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Book-Go-Round
Category: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Bookstores [Edit]
14410 Oak StSaratoga, CA 95070
(408) 867-5552
- Hours:
Mon-Fri, Sun 12 pm - 5 pm
Sat 10 am - 5 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
24 reviews for Book-Go-Round
Review Highlights
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"mostly good for contemporary fiction and some older..." In 7 reviews -
"It's such a cute little shop run by volunteers." In 5 reviews -
"...all books coming from donations and all proceeds benefiting..." In 4 reviews
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24 reviews in English
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Review from Kevin O.
Sioux Falls, SD
4/3/2011
I haven't been to this store since 1986, if you can believe that, but I'd recently heard good things about it, so I checked it out today, and can vouch for it having an unusually good selection of books (quality classic literature, and lots of recent popular fiction), at unusually low prices.
I have plenty of unread books here at home, and so was only looking for things that really jumped out at me, but I could have very easily walked out of there with a shopping bag full of stuff, for $20 or so. As it so happens, I got a very nice hard back edition of the 1996 edition of "New Masterpieces of Horror" for $2.50, a paperback copy of William Conrad's "The Secret Agent" for fifty cents, and four crime genre paperbacks for my wife, also for fifty cents apiece.
Bargain spotted today: Thomas Pakenham's "The Boer War," for just five dollars. I'd have grabbed it myself, but I already bought a used copy for ten dollars almost a decade ago. -
Review from Jennifer M.
San Jose, CA
5/4/2012
The Book-Go-Round is the hybrid of an ongoing library booksale and a used bookstore. Better selection than your usual sale, better prices than your usual used bookstore. I stop by maybe once a month to browse their eclectic and ever-changing selection. They have a little of everything. My favorite sections are the natural history shelf, the cookbooks, and the SF/fantasy racks. Over the years, I've probably bought hundreds of books at the Book-Go-Round, including some cool art books. Most prices are pretty low ($1-$5), though special or high demand books will be more.
It's not a big store, but the atmosphere is calm and welcoming. The Book-Go-Round is entirely volunteer and donation based. The volunteers tend to be either high school kids or retirees, which makes for some mathematical peculiarities when you go to pay. Every few visits, my spouse and I end up correcting basic addition errors (the volunteers usually undercharge). And we're both English majors! The Book-Go-Round takes checks and cash, no credit cards.
Parking can be limited on Oak Street. If there are no spaces (or, like me, you have an irrational terror of parallel parking), you can always park in the free public lot across the street (Saratoga Los Gatos Road) and walk over. -
Review from Ringo C.
Saratoga, CA
2/3/2012
This is a good location in Saratoga downtown.
The store is small but you can find some good price on books.
Too bad the kids section is little choice tho. -
Review from Raquel R.
9/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
The Good: Prices
The Bad: Confusing a bit
The ugly: Took me a bit to find this place in Saratoga
Mass Market books and paperback books are on average $1. I did go to their new arrivals wall and pick up "The Glass Castle" for $3 in paperback- so excited that they had it here.
I was looking for some other books on my impossible "books to read" list but was unable to find any of them. That is the downfall of used booksellers- never go there with something in mind- go to browse.
The staff is lovely and they are all volunteers. Brings something extra special when they actually want to be there.
CASH only. -
Review from Crysal V.
8/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have been here before but that was before yelp, so now I can write a good review. It is small and I popped in here when I was waiting for a presentation next door but they have some good stuff! It is smaller and they didn't have much in my fav genre but they have a great selection of kids books, in vintage also, and audio tapes, videos and DVDs are small. They do have more, I feel, older books like encyclopedias and vintage books you may never have heard of, but they're 50 years old! Def come try this place out and see if it meets your needs!
Oh and did I mention that the cheapest book you will spend on is 50 cents?? STEAL! Haha -
Review from Tom L.
"There is no friend as loyal as a book." - Ernest Hemingway
Stores like this speak to me. I'm always looking for classic editions of my favorite novels, and Book-Go-Round had several I couldn't pass up. The selection is small, but the books they do carry are always in excellent condition. Everything in the store costs a fraction of what you would pay at a typical mega bookstore.
I love the intimate feel you get the second you step foot in here. Book-Go-Round is run entirely by volunteers and their passion for books is contagious. All of the proceeds benefit the Saratoga Library, what more could you ask for?
I'm a literature addict, thankfully Book-Go-Round is here to feed my addiction. -
Review from Alena B.
9/9/2011
This great little store doesn't have the best selection in town but you will always find something you'd like to read or something you've been looking for and at a terrific price to boot! Only a so-so collection of children's books...mostly good for contemporary fiction and some older editions. Not too much in the middle
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Review from terry h.
San Jose, CA
11/28/2009
The best deal book store in the Bay Area. Lots of cook books, exercise books, novels, computer books, classics, science fiction, travel, DVD's, records, Talkbooks, you need it, you can find it here and for cheap. I have filled up my car several times for almost no money. Next to Kerful cleaners, the Saratoga museum, across from the police station off Hwy 9.
Bring cash cause no checks or credit cards. Trust me, it's a great place. -
Review from Allison W.
Los Gatos, CA
11/10/2008
When I lived in San Luis Obispo, I frequented many a bookstore like this one: quaint, neighborly and inexpensive. Like, we're talking $1.50 for a used book--the Kite Runner or other new fiction may not go for that price, but, you know, a classic hard bound from the 80s or 90s would. I was surprised when I was checking out some of the Bay Area bookstores--$11 for a used paperback? I'm all about the used book smell but for $3 more, I can have a nice, crisp copy with no spine damage and no dog ears. Book Go Round is a breath of fresh air in the dark world of used rip-offs.
I've found some super classics here; one of my most prized books is a beautiful, absolutely pristine 1962 copy of Voltaire's Candide (I collect different versions of this book), which I got here for $15. I've found some great titles from some of my favorite Catholics: Thomas Merton and Kathleen Norris. I have several used copies of books by my sugar baby, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and countless others--all usually between $0.75 cents and $1.75. HOT! They have poetry, psychology, new fiction, children's, religion, economics, international, natural medicine & health, books on tape, philosophy, travel, and what have you. Pretty much a great all-around shop to pass through just to browse (it's rare to find something you're specifically looking for).
The people that work here are really cute and nice--I want to pinch myself sometimes when I go in there. It's like having in-laws that actually like you! Not that I would know anything about that...
And like others have said, bring cash. It's a no-plastic zone.Listed in: Tales of a Spineless Consumer
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Review from Joyce C.
Saratoga, CA
1/18/2009
Volunteer-run bookstore with very, very cheap, great condition books. Wide range of genres. Often can find new books within weeks of release.
Cash only, sometimes hard to find street parking. -
Review from Margi T.
1/11/2009
I've been buying barely used books at Book-Go-Round for years. It's such a cute little shop run by volunteers. The profits go towards the Friends of the Library non-profit, and you can also make tax-deductible book donations, of course. There's some real deals to be had here--great prices, great condition books, and great selection. If you don't see what you're looking for, be sure to ask if they have a copy in the back (they stock the shelves almost daily). Plus it's rewarding to not be responsible for the destruction of even more trees and forests.
The good karma equation:
Great deals + reads for you = helping a non-profit + saving the planet -
Review from Kenny P.
10/22/2009
Came here earlier today with a friend who recommended that I check out the place. I was kind of interested about browsing around in this place for a few weeks now. I walked in and immediately headed for the classics section to see if I could find any ones that I really liked to buy. Unfortunately most of the classics they had I had already read, and I decided not to buy any of those. Moved onto some other areas like poetry to find nothing noticeable, then just wandered around the rest of the store for a while.
After some looking, I started to realize just how cheap the books are here. And most of them are in good to excellent condition, you can get a really good deal here if you find the right stuff for yourself. Anyhow, I didn't find anything that I wanted to buy. But I am also currently in the middle of a novel and probably have a couple more lined up to read. So I might have felt a little overwhelmed with reading material before stepping foot in here. -
Review from Tygemo M.
San Jose, CA
7/3/2011
I can't believe that I have lived here for so long and that I have never heard of this place before today! I found this place by accident while online, and decided to take a look. I didn't expect to find much but I can't believe the selection and the prices.
The books are priced on a sliding scale - the older the book the cheaper it is (unless the book is rare or valuable or something). New(er) mass markets are $1.50-$2.00 each, but if you aren't picky you can get older books for 50 cents each. Trade-sized books and hardcover books are a little more expensive, but it is still cheap compared to other used book stores in the area. Most of the kid's books are 50 cents each as well. I left with 6 kid's nonfiction books and 3 trade fiction books and I paid a whopping $5.50 total.
The *only* complain that I have is that they don't take credit cards, although I think that if they did take credit cards I would end up spending a whole lot more. -
Review from Valerie F.
Cupertino, CA
5/19/2006
Formerly the town library, this small used bookstore is run by volunteers, with all books coming from donations and all proceeds benefiting the Saratoga Library. It houses a nice selection of books and some media, as well as miscellaneous items like sheet music. My favorite areas are the craft books and the foreign language section, and you can often find some of the newer fiction paperbacks as well, and all at fair prices. They've recently introduced a few bins on the main counter with "ephemera" items, like old maps and brochures.
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Review from Kimberly S.
San Jose, CA
2/28/2009
Have been going here for such a long time, ever since i was in elementary school.
i really like it here, you find some real good books, and sometimes these real authentic ones.
price is cheap, most of the books are in good condition.
i always come out carrying tons of books (:
and grandma's are always working there, and they are really sweet.
and don't worry its not like a run down place, the place is well air conditioned! sometimes it gets too cold. -
Review from Amy C.
9/16/2010
A great library bookstore attached to the Saratoga library, run entirely by volunteers. The books are significantly cheaper than the other bookstores in the area because they're run on donations to the library.
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Review from Andrew c.
Cupertino, CA
7/15/2010
so cheap.
everything i ever wanted in terms of books. (well sometimes a books not in but if you check often enough.. someone ends up donating that one book you wanted.. :D)
I really have nothing left to say.
best. bookstore. ever. -
Review from Mariam M.
San Francisco Bay Area
10/5/2010 1 Check-in Here
the glass castle
the road
atonement
white tiger
ALL for $11! What a steal! Really cute place. I thought they'd have a bit more of selection, but the place is small. Unfortunately they didn't have the autobiography of malcom x, but maybe next time! One of the women let me put in a request, which was so great. Great customer service.
Public parking across Saratoga-Los Gatos Rd.
Cash only.
Can't wait for the paperback fiction sale on the 23rd! -
Review from Jodi F.
San Jose, CA
6/6/2007
This is one of my all time favorite places. The book selection changes frequently, so I try to go at least once a week. It has such a warm and friendly atmosphere. Be sure to bring cash or a check because they don't accept credit cards. My only area for improvement is for a parking lot. Sometimes the street parking is full and the other businesses around don't allow bookstore parking.
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Review from Georgia M.
Mill Valley, CA
8/30/2010
Inexpensive books whose purchase helps the local library? How much better can that get?
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Review from P G.
Palo Alto, CA
7/26/2011 1 photo
Great place to get well-loved books at more than reasonable rates.
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Review from vanessa s.
Hollister, CA
12/7/2007
This place is my life and I have been coming here for over five year's. This is the place for any and all used books. Everything is more organized than any chain store out there! I'm able to find whole sets of author's works and than some! I love this place and travel close to over an hour and 20 minutes to come (I visit at least once a month) BUT I will say that certain staff seems to be baffled why I'm there and asked why "someone like myself would read so much", I think the staff must be suprised at a minority who reads so much? If it wasn't for these little comments, than I would give them my first born for the awesome books they have given me and my family through out the years! I have mad rad love for the book go-round!
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Review from Mary W.
San Jose, CA
12/7/2006
The Book-Go-Round is my all time favorite used bookstore. They are supported by donations and all their proceeds go to the Saratoga Library. Their prices are super cheap, and I've managed to find a lot of very cool old books here. It's hit or miss, as they always have different stuff, but that's just part of the charm. The friendly old ladies working there are great too.
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Review from Geoff C.
Campbell, CA
10/5/2010
I would give this place 4 stars for their great prices and decent selection but they get a huge fail in customer service. I went in one weekend to look for books on ecology and wildlife and found a great book I had been looking for. However, there was no price on the book. I went to the counter to ask about the price and was told they cannot sell books without a price already on it. I was told they would save the book and call me when the book had been priced by another employee. Understandable, so I left and was ASSURED that someone would get back to me. A week and half go by and I hear nothing. So, I call the store to inquire about the book I wished to purchase. The clerk tells me that there are no books on hold. I ask him to look for it on the shelf in case someone put it back by accident. I even tell him the exact section to look in. He comes back a few seconds later and says he doesn't see it. FAIL. I can only recommend this store for it's prices everything else is a crap-shoot.
