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Category: Bookstores [Edit]
Neighborhood: PasadenaMon-Thu. 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
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Every time I come here, I always leave with a couple of books. ALWAYS. You know why?
Just a few reasons...
1. The staff kicks ass at displays. For every section, there are several excellent recommendations.
2. Amazing selection. So many freakin' books to choose from!!!
3. A helpful and available staff. Every time I've come in looking for a book, they've been more than happy to hunt it down, and if they can't find it, they order it.
I know I could get the books for way cheaper online, but this is a place that should stick around. So I will happily spend $40 - $50 every time I stop by and leave a satisfied gal.
Great bookstore for selection, neatness, great organization, and excellent service. I like you so much, Vromans. I even bought a book I could have gotten on Amazon for less than half of what you charge. I want to support you because I want you to stick around. (Vroman's is a retail store and therefore charges retail prices.)
I took a star off because I could do a lot better shopping in a bookstore without the performance carrying on upstairs. What's with the ceiling shaking stomping? Please, move that shit off site. Too loud!
People thought this was:
Vroman's embodies everything that people on Yelp love:
It's independent (break me free from those chains, halleluiah!)
It's got what you want (2 floors of books!)
It's convenient (right along Colorado Blvd in the heart of Pasadena - with free parking!)
It's also super popular (celebrity authors are always holding book signings here).
I like it too. It's a great place to shop for books and impart knowledge upon yourself. I just don't see it being THAT much better than, say, a Border's. Maybe my taste in books just isn't indie enough.
Best bookstore around. They not only carry a huge selection, but also offer author readings, classes and concerts. Our whole family has spent many hours browsing in this store. It is worth it to me to order from Vroman's and support independent bookstores. Also, it is a relief to talk to salespeople who actually read!
Some things I just take for granted because they have been around for so long. Vroman's is one. First, it is and has been independently owned for probably a good hundred years. The clerks are readers. I have received many insightful recommendations from employees. It smells good, like books and coffee. They have a great card selection upstairs. They also offer yearly bus ride to the LA Times Book Festival. It includes transportation, bagels & coffee in the morning, each bus is hosted by an author, cookies and a beverage on the return trip and is topped off with a bag of books and other goodies. It sure beats driving to UCLA and finding parking for the Festival. A final note, they have been able to track down any book I have been looking for.
I used to come to this bookstore with my family as a kid and I loved it with all my heart. I've always been a bookworm nerd and whenever I could I'd have my parents drop me off at a bookstore or library whenever they needed to run errands. They would drop me off here before they went shopping at Fedco and then pick me up again before we went to Yoshinoya's for lunch. :)
When I was 19 and in College, I started to work here and it was and still is the most awesome place I've ever put in time. I've worked at other bookstores before then, and I've never been asked questions such as "What's your favorite genre" or.. "If someone likes Tom Clancy, but wanted to try a different author, what would you suggest?".. so I know that when I got hired, I got hired onto a team of fellow bookworms who really knew their stuff. (And, yes, I met some of the most amazing and intelligent and hilarious people there. Miss you guys!)
I hate it when I go to a larger chain bookstore and no one knows what they're talking about. It's a huge pet peeve.
Vroman's is an independent bookstore and most of the customers that go there have been going there for decades.
If I won the lottery and was independently wealthy, I would totally work at Vroman's for fun. :)
People thought this was:
Best selection of books I've seen in a while. The recommendations by staffers made me want to pick up each book there. Narrowed my selection down to five books to buy and ended up buying three. The upstairs has really cute gift ideas too!
There's street parking in front for free for an hour.
The best part -- a portion of your purchase goes to a non-profit organization. You get to choose which non-profit and each time you come back, just say your name and they'll donate to that org again. Brilliant.
Support your local bookstore!
Vroman's is one of my favorite places to just chill away a couple of hours. Fantastic selection. Great book signing events. It's great to take kids there as well. They have a wonderful story hour and the best children's book section in town.
The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable.
Bonus: Vroman's Gives Back program. You choose which non-profit from a long list and each time you make a purchase, and they make a donation to that cause! I don't know about you but I'm all about supporting businesses that give back!
While this isn't anywhere near as amazing as Powell's book store, you have to face the fact that you're not in Portland. Thus, you take what you can get. In this case, what you get is something pretty damn good.
The best part of this book store is the authors who come for signings here. They can range from Neil Giaman to Bill Clinton. Yes, Bill Clinton was here. I've met some of my heroes in the literature world in this very same book store.
Prices are pretty comparable to any other book store. So that pretty much means you can find it cheaper, but this gives you a great chance to flip through the book and just spend a couple of hours at end enjoying the books. Really a great time filler while waiting for a film to start or if you're in search for something new to read and enjoy.
Parking is pretty easy to deal with and there's plenty of it around here. Really one of the best book stores in Los Angeles.
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Vromans is a badass bookstore. They have a wide selection and also carry books deemed "Ris-Kay" by Barnes and Nobles and Borders. They also have book signings by some famous authors and celebs like, Marlee Matlin.
I would classify it as an indie-artsy book store, not saying that those are the only books they carry. Its just different from any other book store I've been to.
I'm a pretty avid reader and go through more books than I really should buy per year. I lived in Austin until now and got really used to being able to hop in my car and go to B&N, Half Price, BookPeople, or (if I was going to Central Market, Amy's, or Westgate) Borders. When I got to Pasadena, I immediately needed to find a close bookstore of course. I found Vroman's and since it was only a 2 block walk away, I decided to give it a try.
My first impression was that it was a lot like Book People. That impression has never really gone away. Just so you know, Book People is the super trendy independent bookstore in Austin that has tons of book signings, a coffee shop, and sells a ton of non-book related things as well as having a large variety of books. I think I basically just described Vroman's, too. The nice thing about this type of store is that I can find almost any book I want and know it's independent and not a chain. I also like looking at all the random other things they sell. It's fun.
The two things that takes that fifth star away is that 1) I have, on several occasions, not found a book I was looking for. A mainstream book at that. If it was simply hard to find, then fine, but they are not. Also, if it was once I understand that too. But this is like half the time I go in to find something. 2) They have the smallest section on young adult fiction I have ever seen. Even though I am not a teenager anymore, I still love to read things in this genre. It's like one little tiny aisle. So sad.
Kinda pricey, and ...full of non-book crap...
But once I met Paula Deen here. It was awesome.
My 300th review is dedicated to Vroman's, the best independent bookstore in SGV!
Hands down, it is the best place to buy greeting cards! They have an amazing selection of high quality, unique greeting cards for all occasions. The decorations and paper quality have always been aesthetically pleasing, while the card verses fit every type of card giver. I've given up on Hallmark and American Greetings for good.
Most of the time, I have no idea which book to read next, so I head over to their "Employee Picks" shelf to find recommendations. Their recommendations have brought to my attention book genres I would not normally read.
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I'm an avid reader, I think reading is as much fun as watching a movie. Just like I do with movies I choose what book I'm going to read depending on my mood. I have read biographies, classic novels, thrillers, etc. Lately though I have been reading a lot of books on true crime. "Zodiac" by Robert Graysmith, "Helter Skelter" by Vincent Bugliosi, and "The Iceman, Confessions of a Mafia Hitman" by Philip Carlo just to name a few.
Well I have been to this great bookstore on a number of occasions and they have always had what I was looking for. On this particular occasion I was looking for a book about an unsolved murder spree that took place in Italy. The book was called the "The Monster of Florence". To my surprise the guy at the counter had already read the book I was looking for. He walked me over to it and we talked about that book and books like it for over fifteen minutes.
That is what makes this book store so special. You will never get service like this at one of those big chain stores.
Vroman's Bookstore is by far my favorite book store in all of the Los Angeles area.
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Pasadena Vromans has that local small bookstore feel and service. I love this place, if they don't have it, they'll get it. What a joy not feeling like you're one of the millions who get cycled through a large venue.
Huge selection of books, plenty of space for author readings (compared to Skylight or Book Soup), and a great cafe stocked with comfy couches and chairs (free WiFi.)
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I absolutely love this store. They have a WIDE selection of books, including a number of books on clearance that are actually INTERESTING and not tour guides from the 80s or bad romance novels. There are also a lot of local books, and books from independent publishers that you may not see elsewhere.
Plus, they have a great selection of handmade crafts, journals, cards, accessories, etc. I love looking at the magnets, bags, and greeting cards with inspirational sayings on them, because yes I am just cool like that.
There is a free parking lot in the back, which I'm always thankful for because I tend to lose track of time in this store, and suddenly realize I've been there three or four hours. Not a good habit when dealing with meters or pricey lots.
My only complaint is that they need more chairs, this past time I was there I did have to hunt to find a good chair to sit and read in for the next few hours. It didn't take me long to find one though, but if there were more that would be ace.
Wow, they are so helpful here! The Boyfriend wanted to buy me Jhumpa Lahiri's new book so we walked in here to find Unaccustomed Earth. This Vroman's is a long, narrow space. I didn't know where Fiction was so I approached a staff person to ask. Even before I could get my question out of my mouth, 2 other staff members swarmed in. Suddenly I had 3 book people looking at me wanting to know what I needed help with. Honestly, it was kinda overwhelming. I was so flustered I couldn't even remember the author's name! I said something lame like "She wrote The Namesake?" Immediately, one of them said "Hardcover, Fiction under L." DANG!!!! They know their stuff here. Next time, though, I just need one helpful person...maybe two at the most. Any more than that and I just get too anxious.
Vroman's is a great bookstore with cool stuff. However, if you are looking for the most for your book buck so you can get your read on...I would stay away from Vroman's and go to Borders (30% off coupon) instead. Better yet, do Amazon (under $17). He paid the full $25 retail price for Lahiri's book.
People thought this was:
A great large bookstore that isn't Borders or Barnes and Noble.
Great book selection with a very attentive and helpful staff. I prefer going there over the chains. There's a cute coffee shop attached to Vroman's.
People thought this was:
There's nothing I can really say that hasn't been said about Vroman's (yes, thats a cop out line.).
Nice selection of books, planners, gifts and customer service rocks. I agree with everything Monica R., review. This is actually one of my new favorite places to relax. See you there maybe?
People thought this was:
There's something indescribably charming about independent bookstores. Borders & B&N are great & all, but they just don't have the FEEL that Vroman's & its ilk do.
Partly it's the furniture -- those dark wood bookshelves, those lush chairs, that warm carpet... but it's something much less concrete, too. Maybe it's knowing that this bookstore has been here for ages. I don't know. But whatever it is, it draws me in & makes me want to spend hours & hours & all of my hard-earned money here.
Their book signing & book talk events are great, too -- I've only been to a handful, but they've all had a much more... friendly feel than the ones at Borders.
There is really nothing that I can say about Vromans that hasn't been said before. This is truly a Pasadena institution, it's been around for years and years, and it's one of the finest bookstores in Southern California.
Great selection of books, and if they don't have it, they can find it! Staff is knowledgeable and friendly. I especially enjoy their Current Affairs and California/Local History sections. Next door is the stationary and fine writing department, where you can find nice gifts, and even browse through thick catalogs to pick out and personalize this year's Christmas card.
Vroman's is a great example of what an independent bookstore should look like, and how one should be run. I especially like their Gives Back program, where a percentage of your purchase is given back to a local non-profit organization of your choice (you sign up for it and choose your org. in advance).
Vroman's is widely known for attracting high-profile authors and personalities for book signings and talks. Vromans has hosted Bill and Hillary Clinton, Former President Jimmy Carter, as well as other prominent figures.
I really hope that Vromans does not have to shut down one day with the way our economy and independent businesses are going. Support independent booksellers like Vroman's!!!!
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Just wanted to update everybody as to why Vroman's rocks even more. Our favorite neighborhood bookstore proudly sports an IndieBound logo (bright red lower case "i" with squiggly lines around it).
A recent Vroman's email update states the following as reasons why shopping at local Indies is so important:
1. Keep money in the community. For every $100 spent at a local business, $68 stay in the community. What happens when you spend that same $100 at a local chain? Only $43 stays in the community.
2. Create local jobs. Local businesses are better at creating higher paying jobs for our neighbors.
3. Help the environment. Buying from a local business conserves energy and resources in the form of less fuel for transportation, less packaging, and products that you know are safe and well made, because we stand behind them.
Again...SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES!! :o)
People thought this was:
Vroman's is a quality, well-run independent bookstore. I adore the vast arrangement of titles,… Read more »
HUGE selection of children's books here!
The customer service is impeccable too. Very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable employees that will assist you in finding exactly what you're looking for.
I used Vroman's A LOT to find books to use for educational programming when I used to work at Kidspace.
The children's department has this inviting and playful feel to it- I always loved watching little kids and their grown ups reading stories together and checking out new books when I visited.
Such an awesome bookstore for families.
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One of the best independent bookstores around. Vroman's ties with Book Soup for selection and events, with twice shelves to browse and convenient free parking. It is also much more organized, I don't get dizzy looking at the titles.
If you want it, they can find it.
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Massive, indie, and worth a trip to Pasadena. Oh, if only there were more bookstores like Vromans!
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I am a 30+ year bookstore junkie and this place is simply the best! A class act in all respects, if you haven't been there do yourself a favor and check it out. This place is just better than the chain book stores, excellent selection, eclectic excellence, over the top service and people, very highly recommended! I dare anyone to go there just once! This is a book lovers paradise, my only complaint is that because of Vromens my house looks like a library!
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It was a really nice place....
UPDATE: Less than five hours after writing this review, I am updating to award a fifth star to Vroman's, for being named "Bookseller of the Year" by Publisher's Weekly (http://www.publishersw...) on March 11, 2008 - congrats, Vroman's!
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I'm a big fan of Vroman's. I love living within walking distance, even though as a result I spend way too much of my discretionary income on books.
I frequently shop here for Christmas and birthday gifts, so if you receive a book from me, chances are it came from here. They have something for everyone, from graphic novels to autographed copies of best-sellers to children's books. Plus, their greeting cards are useful, funny, and cool.
Their food section is lovely; I always find something I want to curl up with immediately, whether it's a cookbook (which I'll drool over but rarely use), a chef's biography, or a manifesto on being a locavore.
So, if it's such a wonderful place, why four stars? Well, they don't offer gift receipts; their selection of "gifts" skews a little fusty (too many candles and purses); and they don't have a lot of sales, so their prices aren't very competitive compared to some of the bigger chains or online retailers.
Despite that last point, I still prefer to buy my books in a brick-and-mortar store, enjoying the tactile sensations of picking up a book, browsing through it, and cradling it in my arms on the way home to read it. I also like knowing I'm supporting a local business rather than a faceless corporation.
Be sure to sign up for the Vroman's Gives Back program that Corazon mentioned so you can do a good deed just by buying a book.
People thought this was:
The store first opened in 1894. I'm surprised this hasn't become a big book store chain, like Barnes and Borders. Maybe this is a good thing because it has a great independent vibe and a large and diverse selection of books. They carry a nice selection of edgier books that you won't find in other commercial stores.
Go upstairs to attend a book event or review the pleathora of clearance books.
luv, luv, luv, luv this store.
People thought this was:
You could stick me in a bookstore and come to pick me up 5 hours later and I would probably not be in any rush to leave. Books are amazing. They require you actively engage in what you are reading, putting your mind to use and exploring new ideas, whether in a work of fiction where the characters are too unusual to forget or not think about weeks later, in art books that inspire your life to be more creative, or in atlases, cookbooks, biographies, etc., all which have the capacity to blow your mind and teach you just how little about the world you've got down.
Vroman's gets it. Why reading is so much fun, that is. They have all the variety and quality of your major bookstore, but the personal touches like their (many) employee recommendations are why this is such a great place to loose yourself in. I have put myself on hold from purchasing new books until I read at least half of the 15 or so novels sitting atop my bookshelf unread, but you can bet I wrote down the names of half a dozen unknown to me authors and titles to get down the line.
I was oblivious to Charley Harper's adorably weird biology book drawings until my first visit here, and discoveries like that are why places like this warm my heart and make me miss college, when it was my job to read and lose myself in a book. What bliss. Vroman's is the type of place to visit when you are feeling lost or hopeless about humanity and I'm already excited for what my next discovery there will be.
People thought this was:
Excellent selection. Better than B&N. Helpful staff.
Finding a reputable independent bookstore these days is almost impossible. Vroman's is one of the few independent bookstores that exist and has no indication of going anywhere anytime soon. This two-level bookstore offers everything from books, gifts, a snack bar, and some clothing, to an area for authors and book signing events. Most of the deals found in chain bookstores can be found at Vroman's. I spent almost an hour perusing through this store today. My only suggestion to the staff here is to offer more service to your customers. I noticed many customers, including myself, roaming and looking throughout the store without ever being offered any assistance. Vroman's has a very good store here, it just needs to be complemented with good customer service which I'm sure the staff is capable of providing.
I don't like Vroman's and I have a valid reason. I only go to bookstores to read their tabloid magazines for free! I usually buy my books online since it's way cheaper.
Anyways, Vroman's has ALL their magazines on racks outside in front of their store. First of all they don't provide tables (outside) for you to read. Secondly, the attendant outside is always glaring at you if you start flipping through a magazine for more than five minutes. Come on!!! Chill, I'm sure you don't get commission on the items you sell.
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I felt good coming out of here with a bag full of magazines ( BPM, Details, Juxtapox, V, GQ, and Esquire). Magazines because I'll go to the library to rent the educational books.
I loved their magazine selection i still want to go back for others I left behind. I'd purchase here if i can't find it at my local library.
I could've hang out here all day had my husband and son not been with me. I got myself lost in the DIY books, business section, and my favorite, the art aisle.
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Apparently this place was ranked one of the 10 best places to take your date in Pasadena, per Pasadena magazine.
It's quite large for an independent bookstore (about the size of a Borders or B&N) so you'll be able to find most of the titles. The upstairs also has a large gift and card section.
The coffee shop is very cute and has an almost vintage feel to it. I usually don't buy books here and instead frequent the coffee shop.
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Support Vroman's!!
Vroman's is the best independent bookseller around, and one of the few left. They have free parking, well-organized store, knowledgeable staff, many events and they are independent.
I have been shopping at Vroman's since childhood and it has always managed to stay both classic and relevant.
Even though I am wanton on Amazon . com, I regularly visit Vroman's to give them my support. It is crucial to support independent booksellers. As the mega-bookstores put more and more independents out of business, we risk having our selection of books that get published narrowed down to the bland, inoffensive and profitable few titles that major corporations will agree to buy in bulk from publishers.
But as long as we have Vroman's I feel a little safer from the abysmal machinations of the greedy corporate culture...
Fantastic bookstore, Some of the things that make this bookstore unique are: a great location with easy parking, an attentive staff that actually reads and recommends, a smart selection of books, a news stand, a stationary shop right by it, a cute coffee-shop, a rotating exhibit of artwork in the stairs, a fantastic children's books section, wonderful readings and signings (Hillary Clinton, Sedaris...) and a comfortable layout and clean bathrooms. It is my top bookstore hands down.
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I used to visit Vroman's Bookstore as a kid, when I went to Pasadena to visit my cousins who lived there at the time. When I moved to California as an adult, the first place I went to? That's right - Vroman's Bookstore! As a bonafide bookstore junkie, this is as good as it gets - anywhere, seriously. I actually ended up working at Vroman's for a few months, and I am even more enamored of the place, even though I'm working elsewhere now.
Vroman's offers more than just books - stationary, art, calendars, all sorts of wonderfully curious odds-n-ends. They are a pillar of the Pasadena community, and are so involved in the local art, music, and literary scenes. They've had loads of wonderful authors (ranging from Jodi Picoult to Khaled Hosseini) there to sign books, and a few major surprises (President Bill Clinton, anyone?). They host small film openings with the neighboring cinema; have concerts by local bands on their outdoor stage; and show local artists' work all over their store (particularly along their stairwell). Their collaborations with other bookstores is admirable, as well - no major bookstore does as much, and few independent bookstores do either.
As regards book hunting: Just remember to ask any of the people working there if they are in the Books Department (no matter where you see them walking around) and it will simplify you having to hunt down the right person to help you. Probably easier to go to the main information desk on the ground floor under the stairwell. Don't forget that you can always go to their website or call their Book Department to inquire after books, get recommendations, or make purchases/reservations.
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when you tire of fluorescent box cloned loud stale hateful employees of the big box book stores, find Vroman's.
Personable employees who will jump to help you. Managers are very nice people too.
Good selection of books, and very cute gift type items, like Red Tango kitty bags.
a respite from the madness of horrible chain book stores.
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