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Categories: Music & DVD's, Bookstores [Edit]
Neighborhood: Inner RichmondMon-Thu. 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
"Life without Amoeba would be like life without food, water, sex, or coffee. It has the potential to be as dangerous as all of the above as…" read more »
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The absolute best used (and new!) bookstore in the history of the world.
They have a used selection of books like no other.. and everything is laid out in a comprehension manner. Not your normal overly packed, damp, dusty, dusty used bookstore. This place is a used-book HAVEN. And I swear to God, they have like every book imaginable both new & used. It's a tad ridiculous, really. You could (and I have!) easily spend hours in this place, just thumbing through books.
The store is laid out over two very large floors. Each section is clearly marked.. with shelves dedicated to the New books, and shelves for the Used. It's very easy to navigate. All the used books are in GREAT condition as well.
Oh- and they're dog friendly. I've actually heard them come on the speaker before to announce, 'To the guy who just tied his dog up outside-- We're dog friendly!! Bring the dog on in!"
Awesome.
My only complaint is that I wish the Children's section were a bit bigger. The books in that department are a bit messy and hard to find. Especially the thin, paperbacks. In an ideal dreamworld they would have more space in that department with maybe a bean-bag chair or sofa or something to sit and go through kids books. Hah.
Anyway. This place ROCKS. If you have family or friends coming into town, you've gotta bring them by here (and then maybe to Burma Superstar for lunch). It's good enough to be a tourist attraction.
.. be forewarned, parking in this neighbourhood can be a sonofabitch.
I love the laid back atmosphere in here, when ever I finish have a meal in the area, I will complete the night in the normal ritual, walk around on the street, go inside of this bookstore and finish up the night with a stop at Genki crepes.
I love the vast selection of new AND used books! There is seriously something for almost anyone here, unless they don't read, but if that is the case why did you wander into a bookstore in the first place. Something about this place kinda reminds me of a Trader Joe's or this old video rental store I used to go to when I lived in Davis, the staff makes little cute/funny cards, talking about the book, why they like it, I guess it gives this place personality, which is something you don't see in those larger chain stores. The staff here is super friendly and very helpful, and extremely knowledgeable. I will say while they have the books sort of broken down by genres, it can be difficult to find the book you may have gone in looking for, but part of the fun (for me) is the chase, and I have stumbled upon some awesome books here in the process.
I love walking around here checking all the new and used books, but almost always, I end up in the cooking/food related section, which drives my g/f crazy because we usually have just come from a restaurant... Still thanks again Green Apple! Now off to go get me a crepe.
Even though this bookstore has been voted one of the best bookstores in the bay area, I slightly disagree with this award. What's unique about Green Apple Books is the fact that you can sell, buy, and trade books with the store. Thanks to that, this bookstore is surrounded by different cultural books and music, gaining different perspectives and generations.
It is not very well-kept, meaning that if you are looking for a particular book it may be difficult to find because of the disorganization. It is very crowded and there is usually a wait whenever you are purchasing a book or a CD.
They play somewhat loud music in the store, and it is very distracting when it mixes in with the loud noise coming from the crowd. Since it is a little hard to concentrate in this bookstore, I recommend going to one that is quieter. Personally, I prefer a quiet and calm atmosphere more whenever I'm purchasing a book.
Gotta love Green Apple. This is the best new and used book store that I know of, anywhere.
Multilevel and quite well organized. Not the sterile corporate bookstore feel. This is more of a neighborhood and San Francisco icon. Nearby are coffee shops to sit and browse the books you just bought. And the beauty, is that you won't be broke :-)
This bookstore has been around ever since I can remember. . . it's not a bad thing at all, because these places are definitely hard to come by. The two-story bookstore (the floors creak which give this place character) is filled with new and used books, almost to its gills if it were a fish. There are also many discounted books to choose from. Whenever I am in the area, I always have the urge to go in just to see what interesting books I will find (reading the employees reviews help). . . and it seems I never leave the place without a book in my hand (purchased of course). Come here, browse and take home a good book(s) to read!
I also love the new and used books here. Didn't find the map very helpful.
It's unfortunate that they don't have a bathroom- you have to go to the Toy Boat cafe on 5th and Clement.
Not like this bookstore need another review, but I must!
I am not a book person. I can support that statement with the mere fact that it took me a year to finish the last book I read. Yet - I find this bookstore quite lovely. I can spend hours here -- not reading but gawking.
Not only are the prices low but they have a great selection. This is the feel-good-at-home bookstore.
I left my first visit to Green Apple with a copy of erotic Mad Libs for 99 cents. Remember Mad Libs?
gleeful, knowledgeable staff. They genuinely know what quenches your thirst for fine literature.
the store has a variety of books to offer, sectioned off in what seems to be a more sensible way than larger bookstores such as Borders.
Used sections throughout provide good-quality literature at discounted prices.
excellent magazine rack and dvd selections next door.
This is the place. Its like Amoeba for used books. They even have highly discounted coffee table books and the like, still in the shrink wrap.
The annex, a couple doors down the street, has all the music, graphic novels and pulp sections.
You can spends hours in this place.
I love their:
staff recommendations
cookbook selection
children's books and toys
upstairs: used book section
knowledgeable staff members
friendly attitude
music selection
late-night hours
cute statue =)
Out of all the books stores I have ever been to, this book store is my all time favorite!! I have been coming here since i was in middle school back in the 1990s. They have everything here! The staff are very helpful, and the atmosphere is very relaxing.
I am obsessed with used book stores. With that said, I could get lost in Green Apple Books for days. I recently spent hours in here and I feel like I didn't even get through a quarter of the store.
Buying used books here definitely doesn't compromise quality. I bought a few classics and they were in great shape and were decently priced. They have multiple copies of many titles, which is always nice- I like having several of one to choose from.
If you're a bookworm like myself, Green Apple falls nothing short of a book lover's heaven.
This is my favorite bookstore. I find the old style interior to be enticing. I also believe that because it's not as reader's friendly with the creaky floors, narrow walkways, and no chairs...it causes you to want to purchase the book and read it elsewhere. Whereas at a chain such as Borders, I tend to stay and get through a book and not leave with it.
The prices are reasonable, New and/or Used. Their collection is superb and I tend to find books that I wouldn't find elsewhere. While in school, Green Apple was my go to store for text book in the city.
It's a great place to hide out and envelop yourself in quality books!
picked up a book Harold McGee's on food and cooking. That book has so much great info. highly recommended if your serious about cooking.
If you think you will come here for a quick glance, be prepared to get distracted and stay for hours browsing books, unless you're a really sane person. My last visit here was quite a long afternoon. They have a wide selection of various topics and you're most likely to find a used copy of something you have been wanting to buy for a while now.
I really appreciate their collection of cards, notebooks, journals and other useless/useful crap I tend to splurge my money on. Why at least I have a stock of tasteful thank you cards to send to Grandma these days.
This is probably the better spot to sell your books around the city because there's a chance they might buy something. However, you really don't get too much money back if they do buy your copies. Maybe Ebay or Amazon?
Oh yeah and thanks to the the helpful and friendly staff!
By the way, I will try my best not to head to Green Apple until I could seriously finish the stack of books piled on my floor.
Absolutely fantastic independent book store. I can't thank AJ enough for telling me about this place.
I picked up all 4 current releases of O~Shinbo and a great new psych book. The staff are friendly and very helpful. The book store itself just has that great indie, old store appeal. I love it. Could spend hours there.
Please support local, independent book stores! Screw B&N and Borders!
Oh Green Apple how I love thee. Really good selection of new and used books. Also, a fairly big section of graphic novels both new and used. The staff are also very nice with a wealth of book knowledge. You could spend hours in this place and when I used to live 6 blocks away from you, I did!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. I can wander for hours browsing their thousands of new and used! books.
I love the fact that the floor creaks and that every time I go up a staircase, there are more books and more adventures waiting for me!
I went there yesterday, found books I never knew I wanted to read and even more that I've been putting off for too long.
Prepare yourself; there is also a banned book section!
Nothing but love for this place. The staff are friendly and helpful too!
What a great bookstore! From the outside, Green Apple looks a little sketchy. But inside, you'll find all sorts of books for every kind of literary taste. The bf and I were waiting killing time. We went in and browsed. I walked out w/ 4 books while the bf wanted to come back and browse through some more. The employees here are so friendly and helpful. They will give you their suggestions/thoughts on books, especially the new ones that have come out. You can sell your used books here as well. I'll definitely take advantage of that someday. A MUST is their SALE section. I found a book that was retailing at $26 from a bookstore we had visited earlier in the afternoon. At Green Apple, I saw the same book for $5! Good thing I didn't buy it earlier. Like a slap in the face.
This is a great bookstore that gives you a home-like feeling when you walk inside. The staff were great when I needed to find a book and they have most books, but sometimes they don't have the book I want. It's a really nice store if you live near here and need to take a quick stop by a book store this is the place to go. Their used section is actually very nice too, good quality and good price. This is the best book little book store I have been too and they have a great amount and variety of books, dvds and magazines. They may not have as much as borders but I could definitely say most of the time their staff is more helpful and kind than the ones in borders.
Amidst the eclectic array of books filled with miniature art, hamburger jigsaw puzzles, tattoo magazines, and even plush toys in the form of viral diseases, I found the magnet that perfectly described my little secret:
http://static4.px.yelp...
Do yourself a favor and don't go to Brothers Korean BBQ just before coming here. As you're browsing the latest Grisham, you may attract patronizing, pinched-nose stares from the charcoal aroma you've been carrying from a block away. They tap you on the shoulder and say, "Brothers, right?" to which you acknowledge affirmatively with a hint of shame. Not that I would know. Ahem.
Odorous or not, you can always rely on Green Apple as the stellar albeit compact indie bookstore that it is. Everything is here - books, CDs, DVDs, their personalized paraphernalia - in ever-tightening shelves on two floors. It's been there for over forty years, and now it looks oddly off-kilter with all the Asian restaurants and grocery stores all around it. But you can still say hello to Mergatroid, the strange, jumbo-sized gnome in front of the store surrounded by all the used books on sale.
I have to admit my favorite new thing about Green Apple is not in their store but on their Website where they feature short comic videos for their book-of-the-month selections. I think they're using Stow Lake to masquerade as the Amazon rain forest to hawk Werner Herzog's "Conquest of the Useless", the filmmaker's diaries of filming his 1982 epic disaster, "Fitzcarraldo". It's their July selection, and the store staff do well as a crack improv troupe...or an improv troupe on crack, one of the two.
Top-notch used/new bookstore with annex with music. Since the clearance annex is gone less impressive but definitely worth going to if in the area.
Wow, out of all the bookstores I've encountered...this is the one where I want to read a book and sit in the corner like a little kid against the wooden panels. They have everything from old to new and it's very organized. My boyfriend even found "The Bunny Suicides" the first 5 minutes we were there (which he has been looking for every time we encounter a book store). I love that they have little index cards with descriptions and staff reviews on it, so cute! They even have a upstairs in a half which is even better because it's like your own secret attic or something.
See, this is what Green Apple does to me, I get lost in it! If I lived in the city, I would want to spend every day here. Borders and B&N should be ashamed of themselves!
Green Apple, it's the place to be. If you like books. Not so much if you don't. If you like books on food, you're stoked! Crazy, cool and hard to find stuff amidst the Betty Crocker schwag. Good luck though, I ravage that shit hard and regularly.
Shopping here is fun, but selling is not. The last couple times I've visited to unload some books, the amount of attitude I received was annoying. It's kept me from going back for some time.
Block out at least 3 hours of your day just to spend wandering around this cavernous bookstore. The staff is uber helpful. At the checkstand they will usually point out to you if there is a used copy of the book you are attempting to purchase. if you are like me and don't mind a slightly dog-eared copy, you can really save yourself mucho dinero. Hands Down Favorite used bookstore in SF.
Out of all the bookstore I've visited in San Francisco, this store is one of the best. I can't imagine you could go in there with a book in mind and not find it, on top of finding something else. The selection is quite extensive.
AND they have great cards--I found a perfect birthday card for my mother.
Plus, you gotta love a bookstore that has staff reviews. That means they are actually reading and enjoy their profession! It looked like they had good tastes too. You don't have to worry about your gag reflex because they don't advertise Dan Brown or Twilight or any of that nonsense like at BN/Borders (sorry if you are a fan).
Go out and support them and find an inspiring book!
When I'm on Clement Street, Green Apple Books always sucks up all my time. As all the other reviewers have already noted, this is a truly fantastic new & used bookstore. A gem of a bookstore, complete with old creaky staircases (creaky = one of my favorite sounds in the world!).
Everyone has their own reasons for loving this bookstore, but here are a couple of my own reasons why this is my favorite bookstore in the world:
+ The people here know books, and you can tell because when you talk to them, they're knowledgeable. Also, the staff puts up these little hand-written notes about their favorite picks around the store.
+ They have an extensive new & used cookbook section. I always lose myself for hours in this section.
+ They have a lot of general, mass-appeal books, but what's even greater is the sheer volume of truly esoteric finds. You'll know what I mean when you come in here.
+ You will always be surprised by what you find here, that's why it's such a time-sucker. I'll often walk in here and then do a double-take as I walk past some really random/interesting find.
+ Like I mentioned before, it's got creaky staircases. I know this is purely aesthetic, but the wooden floor and the look of the whole place is very appealing to me.
Best of all, this is the kind of place that makes you WANT to read. God bless these kinds of rare places, full of treasures waiting for you to discover.
Thank you, Green Apple, for being that special place for so many people who just want something good to read.
Just brilliant. Absolutely a bookshop to get lost in, creeky floorboards and wooden shelves give way to little annexes and rooms just chock-a-block of books and music. It's actually spread out over two stores on Clement one for music and magazines and one for books.
I found the staff in both to be very friendly and very knowlegable and I was able to spend a good 3 hours in the bookstore. I was also able to find an elusive book about the Sutro Baths that had failed to turn up in Barnes & Noble or Borders yet was hidden away here at the Green Apple. One of the best touches about the whole place were the staff's testimonials on little handwritten cards and they weren't just like the ones at Borders where they've reccommended the DaVinci Code or No Logo these were heart-felt suggestions of some truly obscure and wonderful bits of music and books. Kudos for that.
It's pretty much the perfect bookstore. If I could fault it on anything it would be a lack of sofas but I have a feeling that 'proper' bookstores don't need sofas since you're constantly darting from one shelf to another looking at the super selection.
This is the place you probably imagine when reading about musty old libraries with tons of books. If you love books, creaky floors, several stairways, maps, signs and all around relaxed and easy going goodness, this is your store. They are open pretty late as far as bookstores go, which is a huge plus. Glad I found it!
A veritable labyrinth of books, music, magazines, DVDs and music.
They give you decent store credit for selling stuff, and the records are pretty inexpensive.
The staff is awesome.
I'd say more but I think you should probably just go instead.
Love it.
I am a book lover. I have over 400 titles, sitting and watching me do my daily routine. Some are tattered after years of reading and rereading. Others are new, bright and cheery but secretly giving me the evil eye while I sleep. I have yet to crack many of the recent acquisitions and they sit, with angst, on my window sill, a good 6 feet long. I had to leave another couple of hundred or so at home because my little place here in the city just cannot handle the load.
Green Apple Books carries a sweet little variety of new books but the treasures are outside in the softly used bins. I leaned against the wooden side, sifting through the many books while the fellow did a little perusing, patiently awaiting my search. I procured the neatest little art book reflecting pieces from the modern art museum in Zurich for a good friend of mine, hoping for a little artistic inspiration. For $2.38. Used. New, it would have been $25.
Cheery disposition inside and out, fantastic prices and the nicest staff ever.
I'm of the mind that all indy book stores should be supported. Though I come to Green Apple often I rarely walk out with any books. The reasons are:
-Their new stock they carry is very narrow.
-The new books they do carry are all cover price (even NY's Strand has a % off the cover price)
-No bathroom. You have to go a block down the street and there's a chance you might spend your $ elsewhere.
On the plus side the staff is always great and no attitude.
Thank you green apple for having cheap books! Compared to Borders of Barnes & Nobles that jack up the prices, green apple keeps the prices low, so people can actually enjoy reading books without breaking the bank! 8 dollars for "Chew On This" compared to what borders sell it for... yeah.. nothanks! haha and another plus is that I live very close to Green Apple!
Where do I even begin describing Green Apple?? Seriously, green apple.. do you have a quarter? Cuz I need to call my mom and tell her I met the bookstore of my dreams!! It will be a life long, til death do us part relationship for us, someday when we celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary I will shove cake in your face and tell everyone that there was never a dull moment...
My favorite time to visit green apple is when I have nothing in mind, and can just browse for hours.. However, when I go because I am in search of a particular book I usually end up getting lost browsing for hours.. I go in for Science Fiction and find myself in the world religions section...
Whoops!
The old creaking floors, and narrow halls lined with wonderfully smelling old and new books is as therapeutic to me as laying on the beach is for any normal person :)
Why else do I love Green Apple?
1. Inexpensive! I love the used books and even the new ones have a nice low price on them! (But used books have so much character!)
2. The staff... so helpful and nice.. I brought my roommate here because she needed to get some science fiction books for her BF's birthday. She had no idea what to look for, and the next thing you know we had 2 guys (who knew their science fiction) sifting through the good stuff, and helping her pick out 5 books.. none of which her BF has read, and all of which he is loving!!
Green Apple.. you rock my world in so many ways, if you had a penis I might forget about men all together!
If you love books, you'll have a total orgasm at this place!
I just recently joined http://paperbackswap.com to get rid of books I've already read and get new books. I LOVE the site. I've now become obsessed with looking for new books I want to read, but at a small price.
I read about how this place has a gazillion books, both new and used. I walked in and I had major book ADD. I swear I didn't know where to look. You can totally get lost here and they have a handy little handout to let you know how the books are categorized.
I walked around in a total daze. I first hit the cheap bins outside in the front. Dude, books for $1!!! Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeey! I found a book that didn't have a price, so I grabbed it and was going to ask how much it was when I checked out.
I walked all over this store and seriously, I had total orgasms at how low the prices were. Obama's book? $10! Ahhhhhh! Kite Runner? $8! Ahhhh!! Pure ecstasy!! Those books at Borders or other stores run $15-25! No thank you!!!!!
Anywho, I snagged a book at the front for swapping and that was 92 cent! What the who what the, 92 cents, you say? YEEEEEEEEEEES!! Elsewhere, $15.95! Fuck that, gimme it for under $1! Get a book or 6 donut holes? Tough call, but yes, you can get a book for under a dollar in mint condition. Gum is more expensive than a book!!
After wandering aimlessly, I had 3 books and went to check out before I filled up my basket with a load of books. I asked the woman about the book I had that didn't have sticker on it. I told her it was in the $1 bin at the front and she said "Oh, since it doesn't have a price on it, it's probably in the free bin. It's free." Oooooh myyyyy gaaaaaaaawd! Whaaaaaaaaaa? Apparently they do this for books they've had around a while. Hells yeah!
I got 3 books ... total cost? $5.34. Awe my goodness!!!!!! Bargain!!!!!!
Seriously, goodbye Borders, Booksmith, Bookshop Santa Cruz (omg, did I say that?), Books Inc ... oh man ...
You can't beat Green Apple's awesome selection and crazy discounted (or free!!) prices. Great place to stock up on best sellers that are next to new condition.
I love you Green Apple! I'll take a bit out of you anyday!!!!!!!
Now if I could only read faster than I buy books ... I need to take a speed reading course ...
Just try dropping in to Green Apple "for a few minutes". I dare ya.
I can't do it. You can't do it. No sentient human being can do it. Green Apple Books is like the Island of Lost Time for smart people.
I love Green Apple so much I want them to rip up the planks under the Featured Books in the main store and bury me there. I'd give the place 26 stars if I could. I own two Chico bags, so that I can keep one in my purse at all times; they both have the Green Apple logo printed on them.
What did I find here? "The Bunny Suicides" series for my droll older kid. The birthday card that made my brother laugh out loud. A signed first edition of "The Lovely Bones" -- USED. Sloane Tanen's insanely funny chicken-diorama books ("Bitter With Baggage Seeks Same" -- LOL), which inspired many family art projects. Dave Cullen's "Columbine": probably the best money I've spent on a full-price book in the past year.
Don't miss the annex (skip a door; it's down the street), but the best stuff is often on the mezzanine. Last time I saw a book there on "Prisoner Inventions". Yup: that'd be guys in prison, making things up.
You can buy THAT at Green Apple. Also, some very nice greeting cards.
GREEN APPLE BOOKS IS THE BEST!!
Great place for a day-trip, they have everything you want and more! Awesome selection, great staff and they have weird quirky knick knacks around the store. They also have some great deals on books sometimes! ex. Ive snagged a wedding planner her for under 5 dollars. Prob. wont use it to plan any weddings but it was an interesting read. =P
I really don't understand how anyone who reads at all could give this place less than 5 stars! As Sheli F. says, it's the perfect place to hunt for hidden gems. It's also the only bookstore stocking at least some used books that I've been in that has had the enormous full Tom of Finland collection (the big one that won't fit crosswise on our coffeetable. hehe!). They also had 2 used copies of the Lonely Planet's Quechua phrasebook ($7 each) and a used teach-yourself series with CDs for Ojibwe (!). And for some reason, it seemed like there were used copies of Lemony Snickett books everywhere.
I'll be back.
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