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    Revolution Books

    4.4 (40 reviews)
    InexpensiveBookstores
    Open 12:30 pm - 7:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Revolution Books Books, Mags, Music & Video Photos

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    Ultima M.

    Nice little book store with a variety of different books I saw some bilingual Spanish/English books for children Some controversial topic books Some books covering Chicano issues as well as other ethnic issues Customer service is friendly and very informative Prices are very reasonable Student discount given Street parking only No private parking lot Store is behind the flower shop in a little alley way

    Quality merch and carefully selected books to promote diversity in either a home or school library.
    Sophie R.

    Such knowledgable and helpful staff. They went out of their way to tell is about the latest diverse books on their shelves. They are so well informed on banned books and helpful in ensuring you pick diverse books for your home or, in my case, school library. Educator discount available.

    Jo W.

    So, new location calls for new reviews. It's a small, quirky, indie bookstore, but that's what you get with a book that specializes not only in Communist literature, but also with all kinds of social justice, ethnic/gender/sexuality studies, and environmental issues, among many other topics. The store is run by volunteers, and while I appreciate friendly staff at any establishment, I like to browse book selections in peace, not have people come up to me trying to strike up conversation about Mao and modern day socialism, interrupting my thoughts and relaxation time of browsing books in silence. I had to nod and go, "Mm-hmm" countless times, trying to give a hint that I want to be left to my introverted devices. I appreciate the fiction section, and the used book cart that sits outside the store has some sweet deals ranging $2-9. I found an old edition of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and books by Gail Tsukiyama. While this doesn't offer the wide range of books you can find at Moe's down the street, or even at Barnes and Noble for a much bigger selection, this quirky, tiny bookstore is unique to Berkeley. In fact, probably one of the few establishments left in today's gentrification takeover that gives Berkeley its Beserk-eley charm.

    Ferdinand B.

    I love Revolution Books bookstore, they have all the classics in all areas of politics and even some literature classics. It's a small store so they don't have piles of books but you can stay there reading for a while on one of the chairs. Bookstores like this are what are keeping some people from slipping into complete complicity, stupidity complacently, and total subservience to "authority".

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    12 years ago

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    5 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Wonderful selection of books and the staff was extremely helpful and kind! Highly recommend this hidden gem of a store!

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    18 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Please keep up the fight. You deserve more than 5 stars. I'll be visiting you next time I'm in Berkeley.

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    13 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Someone rated 1 star because she insulted a man who threatened to burn down her store with something that's probably true? Eh.

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    15 years ago

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    17 years ago

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    17 years ago

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    20 years ago

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    17 years ago

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    19 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    17 years ago

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    17 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Friendly customer service. Good selection of thought-provoking books. Support this local bookstore, Bay Area book lovers!

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    17 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    17 years ago

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    19 years ago

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    Ask the Community - Revolution Books

    Review Highlights - Revolution Books

    This is the only one left and it's going strong; thanks to the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA!

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Moe's Books - T shirts and book bags

    Moe's Books

    4.5(478 reviews)
    0.1 miTelegraph Ave
    $$

    I fell in love with this bookstore. I'm sure my sons regretted we went in because I spent time…read morehere. They have so much new and used selection. All types of books. I'm a non-fiction bookworm and this place is a heaven. The value for most books is reasonable and lower than a regular book store. I loved how organized it was on each floor and there were posted guides if you wanted to see more what floor to find them. They have a top floor with staff by appointment for special books. Other than that there's no staff interaction except at payment. I also loved they had table and chair seatings in random places be use you will get tired of checking out everything. Yes, I left with 7 books, no regrets and wish I could've taken more. I will def be back! They have straits and elevators but I recommend taking the stairs as they have interesting frames on the way and shop on lower level by stairwell.

    Great selection of books! Seems like some books are centuries old and still in great condition. The…read morebooks they have to offer too are affordable and reasonable! The staff is great. Super friendly and welcoming, extremely willing to help upon your visit. You can also sell books here. They are picky with what you bring in, must be in pristine condition, no writing in books, and all hard covered books must have sleeves. They sell for a great trade-in but their cash isn't great. Definitely check them out!

    Photos
    Moe's Books - Upstairs

    Upstairs

    Moe's Books
    Moe's Books - At Moe's perusing the endless aisles of books

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    At Moe's perusing the endless aisles of books

    Half Price Books

    Half Price Books

    4.0(373 reviews)
    0.6 miDowntown Berkeley
    $

    Love this place. Come here all the time. The nice thing is that they have a network of them and…read moretheir inventory system is very good. You can order online of course; or go in the store and order them from another store which will ship over for free. I was able to find some (what I thought were) esoteric titles surprisingly. Staff are very friendly. Chairs here and there making it feel welcoming. Quite big and large selection. Very sad it's closing soon- grumble grumble landlord.... Hope it sprouts up somewhere else- not as if there aren't vacant retail properties ALL over the place. It's definitely an anchor to the block and the "arts district."

    Save your time! Save your money!…read moreIt's time that they got what was coming. We came here and it was an absolute waste. Most of the stuff they have are packed up in the boxes that you can see in some of the pictures. You can also see they pulled a lot of stuff off the shelves and the prices are higher. I have a picture of two of the same books. One looks used. The other one looks new and one is 699 and the other one is 599. It isn't like one has a signature or anything. It's not special. It just cost more. The people who work there were kind of just hanging around in the back and not doing much. And they're already closed! I remember what the days when they were open until 10 11 o'clock at night but that was a long time ago back when they were relevant. I say it's karma because they didn't buy everybody's books. I have a picture of them saying they are no longer buying books. They don't buy books from Black people, full stop!And so. Bye!!! The problem they always said they had my books that my books are old. So why am I looking at a bookstore with nothing but old books. If they have separate pricing for Black people, they should just say that and suffered the consequences for that. This is a place I used to go to for all my books and I loved going there because I love getting a bargain, however, when I wanted to sell some books that's when things got funky. I find it interesting that I get more money from other places selling less books than I've ever gotten from them and I never did do my experiment where a white friend would walk in and sell my books so that I could see how much money she got. I bet she wouldn't have been told about how old her books are, which is hard to understand when the books are old as Methuselah! But, now they won't be my inspiration for purchasing off of Amazon, which is pretty much what they've become to me. I see a book in the store, look up the author and the book online, and if I can get it at my library or on Amazon, I will get it because I don't wanna waste money with people who say they buy books and don't buy them., full stop! Bye...

    Photos
    Half Price Books - Recent purchase of random selections.

    Recent purchase of random selections.

    Half Price Books - Ad Hoc@ Home + French Laundry set for $49.95 before tax!

    Ad Hoc@ Home + French Laundry set for $49.95 before tax!

    Half Price Books - Thomas Keller love: both for less than $50!

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    Thomas Keller love: both for less than $50!

    Clio's Bookstore and Bar - Partial reading area

    Clio's Bookstore and Bar

    4.0(121 reviews)
    4.0 mi

    I've been here a couple times, once for a community event and once to have drinks with a new friend…read more- both times did not disappoint! The vibe here is old skool intellectual lounge meets chic cocktail connoisseur. (Although I enjoyed a crisp glass of white wine during my second visit.) The literary selection in each room is vast and interesting. The seating is comfy. The staff are welcoming and fun. Moderately priced, Clio's is a must each month if you can swing it.

    I have waited to write this review, but I'm seeing that other bipoc customers have had similar…read moreexperiences. I went to Clio's in the first 6 months of them opening and my partner and I have not been back. When I entered the space, I was excited to try something new- but it started when I went to order tea- I know now that the guy at the bar was the owner- I asked what kind of teas they had and he seemed annoyed at my question- like I was wasting his time. I had to ask again but then asked my partner who is white to deal with the rest of the ordering. We are a queer couple and both felt the vibes were hella off. Lots of white men in the space at that time. I also remember they didn't used to have any books by people of color. They had a "world" section of books though (lol) and throughout the rest of the place, a bunch of stuff written by white men. I feel like the stuff they have up now is a performative attempt to not appear what they actually are. I have not gone back since and don't recommend it

    Photos
    Clio's Bookstore and Bar - A Friday night at 10pm, busy and loud. Nice bartenders.

    A Friday night at 10pm, busy and loud. Nice bartenders.

    Clio's Bookstore and Bar - Blackberry sage shrub

    Blackberry sage shrub

    Clio's Bookstore and Bar - Interior

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    Interior

    Revolution Books - bookstores - Updated May 2026

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