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    Books Inc

    4.1 (122 reviews)
    ModerateBookstores
    Closed 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Inside
    Lisa X.

    Can't give a bookstore less than 5 stars because bookstores are such a rarity these days. So much content is now online that walking into a physical store with books is like sighting a dinosaur. Especially so when it's not a used bookstore. Books Inc in its different locations host readings from different authors, so that's pretty cool. Not related to this store, but related to author readings, I met several famous authors when I used to attend readings. I don't do so much now because I dislike crowds. This bookstore is next to a Peets Coffee. So you can also enjoy some coffee after your purchase.

    Erich L.

    Books inc is a local independent chain in the Bay Area. They have a good selection of books, magazines and sell games puzzles and more. Fun place to shop

    Corey N.

    Legendary store. Have always enjoyed every visit here. I always find good finds each visit from all the many options to choose from here. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. I love the location as it is near a restaurant I adore, Max's Opera Cafe. Peet's shares the building and entrance so that is a nice perk. Buy a book, get a beverage, sit and enjoy both. There is a parking garage with Valet service in the building. Love the many live talks with authors.

    Shane S.

    I am a lover of books, libraries, and bookstores. During the pandemic all libraries are closed and only available for limited pick up. Even so sometimes there is only so much the library can do when you have to take it up a notch that's where Books Inc comes in. Don has been very helpful in ordering rare and specialized books. For example recently he helped me order a book written by my friend Ansgar who I met during travels in North India. His book is called: the gift of abhyasa: a personal encounter with the yogic trinity by ansgar schoeberl My friend lived more than a dozen years in India and SE Asia doing pilgrimage and intensive yoga studies in yogic, buddhist, and tantric centers in India, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. His book is one part memoir, one part yoga practice guide, and one part integrated experiencial yogic philosophy. Recommended! I also requested Books Inc order another book by my yoga teachers Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor called: Bringing Love into Light: bringing the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita into Modern Life. I was going to get this book through Shambhala Publications who put the book out yet decided to catch two birds with one hand (vegan metaphor) ordering by Books Inc. Love the selection of books here, the friendly staff, and especially the staff picks recommended books in the back. Being in a bookstore in the days of pandemic is refreshing. Check them out!

    Author in attendance!
    Joanna T.

    Often times we're online for work, online for learning or online for chat or social media. When was the last time it was just you and a physical book? Books Inc in Opera Plaza can help you here. They have a huge assortment of books AND magazines to satisfy your knowledge of any subject. How nice to touch fine paper. Turn a page or dog-ear the page so you can come back to the place you were last at. There are benches to perch on as you peruse and this shop is attached to a Peet's coffee shop! How perfect is that!!

    Books
    Sheila C.

    I was out running so errands today I stopped in after passing it a lot . I have no particular book genre I was looking for other than what my boyfriend wanted I found these books in the store . This place is very clean . The customer service is really good I was greeted and I got some recommendations. There where some book on sell as well . I love it I would be back really soon . I recommend it 10/10

    New arrivals.
    Thomas D.

    This is a good sized bookstore with an interesting layout. There are a few comfortable places where you can sit and read a page or two or just browse. Their new Fiction/Non-Fiction area has all of the latest books you can want. I bought Joseph Finder's latest for an upcoming trip. (Still buying hardcovers!) "Judgment" It looks juicy and entertaining. This particular Books, Inc is located in Opera Plaza and the entrance is on Van Ness. Van Ness is a complete mess because of the new street design that has been going for a while now. We parked on Franklin and walked a block. The staff was friendly and helpful. I'm glad to have this bookstore in SF.

    Julie C.

    I walked into the Vaness Ave. location today and they have so many books and magazines. What drew my attention were all the different puzzle books and magazines. I decided to go inside and they have books for all ages. I found a few cool books on sale and decided to purchase one. I will definitely return to this location because I prefer to buy from actual bookstores versus online. If you are in the area the bookstore is located next door to a Peetes coffee so I would say buy a book or magazine to read and the go nextdoor to the coffee shop. Anyways great find for a bookstore.

    Ed U.

    Does anybody remember that early 1960's "Twilight Zone" episode where Burgess Meredith (a.k.a. the Penguin) plays a bespectacled bookworm who manages to be the last survivor of an atomic bomb explosion? He is thrilled when he finds he can read all the books he ever wanted to read for the rest of his life in complete solitude....that is, until his glasses break. Well, you can just call me Burgess...since they decided to re-open the Opera Plaza bookstore that used to be the much-missed "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place for Books". It is now another outlet for "Books, Inc.", my favorite bookstore in the Castro. This is all good news, especially the connecting add-on of a Peet's Coffee store next door. The layout of the store is more spread out than before, though I have to admit I prefer the feel of a more crowded, somewhat disheveled bookstore. On first glance, the selection seems about the same, and they thankfully still offer up authors on their book tours. I had a memorable encounter with David Sedaris under the store's former identity. Something still feels rather off about the place. It feels a little too antiseptic. There are silly touches like stuffed dogs whose barking is activated by twisting their tails - unfortunately abused by a group of pre-adolescents when I was there. And what is with all the kids in here? I look forward to feeling a greater intimacy when the new store gets more established. In the meantime, my glasses haven't broken...but they are kinda fogged up.

    Hello, Dave Eggers!
    Erika C.

    Bookstores seem to be an endangered species, so browsing one feels special. Like going on a safari. I came here for the Dave Eggers signing. The staff were very friendly.

    Semuteh F.

    My favorite bookstore in the nabe! They always have the latest fiction and I like the way they have staff picks and curated selections too. -Great travel guide section -fun greeting cards -large selection of moleskin notebooks -friendly and helpful staff -cool gifts and calendars -puzzles! It's quite a bit more expensive than Amazon so I typically end up getting only gifts here or perusing the sale section but I don't mind giving them my $$$ occasionally. I have a frequent reader card from 4 years ago that I'm still trying to fill up (I don't know if they still even give them out). One day I'll earn a free book :) Pro tip: their gift wrapping is da.bomb.dot.com

    Nick Hornby at Books Inc.
    phil h.

    Let's see...four blocks from my work, pleasant staff and awesome events like the recent Nick Hornby book reading? What's not to like??? Ok, Amazon might be cheaper but when I need that book RIGHT NOW, I'll pick it up at Books Inc.

    Meeting EL James
    Crystal L.

    ONLY REASON I GOT ON THE SMELLY BART TO HAVE PEOPLE LOOK AT ME AND TALK TO THEMSELVES IN MY EAR. E L JAMES. Author of the 50 shades of Grey trilogy. She did a book signing here on the 25th of September. Lemme break it down for you ok. Pow chika chika wow wow! Ok. First do no judge. I am a fan. I am in love with Christian Grey. 2nd. When Facebook announces She is Coming to the Yay Area, oh hell yea I'm moving cars and monsters. So Book Inc. Set's this up where we HAVE TO, buy the books to get 1 ticket, if you buy all 3 in a Trilogy set you get 3 tickets, So I buy my books online. I already had these books on my kindle fire, Juan B was kinda mad I spent 50 bucks on a box set. Screw you dude! this is as close the Mr.Grey as I am going to get. Time passes. It's September 25th. I get ready and I go looking for this place. I feel stupid me and my brothers girlfriend walking along Van Ness we didnt see it. Not 1 but 4 people gave us the wrong way Mean people man. We finally get there ok. There's no one. I got there early I was told if I got there early I would be receiving a "Laters,Baby" button did I get one. No!!!!! Why I don't know. I'm still really pissed. So I have 2 hours to kill. I went to McDonald's across the street. I ate, I went back talked to fans until my jaw went numb. The organization for the event was not cool, The girl walked out with like a college bound notebook with the letters A-Z on them just walking around like a number girl in a boxing match, Mind you she is walking amongst thousands of horny women and some men, you dont make an effort to call, some people didnt hear their Letter Called. I was Letter "L" and I was another hour till I was called. SHOWTIME. I met E L James. (GOAL MET) But I got tongue tied and really shy and cried, I asked for a hug she gave me one. ok after this really quick encounter I'm walking away, the security leans into me and says "Your lucky I let you do that" LOL are you serious? I respond "Too bad, you must not being doing your job too well." and I walked away. Not like I care about what security think 100% of the time anyways. Like if your going run your events make sure its not so sloppy. And I seen on the website NO POSED PHOTOS with Ms.James. Um Why later on the new I seen that the book club took a group photo with her. That pissed me off!!!!! If you bend a rule for one, you can bend one more. That really wasnt fair. they need to stay on their policy if they are going to insist. Overall if you come here for a popular book signing be sure you have something to do. it's cold here bring a sweater. Also the staff for me wasn't too friendly, I wont be making my way here again, I wish she would signed my kindle and I could of saved a tree.

    Ezekiel Tyrus was here last night reading from his book & signing copies! Great event.

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    Ask the Community - Books Inc

    Review Highlights - Books Inc

    Peet's Coffee is connected, and so this is the perfect stop if you are on Van Ness or near City Hall, etc.

    Mentioned in 24 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    City Lights is one of my favorite bookstores in San Francisco. There's something about wandering…read morethrough it that makes me feel like a kid again. With every twist and turn, another staircase or room appears, filled with books and entirely new worlds to discover. It always brings me back to the days I spent with my grandmother at our old library. We would sit together on the stairs and read to each other, completely content to spend hours surrounded by books. I think that's part of why City Lights feels so special to me--it brings back that same sense of curiosity, comfort, and excitement I felt with her. I rarely come here looking for one specific thing. The fun is wandering the shelves until a cover, title, or completely unexpected book catches my attention. Somehow I always leave with another story I can't wait to disappear into. There are bookstores you go to simply to buy a book, and then there are bookstores you experience. City Lights is the latter. It's a little piece of San Francisco that I hope never changes.

    One of the neatest bookstores in the US. The Poetry room upstairs is wonderful. So much fun…read morehistory here to learn about. And this bookstores has some amazing staff book recommendations with little tags on the bookshelf telling you why they loved that book so much; found some great new finds that way. Dont forget to get your books stamped with their bookstores stamp on the way out!

    Photos
    Downstairs
    Downstairs
    The upstairs location of the bookstore.
    The upstairs location of the bookstore.
    The bottom floor that you have to go downstairs to.

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    The bottom floor that you have to go downstairs to.
    Kinokuniya Bookstore - San Francisco

    Kinokuniya Bookstore - San Francisco

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    This is a long-established Japanese bookstore that has been around since I first came to the United…read moreStates over 20 years ago. My grandmother and my aunt both loved this place. They spoke Japanese and received a Japanese education, so this bookstore always held a special meaning for them. The store carries a wide selection of Japanese books, magazines, Reader's Digest (Japanese edition), and manga. It also offers many adorable Japanese-style plush toys, collectibles, and accessories. You'll often see American teenagers who are passionate about Japanese anime and manga browsing here, which gives the bookstore a lively and welcoming atmosphere. I highly recommend this bookstore to anyone who loves Japanese culture, anime, manga, or simply wants to experience a little piece of Japan. 一家很老的日式書店,我20年前來美國就有的書店了,我奶奶和我大姑姑生前就很喜歡這家書店,尤其她們都會講日文也接受日本教育。這家書店也很多日本的雜誌、包括讀者文摘和日本的漫畫,這家還有很多很可愛亞洲風格的玩偶和飾品。平常有很多愛好日式動漫的美國青少年會光顧這家書店,我強力推薦給喜歡日本文化的各位。

    Compared to the one in L.A., this location is much more organized and the staff seem friendly. They…read morealso have more of the Japanese culture vibes at this location. Like you see more Japanese writing on the walls and signs. They also have a much larger variety of magazines and books here. As with all bookstores, they do sell a lot of plushies and toys here. Saw a lot of Pusheen stuff. There's also a lower level that's dedicated entirely to Manga. And it looks like a pretty huge collection. So I would say this location is maybe 40% reading books, 40% Manga, toys, and gifts and 20% magazines. Or, you can come visit and check it out yourself. There's cute things here worth checking out.

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    Books Inc - bookstores - Updated August 2026

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