As John Updike once expressed, “bookstores should feel, I think, like a vacant lot—places where the demands on us are our own demands, where the spirit can find exercise in unsupervised play.” While Barnes and Nobles is always a helpful place to grab those last-minute novels you may need for class tomorrow, it cannot compare to the wonder and charm of visiting a small, local bookstore.

The San Francisco Bay Area has many alternatives to large chains of booksellers. If, like myself, you enjoy not only the anticipation of opening a new novel, but the experience of discovering it amongst the incomprehensible loads of knowledge held in one shop, I recommend stopping by one of the many friendly local booksellers Bay Area residents have at their convenience.
Close to many Wilcox students, Leigh’s Favorite Books’ optimal location on Murphy Street in Downtown Sunnyvale makes it a convenient bookstore to drop by. They have an adorable section filled with quirky stationary and other odds and ends. However, the selection is mainly comprised of the latest novel—perfect for keeping up on current events, but a little discouraging when searching for classic novels. Nevertheless, Leigh’s Favorite books is worth the trip.

The Recycle Bookstore on the Alameda in San Jose (or in Campbell) sells books at amazing bargains. True to its name, this store actually buys used books and sells them at discount prices. This way, one can get a similar price to any used book ordered online far more quickly to avoid waiting anxiously to see if a package will arrive on time. Additionally, selling old books is a convenient way to make more space for—what else—more books!

Selling books online can be such a hassle that a quick drive down to San Jose seems like no time at all, although parking may become an issue during busy hours. Specific novels can be quite difficult to find in this maze of novels and memoirs and anything in between. The staff is extremely helpful and friendly, but it may be more convenient for customers to simply browse for surprises among the three almost hidden rooms of this charming shop. While it may seem scattered, the store is organized into several very specific categories–from Science Fiction to Literary Criticism. Customers can even discover interesting annotations or rare and out of print books, contributing to the mystique of the store. To add to the comforting experience, two cats reside in the bookstore who may ask customers for a scratch.

While located quite a ways away from Santa Clara, City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco merits a quick stop during a trip to the city. This combined bookshop and publishing company is large and cramped with customers, even for city standards, taking full advantage of its three stories. A brick-walled basement houses the nonfiction section, the main floor is occupied by novels, and a small attic looking out onto the city serves as a home for poetry. The bookstore hosts many book talks and events and does have a wide variety of fiction where their nonfiction may lack. If nothing else, this shop is really a historic place to visit. Bell’s Books, conveniently located on a side street off of University Avenue in Downtown Palo Alto, is massive in both size and in selection of books. This family-owned, independent business occupies a two-story building, complete with an overlook onto the first floor from the second and several back rooms. While many of these books can be rare or even signed by big names such as John Updike or Margaret Atwood, their prices are quite reasonable.  Almost an entire back room on the second story is dedicated to the booksellers’ historical collection, and their collections of books on topics such as art history or horticulture are impressive. I would refrain from traveling to this store to select a more recent novel, but the aged feel of the store contributes to its status as an institution of the Bay Area that any true book lover can appreciate. The staff truly know their products, so questions of any sort are welcomed. Bookstores such as these have a function beyond simply buying and selling. They may act as communities, refuges from the woes of daily life, or places for the mind to wander and flourish. Whatever the purpose, a visit to a bookstore should be more than just a chore.While located quite a ways away from Santa Clara, City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco merits a quick stop during a trip to the city. This combined bookshop and publishing company is large and cramped with customers, even for city standards, taking full advantage of its three stories. A brick-walled basement houses the nonfiction section, the main floor is occupied by novels, and a small attic looking out onto the city serves as a home for poetry. The bookstore hosts many book talks and events and does have a wide variety of fiction where their nonfiction may lack. If nothing else, this shop is really a historic place to visit. Bell’s Books, conveniently located on a side street off of University Avenue in Downtown Palo Alto, is massive in both size and in selection of books. This family-owned, independent business occupies a two-story building, complete with an overlook onto the first floor from the second and several back rooms. While many of these books can be rare or even signed by big names such as John Updike or Margaret Atwood, their prices are quite reasonable.  Almost an entire back room on the second story is dedicated to the booksellers’ historical collection, and their collections of books on topics such as art history or horticulture are impressive. I would refrain from traveling to this store to select a more recent novel, but the aged feel of the store contributes to its status as an institution of the Bay Area that any true book lover can appreciate. The staff truly know their products, so questions of any sort are welcomed. Bookstores such as these have a function beyond simply buying and selling. They may act as communities, refuges from the woes of daily life, or places for the mind to wander and flourish. Whatever the purpose, a visit to a bookstore should be more than just a chore.While located quite a ways away from Santa Clara, City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco merits a quick stop during a trip to the city. This combined bookshop and publishing company is large and cramped with customers, even for city standards, taking full advantage of its three stories. A brick-walled basement houses the nonfiction section, the main floor is occupied by novels, and a small attic looking out onto the city serves as a home for poetry. The bookstore hosts many book talks and events and does have a wide variety of fiction where their nonfiction may lack. If nothing else, this shop is really a historic place to visit. Bell’s Books, conveniently located on a side street off of University Avenue in Downtown Palo Alto, is massive in both size and in selection of books. This family-owned, independent business occupies a two-story building, complete with an overlook onto the first floor from the second and several back rooms. While many of these books can be rare or even signed by big names such as John Updike or Margaret Atwood, their prices are quite reasonable.  Almost an entire back room on the second story is dedicated to the booksellers’ historical collection, and their collections of books on topics such as art history or horticulture are impressive. I would refrain from traveling to this store to select a more recent novel, but the aged feel of the store contributes to its status as an institution of the Bay Area that any true book lover can appreciate. The staff truly know their products, so questions of any sort are welcomed. Bookstores such as these have a function beyond simply buying and selling. They may act as communities, refuges from the woes of daily life, or places for the mind to wander and flourish. Whatever the purpose, a visit to a bookstore should be more than just a chore.While located quite a ways away from Santa Clara, City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco merits a quick stop during a trip to the city. This combined bookshop and publishing company is large and cramped with customers, even for city standards, taking full advantage of its three stories. A brick-walled basement houses the nonfiction section, the main floor is occupied by novels, and a small attic looking out onto the city serves as a home for poetry. The bookstore hosts many book talks and events and does have a wide variety of fiction where their nonfiction may lack. If nothing else, this shop is really a historic place to visit. Bell’s Books, conveniently located on a side street off of University Avenue in Downtown Palo Alto, is massive in both size and in selection of books. This family-owned, independent business occupies a two-story building, complete with an overlook onto the first floor from the second and several back rooms. While many of these books can be rare or even signed by big names such as John Updike or Margaret Atwood, their prices are quite reasonable.  Almost an entire back room on the second story is dedicated to the booksellers’ historical collection, and their collections of books on topics such as art history or horticulture are impressive. I would refrain from traveling to this store to select a more recent novel, but the aged feel of the store contributes to its status as an institution of the Bay Area that any true book lover can appreciate. The staff truly know their products, so questions of any sort are welcomed.While located quite a ways away from Santa Clara, City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco merits a quick stop during a trip to the city. This combined bookshop and publishing company is large and cramped with customers, even for city standards, taking full advantage of its three stories. A brick-walled basement houses the nonfiction section, the main floor is occupied by novels, and a small attic looking out onto the city serves as a home for poetry. The bookstore hosts many book talks and events and does have a wide variety of fiction where their nonfiction may lack. If nothing else, this shop is really a historic place to visit. Bell’s Books, conveniently located on a side street off of University Avenue in Downtown Palo Alto, is massive in both size and in selection of books. This family-owned, independent business occupies a two-story building, complete with an overlook onto the first floor from the second and several back rooms. While many of these books can be rare or even signed by big names such as John Updike or Margaret Atwood, their prices are quite reasonable.  Almost an entire back room on the second story is dedicated to the booksellers’ historical collection, and their collections of books on topics such as art history or horticulture are impressive. I would refrain from traveling to this store to select a more recent novel, but the aged feel of the store contributes to its status as an institution of the Bay Area that any true book lover can appreciate. The staff truly know their products, so questions of any sort are welcomed.

Bookstores such as these have a function beyond simply buying and selling. They may act as communities, refuges from the woes of daily life, or places for the mind to wander and flourish. Whatever the purpose, a visit to a bookstore should be more than just a chore.