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Avid Reader
Category: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Bookstores [Edit]
617 2nd StDavis, CA 95616
(530) 758-4040
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
21 reviews for Avid Reader
Review Highlights
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"...best selection of all the independent bookstores in Davis." In 5 reviews -
"Hope they stay in Davis, so we don't just have Borders here." In 5 reviews -
"The owner has a cool dog that she has with her in the store." In 3 reviews
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21 reviews in English
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Review from Cathy B.
Davis, CA
11/29/2011
Just today I decided to call and ask if they sold a Fresnel lens (a page magnifier). As I looked up the phone number it occurred to me that I felt totally confident calling and asking if they had one. I trusted that I'd talk to someone who actually knew what they sold in the store rather than my experience at big box book stores, when I can't even find a person with an answer when I call, or I'm told I'll have to come into the store to look. Once in the store, I'm told, "If we have one, it will be over on aisle...". The reason I felt so confident is that in the 15 years I've lived in Davis, I have always had a great experience with the Avid Reader.
Sure enough, when I called I reached a live person who spoke in a very friendly manner and even knew what the product was. He said they didn't have it, asked me to hold while he checked to see if he could order it for me and then came back on the line to recommend another place to look for the product. What more could you ask for?
I have always found the staff to be helpful and if there is a book still in print, they will find a way to get it for you. The turn around time for books they order is very quick and I always appreciate the call telling me that my book has come in.
I am very grateful for this store and hope it will continue to hang on against the big box store competition. I like to have a choice and the Avid Reader is the choice for me! -
Review from Christina S.
Davis, CA
3/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
I love to banter. I engage random people in conversation all the time. And I love books. So I sauntered in here, excited to banter about literature with someone, and all I got was a cursory glance from the very grumpy man behind the cash register.
Undeterred, I proceeded to bob my head to the classical music while perusing the shelves of wonderful books. And it really is a wonderful store. It's almost unexpected what you'll find, as I found my favorite British chick lit author on one of the shelves. I grabbed a copy and headed the cashier, ready to engage him in witty chitchat.
He wasn't having it. I smiled my million watt smile and asked him how his day was. He mumbled some reply, got through the transaction with the minimal amount of effort necessary, and moved on.
I don't know. This is a wonderful place. I would be delighted to work in a place like this. But clearly the staff does not agree with me. -
Review from Dale H.
11/19/2011 10 Check-ins Here
Good book selection...the employees seem a bit snooty though. Why are they like this at independent bookstores? I never get acknowledged when I walk in and peruse. Only when I buy something or specifically ask something, do they say anything to me. They're not rude, don't get me wrong. They just don't acknowledge me. I buy something about 33% of my visits, so it's not like I'm just going in to read and leave. And I usually have my chef whites on, so I look presentable and professional (I go in usually after work)...so I'm not sure what the deal is. But it bothers me. I guess that's why I miss Borders so much...great place to hang out and they ALWAYS seemed happy to see me, whether I was buying something, browsing, or enjoying some SBC. Sheesh...I wish Barnes and Noble would move in to the old Borders building. I know they'd be happy to have my business also.
I'm not writing this place off though. I'll still come here on my way home from work. I'll still buy a book every three or four visits. But I'm thinking I'll be going to Beers Books or B&N in Natomas a little more often. And stop by here just a little bit less. I like to know that my business is wanted. -
Review from Kevin N.
Sparks, NV
3/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Nice selection for an independent bookstore. Unfortunately for the cash-strapped student, the prices can't really compete with the chains. The staff here is content to let you peruse on your own. I had a question about a particular book and they were more than happy to look it up for me.
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Review from Irene L.
1/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
This bookstore is pretty awesome. The other reviews are right in that no one really acknowledges you when you come in. But I personally don't mind. I don't like being accosted by overenthusiastic sale-pitches when I shop =P They also have a good selection of books & the store is nicely organized. There's a chess board set up with chairs near the back of the store! My friend and I always use it when we're bored (but have yet to finish a game)...
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Review from Kartheen Y.
Clarksburg, CA
1/27/2012
Now that borders has closed down, I always go to the avid reader and I must say it's a great place. Although I'm married, I'm kind of a kid and I like to read stuff like Warriors or Guardians of Ga'Hoole. So, I always go ip to the kids section, which is great. There are so many books and I always find something! :) great prices too. This place is a little gem.
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Review from Kelly G.
Sacramento, CA
9/23/2011
Why do people who work at book stores and places that sell pizza by the slice think they are uber cool and above it all? Well your 'coolness' isn't hot at all Avid Reader and that's to bad for you.
I order tons of books as part of my job. I always try and give Mom & Pop shops an opportunity to do business with me as I order many expensive books.
But for some reason the Avid Reader is to cool to be bothered with calling back or filling out paperwork. Your loss Avid Reader. I found another Mom & Pop shop to buy books from that doesn't let their 'cool' factor get in the way. -
Review from Irina G.
Davis, CA
3/29/2012
This place is way overpriced. For a bookstore selling new books, it has a very limited selection and low availability on popular books. I only came here because somebody got me a gift card here.
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Review from JSwizz D.
Alameda, CA
4/17/2011
Love love love this place!! Always great service and a great selection. I never feel rushed and I love that the there is an official store mascot (what a cute dog!).
Also, it's an independently owned business. You just don't get this kind of service in those big chain stores. -
Review from Missus T.
Davis, CA
8/7/2011
I'm all about local independent businesses, but I'm awfully tired of them not providing customer service and then whining about competition. Avid Reader is a case in point:
I went in prepared to pay full price for a novel released this week, even though Amazon has it half-priced, because I wanted to read it on vacation. It was nowhere to be found, and the single employee working on a Saturday afternoon was oh-so-slowly "helping" someone with a special order while two other people waited.
If this were the first time I'd encountered this situation I'd be more charitable, but it's the norm pretty much every time I go in. I try this three or four times a year, but I'm not sure that I've successfully purchased a book there in the last five years.
Now I'll stop by a Barnes and Noble to buy my book, and probably get a couple of other things while I'm there. -
Review from Rea L.
Davis, CA
10/1/2011
I have honestly only gone in here to peruse the book selection, read my own books, and lounge while checking out Avid Reader's books. It is a super good place to read, or give a new book a "10-page chance" before deciding if you'll buy it or borrow it. There are chairs and sofas scattered around the store, and I especially love the comfy red seats at the back by the travel section. It's really quiet and a great place to relax and unwind while reading. Plus they even have a water tank where you can pour yourself a small refreshment or two ;-)
I I found their selection to be good. They have many current major titles and popular authors (also, TONS of Jack Kerouac!). There's a children's section and travel section, plus others.
I actually haven't *purchased* any books from here, but as far as the bookstore's atmosphere, it's a nice little store right across the UC Davis store. There's Posh Bagel and SBUX around the corner too. Great location and great place to read overall. -
Review from Melissa C.
Davis, CA
4/25/2007
Pretty small selection. The owner has a cool dog that she has with her in the store. Otherwise, the workers are not too friendly.
The prices are eh. I never really buy anything here or browse. I love bookstores, but their kids store was way better.
A great place to go for local readings from some pretty top authors. The atmosphere is intimate and it's the perfect size. Def. keep your eyes on the calendar. Worth going too. I really only come here for readings. -
Review from AvidHiker C.
Davis, CA
1/7/2012
Love this space. The people who work and shop here are great. Of course you can find lower prices for most things online- but I value a wonderful local business so don't mind a few dollars extra on the total bill. They donate the book posters to local schools and teachers. All around awesome.
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Review from Wen T.
Sacramento, CA
4/19/2009
I like this place. I ordered a book from them, and it arrived exactly when they said it would. Plus, they also gave me a friendly reminder call.
While I was in browsing for ages in the store, they never once gave me strange looks, especially since I like to wander through one section repeatedly. What? I get second, third, and fourth thoughts about books! I can't handle buyer's remorse when it comes to books. Really. Though, to be honest, they didn't really give me ANY acknowledgement until I "ahemed" the guy at the register counter and paid for my purchases.
Oh, and they're very friendly to dogs. I met two dogs in the store while I was browsing around. One of them popped its head into the sci-fi/fantasy section where I was on the floor, digging around for good books. I think it likes Neil Gaiman as much as I do. It got a little treat from one of the employees, too.
While I liked the store, I think it's way too small and cramped. Not exactly prettily organized either. Borders, this place is not. -
Review from Mae S.
Ann Arbor, MI
5/22/2007
Quiet little place, a few comfortable chairs, but no discernable theme to what books are on offer (as in some indie stores).
Cracked up by the California Indie Book Sellers' best-selller list: top book was listed as Kingsolver's "Animal, Vegetable, Mineral" -- that is, the wonderful, knowledgeable indie booksellers can't even read 3 words in a row. The real name of the book is "Animal, Vegetable, _Miracle_"
Sometimes I think that indie bookstores are among the top ten overrated things in America. Some pundit wrote that if you wanted to get book recommendations, a wide selection, logical order, and knowledgeable help -- you should try your public library. Well, I'm only visiting and wanted a book to take home on the plane, so an indie store will have to do. -
Review from Herbert S.
Davis, CA
6/24/2007
I think this place has the best selection of all the independent bookstores in Davis. It doesn't have the cool feel of a used book store, but when you actually need a book, well this is your best book.
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Review from R A.
Fairfield, CA
12/8/2008
Normally I'm all about supporting local businesses whenever possible but I was very unimpressed with the Avid Reader. I popped in with my daughter and girlfriend as we were waiting for friends to join us for lunch in Davis when my daughter begged us to go in after seeing the Dora the Explorer Book from the store window.
There were a few other people in the store positioned comfortably on the floor reading through books. The person at the register looked up at us but said nothing to really acknowledge our presence. Hmm.. whatever. We were looking all around for the children's section and noticed after a few minutes that it was upstairs. Would've been nice if the person at the register looked up to see if we needed help. I would've asked myself but mister was in his own little world looking through the paper. Hmm, probably going through the classifieds to see what other job he could apply for. Wouldn't doubt it really.
I didn't really feel like anything was in any kind of order when it came to the children's section. I had a real problem with the children's area being upstairs across the owner's dog holding area. WEIRD! There were a few chairs upstairs but everything was very disorganized and dirty. I allowed my daughter to sit on one chair as my girlfriend sat next to her but I made sure to not let her walk all around and touch anything else. You could just tell that nothing was wiped down or cared for. I can only imagine what kind of germies were left from some snot nosed kid who ran their fingers through all the dusty bookshelves. -
Review from kim n.
1/18/2007
One of the last few independent book stores I know. In this day and age of being able to get everything online, sometimes it's nice to have a printed handheld object for you to browse.
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Review from Lynn G.
Davis, CA
8/24/2008
Needed a book about vermiculture, Borders didn't have it and would have taken a couple of weeks to locate it. Called The Avid Reader, it was in stock. Good enough for me.
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Review from Christina P.
Winters, CA
6/13/2010
If you are going to run a children's bookstore, you cannot get mad at children for looking at books. After my child was reprimanded twice for looking at a book that was out on a display shelf, we left and walked to Borders to buy the three books we were looking for. I bet you didn't think I could hear you speak to my child that way, but I could- even from downstairs. I'm all for supporting small local businesses but also expect a certain degree of respect while shopping in your store. Boo on you!
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Review from Cynthia L.
San Francisco, CA
7/15/2010
Good independent bookstore. Have found many books that I have enjoyed on their front table with paperbacks. They are especially good if you want to order a book. It comes quickly, and they call you to let you know that it is in. Hope they stay in Davis, so we don't just have Borders here. The only thing I wish they would have would be some books with staff recommendations and a little info regarding the books that they have read.
