There’s something about the tangibility of real books that makes them more enjoyable than e-books. There’s a similar feeling when one goes into a bookstore to pick out a book instead of ordering online. Although there are not many in the Bay Area, the ones we do have are very high quality and full of variety.
B Street Books – 301 S B St
B Street Books is the typical independent bookstore that everyone loves. Filled to the brim, B Street Books is almost guaranteed to have something for any book lover. From the children and young adult section in the front to the fiction section in the middle and the classics and encyclopedias in the far back, B Street has a wide variety of genres. The only used bookstore in San Mateo, and just recently celebrating their 10th anniversary, B Street Books has not only popular and best-selling books, but rare collectibles as well. With a large back area and comfortable chairs scattered around the establishment, you can curl up with a good book and get enveloped in a different world.
Asian American Curriculum Project- 529 E 3rd Ave
Asian American Curriculum Project (AACP) was created to educate the public about the diversity of the Asian American experience. This store is filled with books and trinkets, all in many different languages. Despite being centered around Asian American heritage and education, there are some English books in the store, albeit not many. They also carry posters, magazines, videotapes, reference books and bilingual materials. For students wishing to find ways to test their language skills in Mandarin and Japanese, this store should definitely be the first place to look.
Friends of the Library – 55 W 3rd Ave
The Friends of the Library area at the San Mateo Main Library is a great place to find a wide variety of gently used, donated books. It has a roomy feel, with comfortable chairs and desk lights in the center. Along the walls you can browse the book collection with low prices, and they even have a small DVD area. From cookbooks to travel books, you can find pretty much anything you might need for prices lower than those on Amazon. And if you don’t feel like buying books, you can always just check out books from the library instead! It’s a win-win scenario.
Reach and Teach – 144 W 25th Ave
Reach and Teach is an independent variety bookstore dedicated to changing the world through social justice by striving to provide all types of books and ways of learning under one roof. Chock-full of books, toys and miscellaneous items, this fun-filled store is made to be enjoyed. While it is not like a traditional bookstore, the other non-book-related items scattered throughout the store helps retain the comfortable feeling provided from every good bookseller. From the giant stuffed animals outside the store to the back wall filled with books, you are sure to find something great from this independent bookstore.
