oh-American-K to discount the book itself. Yay free market!
Aardvark is worth stopping into every once in a while to see if they have a used copy of a book that's on your ever growing list. Currently, it's my favorite used book store in the city but that's only because they happened to have the book I was looking for today.
Every other time I've visited the word "ramshackle" has popped into my head. -
Review from Heshy F.
San Francisco, CA
2/21/2011
I was super impressed with their history section, it seems that the store is devoted to US History and every facet of it, of course they have other sections, including an extensive gay section, psychology and other things you'd expect from any book store in the Mission.
They weren't very nice at closing time on Saturday night, unlike other stores that give you some kind of warning - I was deep in the fiction aisle when I heard someone say I have 4 minutes left. -
Review from d s.
San Francisco, CA
8/9/2007
I usually drop by Aardvark once a week. Other yelpers have done a great job describing the store, its offerings, and Ace The Skeletal Cat.
The following purchasing points are my humble contribution:
1. The window display to your left (as you face the store) holds used copies of recently published (in the last few months, sometimes in the last week) fiction. The used price on these is around, oh, 45% off, which is better than either amazon or Green Apple.
2. For some inexplicable reason, Aardvark acquires really great used art books in pristine condition. These are usually displayed in the window display to your right, or on the rack behind the cashier. The reduction on these clocks in at around 40%, I think, which is fair.
3. Scour the used fiction shelves for hardcover copies of books that have recently been released in paperback. The used price on these books are markedly less than the original hc price (of course) AND the pb price. Example, John Banville's Shroud in hc for $7.50, orig hc price $25.00, new pb price $14.95.
Oh, and most of the used books are in good condition.
Shop happy, but above all shop wisely!
UPDATE: I also posted the following in Talk tonight (8/9/07): "Some philosopher must have kicked the bucket, 'cause Aardvark Books had stacks and stacks of contemporary philosophy books for sale at half off the list price. I'm sorry to disappoint the Young Heideggerian Club, but it was all Analytic Philosophy.
A lot of the books were in ethical thought (metaethics and normative ethics), some metaphysics, epistemology, and the analytic philosophy of language. Books by Wiggins, R.M. Hare, Michael Williams, McGinn, Ayer, David Velleman, others. So yeah, shit you claimed you had read come exam time but didn't. Now's your chance.
One of the guys who worked there said they received the stock on Monday and just put it out today.
Maybe I'll run into some of you fellow philosophy nerds there.Listed in: A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To…
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Review from Teej T.
Urbana, IL
1/16/2008
Damn you, Aardvark. Every time I come up to San Francisco, I drop at least fifteen bucks here. Which translates to about three quality books at Aardvark's amazing prices. I like to justify it by saying that I have to get something to read for the plane, but I really don't need another book on Tudor England, do I?
Apparently I do. Alison Weir's Six Wives, and a biography of Mary Tudor are now MINE, thanks to Aardvark. Their history section absolutely kicks ass. There's a great range for a used bookstore, and the staff are ridiculously helpful. Take advanage of the few seats in the space too if you want to test drive a book. Great spot.
Oh how I love thee, Aardvark. -
Review from K O.
New York, NY
12/21/2006
I was looking for a bookstore close by so I yelped it and Aardvark's came up. I called ahead to make sure they had the book I wanted and they did. While I was browsing I realized that this is the kind of place that has 100% passion. People that come here are passionate about books and the shoppers aren't just buying a book to put on the book shelf. They buy books because they have real love and appreciation for the written word. I was curious and asked if they sold any first editions. He said, "maybe probably you would have to browse, we don't have a special section". That's it! all these books will end up being special for someone.
The photography books where fantastic and they had some real collectors. Maybe.....maybe .....even first editions. -
Review from Lauren S.
Stockton, CA
4/18/2009
Wow, what a great selection. I find that a lot of used bookstores don't always have what I'm looking for particularly, but I always manage to spend money...They have a great selection of magazines, graphic novels, and cultural studies. They also have half-priced pocket books which makes it really easy to stock up on classics (like $2 a book!) if you're into having a pretentious bookshelf like myself. But at least I read everything I buy....
Thanks Aardvark for being so close and so awesome.
Oh and there's a cute cat. Enough of a reason to come in. -
Review from Alice S.
San Francisco, CA
2/19/2007
One sunny Sunday on the way back from ImagineKnit, I walked by Aardvarks and saw one of my absolute Favorite John Singer Sargent books in the window.
This is a book that my art loving uncle has had on his coffee table since I was about 13, and the one that inspired my obsession with Sargent and this one painting in particular:
Ellen Terry as Lady MacBeth:
http://jssgallery.org/...
As you may know, art books are usually off-the-charts expensive (the fine quality of printing is not cheap), but since this was used I got the book for $30.
Sidenote: For about 3 months before I went to Europe last summer, all I could think about was seeing this painting at the Tate Britain. Sadly, it was in storage the day I was there.
But I did see this little beauty:
http://jssgallery.org/...
You too should love Sargent. He was brilliant.
This was my experience at Aardvarks. I will be back. This concludes my 'once-upon-an-artbook' bookstore stories for today.Listed in: Art related.
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Review from Ali R.
San Francisco, CA
5/11/2009
I love used book stores. My bedroom shelves are filled with books, my nightstand has them piling up, I have some in my living room cause I ran out bedroom space, there are books in my cubicle, one on my bed, and usually one in my purse.
Since Aardvark is next to one of my favorite places to eat brunch alone, I will often come in here first to pick out a new book to read while I eat. This past Saturday after attending a BYOBook Club, I came here with a mission. I had about 4 books on my mind to buy and found 1 of them. But I also found about 4 others.
They have a great selection but this more of a "browse" place than an "I have a mission" place. Only because they don't catalog their books so you will never know if they have it in stock until you've spent an hour combing the section and hoping you didn't skip it on accident. I think they're supposed to be alphabetized but I wouldn't place any bets on it.
All the new or recommended books displayed on a shelf so you can be sure that you aren't missing the latest book fad while here. ie- Obama's books, In the Defense of Food books, etc.
And yes, they do have a cat. And I think they buy used books from you. I know at minimum they accept your used books, but not sure you'll be turning a profit for it.
So, when in the mood to peruse for books, I definitely recommend a trip here. -
Review from Janney B.
San Francisco, CA
11/6/2007
I like coming here, sitting on the floor, and reading a self-help book that I won't purchase. Last time, it was a book titled "addiction to perfection." I straightened and realphabetized the shelf afterwards.
Sometimes, to switch things up, I'll grab a book from the philosophy section, make sure that everyone can see what I'm reading and flip each page slowly.
As I think about nothing, I appear to be deep in thought.
Hmm... Makes you think, right? -
Review from S F.
San Francisco, CA
9/13/2008
Come on people! People who work in bookstores are not supposed to friendly! They are smarter, more well-read, more educated, and all-around better then you! Hel-Lo! I don't want some normie working at my gayborhood book store. Geez.
/end rant/
I love Aardvark. Great new and used selection, and I always leave with a new treasure. Plus, I love the googly-eyed bookstore kitty-cat.Listed in: Books Galore!
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Review from Jeremy W.
San Francisco, CA
6/27/2006
One of the truly fine SF used book stores that is not Green Apple and not in The Mission. While in the shadow of many other booksellers as regards remainders and sale books (Green Apple and Dog Eared own sale books) the selection of used books is awesome and fairly priced. Also, the best selection of used graphic novels in The City. Without going to Green Apple.
And a really cute ancient cat. I think he used to belong to Dashiel Hammet. Unless you're Green Apple, a used bookstore ain't shit without a cat.
"What chu readin' for?"
"Looks like we got us a reader!"Listed in: Looks Like We Got Us A Reader
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Review from Ryan T.
Mountain View, CA
6/7/2009 1 Check-in Here
The selections carried by Aardvark truly exemplify the geographic area, from the great LGBT selection, some real back-in-the-day political treatises and histories, as well as a rather large spread of types of materials for such a small space. The staff seem to be friendly, although I only saw their interactions with others.
What really caught my attention, after the books, was the darling tabby cat, the mascot of the store. I didn't catch the kitty's name, however, but have to say I haven't encountered such a docile cat in quite some time. What is it with bookstore cats? If anything, I'm coming back not only to check out the store, but to pet the beautiful cat. -
Review from David R.
7/7/2009
Similar story to Bibliohead: a solid version of a medium-sized used bookstore, without much to distinguish it. I did appreciate the pricing here, which was in the right range for the organization and quality of books. I FINALLY found a reasonably priced ($6) Tropic of Cancer (the Grove Press edition) to match my Tropic of Capricorn.
They have a large fiction section, and a generous history selection. In the back are cheap paperbacks--great for browsing and digging. I could have spent a lot of money in here, except that I was in a rush and had limited luggage space to boot.
The two guys behind the counter were cool. I joined their conversation about state liquor laws...always an interesting topic. -
Review from chandra g.
San Francisco, CA
5/8/2007
Great fiction selection!
I like stopping by Aardvark's on my walk home from work. It's the kind of SF bookstore that I like; small, dusty, neighborhoody and they've got a selection of books I can recognize, yay for us wannabe book nerds!
I'm a huge Green Apple fan but Aardvark buys back more books at a higher price than my beloved Green Apple.
oh and they have a shop tabby-cat that snoozes on the counter too. -
Review from Jennifer M.
San Francisco, CA
11/12/2007
I love the look, the feel, the sme...well not really the smell, but almost everything about old bookstores.
Aardvark sells old as well as new books with even a section for used pocket books. They have a very specific range of genres so you might not find EXACTLY what you want, but just appreciate it for what it is.
What really blew me away was the fact that they had a section JUST for antique books with AMAZING covers that you just dont find in books anymore. I was actually looking for a nice antique book to do a craft project with...but I just didnt have the heart to cut into an old Moliere book =( -
Review from gary c.
San Francisco, CA
3/3/2008
I love going to Aardvark Books! My bookcase is filled with books I've gotten there. I often order food to go at Chow (a couple of doors down) and Aardvark's is the perfect place to browse while I'm waiting.
It's nice to find a non-chain bookstore so close by. The staff is quite laid back, although friendly. And I've already made friends with the new cat, or rather it's made friends with me. It must know I'm allergic!
I'd give them five stars if they'd make the effort to enforce their 'no cell phones allowed' rule which is discreetly posted outside the store. All too often people use the place as their personal phone booth, wandering around while pretending to look at books, "yeah, I'm at the bookstore"......don't get me started!
