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Category: Bookstores [Edit]
Neighborhoods: North Oakland, RockridgeTue. 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Wed-Thu. 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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My favorite used bookstore of all time.
Book Zoo is that quirky friend you had in college: Raving about a great old book they discovered in the stacks before rushing off to class. Later that day you run into each other on the quad. They were 45 minutes late to class, but it was canceled anyway, and hey, you wanna split a pint of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough?
You get home that night (with a stomachache) and, when you reach into your Jansport for your Critical Theory anthology, you pull out that great old book instead. It's amazing! It's also three weeks overdue. But one more night won't hurt...
For an idiosyncratic but satisfying selection of fiction, non-fiction, and Aquarian studies (fantasy in the guise of New Age studies), go to the Book Zoo. And bring a pint of Ben and Jerry's.
People thought this was:
This is the most unprofessionally run business I have ever visited. They have no regular store hours, and are basically open whenever it's convenient for them. One of the owners had another bookstore further north on Telegraph several years ago and did the same thing. He runs the place like his private residence rather than as a business. You never know if the place will be open or not. The last time I went to Book Zoo, I was at first happy that I had luckily hit them when they were open. But just as I started to browse, I was told that they were closing and I would have to leave. The reason was that one of the employees had decided not to show up. That was the last straw, and I will never visit them again. In my opinion, this store does not deserve to be in business.
great local book store. i like the special nights held in here. look in their calendar too see, and when there is one bring your own beer or wine, browse through the shelves while someone plays a sweet melody. great book collections too.
I absolutely love this place and its my favorite bookshop out of the hundreds I've visited (try to go to every one that I can wherever I go). I found it when it was tucked away in a little corner next to a fondue place when it first opened and moved out of town before they moved to their current location, but I make a point of visiting it every time I go back to the Bay Area and say hello to the owners.
In short a small enough shop to have a great *selection*, but large enough to have consistent turnover and new interesting stuff every visit.
People thought this was:
I have been going to the Book Zoo since DAY ONE! When they opened up their tiny hole-in-the-wall shop on Telegraph in Berkeley...I WAS THERE MAN!
Anyway, Book Zoo is now located in Oakland, but still on Telegraph Avenue. The latest incarnation is bigger and badder than before, with even more space for Erik & Nick's selection of hand-picked used books. Inside this store you can find a book on pretty much any weird subject you could dream up. Every time I step into the B.Z. Erik will thrust a book in my direction claiming it to be the latest most awesome weird find in the collection (yesterday it was book about old prisons, complete with floor plans and histories).
Book Zoo has a great selection of children's books as well, and I think that Erik's 2-year-old daughter probably does all the beta testing. There is even a hand-built playhouse in the children's book section...how awesome is that?!
In addition to the stellar selection of books, there are often interesting events going on at the Book Zoo. Sometimes there will be a poetry/novel reading, other times you might happen across music show or art event. Next Friday, December 14th, the Book Zoo turns 4 years old...so stop by if you can and check out the books and the merryment.
Get to the Book Zoo ASAP.
People thought this was:
This is the second installment in a series entitled "Best Berkeley Day Ever" (currently underway)
You know that episode of "The Simpson's" when Homer runs into Ron Howard on his way to the special celebrity zoo? ("Daddy, we're missing the fantastipotamus. She only sings twice a day.")
Well, The Book Zoo is officially my equivalent to a magical zoo. I was high on life and Gregoire's potato puffs when I passed the book zoo. Something told me to stop and have a look. It was almost 8pm so I knew I would be shit out of luck, but it was my "Best Berkeley Day" ever, so screw you logic. I agree with a previous reviewer, the owner reminded me or Ira Glass. Really nice. And the store was perfect. The bookstore of my dreams (yes, little square girls dream of bookstores). He told me to take my time, he would close whenever he felt. For a smaller sized store, the selection is top shelf (and their shelves happen to be very high) Not a lot (if any) of crap "filler books" and surprisingly, a lot of older bound books from children's books from the 40's to obscure medical guides.
There's the most enchanting little kids area complete with a little Christmas twinkle light filled play house. Just I was wondering why it was there I heard the most adorable little giggle. The wife and daughter of the owner walked it, and holy shit, she was a walking fertility ad. Cutest kid ever. She strolled right up to me, a perfect stranger, and invited me into her little house speaking the alien gibberish that only curly haired, perfect 2 year olds do. My heart was on the brink of utter collapse. OK, enough about the kid....
I walked out with 6 books (6!) from Gabriel Garcia Marquez, to Neruda for $21. Moses! He even tried to give me a dollar back because I was "such a nice customer". A shopkeeper, giving money back... shit God, I know it's a good day, but this is bordering ridiculous.
Part III: Nomad Cafe
People thought this was:
It's the nearest bookstore to me that doesn't only sell bibles and religious literature. This alone makes it great. Also, they seem to be on my schedule (open late) and I thoroughly enjoyed the dusty tomes on strange medical disorders that were prominently displayed in the front. Finally, I got a nice book for $10. That's pretty much all I can ask of a book store.
P.S. Helpful and knowledgeable cashier, not at all intimidating. Really nice guy who knows his literature!
People thought this was:
I just visited for the first time the other day and was quite pleasantly surprised. Cute little bookstore that packs a lot into its space. I had a great time browsing. Usually bookstores like these are poorly organized. Not Book Zoo! Had I been looking for something in particular, it would have been easy to find. As it was, it made my browsing all the more productive.
I have heard great things about the buying/store credit program and will have to look deeper into that. They will also let you know if/when that something specific you seek comes in.
Very friendly, not intimidating, but very knowledgeable. Fun place to while away a few hours pouring over books. And great political/enviro selection. I'll be back just for that!
Owner of this bookstore reminds me of "This American Life's" Ira Glass. He's friendly, soft-spoken and very knowledgeable. And definitely quirky to have opened a bookstore where 90% of the selection is at least a decade or more old.
It's like a treasure hunt in here... You might not find the new best seller that just came out but you'll stumble across an old book about "kitsch" or "iguanas."
There's also a couple boxes full of vintage pamphlet's perfect for collectors, set designers, or anyone needing a laugh. They also have a bunch of "Chick Tracts" which I find ironically hilarious.
If you're lucky, Ramona will be there. She's "Ira Glass's" daughter who will probably strike up a toddler conversation with you. I don't know what she was trying to say to me but it's freakin' cute.
People thought this was:
Book Zoo is the place to go if you're looking to stock up on modern classics and more for $2 (this selection is towards the back on a flat table). The staff are friendly and the atmosphere is welcoming and unique. Last I went there was tasteful jazz music playing, which is what I need sometimes after listening to pop or rock 'n' roll all the damn time.
I found exactly what I was looking for and even picked up some surprises, overall wonderful selection.
Support Book Zoo!
People thought this was:
The Book Zoo is one of my favorite bookstores in the Bay Area. It's even better with their new, larger space. It's one of the friendliest, most genuine places I've been.
This is the kind of place you go to on a lazy Saturday afternoon to spend a good while browsing all the curiosities on their shelves. You're not going to find mass market fiction, or mass market anything for that matter. Rather, you'll find an extraordinary hand-picked selection that reflects the interests and whims of the proprieters (who, by the way, are excellent people and always willing to chat). I've bought books about Rasputin, outdated medical texts, a german book on kickboxing and a few pulp science fiction novels dating back to the 50's and 60's. Need a memorable gift for the loveable bookworm in your life? Go here.
Also, they have a children's book section that offers some excellent deals on used kids books. Just ask Ramona, the toddler daughter of one of the owners who is often crawling around the store.
This is a bookstore that creates a community, and that's something that's rare these days. It's the kind of place that will give you a story to tell. Also one of the few places that regularly gives you $2 bills as change.
People thought this was:
Yeah Book Zoo!
This is the coolest place to find a book and know they are right near Ethiopian food lane so you can grab a bite and go hang. I love the owner, he's mellow and he really wants you to read a good book, and it is clear that he loves what he does.
Isn't it always better to buy something from someone like that?
The selection is eclectic, but I am sure you will find something if you head it, I have gotten some lovely vintage sheet music that I framed and adore. There really is something for everyone there.
People thought this was:
The books are really exceptional. Down with Borders!
Whenever I have spare cash, I walk over to Book Zoo. I never go in looking for anything particular and I am always happy with my arms full when I leave. Last time, I picked up a really great history of the IRA. It was marked 20, but they gave it to me for 17. I really enjoy browsing here and I find they have several topics that I would like to read more about-- gender issues, unions, american history. I'm really glad to have them in the neighborhood.
People thought this was:
OK, I live right around the corner from this place, and it rocks, if you like funky little used books stores. I happen to...
Baby friendly as there is often a little guy in diapers running around and there are piles of toys and books for tots in the back.
Stumbled into this place, what a happy surprise! Genuinely great book selection, especially of art books and graphic novels. It's very comfortable going in, like stumbling into a familiar college professor's living room.
Book Zoo is a beautiful mess. The owner & his fellow counterman are sweet, knowledgeable weirdos. You could come here looking for something specific, but you will probably leave with something different. I love this place.
People thought this was:
I followed the five star rating to check out this small, but 'well edited' bookshop....sorry to say I didn't quite see the 5 stars in the selection...
So, I will admit that I have specialty tastes - I'm mainly an art book buyer, or graphic novels, or architecture...and of course fiction (some mainstream, but moreso wierd/outsider/gothic stuff) - so, I'm afraid, nice as this shop is, the selection in those areas was...meh...
If you're political and or environmental or academic...then this seems like the place for you...
it's really a shame that i don't go out with that one dude who lived around the corner from this place anymore, or wait, it's NOT a shame, but still, it would have been nice.
i remember when this bookstore used to live further up telegraph & i used to live further up telegraph, too. i used to come in & peruse & always be so excited, because then, like now, it was a trove of hidden treasures. only now, it's a much bigger & better trove.
the owner is neat, his wife is neat, his daughter is neat, the kids section in the back is neat and sometimes my friend sydney works here, which is also really neat, but i might be biased.
they have a wonderful selection of books all over, and the staff are knowledgeable and helpful, so if you're looking for something specific, they can help you find it. but even better is pawing through the books yourself. not knowing what you're going to find makes finding it even better, if you ask me, and this is the perfect sort of place for not knowing what you're going to find.
People thought this was:
There are plenty of treasures in this cozy little shop. It has just the right atmosphere for a used bookstore: aged wooden shelves, quirky signs, and good folk music. The owner is very friendly; I got in a car accident outside his shop, and he was most helpful and courteous. Hocking used books is a difficult business, so go support the Book Zoo!
I love this little place. It is not tidy. It's mostly tidy, but there are still heaps of books here and there. Sometimes things are mis-filed, "The Secret Garden" was in Gardening today, but "Invisible Man" was properly shelved instead of in SF, where many bookstores put it. It can be a bit dusty. And often, when I go in looking for one particular book, it's not there. But something else ALWAYS is, something good, and cheap. Today, I got a century-old history of the Romans in Paris for four dollars. It's a magical place for folks who just want something really and truly interesting to read, with nice people attached.
this place is kind of magical. they have an odd assortment of some supercool finds. i like it, i'm happy to have stumbled in..... and stumbled out with some treasures.
Neighborhood: North Oakland
Category: Bookstores
Neighborhood: Montclair Village
Category: Bookstores
Neighborhood: North Oakland
Category: Bookstores
Neighborhood: Old Oakland
Category: Bookstores
Neighborhood: UC Campus Area
Category: Antiques
Long ago, in a land far far away.... I was trusted…
