Do not support this spot. The owner has a history of not wanting to pay a local artist and inviting…read morequestionable speakers. People of the community in surrounding areas have spoken out about speakers like Ernesto Ayala. They dismiss concerns from community members although they claim to care about the community they're in! I have spoken to many people that said they do not feel welcomed here. DO NOT SUPPORT THIS BOOKSTORE.

Welcome to Boyle Heights Re/Arte!!!…read more I saw a flyer online for a reading taking place at Re/Arte Centro Literario and decided to check it out since I haven't attended a live event like this in a while. They are doing a hybrid model for their events. Folks are able to join via zoom or go in person. The event was interesting and I really enjoyed it and hope to come to more events in the future. I believe this Centro has the potential to grow into something great for the community where local writers/artists can have events showcasing their talent. I love that there is already a writers workshop happening every Wednesday with Matt Sedillo. I look forward to being able to go to one of the workshops in the future. I didn't have a chance to take any pictures of the space but if you go on their Instagram they have tons on it. Good luck Re/Arte! I'm really looking forward to seeing you grow and thrive!

What an incredible spot for kids and families! We want to a read aloud event here and it was so…read moremuch fun. The space is beautifully decorated and so thoughtful. They have tables for kids and so many fun events! The books are mostly in Spanish, which is so important to have here in LA for kids!

My rating is on the store. Now as far as location....I wish it was in a nicer area. As soon as I…read morepulled up after missing it the first time I saw a homeless person wandering around and the building next to the book store are abandoned and graffitied. There is only street parking but there aren't meters. When I walked up to the store I noticed it was locked....which at first I was shocked because it was 30 minutes after their store opening time. I peeked through the window and a worked came and greeted me and said it was open. (In hindsight when I went to leave the store I had trouble with the doorknob so maybe it wasn't locked at all and I didn't know how to open the door) lol The book selection is great and most of the books are primarily in Spanish, not too many bilingual books which I was avoiding. The employee was very helpful and pointed me in the direction of the types of books I was looking for. They even have a 40% discount table on some books. Prices aren't bad, average is about $15 a book for the younger board books, pop-ups which is what I went to get. I will be back!

We, With Urban Voices Choir Sing Here, Every Monday From…read more4:00 - 5:00pm Music, Singing, Community Takes Me Higher Over Everything, Sad, Bad, Tragic, I Find I Thrive Much Love Iron Donato

Wonderful place to come here in the morning and study in quiet atmosphere. But would be nice to add…read moresome more foreign language books

I noticed this bookstore on one of my walkabouts, and decided to finally stop in…read more Generally, kinda cluttery. Lots of shelves and books everywhere, but each shelf is home to specific categories of books, and there's LOTS of categories! Looking deeper at each collection, I was really impressed with the range of what I saw. I noticed these two super nice quality cookbooks and snagged them! I didn't realize at first, but the prices of the books seem to be marked in pencil on the first inside page or so, and I got a really good deal (imo!). I was in there for just a few minutes before the clerk/owner noticed me (he was busy in the back I think?) and turned on the AC and some cool music. :) That was appreciated, thank you!! I'll stop by again sometime. This feels like the place you should go to when you're not sure what you want, but you want a great price and rare find!!

Must post just to do my part to keep small used bookstores in existence. This is a dusty little…read moreplace, but not too dusty....still amazed that anybody can keep the lights on or these establishments. RIP cliffs

The Philosophical Research Society is the product of Manly Palmer Hall a writer, astrologer and…read moreresearcher into the wisdom traditions of many cultures. It is devoted to the study of religion, mythology, philosophy and esotericism. Tucked back behind foliage, the PRS is located on Los Feliz Blvd. It includes an auditorium, a gift shop, a library and a lecture room above the library. The library is pretty amazing in that it looks straight out of 19th Century university with all books locked behind glass. Its two stories are all polished, dark wood and old (sometimes falling apart) books. Interspersed by statues and sculptures. This is the library for library nuts. It is only open on Thursdays and Fridays and all books stay within the library. You may, however, take photographs of book texts and imagery. The library contains hundreds of books on religion, mythology, mysticism and the occult. I could easily spend several hours here. The gift shop sells a variety of things ranging from what you might find in a esoteric shop (incense, tarot cards...etc.) to snacks and beverages. There's also a huge book area in the back. A lot of folks seemed to be using the area as a library, but I believe at least some of the books were for sale. I didn't spend any time in the lecture room or auditorium because there were no events when I last visited. If you go to the the events page on the website (https://www.prs.org/events.html), you can see what is on offer at any given time. This is definitely an interesting spot, though one I can imagine many visitors being somewhat perplexed by. It's a society that isn't devoted to a particular creed or way of thinking, but rather seeking wisdom in the plurality of faiths and traditions within the world. Definitely worth a visit.

Very disappointed in how the Death Cafe is run. I was going to Death Cafe for over a year. Over…read moretime it started to devolve into a lot of discussion about things other than death. The facilitator allowed this when it was one of her friends/favorites. The Death Cafe is strictly meant to be a place you have tea and cake and talk about death. Yet the facilitator allowed more than one person go off on a political tangent that amounted to someone having a fear based breakdown. The person who was speaking said, not once but a number of times, how she felt like she needed to get a gun for protection. I found this talk really unsettling and was surprised it was not reigned in. When I spoke to the person (which you are encouraged to do) about why she was feeling this way and what fear was really causing it I not only got attacked by 2 other people in the group the facilitator herself. Yet a few weeks prior when I mentioned the genocide in Gaza she put the kibosh on anything about that. I think she likes the people who are "artists" and figures they are extra sensitive. But allowing the rest of the group to be subjected to this kind of rambling was not only not in keeping with the death cafe it could be triggering for many. After that I lost all respect for the group and didn't return. It no longer felt safe to me

My go to bookstore for specific finds I need, and when I don't wanna support big box stores. These…read moreguys are informed, kind, and well inventoried! They carry new and old books with VERY large selections. Their manga and comic section is really great, and I love to pop in to see what's new. I think they understand there's lots of art students nearby that love these books! :) Thank you, book alley. They helped me snag a specific book I really wanted to avoid buying from amazon, and couldn't find anywhere else! Make sure, if you're in the same boat, give them a call and ask if they can do the same for you! It might incur a fee, but they got my book to me within a week and I didn't have to pay extra! :) Wahoo!

Book Alley is a cool place to browse if you love books and records. They have a great mix of new…read moreand used books, and it's the kind of bookstore where you can easily lose track of time wandering the shelves. The staff on the floor are engaging and genuinely helpful when you're searching for a particular find. That said, my experience selling books was disappointing. The process felt impersonal, and the seller/owner was not particularly engaging. One example: I brought in a brand-new book that originally cost $40 and was offered only a $1 store credit. I understand used bookstores have to make a profit, but the experience left me feeling like my books would have been better off in a friend's library. Great place to browse and buy, but I would lower expectations if you're planning to sell.

The worst thing about this library is there isn't a designated parking lot. Everything else about…read moreis great for a neighborhood library. it's next to a school, easy to assess for neighbors and on a pretty busy street. It's close to my job which is why I stopped by but I don't think I'll be back unless they get a better option for parking. The librarian was also very nice and gave me an extra architectural stamp for Benjamin Franklin library since that one is currently closed. Win!!

Small Outside, Spacious Inside…read more From the outside, Malabar Branch Library looks tiny, but once you step in, it feels much bigger. The layout is open, clean, and organized, with separate areas for books, DVDs, computers, and communal tables. Even on a Saturday, it wasn't crowded, which made the experience even nicer. Parking: The Biggest Downside The only real problem with this library is the parking. It's a total hit-or-miss. Some days you'll find a spot right in front, and other times you'll circle around with no luck. Because of this, there have been times where we almost couldn't stay, which is frustrating when you're trying to make this a regular Saturday visit. Family-Friendly Setup The kids' section is a highlight, with children's books, puppets, and small toys. My son enjoyed it, and it feels welcoming for families. They also have regular activities like jewelry-making, Lego-building, and even homework help sessions, which makes it more than just a place to borrow books. Tables, DVDs, and Computers There are long communal tables that you can use either for group work or just to spread out alone. It feels spacious because not many people seem to use them. Right by the tables, there's also a nice selection of DVDs, including newer releases. The library also has computers for both adults and kids, and printing services are available with a $6 allowance (25¢ per B&W page, 50¢ for color). Extras That Stand Out I appreciated the little details -- like the fresh, cool air on a hot day, the two restrooms, and the water fountain. At the front desk, they even had free COVID tests, free masks, and free books. The librarian was friendly and welcoming, helped me with information about getting a card, and even handed out Buffalo Wild Wings coupons for free wings. Overall Impression Overall, Malabar Branch Library is a cute, well-maintained, and community-focused library. If parking weren't such a gamble, it would be perfect. For everything else it offers -- from family activities to printing credit -- it definitely stands out as a hidden gem in the area.

I have driven by this store for years on my way to and from Hollywood and finally had the…read moreopportunity to check it out. Counterpoint has been in business since 1979. Inside you'll find vintage books, used & new vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs, and more! They'll also buy from you too. Buying hours are from 1 - 6 pm daily. Every nook & cranny is packed with memorabilia, yet everything is well organized. You can spend hours here searching for that hidden treasure. Don't worry, the staff are friendly and will happily guide you in the right direction. They also host monthly events such as Mystery Movie Night and special sales like Vinyl Happy Hour. If you're a collector and looking for that rare gem you just might find it here.

great store but awful people working there. I have never had a place like this where employees…read moretreated me so rudely and or look at me like I don't belong in the place. The girl with the glasses in charge of the graphic novels and vintage booos is the worst. AWFUL PEOPLE !