Revisit? Maybe, once a year or so…read more I would love to be allowed to refresh this place and let my inner Marie Kondo loose. Ah! I love the iconic, inviting Once Read Books in huge blue letters on the building. I enjoy the layout of the shop and how it feels like you can hide and get lost. There's a pleasant muffled bookstore hush. The man behind the counter is nice. Pricing seems fair. All good elements, I just think the book selection, decor, and tidiness could be improved. Ideas: Expand the kids section and add more board books Include more recent titles in the fiction and cooking sections Try to keep popular authors in stock (couldn't find any Stephen King) Cute new chairs, especially in the kids section (love a bookstore with chairs) New rug in the kids section Clean up the random boxes of books near the counter Update the genre and author signs Anyway, even with all that, it's still fun to browse here. If you're looking for older titles, magazines, etc., this is definitely a place you should hit up.

This store made my head spin a bit but used bookstores can be an adventure. It is bigger than it…read morelooks from the outside so be prepared to spend some time here. There is definitely the appearance of organization here. Biography is labeled in this section, military is over here, mystery over there, and so on. But while you probably will find some Agatha Christie in the mystery section, which makes sense, you will probably also find some Christie over in fiction. It is the same with other authors. I don't know if this is the store's doing or whether customers are shifting books around intentionally or otherwise but it is a little maddening at times. Most serious book hunters, especially those found rummaging through dusty used bookstores like yours truly, don't mind spending extra time looking for books. The hunt is part of the fun. They have some real gold nuggets here, if you spend the time. Also, speaking of gold nuggets, although Western is probably not the most popular genre these days, the Western section here is one of the larger ones I have ever seen. This store is well worth a visit. I found nearly all the prices to be extremely reasonable. Free and easy street parking all around. The counter fellow, who may have been the owner for all I know, was a real character and very pleasant.

One of the more rare Book Off's that are well stocked in books and printed materials and has quite…read morea number of them. If you still read printed media or would like second hand books, this may be the place to go to. The only other Book Off I've been to that is inside a mall is I believe the Del Amo Fashion Mall. This one is a bit more organized at the very least. The biggest W, I've ever gotten were rare, affordable visual novel series items from the one in Riverside, but for the anime section for here, it's not the best. There are some rare goods, like a Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun figure, but the prices are a bit atrocious. For example, an FGO Abigail Williams prize figure that goes for around $30, NO SHIPPING COST, went for $80. It's not even that rare or old of a figure, it just came out around a year ago. This is also my issue with the Anime Lab one in Little Tokyo. As well, as the anime section itself not being the most organized, aka the miscellaneous section and things on the shelves. Can never be my GOAT, Eco Town. Maybe there are gems there, but you definitely need to research prices, know what you want and how rare an item is, etc. The workers were busy helping customers and doing exchanges, so I didn't really get a chance to interact with them.

We love the BOOKOFF. This one is located at the Lakewood Mall. The store is like a huge library…read morewith all kinds of books, DVDs, comic books, toys, and lots of more interesting items you usually don't see in other stores. You can sell your stuff here in return for cash or store credits. My daughter was looking for a particular comic book and was able to locate it here for a discounted price. She couldn't be any happier. We now know where to go for a great selection of comic books for amazing prices. Service was wonderful which made us want to go back next time. Check it out if you love books.

This Barnes & Noble is pleasant to look at from the outside, and upon entering the building, the…read morelayout is consistent with the standard Barnes & Noble franchise design. The store offers a large selection of books, with many titles covering the same genres but from varying perspectives, writing styles, and approaches. I visited with a specific purpose: to browse the spirituality, tarot, oracle, and divination section. While exploring the store, I also wandered through other departments to see if anything else caught my interest. Fortunately, I came across several items that I added to my mental list for a future purchase. However, the section I had originally come to see offered fewer choices than expected. This was both disappointing and surprising, as I have typically found a much wider variety of these subjects at other Barnes & Noble locations. Of course, I understand that each store's inventory varies. Unfortunately, my interactions with the staff significantly diminished the overall experience. During my visit, one employee repeatedly insisted that I take a shopping basket after I had already made it clear that I did not need one. She then entered my personal space, coming uncomfortably close to my face and behind my head while repeating herself several times. Her behavior came across as intrusive and demonstrated a disregard for personal boundaries, despite appearing to frame the interaction as customer service. I also used the restroom during my visit. It was a decent size, although it felt somewhat crowded. Given the volume of customers this location receives, I believe the restrooms could benefit from more frequent attention and maintenance. Finally, while checking out, I had another unpleasant interaction. The cashier made an unnecessary comment about the email address I provided, referring to it as "trash," or making a similarly negative remark. Regardless of the exact wording, the comment felt inappropriate, unprofessional, and entirely unrelated to completing my purchase. The overall price range is costly, the value is to be determined. Overall, the store itself is enjoyable to browse and offers a pleasant shopping environment. However, my experience with multiple employees left a lasting negative impression. If customer service and respectful interactions are important to you, this location may not meet your expectations. If you're simply interested in browsing the books and merchandise, your experience may depend largely on the staff you encounter that day.

4/4/26 This is one of my favorite locations of bookstores at the Long Beach town. Staff are…read morefriendly and very helpful. The location is perfect. Lots of parking. There is a café inside. As usual, I am surprised that I had not dropped a review for this bookstore, and I am here at least once a month, at the very least. Immense selection of books greeting cards, gifts, fiction, nonfiction everything is arranged and organized accordingly. I just love this bookstore. Great big parking lot that is free but it is shared among many businesses at the Long Beach town center. Great experience each time. Prices are fair (compared to Amazon?) at least you can actually pick up a book. Read it at the café and if you decide to buy it go for it if not, then just return it.

The used book trade is an art form. James of Planet Books is a master of the craft! Go in and spend…read moresome time at their new location - you might not go with a friend but you will come away with one and an arm full of great books! James wishing you at least twice the business you hope! All the best Edward Moondance from Santa Monica

The staff were super helpful and very friendly, trying to help me find books off my list…read more Unfortunately, I wasn't able to locate anything I was looking for, but if I lived closer I'd be back all the time to check what they had new in stock. It's a big air conditioned space, and it was comfortable to browse even in the hot summer months. Would recommend swinging by if you're in the area. Most paperbacks of old titles were $5 from what I saw, some more popular ones edging up to 7 or 8, so it's all reasonably priced.

I've been a customer for over 5 years now; I reside in WA state but it's always a must stop for me…read morewhile in SoCal or when I need some inspiration online, always an amazing shopping experience because of the impeccable and personable service directly from the Owner - Activist - Community Ally that Long Beach is lucky to have! Books, prints, zines and stickers for all budgets, the selection is incredible, well curated and the value of your purchase right on point with the agenda and the importance of the mission PATM Books takes its pride on.

What a great little bookstore!…read more Carefully curated and well organized. I agree with many of the other reviews; great selection, friendly staff (with wonderful recommendations, too!). Support local business!

This store could very easily take all my money. Every table I look at has multiple items that I…read morewant to take and buy for all the little kids in my life. I love being able to have such a wonderful selection available of affirming books that allow me to give gifts that affirm the lives of the people in my life. The store is clean, welcoming and will put a smile on your face. Go buy gifts for all the kids and kids at heart in your life.

Excellent variety of bilingual books for kids and teens! Multicultural stories from Central America…read moreto Asia. Don't be fool by name- a Mexican term of endearment play on words! I was delighted to see afrolatine stories and stickers celebrating the America's multiracial diversity as well as its multiculturalism and multilingualism. Hope, owners bring more diversity!

We came to Retro Row on the 4th Friday event. So while walking throughout the street, I stumbled…read moreupon the bookstore, which has been on my bucket list for a while. First off, I love the diversity of books, cool merch, and welcoming store. I love how it is Filipino-owned, and they feature books that highlight our society's differences. Plus, you can actually meet the owner, which is a plus. She is amazing and super friendly. Most book stores can be a bit expensive, but not here. Prices are great. The store itself is a bit small, so on busy days/nights, it can get pretty crowded. It is worth the visit. Lastly, this is another bookstore that I can check off my list. Really cute with a great selection of books with cute decor. Make sure to pick up one of the cute bookmarks or tote bags she sells because they are pretty cool.

I was walking down the street on 4th Street on a Saturday afternoon when I just happened to pass by…read morethis quaint and lovely little bookstore! As I walked in the store I was greeted with a warm smile and a welcome! I was kindly informed if I had any questions to feel free to ask them! I was grateful for their help. I walked in one of the rooms and it was a treasure trove of books! They were well organized and labeled by groups. I was just browsing around until suddenly one of the books caught my eye! It's called The Perfumist of Paris by Alka Joshi. The description intrigued me so I decided to buy it! As I walked towards the cash register, I noticed the cutest little finds I didn't know I needed. So I got a cool looking sticker too! My whole experience felt warm, welcoming and personable. I'll most definitely will be coming back! This place is a delight!

Once upon a time, this Faerie Queen was making a day out of finding juicy literature for her…read morefavorite readers. When you find 5 books for $5, you know you have scored. The kind lady who was there this afternoon was super helpful. This is a very small place. My only wish is that it was bigger! The end.

Website indicated it was open but it was not. And I was not the only one on this thinking it was…read moreopen. There were 2-3 others standing outside when I drove up. Bummer.

I absolutely loved this bookshop! The atmosphere was cozy and I found so many books in the adult…read moresection I hadn't ever seen before! The woman working the register was super sweet and is honestly, by far the BEST service I've ever gotten in a bookstore. I didn't catch her name but she was friendly and was so informed with different books, I found myself jotting down her recommendations! I walked away with a new book (thanks to the bookseller for the recommendation) and honestly, yes! I'm loving it so much! When you buy from here, you're supporting a small Afro-Latina owned business, I will be returning as much as possible!

Well organized and well curated. Helpful staff. My wife comes here to find books in Spanish that…read moreare hard to find in other bookstores, especially children's books. This is what a small neighborhood bookstore should be. Quaint, warm, rare diverse children's books on one side and adult books on the other. Books in both English and Spanish. Perhaps a few other languages as well. I'm very happy they are here. Very Long Beach.

If you've lived in Long Beach for any length of time, you undoubtedly know of Fingerprints. After…read more30+ years, it is undoubtedly the largest music store in Long Beach, and one of the largest in SoCal. We were there for Record Store Day. Loved the special deals they offered that day and having the chance to listen to a few bands over the course of the day (and get some merch signed!). I think their old store was better for listening, since there was a clear area for the audience--in the current store, we were tucked between shelves of merchandise--but it still worked and we had no problem seeing or hearing the bands. I particularly enjoyed seeing Violet Grohl and her band that day. Dave Grohl was there, but as a member of the audience. It was fun rocking out with him to his daughter's tunes (even if he was a couple of rows away). Love the staff. Rand, one of the owners, in particular, is incredibly knowledgeable. He also does a great job of lining up events and bands. We had such a great day at Fingerprints!

I've been a Fingerprints customer since moving to Long Beach in 2023 and have loved the 4th Street…read morelocation. I've attended countless signings and performances, and I buy a vinyl there almost every month to keep growing my collection. As an LA native, I grew up going to the original Amoeba in Hollywood and continued shopping there after they moved to their current Hollywood Blvd location. I've always appreciated the events they host, and when I moved to LB, Fingerprints felt like LB's version of Amoeba because of its incredible lineup of signings and performances. Since moving to their new Bixby Knolls location, the event experience has taken a step backward. The new space isn't designed to accommodate the crowds these events attract. They proudly increase the vinyl prices for these events to pay for staffing these events while admission continues to be oversold. The result is an experience that feels more focused on maximizing attendance than ensuring fans can actually enjoy the event. I attended the Charli XCX Q&A yesterday, and the stage was so low that I couldn't see anything. Within two minutes of the event starting, I requested a refund because the room was clearly over capacity. Unless you were around 5'6" or taller, the only way to see Charli was through other people's phone screens. When I asked for a refund, the employee handing out vinyl records told me, "Well, it's a Q&A. The whole point is to listen." I respectfully disagreed. Seeing the artist is part of the experience, especially at an in-person event, but my refund request was denied. Even if the focus was solely on listening, the experience still fell short. Employee phone notifications were constantly going off and the front door opened every few minutes as employees loudly turned away customers because it was a private event, and outside street noise frequently overpowered the conversation. At times, I could hear phone notifications and traffic more clearly than Charli herself. I think Fingerprints hosts some of the best artist events and I want to see them succeed in their new location. The event setup needs to improve- a raised stage, better crowd management, clearer policies on phone usage, and limiting attendance to what the space can comfortably accommodate would go a long way toward creating an experience that matches the quality of the artists they bring in.