Book Passage
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
27 Reviews for Book Passage
This is a wonderful bookstore. For some reason, most times I've visited it's been raining, so in addition to browsing a great independent bookstore, I got to sit down and read with the blustery window soaking this place's many windows.
Their selection is pretty extensive, and this is a really fun place to look through. It doesn't have the nooks and crannies that many bookstores have, but it makes up for that by being shaped circularly, so there is some sort of interesting element to it.
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I'm all for supporting local businesses, but the Book Passage has likely seen the last of me. This afternoon, with my mom, (on mothers day no less) the attitude of the staff has sealed the deal. My mom has survived 6 strokes, walks with a cane and wanted a book. She was able to get out the title, and no surprise they didn't have it in stock. The salesman's response was not 'We can order it for you." It was a curt 'That's a very expensive book.' The end, next customer. Except there was no customer, and my sister, my husband, my mom and I were dismissed. The phrase 'don't judge a book by its cover' springs to mind. I've worked more than 20 years in retail, you never know if the next customer can afford to buy you, the store and the strip mall and in any case if you think that a speech difficulty translates to a mental deficit, karma is a bitch. I actually made eye contact with the other saleswoman, and she went back to whatever was being looked at in the computer. Oh Amazon.... will you send me a book?
Tom Hanks as...oh who cares?: "...we're going to sell them cheap books and legal addictive stimulants. In the meantime, we'll just put up a big sign: "Coming soon, a FoxBooks superstore and the end of civilization as you know it."
Meg Ryan as Meg Ryan: "...but no one will remember you. And maybe no one will remember me either, but there are plenty of people who remember my mother, and they thought she was fine, and they thought her store was something special. You are nothing but a suit."
I was channel-surfing, and "You've Got Mail" showed up. While it's one of those damnably plasticine Tom-Meg movies, it does bring up the conundrum of indie bookstores who must face the massive price cutting of the megastore chains. Oh, how I wish there were more stores like Book Passage around. They have a much smaller store in the Ferry Building, but the Corte Madera location is the one to visit for some serious perusing.
I only became aware of this place because a friend of mine raved about a travel writing seminar they held here. I stopped by on the way back from Guerneville and wasn't thrilled to find this in a mall. However, the owners creatively divided their space into two parts, and the international side is the place to be. There are lots of travel books, tomes on how to expose your creative side, coffee-table books of all kinds, and a great back section for used books.
Night owl that I could be, I wish the store was open past 9:30pm like that other mass-market store whose name we dare not mention. I don't know if I'd frequently lay down a five spot to go across the Golden Gate, but I could see doing the occasional weekend drop-by and hanging out for hours and hours. The cafe also has WiFi for you perpetual laptoppers. Oh, how I wish San Francisco had a bookstore as humungous as Powell's City of Books in Portland
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Ah the good ole' Book Passage.
Privately owed bookstore, with a large selection of books, they get some of the most amazing people to speak there. To find out who it is that is coming you need to join their newsletter.
I use to go here every morning for a latte when I worked across the street. The cafe has some very delicious food as well. Fresh local produce and quality meats.
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Well, I'm a bit biased as I'm the marketing director for Book Passage, but even if I weren't, my opinion wouldn't change a bit--I'd still believe Book Passage to be a fantastic independent bookstore!
As a bookseller, we are obviously interested in selling books, but beyond that, we really want to bring great authors to the Bay Area & provide the Bay Area with excellent resources for writers and readers. We've been striving to do just that for more than 30 years & we proudly remain fiercely independent in spirit & hope that our readers and supporters will do the same!
We are so very thankful to our patrons, and if we are a new name to you, we invite you to come check out one of our many author events, as well as writing classes, writing conferences, our Cooks with Books events (exciting dining events with author-chefs), or to simply just come and check out all the great books at both our stores--Corte Madera flagship store and our San Francisco Ferry Building store.
Go to our website www.bookpassage.com & sign up to receive our e-newsletter (http://www.booksite.co...) to stay up-to-date on all the events we offer.
Also, check out our AUTHOR BLOG: http://www.bookpassage...
This privately owned bookstore has been a gem serving Marin locals for several years. They have an excellent travel section, and offer a multitude of author events. Among those to have spoken there are Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Anne Lamott, Isabel Allende, on and on. They have a monthly newsletter which lists all the events. It's one of the few things these days worth getting in the mail.
Have you ever seen that MTV show 'Boiling Points?' The premise of the show involves MTV challenging people with terrible customer service to see how much they can tolerate before blowing up or leaving the store/restaurant. I wouldnt be surprised if Book Passage were conducting a little boiling points experiment of their own.
Sure, I want to shop at small local businesses. I mean, I guess I do. Why not? Aside from the fact that Starbucks Coffee is just better than everyone elses, but still, this is a bookstore so you get the same thing no matter where you go. Book Passage just makes it flat out difficult for you. Its like they're challenging you, teasing you, and testing your limits to see how much of their "quaint little bookshop" antics you can tolerate before you head over to Borders or B&N.
The store is staffed almost entirely by cantankerous, mid-menopausal middle aged ladies who aren't helpful in the least. Maybe they're only into helping other grumpy ladies who are into Edith Wharton and Anita Desai. Actually I think the only time I've ever found what I wanted here was when I was looking for a Kiran Desai novel for my mom.
Other than that one incident, I've never gotten what I wanted here. Every single time they'll offer to order your book for you so you can come pick it up in 5 business days.
Thanks but no thanks. This is the part where I lose the boiling points competition and order my own damn books online. Or better yet, head next door to Barnes & Noble for immediate gratification.
PS: I once saw Salman Rushdie speak here. That was pretty cool.
PSS: I love Starbucks.
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Kepler's (in Menlo Park) it is not. And I think my rating of Book Passage suffers in comparison to Kepler's.
They do SHINE in their author speakers! All I have attended have been great, and as the hostess said this week, "the Marin audience never disappoints" in terms of good questions!
The space seems dated, as if it could really use a remodel, but the selections seem fairly complete and well organized, and the staff is friendly and helpful. The split-store concept never seems to work anywhere, though, and Book Passage is no exception. The travel/art/used books are all in a separate building right across the courtyard.
And maybe I'm nitpicking - I know it's in vogue to have food in bookstores these days - but the smell of someone's greasy fried cheesy thing while I was browsing the new arrivals literally drove me out of the store. Yeah, yeah ... isn't it cool that Cafe Borrone is NEXT DOOR to Kepler's and not inside!
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Before the Ferry Building location opened, city dwellers had to cross the bridge to experience Book Passage - my favorite independent bookstore in the Bay Area. They do a fantastic job of making the books leap off of the shelf and into your hands, via written staff recommendations, knowledgeable sales people, and an unbeatable roster of readings and book signings.
When I used to work in Marin, I would read the newsletter every month and try to figure out how I could skip out of the office for a few hours during the day to hear Isabel Allende or some other favorite author read from their latest work. It never happened, but it was fun to think about. They also have evening readings and some on weekends.
There is a great focus on travel and travel writing here, transporting you far beyond the mall and into the world outside, even if it is a rainy Tuesday night in February and your laundry is piling up at home.
The food counter is nice and has an assortment of sweet things and coffee - there is an apricot/oatmeal bar that makes me say "mmmmmm" out loud every time I have one, right before I crack the pages of my new read.
Book Passage offers a reader a place to browse, interact, learn, and ultimately, escape. They do this with a firm sense of community, which is exactly what a local bookstore should do. It is un-fancy, and you don't feel like you are being merchandised to death (I don't want to buy toys at a bookstore, thank you). They are serious about the pleasure of buying books, and I always leave with a bag full of wonderful works, eagerly awaiting the joy of curling up with one of them.
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This book store is a treasure to Marin County. I have seen my favorite authors speak here--they get big name authors to visit and speak in an intimate setting. You will never get as close to your authors as you will here. Their book selection is superb--and if they happen to not have it, they will order it for you, and it arrives fast! Their in-store cafe also offers a nice option to take in a hot chocolate while browsing a possible purchase. In an age of fast-growing mega-chain stores, stores like Book Passage are unfortunately a dying breed. I am so thankful that they are here.
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It appears to be on the outside a quaint, struggling little local bookshop. :'(
In reality, the owner doesn't truly support other local businesses that support or do work for him, yet expects the people of Marin to support him and "save" his store from the "big bad wolf".
I rarely found anything here, and the staff is usually cranky, or maybe they just don't know how to smile or interact with humans.
If they don't have what you want on hand without ordering it, go somewhere else. You'll save time, and money and spare yourself from the unhappy employees.
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I think this is my favorite bookstore.
Their selection is great and the staff is really knowledgeable.
But the thing that really sets Book Passage apart are their classes and author events.
I've seen all sort of world class writers doing readings here and I've also partaken in classes taught by some of my favorites.
Places like this deserve your business.
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Such an adorable, charming independent book store!
SUPPORT!
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We love patronizing this INDEPENDENT bookstore. Even though it doesn't have massive quantities of books; you get the feeling that the books were lovingly picked.
Wonderful travel section. We always buy books for our trips here. Nice selection of domestic travel and huge international travel section (even though we stay state-side--it's fun to "armchair" travel in this section!)
An emphasis on mysteries, sci fi, cookbooks and local authors.
Sweet and appealing kids and teens section. Wish I still taught or had a little kid to buy books for......
Large selection of BOARD books for those sticky-fingered babies and toddlers you love.
Nice PUPPET selection (larger, lovable Folkmanis critters) as well as story-book character stuffed animals (ie. Wild Things, George & Martha, Babar, to name a few)
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Fantastic fiction selection. I want to read (or have read) everything on their display tables. Also great that they host so many readings - everyone stops here! Props to the children's section too. I found a book here today that I have been looking for for nine years! It's back in print and they had 5 copies.
I would love to give this place 5 stars because it's independent and we have to support our few remaining independent book stores, but....the service is lame. The people who work here are cranky and snobby. This is not a one-off observation. It's been my experience for years now. It's a bummer to drive all the way to Corte Madera from Cupertino and then deal with the cranky snobs. If it wasn't for such a great selection of fiction, I wouldn't come here.
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Love the place
Used books are great.
The travel section is incredible.
Only reason it loses a star is for the cafe which serves some stale pastries
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Saw Isabel Allende speak here. "I write in English, but I make love in Spanish," she said. Excellent!
When A Clean Well Lighted Place for Books closed, Marin was in danger of loosing their big local bookstore scene. Through their passing, however, Book Passage in Corte Madera stepped up and filled the void that was looking to be filled by Borders and Barns & Noble. Thus, Marin still has a great local store and it draws authors from all over the country to do book signings and speak about their writings. And as a result, if you want to get a book that's been autographed, Book Passage is the place to look. Their prices can be a bit high, though.
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Let's see, I've bumped into Gary Hart, T.C. Boyle, and Sean Wilsey here, each promoting recent works at this renown independent bookstore. Not bad for my lunch break. I frequent the cafe since I work in the area, and while the food is so-so, the staff is always friendly.
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I'll admit it, I come from the pampered book store life in Berkeley where you have Moes, Half Priced Books, Pegasus, etc...
Also, I think I may have some sort of weird grudge against Book Passage since they took over the building that housed the greatest sushi restaurant in Marin.
But besides all that, I give Book Passage a hearty "meh". The selection isn't that great and I found it all a little pricey. But then again, last Christmas I was able to get a bunch of sleazy western/mystery paperbacks for my grandma.
Happy Christmas to Grandma!
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Best book store for travel and cooking subjects - Period!
Frequent author readings and lectures.
Go to Border's if you're looking for kiddie-daycare, coffee & pastries, a place to Wi-Fi, or to dog ear the magazines.
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Seriously awesome. I am cheap and occasionally poor, and often find myself sitting here for hours on end, enjoying books and magazines, or tea and cookbooks, or listening to a guest-speaker. I read the entirety of Garcia Marquez' "Memories of my Melancholy Whores" in one afternoon, nestled in a squishy chair and my favorite corner. Feels like you are at home ---- except this version of your home has a *really good* library. Right? Anyway, totally beats weirdo Borders and nasty Barnes n Noble. Eff that, BP is god.
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the most amazing used books section anywhere north of sf. support this local independent bookseller!
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One of the great still-standing independent bookstores in the Bay Area. You can spend hours in the main store or in their annex area just next door. The selection is vast, they have a little coffee shop inside and the staff is very very friendly. Five stars without a doubt.
They do tons of guest speaking as well so if you're there check out the schedule.
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One of last remaining independent book stores where the everyone on staff are readers as well. Talks by authors are (almost) always interesting and the carefully chosen used book section is excellent as well. Certainly, there are bigger book stores, but none is so inviting for a visit after a dinner or a movie.
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I have been buying books here since I was a child when it was a small book shop in Larkspur. This is the best and only place to buy books in Marin County. The staff actually reads (what a concept, something you won't find walking into B&N). Elaine and her husband's dedication to creating a fine book store has paid off. The author events are wonderful and the book selection cannot be beat, especially for travel books.
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I can spend hours in this book store. They have an a huge selection of books and a great used book section whose profits go towards Hospice.
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