The Reading Bug

This may be my favorite used bookstore yet!…read more The ladies working there were so welcoming and friendly. They let me and my boyfriend in a few minutes before opening so we could get out of the cold. So thoughtful. The selection was amazing. I snagged some older titles and then came across a table with some newer titles and all $6 and under. What a bargain. Will absolutely be back!

At first I couldn't find this place because there was a mini golf set up in the courthouse square…read more I had to literally walk around the block and saw these signs that read "used books" "this way" haha. This place is really hole-in-the-wall basement ish warehouse type feel bookstore. The prices are amazing for the used books. It is incredibly reasonably priced. I found two children's books in very good quality for $1 each. What a steal! For the most part, don't expect finding hot new bestsellers in here. This place is like for book antiques or if you need a used copy of something that might be a few years back. It was good for what I needed since I'm looking for some older historical fiction books about the American revolution. I was surprised to find two books here that I needed and so maybe you'll get lucky too! The couple who owns this place are very friendly. They said hi right upon me walking in. Selection is pretty wide, the books genres are organized in a neat way but the books themselves are scattered. For example, the fiction and nonfiction adult books are alphabetical order by last name but the children's books are not. It made things harder for me to look but I didn't mind since I had time. If you're in a rush then maybe this place isn't the best or just ask the lady up front for help! Overall this place is a gem and the proceeds go to a good cause--San Mateo historical foundation!

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Reach and Teach

5.0(107 reviews)

0.2 mi

The Most American Small Business Book Store I've ever been to…read more Owner/Operators and employees are educated, knowledgeable, honest and sincere.

Reach and Teach is truly a local gem and one of the most inspiring shops on the Peninsula. They…read moreoffer a carefully curated mix of progressive books, educational toys and games, eco‑friendly products, and other high‑quality gifts you won't find in big box stores. Every visit feels like a treasure hunt--you'll discover something meaningful, fun, and thoughtful. The two owners are not only super friendly but also deeply civic‑minded, always ready to share knowledge and support community causes. Their passion for education, sustainability, and social justice shines through in everything they do. If you're looking for a place that combines heart, purpose, and great finds, Reach and Teach is a must‑visit.

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Our front door explains that we are a "one stop shop for ethically produced products from around the corner or around the world"

B Street Books

4.1(182 reviews)

7.1 mi

Don't try to sell your used books here . I got $20 first round I took four boxes of books there …read more Second round the owner only hand me $7 cash and I just left and should not come back anymore .

B Street Books remains an absolute gem. While I certainly miss having them right in downtown San…read moreMateo, their new Burlingame location is well worth the trip. They have a fantastic, curated selection where you can truly get lost in the stacks. I rarely leave without finding one or two obscure titles that feel like once-in-a-lifetime finds. What I appreciate most is the atmosphere: the owner and staff are incredibly knowledgeable if you have a question, but they truly respect the "browser's right" to wander in peace. No hard sell, no hovering--just a quiet, welcoming space to discover your next favorite book. It's the kind of local shop that makes a community better.

The front of the store from the street

Inside (4/27/24)

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Inside (4/27/24)

Kepler's Books & Magazines

4.3(336 reviews)

5.4 mi

Kepler's Books is an institution!! Love stopping in here for books, gifts, or events.read more

Historically significant bookstore that touches upon the beatniks, musicians and bohemians…read more I love this long-lived bookstore. It opened originally across the street in 1955 by conscientious objector Roy Kepler. He had ties to and thought along the same lines as Lawrence Ferlinghetti, the founder of City Lights Books in San Francisco. Ken Kesey, Jerry Garcia and loads of other literary and musical bohemians have mentioned the impact this bookstore had on their lives. Support your local bookstore and come here.

Inside the store

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Entrance!

Barnes & Noble Booksellers

3.3(241 reviews)

3.1 mi

This Barnes & Noble is beautiful! I didn't realize there was a 2 story location in the Bay Area. It…read moretook me an hour just to make it around the store because there was so many things to look at. Their book selection is endless, they have a ton of board games, Legos, music, and DVDs. Additionally, they have book merch, rows of manga, crochet sets, and greeting cards. It's over an hour drive for me, but I definitely want to come back and support this location. Hopefully the Fremont one opening will be even half as nice as this location is. I always want to support small, local bookstores, but it's always so hard to find what I'm looking for there.

We come here once a week, my three year old and I. We usually split a pastry and I get coffee at…read morethe Starbucks, then he plays with the Brio trains and toys. If I get the chance, I'll browse any books that catch my attention, but we mostly go for the third-space aspect. It's a great place to just walk around and occasionally pick up a book, toy, or game. I will say that books have gone up in price (across the board, not just B&N). But the board books and games for young kids aren't bad. I also recently bought a chess set that was half off in their sale section. Customer service is generally good. They don't give us a hard time about playing with the toys, and they're friendly at the coffee shop and checkout. We like this spot and we'll keep coming back.

Barnes & Noble - outside

View from 2nd floor

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Schindler MT 300A elevator, Barnes & Noble Hillsdale South

Feldman's Books

4.4(121 reviews)

5.4 mi

This is one of the best bookstores. Recently moved a few blocks away from its original locale…read more Yes, one if my favorite quirky bookstores. I just want to sit and let the words envelope me. Takes me on journeys from a sitting position. This is truly a special spot . No, a holy spot where literature and west coast ease come together. Mashed and spiced with ideas of love and loss. Science and fiction. Her story and His. Excellent service. Real and not plastered plastic. Excellent selection of used treasures. Best value for dreams and dreaming.

I've been going to Feldman's for years and it's always had a great selection of books for a great…read moreprice. Though I miss the high stacks and patio from the El Camino location, the new location on Curtis makes it even more convenient to stop in while running errands downtown. They buy books, too.

Inside seating

World War Two - Feldman's used book section

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Inside labyrinth you want to get lost in . The best

Barnes & Noble

3.1(85 reviews)

2.0 mi

This store is a bit smaller than other ones however the staff her are so helpful! They can easily…read morehelp you find any book you need. Also it's conveniently located within a plaza so parking is never an issue.

My family & I were there earlier this afternoon & had a wonderful experience…read more Everyone who was working was friendly, knowledgeable & really helpful. It was a very pleasant experience & I look forward to returning.

Business best sellers

Blood Brothers by Randy Ali and Johnny Smith, well researched and written so well to transport into the1960s thx for stocking it

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Ready for winter

Books Inc

4.3(126 reviews)

7.1 mi

Super neat book store! Popped in before dinner to browse titles and get gift ideas for upcoming…read moreholidays. Store is a good size with many book genres, a full children's section, calendars, magazines, games, gifts, and stationery. Staff was kept the queues short & were ready to help with recommendations. Great selection of calendars & books on sale!

This bookstore has been around since forever but I didn't realize Books Inc declared bankruptcy and…read morewas bought out by Barnes and Noble recently. This store has retained its name and branding and general cozy vibes, but they switched the rewards program and receipt paper to Barnes and Noble. They didn't ask us for a membership number or anything at the cashier. There is no indication of this store's relationship to Barnes and Noble anywhere in the store (probably by design). So I guess it still feels like you're supporting a local business but it's actually Barnes and Noble now.

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Ink Spell Books

4.6(79 reviews)

9.8 mi

Nice bookstore, this is the kind my wife and I love because the books are curated. We came to just…read morehave a look and ended up spending more time here than we thought. There is a main section and also a small walkway that connects to the building next door with more books. It's set up with comfortable sofas and chairs for people that want to hand out and read. They have a large children's selection of books and toys, my kids wanted some of the lego sets they had. In this section I ended up spending the most amount of time in the "Where's Waldo" section. There were so many new books that I didn't know existed and our old childhood books we passed to our kids are some of their favorites. Some other notable areas are a "rare books" section in the display case with handwritten tidbits. There is also a discounted "used books" section. My wife ended up with two books which she loved.

If you want to grab a book and enjoy it while chilling to the sounds of crashing waves and chirping…read morebirds this is your place. Lovely staff. Great used book options too if you forgot to bring your Harry Potter copy with you. Your kids will thank you.

Inside (1/1/25)

Cool dice on the counter!

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Inside (1/1/25)

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11 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Anna W.

2 years ago

I recently attended a signing event at your store, which I've been anticipating for an entire week and traveled an hour for. However, my experience was marred by an interaction with an employee who seemed stressed and overwhelmed. While I understand the demands of working in a busy bookstore (it was the end of the day, lots of effort was put in, and other people probably gave her a worse attitude), I felt her communication style was abrupt and confusing. Specifically, explaining the book purchase requirement for the event could have been clearer. My group and I were eager to support the author and your store but felt unwelcome due to the employee's tone. I had actually met the author and media escort a couple days ago and they had told me that when I attend this event, to just go to them, so I was just a bit confused and trying to clarify, but kept getting cut off. The people I was with (two normally very calm and chill people) were really upset. I want to emphasize that I appreciate your store's efforts to host author events. As someone who solely buys from local bookstores, I value your store's contributions to the book community. My group and I had just hoped to have a better experience meeting a cherished author while visiting the store for the first time. To improve future events, please consider providing clearer guidelines on event requirements and training staff on effective communication. A polite and welcoming approach would enhance the overall experience. Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to future visits. read more

Ang L.

133

103

10 years ago

Updating my review after the co-owner responded to my email. I believe that if she were the person we interacted with that our experience would have been the opposite. It was a decent email that included the apology we should have gotten in the verbal discussion. 3 stars for a nice store with a nice vision because no, I don't want to see small business or book stores go into extinction. But in order to thrive in today's environment with the big box stores and technology, your competitive advantage should be in your service. Minus the 2 stars because I'm a parent who's young child was treated rudely, and that was unnecessary. I still don't think I'd come back, but I do appreciate the apology. read more

Reno B.

9 years ago

It's been a while since I've visited this store and it's awesome how much they've developed and improved over the years! Twice the space, a dance/event studio, wider variety of products, and they get big name authors and illustrators in all the time. My nieces absolutely love this place. San Carlos is lucky to have such a welcoming and magical store in the center of town. Looking forward to seeing what's new next time! read more

Nicole R.

15 years ago

Wow! What a gem of a book store. I had just left another business nearby and was pretty disgusted with the customer service, well lack of that is. I ducked into this place and was impressed. They have a good selection of books for children. I picked up a few for my niece. The employees here are very helpful and they know their books. They sure took my mind off that terrible aquarium store i was just at. read more

Moses J.

845

212

15 years ago

I went in to get a book for my nephew's birthday and I was amazed of how a little book haven this is for kids. The place is set up to be fun and exciting for kids to enjoy books. They have an impressive calendar of events for both kids and their parents. And they also have the ability to host birthday parties. A big thumbs up in my book! read more

Veronica M.

16 years ago

I love this place! It is fun for kids, has a great selection and really promotes a love of reading and great books for children. We love to hang around in the back and look at books in the fun chairs and always find the staff to be helpful and friendly. read more

Clare S.

11 years ago

OMG, I wish I lived near this bookstore. I think every bookstore should strive to be as awesome as The Book End. I love used books!

Jocelyn B.

15 years ago

adorable, love it, fantastic. my kids love it, i love it, etc etc etc...go!

Rocker 1.

326

15 years ago

by far one of my favorite places in SC to take the kids

Luna S.

150

12 years ago

Ubercute, I just wanna buy off the whole store

Aditya V.

13 years ago

Great reading place for kids

The Reading Bug - bookstores - Updated September 2026

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Fireside Books & More

4.8

(30 reviews)

Love this bookstore! Sooooo many great events, friendly staff, fun selection of books and crafts,…read moreand they will order anything you need (I get a lot of random academic books for school). A wonderful addition to downtown and just a chill cool place to explore your wildest dreams. Love the chance to support local business too!

Love supporting local indie bookstores. Good selection & friendly owner who gave great YA…read morerecommendations. Picked up some cute local 3D fidget animals as well.

Kepler's Books & Magazines

4.3

(336 reviews)

Kepler's Books is an institution!! Love stopping in here for books, gifts, or events.read more

Busy Baby Bottoms

3.9

(13 reviews)

Quick take: I wouldn't patronize this business…read more My friend and I sat at a community table outside of this business. We sat down to eat our lunch. Out of nowhere this aggressive lady comes up to where we were sitting and started mumbling and ranting. At first I didn't even realize she was talking to us. She was rambling and walking back and forth. She unlocks the door, goes in and comes back out in an aggressive manner. Totally unprofessional behavior towards members of the community. This person is unhinged. I do not feel comfortable supporting or recommending this business to anyone.

I'm leaving this review based entirely on the behavior of either the owner or an employee who was…read moreworking on 6/17. My friend and I were seated at a table directly outside the small storefront, eating lunch in the shade on a warm day. Out of nowhere, a woman came out and harshly chastised us for sitting there, loudly claiming we were blocking her door (we absolutely were not). She continued to berate us, saying things like, "Who in their right mind would think it's okay to sit here?" She unlocked the door, and continued ranting and she stepped inside. As she came back outside, she would not stop. The whole encounter felt aggressive and completely unnecessary. If she had politely asked us to move, we would have gladly done so, though again, we weren't blocking anything, and the table was already there when we arrived. For such a small local business, I expected more kindness and respect toward people in the community and potential customers. Unfortunately, based on this experience alone, I wouldn't feel comfortable recommending this shop to others.

Bishop's Hallmark

3.7

(13 reviews)

With the digital age and the internet, I am seeing more and more card shops go out of business…read more I've been lucky to find this Hallmark with excellent staff. They also moved and their now closer to The Gap on the 2nd Floor. Looks like they downsized a bit too. But the quality of selections are still in tact, and also it looks like the same ladies still work here. Always nice to see a familiar face. I am so glad that there is still a greeting card place where I can still put my hands and open each cards, read it, and even manage to get a good laugh! This type of experience I believe is priceless!! Until then, Cheers! ~ :p

One of the better Hallmark locations located within Hillsdale Shopping Center…read more Things here aren't exactly "cheap", but they do have a variety of very cool items that could be great gifts. Staff is very friendly, but one lady kept bumping into my wife which was a bit weird. Still, a lot of cool items here. If you like small trinkets and cards, then come here and explore.

Shelby's Garden

4.7

(46 reviews)

If this store is going to be closed during regular business hours I feel like they should make it…read moreknown so people don't drive out of their way for this store, only for it to be closed.

Such a quaint boutique in downtown San Carlos…read more The owner was so nice she has done a great job decorating the space So many wonderful gift options

Paper Caper

3.8

(54 reviews)

•$$$

I had the BEST experience with Alison to create my wedding menus and table numbers. We were able to…read morediscuss what I wanted and decided on the logistics within one appointment. I was able to show Alison my vision board and she mocked up proofs quickly for my approval. I would highly recommend them for your wedding signage, I wish I went to them sooner for my invitations!

Had some gift wrapping done and it turned out great. Beautiful. Cute little store and incredible…read morestaff, positive attitude, fun, etc. Only thing is wrapping was a bit expensive for me and overall was kind of a hassle between Ave parking for both pick up and drop off And coordinating around when they could get it done.

McCoy Church Goods Company

4.7

(18 reviews)

This store has closed down and a completely different business is replacing it…read more The people that owned and operated McCoy Church Goods were very nice.

Very nice if you want some religious candles or holy cards are by a gift for a communion or a…read moreconfirmation they're so nice and helpful. I'm sad. They moved now they're by the cemetery worth a ride.

Lark - San Carlos

5.0

(9 reviews)

A friend and I took Lark's leather workshop and had a delightful evening making crossbody leather…read morebags that turned out surprisingly great! All thanks to owner Eilish's thoughtful assistance and providing all materials needed. Her shop on Laurel is a San Carlos gem too--perfect place to shop for unique and handmade gifts from local artists!

Lark is my first stop in town for unique gifts. I love to browse the store and read all about the…read morelocal artisans. I recently attended a leather making workshop led by Eilish, the shop owner, and made my own tote bag. It was so fun, and Eilish was very knowledgeable and patient.

Nordic Nest

4.4

(16 reviews)