When I think about a fun city/district I always think of cute boutiques, chill cafes, and a BOOKSTORE. Bookstore, you say? Well once a upon a time before undergrad and now grad school swallowed my life in a gulp, I loved to read. I love the smell and feel of books and that crisp noise it makes when you turn a page. (It's like a high for book junkies. Real talk.) The selection of books and magazines were great. What I really liked about the bookstore was the handwritten suggestion which made the bookstore feel more personal. If I could have any bookstore in the world in my hood, it would have to be The Booksmith. read more

I wish I could rate this five stars. Usually, when I go in here it is. Imagine a place, it's own little nook, in it's own well deserved part of San Francisco. The selection of books is one of the best I've seen as well as the personal selection array. The personalized notecards attract just the right touch to this literary world. The store is well fitting and clearly deserves five stars. The staff was offhand though. I thought I'd be greeted by an associate. I was in there for 30 minutes, just browsing. Not once was I stopped to be greeted. I do understand, most associates here must be introverts, but it is still a store, yes? I was looking for detailed coloring books, having gone around the store three times to search. All the while getting side tracked, in a very good way, of a stack of pages, I've never seen before. The employees had the back door open so you could hear their conversations. Not once was I stopped for a greeting. Other than that, five stars. I'll still keep coming here. read more

This is a great independent bookstore, which humanity is running out of. I saw Broke-Ass Suart reading from his "Broke-Ass Stuart's Guide to Living Cheaply in San Francisco" and soon to be New York Guide last Friday, and it was some Funny-Ass Sheet! Other author readings, both local and national happen monthly at this great place. Good Magazine section and insightful staff reviews line the shelves along with the books. Always a positive experience. So keep on driving by Borders, log-off from Amazon, and head on over to "The Booksmith". And no, I do not work there or am I affiliated in anyway, I just support the real deal when they deserve it! read more

Support this local bookstore! Their author events are fantastic! When you are about to buy from Amazon...DON'T. Come here instead! read more

Maybe I just love book stores in general (see Stacey's and Alexander Book Company reviews), but The Booksmith has a good selection and while there is not a lot on the sale table, it's all recent, good stuff (not weird cookbooks and romance novels that didn't sell inthe 80s). I just picked up a $5 hardcover Michael Chabon book that only just went softcover. When a book I couldn't find anywhere else that just came out wasn't in, they had it for me the next day, so I think they are my new fav brick and mortor bookstore (no replacing www.powells.com for online). read more

Waaaaaaaaay better than I expected! I wandered in on a Friday afternoon trying to kill time and I was expecting it to be nothing more than a bunch of books on how to legally or illegally grow "herbs" in San Francisco. Instead I found an awesome little bookstore! Well laid out, lots of great staff suggestions and local authors. Autographed copies of books were available from several authors and the staff were extremely pleasant. Lovely change from Borders or from specialty bookstores that don't really offer much value. read more

Probably the cleanest place on Haight! This place is small and cozy--the way I like my bookstores. I love to read the handwritten staff recommendations taped to the shelves. And the reading events pull in some big national and local names. I've seen David Sedaris and Beth Lipsick read here. Well, I didn't really see Sedaris: he was a shorty and it was a packed house. But even if they're standing room only, the events are worth the free Booksmith trading cards featuring the Author of the Night. And Tommy Chong is coming on Aug 9. Can Borders or B&N beat that? Don't think so. read more

Great place if you don't want to go to the other chain bookstores. I love coming in here just to browse...The staff are always friendly and helpful and it's just a great place to hangout ... read more

Loved this bookstore on Haight. They had the book I was looking for and my daughter found the hard cover, color Scott Pilgrim she wanted. The lady that checked us out knew a lot about comics. Great atmosphere. Eclectic selections. Helpful staff. read more

Went in looking for a book (they didn't have it--or at least I couldn't find it) but quickly forgot about it and bought four more novels from the staff "recommendation" notes found on the bookshelves. Every book was a good read. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Love the location, good place to escape on Haight. I'm coming here more often. Four stars because it's pricey--but I'm down for supporting The Booksmith. read more

I love the "drive by" recommendations the staff gives here. Last year I was looking at the new book, Edgar Sawtelle, and a staff member walked by, dropped a staff review in the pages where I was reading and said, "you're gong to love that book!" That was it! Nothing pushy, nothing overly cute, just helpful, confident and chipper. She was right, though, I love the book. read more

I love The Booksmith. I've lived around the corner for four years and often stop in just to browse. I also buy all my books from them because supporting local and independent businesses is something I find important. About a year ago, my husband and I discovered some great Moleskine-like journals here and have been using them daily at work. Walking home tonight, I thought I'd stop in and stock up on a couple more journals as I was running out of pages in my last journal. I couldn't find them on the shelves, so I asked at the front desk, quite politely, and apologized that I could not remember the brand name, but described exactly what I was looking for. The cashier blinked at me like a deer in the headlights and asked a colleague if they carry "a Moleskine journal that isn't Moleskine." The second cashier asked me if I was describing a German brand, while interrupting my attempt to describe the journal, so I agreed, thinking she knew what I was talking about. Then she quickly found something urgent to stare at on her computer screen and declared that The Booksmith has never carried that journal and does not carry that journal (cool grammar structure for someone who works in a bookstore). She completely shut me down without the decency to look at me or care to find out what I was actually looking for. I didn't know what to say, so I just left and mumbled "OK, sure, but I only bought these journals because I found them here." So when I get to work tomorrow and look at the brand name on my journal, I'll be sure to order a whole bunch from Amazon. EDIT: The journal I was looking for is made by Miro: http://goo.gl/qZ2vpJ read more

Small bookstore are awesome...but attended a reading by an author where the employee who introduced the reader had to ask for pronunciation during the intro. Oh and no restroom for customers at reading? Biology had me dash out... read more

Yes the Booksmith is independent! It's my favorite 'meet up' spot in the Haight, and they always have tons of magazines and new books to check out while you wait for your friends to show up. I've been to some incredible readings here (Paul Auster! Michael Chabon! David Sedaris! Andrew Sean Greer!). They sometimes have readings at the library around the corner, which works out very well. read more

This bookstore is great! I love how many Chronicle Books publications they have, including the misc section perfect for gifts or coffee tablesque books. The sections are clearly labeled and well stocked. I enjoyed the graphic novels, the extensive magazine section and the staff picks. Be prepared to spend a lot of time here. Perhaps they should get some comfy seating? Only gripe was all the customers with baby strollers and their lack of awareness of others in the store. read more

I adore this bookstore. I often go there just to peruse if I'm passing by. Super bright, friendly, they have a great selection, and if they don't have something they'll order it for you. read more

The Booksmith has an excellent selection of hand-picked children's books, many of which I would probably never come across by browsing online bookstores exclusively. The books are offered at their retail prices and are not always in the best shape (e.g., small scratches or blunt corners on children's books), but I appreciate that much thought has gone into the book selection process, as demonstrated by the handwritten staff recommendations. Also, the complimentary gift wrapping is convenient and helpful. read more

Love The Booksmith! I can't go in there without spending all my money and they have a great selection. 99% of the books I've purchased armed only with in-house recommendations have been fantastic. Have I mentioned the super friendly staff? Because they're great. Also - they let me bring my dog in, AND they give her treats. They grabbed that extra star at the end just for that. read more

This is an awesome bookstore. I love the set up, the selection, the atmosphere, and the people - from the workers to the customers. Everyone here was super nice and it's a great bookstore. I highly recommend it to anyone - from the person living in San Francisco to the tourist visiting. read more

Something on Haight Street I can stand behind. In the day of chain stores this is a rare surviving independent local bookstore. This bookstore has history. Booksmith has managed to survive in a world of Amazon, Borders and Barnes and Nobles where other old school indies have fallen. Support local, shop here, keep America unique. read more

Good selection of books and friendly staff!

Convenient location, so I find myself popping in here on occasion to pick up cards for different occasions (birthdays, thank-yous, showers, etc). Unfortunately Haight Street doesn't have a lot of stationary stores where classy stuff like this is sold. Booksmith has cute cards but the selection is tiny. Though I've shopped here on numerous occasions before (I've lived in the neighborhood for several years), on my last visit, one of the cashiers asked me if I was a member. I had no idea they had memberships--buy a certain # of books and you get a % off of your next purchase. I wonder why this wasn't something anyone else had asked me about previously...though, the cashiers won't hesitate to stop you immediately upon entering the store to surrender all bags for fear of shoplifting. read more

Let's start off with I love book stores, so much so that I can spend hours browsing. Booksmith is wonderful, they welcome book fiends like myself. They have great presentations, a wonderful (really really wonderful) selection of kids books. The staff will always order a book for me if I cannot find it. I love this place! I am so glad I live nearby and my daughter goes to school a few blocks away - we both love coming here and always feel welcome. Thank you Booksmith! read more

Hands-down my favorite bookstore in San Francisco. Their selection is unmatched, the staff picks are thoughtful and varied, and they host fun events like Shipwrecked! It's an oasis along the colorful Haight Street corridor. They're a stop along the "Haight-Ashbury Summer of Love" Detour as well, which is a fun nod to the history of the neighborhood and a cool way to integrate with another business. read more

Right in the heart of the Haight, is this awesome, very original bookstore. In the days of Kindle and big box stores like Barnes and Noble, it is so much fun to shop at a unique, one of a kind bookstore. It took a while for me to actually get to shop here. I made the effort to go one night only to find a piece of paper taped to the door saying they had closed early. Bummer! I don't love the street, but it was worth it to come back. read more

Even though I'm a slave to the evil corporate empire and I really love the rewards program that Big Faceless Chain Bookstore has, I also love having a good neighborhood bookstore. I stop in here whenever I'm nearby and I almost always leave with something. The selection is good. I can fulfill my desire for intellectual stimulating, thought-provoking fiction and my secret desire for complete crap fiction that makes me stupider. Yep. Stupider. read more

I came in here one day looking for nothing in particular, and walked out with a book by one of my favorite authors from high school (a somewhat obscure british sci-fi author). They have a selection of stuff that I haven't seen elsewhere, and some good events with authors. I would come here more if I hadn't placed a moratorium on buying new books (need to read what I have before getting any more). read more

Love this bookstore, despite the fact that I seldom buy new books. I love the recommendations written on cards throughout the store and the bright lights make it easy to read. No one bugs you to leave and the book cases make it easy to take out stuff and put it back without suffering a hernia. read more

This is my neighborhood bookstore and I feel blessed. It is what a bookstore should be. The selection is high quality. Browsing is a blast. What I love the most is how they keep up with trends, but do it with individual intelligence and style. Eg: They used to have a small graphic novel section in the back, now they have the latest up front -- along with art books and other cultural periodicals. They get that culture evolves, they get that a book store is a place to go explore new forms, and that they have an ability/duty to present it to us. Booksmith against the mainstreaming, stupidifying, and massification of our culture. read more

I love book stores so of course when I saw this place I had to walk in. Despite its size, they had EVERYTHING! They had books I couldn't find online or in big bookstores on the east coast (specifically Zamyatin's 'We'). I spent a good while looking at their collection and reading the staff recommendations but sadly, I didn't buy anything. This place is too rich for my blood but it's a fantastic place to look for books to read. read more

I have lived on Haight for for over two years and have never been into the Booksmith. I know, sad but true. To my defense, I generally buy second hand books. I finally had a visit to this glorious bookstore last night for a special event and book signing. The event made me feel warm and fuzzy and I will surely be back for more. This store is really wonderful. They have a huge selection of books across a wide array of subjects, both recent and old. I love the staff selections and pointers. They also have a large selection of SF area books and pieces area residents. The staff rock and are knowledgeable and open to answer any questions. I will visit here often to support this great independent bookstore. read more

Great bookstore. I never walk out with less than 3 items. Yes, it's full price. But I'd rather support a local retailer than Amazon.com. And as the others have said, they do have great author events. read more

Can't say it's a 5 star bookstore because I don't read very much. A good place to browse the diverse photography section and then the magazines. Followed by failed attempts to get eye contact w/ the cute waify asian cashier. read more

Perhaps one of my favorite stores in the Haight. I constantly come back here. I love the selection of local, hand-made greeting cards and magazines. A lot of books and events, too, but unfortunately the books are insanely overpriced. I know that it's an independent store, but I can't justify spending $30 on a book that not only could I get on Amazon for $12, but at any other bookstore in the city for $20-25. I'm all for supporting local businesses but the mark up is kind of ridiculous. The place is SUPER cute, though and I continue to buy random cards, posters and magazines here. PERFECT for gifts and random books, but unfortunately a little too pricey for everyday. Open late, too! read more

The recommendations here are what really amazed me. Tons of personality and excitement packed into a short paragraph that's handwritten by staff. I left feeling excited and inspired to start reading some of the ones that caught my eye. read more

The boyfriend ditched me in Haight/Ashbury so I roamed the street with the eclectic little shops and stumbled into this gem. They've got an excellent little selection of books, for both young readers and old. I wasn't pestered as I looked thru the aisles and found a fun little book to buy. Definitely a place to go if you're a book lover in the neighborhood read more

Their author events are really cool. Otherwise, this bookstore is solid, not stratospherically awe-inspiring and not hellishly awful. Clean. Good selection. Nice staff recommendations. I'm glad it is here, and I will continue to buy books there even though they are all at full retail price and they don't have used books, because they are independent and not some mall outlet for the New York Times best seller list. read more

i love books. eff those electronic readers in the a. this is what a bookstore should be. it has a mellow, low pressure vibe and a nice inviting set up. been to a few book signings there (couldn't care less about getting an actual signature but i love to hear the authors talk about their work) it's a little cramped but i would take cramped over corporate any day good times read more

I can't go to a place like this and leave empty handed. Love that they have best sellers but also local authors and quirky coffee table books. Free gift wrapping for the holidays and warm, knowledgable staff. Nice place to browse on a Sunday afternoon after brunching at Sparrows next door. I dig it! I'll be back :) read more

It's not a huge secret that I love books. This is one of my favorite bookstores, and it's nice and close to me for now. The staff is so friendly and helpful. They really know their stuff. They were able to recommend a good book for my boyfriend for Christmas, and he is one of the pickiest readers I know. It's not a huge bookstore, but I still get lost in here, yay. I like that they do readings here too. read more