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Borderlands Books
Category: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Bookstores [Edit]
866 Valencia St(between 20th St & Cunningham Pl)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Neighborhood: Mission
(415) 824-8203
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 12 pm - 8 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
152 reviews for Borderlands Books
Review Highlights
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"A MUST for any horror/sci-fi/fantasy fanatic." In 27 reviews -
"My favorite films are science fiction." In 26 reviews -
"Oh, and don't forget to pet the HAIRLESS CAT." In 14 reviews
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152 reviews in English
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Review from Lily S.
Oakland, CA
3/12/2012
Borderlands is my Favorite. Bookstore. Ever.
Please don't let the fact that I'm fairly easy to please when it comes to bookstores (they have books? Woohoo! We're halfway there already!) fool you.
This place is incredible.
My first experience with Borderlands happened around this time last year, at a book signing/release party for local author Seanan McGuire. Even without knowing that it was strictly a fantasy/horror/sci-fi bookstore, I was stoked in advance -how many indie shops do you know that are willing to host a real *party*, complete with live music and cupcake loving-fans dressed as faeries?
Yeah. I was impressed. So impressed that I went back to San Francisco the next day (did I mention that I live in Livermore?) to really check out their shelves and have a cup of tea in the cafe. I always used to say, while browsing at Borders or Barnes and Noble, that I could blow up their horror and fantasy section into an actual store, and it would pretty much be all I needed. Hello! Needs met!! Borderlands has me covered, from the latest genre blockbusters to chapbooks. They even have back issues of Morbid Curiosity.
The store is always impeccably clean and organized, with tons of staff recommendations in every section. The staff themselves are insanely helpful and friendly, and they always have a smile ready for you, whether you're a brand new customer or a regular. These people are WAY nicer than a lot of bookstore employees I've encountered, and I love it.
Also: Kitties! I know every review mentions them, but oh my god I love those naked cats. Ash and Frost are so cute, and I'll be really happy when the wall they opened up between the bookstore and the cafe has door or something there so the cats can come back into the store.
In sum: Independent store with an excellent selection of books, host to local events and reading groups, super welcoming staff, cats, and a cafe to hang out and read in? YES SIR/MA'AM. Pretty much exactly why I'd rather make a trip into San Francisco when I need something new to read than just go over to the B&N in Dublin. Long live Borderlands! -
Review from Maxelope L.
San Francisco, CA
2/7/2012
An admitted sci-fi n00b, I came here only because I knew it's where I could find books by authors I now spastically love after hearing them read at the January "SF in SF" reading series: Ryan Boudinot (spelling?) and Ayize Jama-Everett.
Before I walked through its swinging screen door, I had no idea how genre-specific, awesome, and (best of all) INDEPENDENT is Borderlands Books. I recommend coming here for your genre-specific literary and pulp needs... Save the other independent stores for your general bibliophiliac tendencies, but Borderlands deserves to be the Go-to store for all SF sci-fi fans.
You could say that "SF in SF" ("Science Fiction in San Francisco") referred me here since, at their January event, they specified that Borderlands carries their authors.
When I walked in to buy Jama-Everett's "The Liminal People" (the book he'd read from), I was psyched to see that the store had an impressive display up front with his book and many other recently published books, basically every stack of which was author-signed. Very impressive.
Love this place. -
Review from Cheryl L.
San Francisco, CA
5/13/2012
I love this store. Amazing selection of used books. A haven for any sci-fi/fantasy geek. Extremely organized, friendly staff. My only complaint is that they don't have much of a graphic novel section but other than that, this place is rockin' the universe :)
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Review from Jessica O.
Kirkland, WA
5/20/2012
Awesome if you're into Sci-Fi/Fantasy, plus some cool gifts (besides books) and a nice coffee shop.
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Review from Jesse F.
11/11/2011
An absolutely fantastic indie SF/F genre bookstore. I loved everything about this place. If you're not experienced in the genre, the staff recommendations are really persuasive and will help you discover a new favorite author. Also, Ripley the cat is so ugly she's adorable. Don't be scared to find her hairless self rubbing up on you in the horror section.
Go buy a lot of books, then walk up a San Francisco hill. It's a complete mind & body workout. -
Review from Mel G.
3/11/2012
Like Kramerbooks in DC but... for Sci-Fi, apparently in SF. :)
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Review from Ivan L.
9/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a 5 star place. If you like reading SF or fantasy or horror something, this is exactly the place for you. There's no confusion about their business - you want geek books, they got geek books.
I wanted geek books. I got geek books. Party on! -
Review from M.J M.
San Francisco, CA
8/29/2011
not a good experience for me.. maybe i went for the wrong reason.
So my boyfriend and I went in, got two drinks and sat down in a corner to finish the drinks, and also some pastries we got earlier but didn't finish. I had a sip of the chai latter i order and it was honestly the WORST chai latter i have ever had. It tasted like someone just put some spices in water. Just right as I was being disappointed, the girl who worked in the bookstore came to us and said we were not allowed to have the pastries there and wanted to kick us out. I was very upset, since first of all, we bought drinks just to sit down for a while; second of all, the latte tasted horrible; third of all, they did not have any good pastries anyways; fourth of all, you don't kick out your costumers that way.
So sorry, you might be a good bookstore, but you were not nice enough to not ruin someone's day. I'd suggest being nice to other people. -
Review from Bobby D.
San Francisco, CA
7/15/2011
If your, genre is Fantasy, Sci Fi, or Horror they either have it or can get it. They sell new and used, and buy as well.
If your not into those genres, it is worth stopping by just to see the hairless cats on the days that they are in residence, then go next door for a coffee at their sister store, Borderlands Cafe.
I got turned on to Jasper Fforde here! Thursday is my hero. -
Review from Rachel H.
2/7/2011
OH MY CRAP!
I literally had this idea years ago before I knew such a place even existed. I said to myself, "I wish there was a bookstore that was strictly sci-fi/fantasy."
And my wish came true!
Um... I wish for a million dollars.
Anyways, excellent ambiance, very organized and amazing selection of new and used sci-fi/fantasy, plus the employees were very friendly, cheerful, and helpful!
Can I come live in your bookstore? I don't eat very much and I promise I'll be quiet!
P.S. LOVE Sphynx cats!! LOOOOOVE! -
Review from Jeremy W.
Oakland, CA
3/10/2011
I've been a science fiction and fantasy fan for most of my life and have been in a *lot* of bookstores, including specialty bookstores catering to, ahem, people like me. Borderlands is hands-down the best bookstore for science fiction and fantasy that I've ever been in.
It's not just the selection, which is excellent. The staff is relentlessly helpful and friendly, and entirely without the offputting fanboyism that is so common in stores that cater to a specialty audience. My wife, who didn't really like these genres, likes going to Borderlands -- they make her really comfortable -- and she's started to dip her toe in the water because ithey make it so easy.
And if all that wasn't enough, here's how they earned my lifelong loyalty. My stepbrother, who is also a science fiction and fantasy fan, did a tour in Iraq a few years ago. I couldn't do much to help him out, but because we shared this interest, I *could* send him books for the hours of boredom between firefights. So I did -- lots of books -- one flat-rate USPS express box at a time. And when I explained to the Borderlands folks what I was doing (in the course of trying to get recommendations for what to send him beyond my personal experience) they started just *giving* me used books in the series that they recommended.
Awesome. -
Review from Ronny C.
San Francisco, CA
8/6/2011 11 Check-ins Here
My favorite book store in San Francisco, and if you look at my check in list you know I visit a lot of book stores. It's not just that a big chunk of my reading is science fiction, it's also that the layout of the store makes shopping so easy. There's plenty of room around the stacks and the lower shelves are tilted making looking at books near the floor so much easier. They also have an awesome selection. I'm always finding something interesting.
The staff is great too. Always helpful when I have a question. It's also fun to listen to them interact with other customers, "I'm not sure when the next Martin book is coming out, if you're interested in some fantasy series that are finished I can point you to some authors".
They also have great author events. It gets a bit cramped for the more popular authors but where else are you going to go to see Scalzi or Stross around here?
The cats are fun too but if you've read more than a couple reviews here you know all about that.
My only problem here is it takes much longer to read a book than it is to buy one so my shelves at home are bulging with unread books which means I spend a lot more time here browsing than buying. -
Review from Alicia M.
San Francisco, CA
7/16/2011
This is the best bookstore, ever. I mean, obviously if you want classics, or fiction or something other than fantasy/scifi/horror you won't like it here. But you can just saunter down to Dog Eared for that.
They have an AMAZING collection. Always new titles, and up on what is poplar. They have great events every week, with really current writers. Also, the staff is super friendly and awesome, and very helpful with my questions. The hairless cat is also totally fitting and probably my favorite part of the store.
I sometimes wish they had a bigger used section, but they really do have what you want. I think it's just I wish I had more money to buy all the awesome books. They are also very affordable used books, though most of the titles I want are poplar and thus in new. I love this place. If you at all like sci fi/fantasy you'll LOVE Borderlands. -
Review from Shaun-Mathieu S.
North Hollywood, CA
10/9/2010
Famed novelist Graham Masterton has written over one hundred novels and a plethora of short stories. I was first introduced to his works about five years ago when I read The Doorkeepers, a suspense-ridden novel that deals with justice and crossing the borders of parallel worlds. His attention to detail, realistic characters, and compelling plots have entertained me for hours, and I'm left thinking about the books for days after I've finished them. I recently crossed a threshold into a new dimension myself - into the Borderlands of San Francisco.
I was immediately charmed by this bookstore. The first thing I noticed was a special wall display that housed only Zombie fiction. Horror is located on one one side, and Science Fiction commands the other, with the newer books towards the front of the store, and the resale items in the back. Their selection is immense and diverse. Comfortable seating allows one to leisurely browse through new editions and vintage volumes. I was here for an hour and a half at least, but time seemed to fly by. I bought three used paperbacks, including two by Graham Masterton, both of which were rare editions from the 1970s. The other was a short story collection by Tim Lebbon, which was practically brand new.
There are other bookstores in the vicinity, but for my reading preferences, I found this one to be the best. The customer service here is also quite good. I did not try their cafe next door, but it looks inviting. I have a feeling I'll be visiting this place every time I make a pilgrimage to that other, wonderful parallel world, known as the Bay Area.Listed in: Books Galore
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Review from P G.
Palo Alto, CA
2/26/2012 5 photos
I love when a bookstore can find its own niche and serve a group that isn't taken care of as they should be. While I'm not a 'sci-fi/fantasy and more' reader at all (ok, once in awhile), I still love that this genre has some personalized service. The adjacent cafe is awesome with one of the most comfortable settings in this wild and wonderful neighborhood.
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Review from Cage H.
Los Angeles, CA
2/18/2012
I came with a friend mainly for the attached cafe next door and was shocked to discover one of the most comprehensive fantasy/horror/sci-fi bookstores I've ever seen. The selection is incredible: complete series--complete works of some authors--including British imports that I haven't seen in a bookstore since moving back from Europe. They have obscure trashy sci-fi novels from the 80s that I thought were long out of print. An entire section is devoted to H. P. Lovecraft, along with writings by his fans and interlocutors (August Derlyth, etc.) and his complete nonfiction works (I didn't even know they were in print!) Also unlike the few similar specialty bookstores I've known, the aisles are wide, everything is clean and bright, and the books are all in prime condition. There may be a used and out-of-print section, but I didn't look for it. All in all, this is a true treasure trove for the hard-core fan of speculative fiction.
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Review from Jaime C.
A couple years ago, my sci-fi book loving husband and I took a trip here. Literally, it felt like a day-trip, because we had to take like eight buses to get there from Russian Hill. He spent an entire hour perusing the shelves. It's a small location, but they do well with the space.
Of course, I have no interest once-so-ever in the genre they cater to here. I'm still in my twenties and in college, so I prefer a dry but interesting academic book, preferably regarding to sociology, neurology, psychology...you get the picture. I am le boring. So, being the good girlfriend I was, I sat down and waited for the Boy to continue his search for the next midnight read, when a giant rat jumped on my lap and made a home. FUCK, what IS THAT?! Well, got out the iPhone - apparently it was a Sphinx cat; hairless, pink, and bloated. He purred as I tried to make the giant rat too happy to think about scratching my eyes out. I learned it had a name - Ripley. I was beginning to warm up to him when he started his cleaning routine, which had him stretching out his claws. It was like staring into the abyss. When it came time to leave, the Boy bought a postcard with Ripley on it to remind me of the special moment we shared together, and displayed it on our bookshelf to keep me in constant terror. I'd say it was almost as bad as the clown I had on my wall as a toddler, but those memories are hazy due to the PTSD I developed from them.
Fast forward to last Monday - we were in town getting Little Star, and the Boy decided it would be nice to go back to Borderlands for a new book. This time he was quick (we had somewhere else we had to be soon), but I noticed the absence of the King of Rats, Ripley, and inquired the staff about it - last year, Ripley died due to complications of cancer. Or he succumbed to the dark trenches of the earth to rule over the mole people. Either way, I'll miss him. They still have two Sphinx cats, so take the time to give them a pet while you pick out your next favorite read - because you need to get a good word in when the mole people inherit the earth. -
Review from Renee T.
San Francisco, CA
12/16/2010
I love books, but I've been mostly disappointed with the sci-fi I've read, so today's trip to Borderlands was my first. Chris, the guy at the counter, was friendly and knowledgeable, and he has the best knuckle tattoos I've ever seen.
Chain bookstores' employees often don't care or don't know enough to help, and Amazon's statistical recommendations can't explain what's great about a book. Once I'm done devouring The City & The City, I'll be back at Borderlands for more book recommendations.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Nick S.
11/9/2010
Borderlands is a sci-fi lover's dream. Covered floor-to-ceiling with epic tales of adventure and suspense, you could walk in every single day and always find a new book worth reading.
They also have an amazing used book section. I was able to pick up the entire Conqueror's Trilogy for $9, and that was after barely looking at the shelves.
If you can't find something worth buying in this store then you're obviously not looking hard enough! -
Review from Jack R.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 4/17/2011
This book store is still awesome!
So many scifi and fantasy books. They had all the Ian M Banks 'The Culture' books. I restrained myself and only got the first one, but I will be back. I really like the fact that I can always rely on them to have the books of major series. Did I mention that this place rocks!
Maybe I can get the book club to buy Dune here.....
;-)
I met one of the cats today. I forget the name but the cat was friendly!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/18/2009
Awesome bookstore! The staff is very friendly and the selection is outstanding. None of the… Read more »
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Review from Brian C.
San Francisco, CA
10/13/2011
I can't imagine a better store for sci-fi fantasy books. Great layout, amazing selection of books, just a very classy place. Please stop by if you want to browse - we really need to keep places like this in business! Good selection of new and used books.
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Review from Brian S.
San Francisco, CA
2/9/2011
Before Borderlands, I never knew a science fiction/fantasy/horror bookstore could exist. Thankfully we have one here in San Francisco.
I read sci-fi and fantasy from time to time, but not so often that I know many authors or series. That said, I went into the store looking to find a book with engaging characters, a fascinating plot, with fantasy or sci-fi background, but not one that forgot the story and characters matter most. So I asked for advice from Borderlands. They didn't just suggest a book right away. I described my needs and the clerk asked me some more detailed questions and voila- I got a great recommendation. I read the book and it was true to their advice! Thank you Borderlands!
The Borderlands Cafe next door is a nice addition to compliment the bookstore. -
Review from David B.
San Francisco, CA
1/15/2011 9 Check-ins Here
The best science fiction/fantasy/horror bookstore in the bay area, and probably the best in the country.
The staff are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and the selection is outstanding. Don't miss the used book section. -
Review from Anthony M.
San Francisco, CA
1/10/2011
Up until my visit to Borderlands, I had not realized that there are bookstores that cater to different audiences. I had done the best I could searching the Internet for titles that I picked up looking for authors of Dark Fantasy such as Robert E. Howard.
Stepping into Borderlands Books was an epiphany for me. Like really, I hate to sound like a noob but I was very pleasantly surprised. I felt real real small in a HUGE world.
Thank you Borderlands Book, see you soon, and very often. -
Review from Sooj O.
New York, NY
4/18/2007
So, I've been passing by Borderlands Books every weekend for over a year now without once stopping in. You would think that would be impossible, given the book fanatic that I am...but this is an amazing strip of bookstores with Borderlands, Modern Times, and Dog-Eared. I generally head straight for Dog-Eared... and I am only a very occasional sci-fi and fantasy reader.
However, since the book club is doing Philip Dick (whom I've been thinking about reading for awhile), I decided to check out Borderlands. And I was pleasantly surprised...once through the door, I was in one of the most beautiful and coziest bookstores I've seen since moving to San Francisco. Often, the word cozy would connotate small. But Borderlands is not a small space by any means. However, it has traditional small lamp lighting fixtures (flourescent just does not do it for me in bookstores) spotlighting very well organized bookshelves. It's easy to find what you want...as long as you are not distracted by the many many sci-fi and fantasy books here. I think I saw some comfortable seating near the back. I will have to check it out again when I have more time.
One of the topics that had come up during the book club oligarchs' meal at Fresca was Hans Christian Anderson fairy tales and their gruesome nature. I have never read the real Anderson fairy tales, only the sanitized kiddie versions. But a couple of people promised gore just as good as the Brothers Grimm. How can a gal pass that up? So I picked up a complete tales of Anderson in hardcover for only $14 dollars.
I didn't see the Philip Dick we had chosen on the shelves. I asked the guy at the cash register. He looked it up, realized that new copies were in the boxes that he had been in the midst of unpacking and promptly went through the boxes to find the book I was looking for.
Beautiful space, great friendly people. And isn't it nice to think that the sci fi and fantasy people have it so good? I think it might convert me over to that category of geekiness. A good bookstore does weird things to me.Listed in: Indy Bookstores, Bookstores SF
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Review from Jennifer M.
San Francisco, CA
8/2/2006
There is something about nerdy queers that instantly puts me in my comfort zone. Perhaps it takes me back to D&D days. Or grade 11 drama class.
But whatever the reason, Borderlands Books might just be my new comfort zone-away-from-home.
They have an excellent selection of sci-fi, horror and spec fiction, as well as the elusive gay-rotica fantasy genre (my term). "Rock's traveled the universe alone, and he's hard up for company on the space barge Bullet. Can he learn that love with a green stranger isn't so alien after all?" (okay, my imaginary book too)
The store is beautiful. With well-organized shelving and lovely woodwork details, it could be a hideout for an OCD sherlock holmes.
Being gay and fabulous is simply no longer enough. Being gay and knowing what LARPing is, now that is something. As I went up to pay for my special edition copy of American Gods (with beautiful new illustrations), I learned via second-hand phone call that the cashier was 'most definitively a bottom, and he wished that SOMEONE (apparently the call recipient knew of whom he spoke, but it was to remain a mystery to me, as if the rest of the call wasn't already altogether too much information) would finally get that through their thick head.'
I was in love.
And of course, speaking of cats, there's that hairless cat thing. -
Review from Hilary K.
San Francisco, CA
4/10/2007
In Plato's allegory of the cave, this is the sci-fi / fantasy bookstore that casts the shadows for every other bookstore. That is to say, it is seriously the best sci-fi / fantasy book store that I have ever been to.
My first visit, I was feeling somewhat at odds and ends, because I had read pretty much everything by every author that I liked. Amazon's suggestions just weren't cutting it. So, I end up in a conversation with the owner of the store, in which we walked through the shop and talked about what authors I've read, and liked or not liked. I ended up with 4 or 5 books. One of them was the first book in Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series. I've since read all of the published books in that series, and absolutely loved them.
The author readings are another great thing about this shop. I've attended three so far, and have enjoyed all of them. The authors talks I attended were by Guy Gavriel Kay, Kim Harrison, and Tad Williams. At each of these three, they let attendees get as many books signed as they want, although if you have a huge quantity you may have to go through the line multiple times to be fair to everyone else.
The newsletters (archived on their website) have hilarious tales of "The History of the Bookstore" because their 10 year anniversary is coming up. Think loosing a cat in the basement, the trials of ancient plumbing, and fun with building bookshelves. Just go read them because clearly I'm not that funny.
They also satisfy my new addiction: first edition hard-cover books :). And they almost always protect the dust jackets with BroadArt book covers. The only exceptions that I've noticed are when they have a huge influx of books for book signings.
And then, there's Ripley. She's the perfect bookstore cat. And currently her cousin Sly is staying with them too.Listed in: Favorite Places EVER
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Review from Kia B.
San Francisco, CA
2/7/2007
A great little spot nestled on the Valencia stroll. Stop on in to browse and buy, or chat with the proprietors. You can pick up tickets here for the filmfest free of the convince charge that is applied if you were to purchase online. I was pleasantly surprised when I stopped in the other day to see the new yelp adds on a bookmark featuring the lovely Ms. Nicole I. http://www.yelp.com/us...
HAWT. . . . -
Review from Angela B.
5/10/2009
Always reliable for new & used sci-fi / fantasy. I like going here when I can when I'm looking for something in that vein because a) supporting small independent shops makes the baby Jesus smile, b) they have an ENORMOUS selection, and c) I can walk there.
Other reasons for going there include super-knowledgeable and -helpful staff who are always happy to hunt something down if you can't find it, the cool events they have from time to time, and the sweet little hairless cats that can often be found wandering around the shop. For all these reasons, I'm happier paying a little more here than ordering from Amazon et al. -
Review from Teresa G.
San Francisco, CA
9/5/2010
Borderlands specializes in sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books. I don't normally follow these genres, but I couldn't help but go inside the store for a quick peek. The store has a reputation for selling a carefully chosen selection and its customers seem to appreciate it. I was only in the store for a few minutes, but I stayed long enough to overhear a conversation between two employees and a customer about a new book that came out. The conversation was passionate and well-informed. Bravo! I love it when bookstore employees actually know and care about what they're selling. These casual discussions between employees and customers show a dedication to customer service that bigger book retailers can't give.
The mission statement on their website begins: "We love books. They're our friends. Good books and bad books, 1st editions and beat up paperbacks. We love how they smell, how they feel, and the way they sound when you open them (A customer once said that he liked how they tasted. . . we watch him very carefully when he's in the store)." Right on.
Price: New books are retail price.
Selection: Specializes in fantasy, horror, and sci-fi.
Service: Employees are friendly and love to talk with customers.
Atmosphere: Warm, welcoming, and rather magical. -
Review from Thom H.
San Francisco, CA
9/15/2009
First things first, I own a Kindle, so most of the books I get are of the electronic variety. Convenience aside, I do love the experience of reading an actual book made with paper and what have you. Some people like to hang out at coffee shops, or parks, or whatever; but me, I like hanging out at books stores. Don't think I just hang out in them though, I do my duty and buy the things I enjoy ... funny story, most of my (not insignificant) credit card debt was due to my book buying habit. ANYWAY ...
I was taking a leisurely stroll through the Mission when I happened upon Borderlands Books. I'd heard about it on Yelp a couple times, but never gave it much thought until I saw the display featuring mostly Scf-Fi and Fantasy books. Neat! I walked in and lo and behold, this place is mecca for geeks like me! Lots of new and used books, some of which I'd never seen elsewhere. Definitely worth the detour, and I plan to come by often! -
Review from Veronica V.
San Jose, CA
2/18/2008
Borderlands is an immaculate niche book store.
They cater to the science fiction crowd and have hairless cat mascots. -
Review from Mike O.
9/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Fantastic little fantasy/sci-fi book store. Put it on your SF book store tour list.
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Review from Randy F.
San Francisco, CA
1/31/2007
Friendliest place you'll find, fellow sci-fi and fantasy nerds! I asked the owner about a certain series I had been reading (the Deverry series by Katherine Kerr, a fellow San Franciscan and helluva writer) and the next thing I knew, all 13 books were on hand at the store and ready for me to pick up. In fact, I need to go back---I think she's completed another one!
Go see 'em, and their bald cat, Ripley, too.Listed in: Mission and Bernal Faves
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Review from Flemm F.
San Francisco, CA
6/27/2008
A perfect book store.
Broad but not gluttonous selection, well organized but not o.c about it, not too dark but not sterilely overlit, strange and wonderful knick-knacks, and a cat.
And the customer service! The staff knows their stuff but would never ever make you feel small about it, no pressure sales, will offer to special order for you without you having to ask, warm, friendly, and enthusiastic.
The first time I went in I saw this strange statue of some kind of alien. As I leaned closer to examine it, it moved and I let out an embarrassingly girlish yelp. It was their sweet little hairless kitty cat. -
Review from neil c.
San Francisco, CA
9/2/2007 1 photo
The last time I was here they made me buy the Call of Cthulhu (2005) DVD.
Seriously, there is always something interesting when I peruse this store. It is a fantastic "genre-fiction" book store. New, used, DVDs as mentioned above, it's all here. They even have a friendly hairless cat to help you browse their stock. -
Review from Steve S.
San Francisco, CA
2/2/2008
I have always been a fan of SF & Fantasy since I was a little kid. And, oh, I would have loved Borderlands as a child.
You know, I am still a kid at heart and I love it now. I found a book by JG Ballard I've been looking for for years, I think its out of print in the US. No problem here, I didn't even have to order it.
You walk in and you just feel good. I mean, the hairless cat is a little creepy, but cute. But it just feels like a place of good. Seriously -
Review from Monica G.
Washington, DC
6/30/2007
This place is dangerous.
As in dangerous to your wallet. I went in, just planning on seeing what they had and walked out a half hour later with a ton of books in one hand, and a much lighter wallet in the other. :)
I loved this bookstore. It was clean, beautiful and had the perfect atmosphere. Really, really great place and the staff was exceptionally friendly. Five stars!! -
Review from Karsten P.
San Francisco, CA
12/3/2007
I hate you, borderlands
This is what I walked out with today:
- a novel describing the aftermath of a zombie invasion
- a graphic novel about the Second American Civil War
- a used book about aliens showing up in the middle of World War 2.
I have a substance abuse problem. And my dealer sells out of 866 Valencia. -
Review from Avani W.
Albany, CA
10/15/2006
I'm embarrased to say I've lived in this city for 2 years without stumbling on Borderlands Books. When I walked in, I was surprised that I'd ended up at the Sci-Fi section first. 5 minutes later, I realized the entire store was devoted to science fiction, horror, and fantasy books.
On the selection... I barely know where to begin. I am a huge fan of a British author whose books get published in the US fleetingly. Not only did this place have all of his US books; they had all of the British editions as well! They also had books in hardback that I'd thought to be long out of print. I saw editions of my favorite books that I didn't even know existed as I wandered through the clean, spacious, well-lit store. (No musty bookishness here; if you move the center shelves out the place has a cozy coffeehouse look. )
The guy who rang me up was knowledgeable and interesting. He even handed me a pre-print of a book by an author who he thought I'd like for no extra charge. I can't wait to read all of the books I got and come back here.
