A Good Used Book is a neighborhood & independent bookstore that focuses on - as you can probably…read moreguess - used books. The bookstore is best known for Every Sunday Funday Markets from 12 PM to 4 PM, but check their IG page to confirm dates and get details on vendors. They also host occasional Saturday pop-ups like Saturday School (12 PM to 4 PM) - again check their Instagram page for specific dates. [Parking]: Street parking only (free), but I found few spots available on W Court Street on Saturday afternoon. [Saturday School]: Our group visited one of their Saturday School pop-ups and vendors like WEPA Pa'l Mundo (Puerto Rican food) and Ako's Tea (specialty teas with a modern twist) were set up in front of the bookstore. No outdoor tables so expect to eat or drink while standing or inside your own car. Our party came at 3 PM on Saturday and most food from WEPA Pa'l Mundo was already sold out. However, our party did end up getting a drink from Ako's Tea and Sticky Rice Pu-erh Tea was quite refreshing. [Bookstore]: I could tell firsthand that the staff here handpicked the used, vintage, rare, and new books. The bookstore has an interesting book selection. Smaller used books are wrapped in plastic so you can't browse them for previews, but larger books are unwrapped which allow visitors to flip through the pages. [Buying program]: The shop selectively buys used books in the following categories: vintage paperbacks of all kinds, modern and literary fiction, classics and cult classics, translated fiction, radical theory, cultural nonfiction, art, photography, film, design, and music. Canonized and outsider, essential and unexpected. Condition matters (clean and readable) and they offer a percentage of what the store sells for. Please do not bring books to sell on Sundays due to Every Sunday Funday Markets. [Conclusion]: A great small and curated local bookstore with a personal touch.

The owners are super kind and welcoming. They've got a great selection of books, all in excellent…read morecondition, and everything is well organized so it's easy to browse. The vibe is chill- nice music playing in the background (I definitely Shazammed a few songs while I was there). One of my favorite touches is that they ask to take a picture of you with your book purchases to post on Instagram- such a cool, personal detail. Parking was easy to find on a Friday morning. Definitely a spot I'd come back to.

This is a fantastic used bookstore--one of the best I have ever visited, in any city or in any…read morestate. You enter from the back parking lot and it looks kind of small and cramped at first. But then you realize it extends this way, and that way, and it just sort of sucks you in deeper and deeper. I spent an hour here, bought way too many books, and could easily have spent another hour. There are absolute diamonds to be found here and the prices are very reasonable. The Iliad also has what every bookstore anywhere should have: cats. There are two cats roaming the bookstore and they are very friendly. If I owned a bookstore, it would be a haven for cats. Well worth a visit and a drive from almost anywhere.

I've been a longtime fan of the Iliad bookstore ever since it was over at its previous location off…read moreof Vineland. What this bookstore offers is tons and tons of books. The moment you walk in the front door you're confronted with the fact that they have a lot of books on a lot of subjects. In fact, at this location, the moment you walk into the door, you find a gigantic pile of all kinds of books on all kinds of subjects that they're offering for very discounted prices. I've often wondered what would happen if you wanted a book on the very bottom of the pile, and if you pulled it out, everything may come flying. But, that's just part of the fun of shopping at this bookstore, you never know what adventure you're going to encounter. In terms of selection, they have books on pretty much any subject you can think of. In some ways, it's a little hard to find certain things in this bookstore due to the massive quantity of books they have all set up in long aisles. In some cases, what I find kind of fun/curious is the fact that perhaps they will have a sign telling you that a certain subject of books in a particular aisle, but, when you look down that aisle, you can find none of the books on that subject. Mostly, I believe, that's just because they've sold out of that particular subject matter. But, it does make for an interesting quest, because there's been a few times when I've looked around the shop and found books on that subject in a completely different section. Thus, the chaos of this book shop adds to the overall quest for that great piece of reading material. This bookshop focuses a lot on fiction and poetry. They really have a large collection by various authors from across all genres and across the globe. So, if you're looking for that really unique piece of fiction and or poetry, this book shop most likely will have it. Overall, ever since its inception, Iliad has been a great place to find books. Yes, it is kind of a chaotic/fun sort of a mess. But, that adds to the overall uniqueness of this business. Fun place to shop!

One can find unexpected books here at this tiny one room library store. I don't think any book goes…read morebeyond $6 - most are in the $2-$4 range. Well curated.

Having a curated selection of wonderful books from which to choose is a start. Having them be…read moreinexpensive makes it even more appealing. Knowing that every penny raised goes to support the good work of the library makes it priceless. Check it out. Do good and get great reads at the same time!

Walking into this place feels like stepping into another universe -- one made entirely of stories,…read morehistory, and quiet magic. The moment you walk through the door, you're surrounded by towering shelves and beautiful, chaotic stacks of books that feel lovingly curated rather than cluttered. It's the kind of space where time slows down and you forget about your phone because you're too busy discovering something unexpected. Every corner feels alive. The warm lighting, the golden walls, the endless spines of books -- it's cozy, nostalgic, and deeply comforting. You don't just shop here; you explore. And the owner? Truly an angel. Kind, welcoming, and incredibly knowledgeable. You can feel how much heart and soul they've poured into this space. They don't just sell books -- they share stories, recommendations, and genuine warmth. The customer service alone makes you want to come back again and again. If you love books, hidden gems, or places with real character, this is one of those rare magical spots that reminds you why independent shops matter. I'll be thinking about this place for a long time.

There is no other bookstore quite like Century Books, the owners Judith and Steve are some of the…read moremost wholesome people I have been fortunate to meet. Me and my partner love to visit & chat with them about books, plays, and other things while looking around and they are so accommodating, it almost feels like we are their guests in their home. More than reasonable prices and have plenty to choose from.

Stumbled upon Empty Shelf as I was walking down the Pasadena streets, and it is a must-see if you…read morewant to shop independent artist goods! I loved the concept--each local LA artist has a cube that they can decorate and sell their goods, which can be stickers, stationery goods, ceramics, fine art (both prints or original works), jewelry, and others. Many of these artists live right in the SGV area. On the other side, the owners curated a selection of books directly sourced from Japan. Occasionally they host events which they promote on their instagram. Would recommend stopping by to give a look! I found this is a great way to buy gifts for friends, or find things to decorate my home and my journals.

Empty Shelf is a small and cute bookshop with curated Asian-inspired boutique and gift items…read more [Parking]: There's a public parking lot directly across from the shop and the rate is $1 for two hours total. [Space]: The shop has small box shelves rented out by independent artists and creators to showcase their items. Think of it as a way for Empty Shelf to rent out space so creators can consign their items. I really liked some of the cute designs from the creators featured here. In a way visiting Empty Shelf feels like going to an arts and crafts fair but shrinked into one small brick-and-mortar store. In addition, the shop also has a really niche and interesting selection of English and Japanese books including Japanese Shonen Jump magazines. They even have some Japanese vinyl records. For anyone who is looking for specific popular anime IPs, this is not the gift shop to visit. [Workshops]: Empty Shelf also serves as a venue for various workshops (e.g. Embroidery Cup Sleeve Workshop, Fancy Dumpling Bag Workshop, Perfume Making Workshop, etc). Check Empty Shelf's IG page for additional details on upcoming workshops. [Conclusion]: I am a big fan of this shop and the curated items here are really hitting on all cylinders. I may come here from time to time whenever I need to look for unique, cute, and non anime-inspired gifts.

Wanted to drop by and write another review because Aladdin Used Books is having a Thanksgiving…read moreevent! I got a free mouse pad (if you make $30 purchase or more) and also 15% off (if you spend more than $40). Really liked the English-translated books by Korean authors. Selections are ones that you don't normally see in average bookstores. I was able to get two books from my wishlist. Staff has always been calm and pleasant. She even asked if I had parking to validate which we were able to get 4 hours which is honestly plenty of time. Please come check out this super organized and clean book store whenever you're in KTown!

ALADDIN USED BOOKS is still here…read more Still has the awesome used book smell. Waaaaaaay less people than my last visit. Great selection. Manage available, among other things.\

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