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I like Walden Pond Books. And I pity them for their name-resemblance to that crappy tiny mall...
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I like Walden Pond Books. And I pity them for their name-resemblance to that crappy tiny mall chain. People often call them Waldenbooks by accident. Their only resemblance is that technically they are both bookstores. But where Waldenbooks is basically one room of bestsellers, crap pulp fiction, and children's book series, Walden Pond has everything.
They have the equivalent of several rooms, although the only space separated by a door is the children's playhouse. The children's books are wonderful - they have the best selection of Native American kids' books that I've seen outside of the Piedmont or Dimond branch libraries, a great display of all kinds of favorites, a hefty selection of new and used novels, plenty of toys, and nonfiction arranged in a way that kids actually find interesting.
The science-fiction selection is vast and cheap, which is the best combo for that genre. There is a women's section and a gay and lesbian section, good books on food and people who love food, another vast literature section, and the best magazine selection I've seen - not for its size but for its choices. I haven't heard of a lot of their magazines, and I generally find that I want to read them all. Plus, the bookstore does what a good indie bookstore should, which is to advertise and host lots of local events, often political ones. Their new books lean heavily toward the leftist intellectual - just walking through reading the titles is an education in itself. All in all, it's a wonderful and relaxing place to spend an afternoon.
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Whenever I think about this location, I think about their last Harry Potter launch party. I didn't...
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Whenever I think about this location, I think about their last Harry Potter launch party. I didn't go, but I hear they had bat-shaped cookies. How can you say no to bat-shaped cookies?
Not to mention intense dedication to local zines, magazines, and newspapers; a community journal where people can share the best book they've read recently; and a discount when you've bought $100 or so from them. The store is cozy, with a warm little kids' nook and regular readings. It has everything that makes independent local bookstores better than chains!
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Walden Pond is one of the reasons living in the Lake Merritt area is so nice. Compared to many of...
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Walden Pond is one of the reasons living in the Lake Merritt area is so nice. Compared to many of the used/new bookstores in the area, it is rather large and they have a nice depth of selection. They staff is smart and very helpful, often steering you toward cheaper used items over list-price new items. The used selection is especially impressive, featuring a number of interesting and random books. Sometimes the store can be a bit difficult to navigate, especially distinguishing new from used, but you can always ask for help. Frequent buyer plan available.
AC Transit lines #57, 12, and NL Transbay.
PROS: Knowledgeable staff
CONS: Metered parking
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I used to live down at 13th and Jackson, and De Lauers was my paradise. I could walk down there...
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I used to live down at 13th and Jackson, and De Lauers was my paradise. I could walk down there any time and get whatever candy I wanted, even hard-to-find stuff like Sunkist Fruit Gems and Uno. Even better, they have an awesome book section that always had a Terry Pratchett book I hadn't read yet. And comics! And all the magazines you can imagine! Oh, the wonders... the wonders I saw....
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First of all, they're almost right next door to Bittersweet, the chocolate cafe, so that's ten...
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First of all, they're almost right next door to Bittersweet, the chocolate cafe, so that's ten million points right there. Second of all, they have a fireplace that they light on winter evenings. Third of all, they have a great selection, including one of the largest selections of YA books anywhere. (I'm not saying it's huge, it's just bigger than most places - it has its own two-sided bookcase!) And fourth of all, I and my friends or my son can wander in there for hours, talking and getting crumbs everywhere, and the staff don't mind and don't care whether we buy anything or not. I love to go there and write.
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Spectator Books
Category:
Books
4163 Piedmont Ave
Oakland,
California 94611
(510) 653-7300
Or is it the other way around?
Besides a really great, fun literature section, a great kids'...
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Or is it the other way around?
Besides a really great, fun literature section, a great kids' room, good recovery and philosophy sections, and awesome magazines, they have a lot of things that are more unusual for secondhand stores... like great sale prices (tons of new books for five to ten dollars), a solid selection of audiobooks, and a lot of used DVDs and videotapes. Spectator has everything! And they have great taste in books, too. Good stock, great prices.
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I've gone to De Lauer Super Newsstand several times, and some of those visits were late at night. ...
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I've gone to De Lauer Super Newsstand several times, and some of those visits were late at night. This shop has everything you would find at a standard newsstand, like newspapers, magazines, etc., and much much more. You'll find the place stocked with international newspapers and even paperback novels, Cliff's Notes and SAT prep guides. Best of all, it's open 24 hours each day, so if you can't sleep and want to make a quick stop to this place to pick up something to read, here's a place to go.
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Marcus Book Stores
Category:
Books
3900 Martin Luther King Jr Way
Oakland,
California 94609
They either have or can quickly get their hands on any book you are looking for. They give great...
More 1 year ago
They either have or can quickly get their hands on any book you are looking for. They give great recommendations on books. The staff is very friendly, understanding and helpful. When I enter the Oakland store, I always feel a sense of community, because staff and patrons alike are sharing their life experiences as they relate to various books they touch. I always leave feeling like I've been well served.
Thank you Marcus Books for being there throughout the years. My mother used to bring me there when I was in elementary school and now I am over 30.
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My name is Dolly Woodson, and I am the president of Melba B. Woods Women??????s Missionary Society...
More 2 years ago
My name is Dolly Woodson, and I am the president of Melba B. Woods Women??????s Missionary Society for First AME Church in Oakland. I have a need to give a variety of gifts during the year to VIPs who visit the church, for our graduates each year etc. You are located around the corner from where I work, which is really convenient. Currently I must travel to the other side of town for last minute items, and just want you to know I am anxiously waiting your grand re-opening as are other members of First AME. Praying for your success.
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Barnes & Noble
Category:
Books
98 Broadway
Oakland,
California 94607
(510) 272-0120
Sunday walking around by the nearby shops and have brunch at one of the restaurants while reading...
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Sunday walking around by the nearby shops and have brunch at one of the restaurants while reading a book you've gotten from cody's. my only complaint is that a lot of people spend their Sundays doing this so even though cody's has it's own parking lot, it gets busy on the weekends and is hard to find parking nearby.
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