Bird & Beckett is an independent, neighborhood book and record shop. I'm assuming this business is struggling to survive, or they wouldn't be asking for donations (sign on their front window). The... More

Bird & Beckett is an independent, neighborhood book and record shop. I'm assuming this business is struggling to survive, or they wouldn't be asking for donations (sign on their front window). The much-loved video store on the same block just went under and hopefully this place isn't headed to the same fate. When you see a community-centric shop like this, there's no question how lousy the big chain books stores are. All the reason more to peruse through their selection of records (killer jazz section) and new and used books. Every time I walk past, I can't help let the eclectic magazine rack they have on the sidewalk pull me in. Once I'm perusing the shelves there's always something must-have. A hard to find book, some crazy record for only a few bucks. And they host a regular series of music. Good stuff.
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Very very quirky bookstore. It is very small in size but the ambiance makes up for that. They really do not have a wide selection of books, but the ones that they do offer are wonderful. My favorite... More

Very very quirky bookstore. It is very small in size but the ambiance makes up for that. They really do not have a wide selection of books, but the ones that they do offer are wonderful. My favorite part about this bookstore are the nights when we get to read a certain's author;s books. I love to listen to book radings and these readings seem more unique than other bookstores. I hear that they have some nightly jazz, but I have never experienced that yet. But once you go to one of the readings, you will be pulled in for more.
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Very very quirky bookstore. It is very small in size but the ambiance makes up for that. They really do not have a wide selection of books, but the ones that they do offer are wonderful. My... More

Very very quirky bookstore. It is very small in size but the ambiance makes up for that. They really do not have a wide selection of books, but the ones that they do offer are wonderful. My favorite part about this bookstore are the nights when we get to read a certain's author;s books. I love to listen to book radings and these readings seem more unique than other bookstores. I hear that they have some nightly jazz, but I have never experienced that yet. But once you go to one of teh readings, you will be pulled in for more.
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Not much room for inventory here, but what's there is very good. Plus, there's jazz every Friday night (early like maybe from 5 to 6:30 p.m.), frequent poetry readings. Diane Di Prima is often one... More

Not much room for inventory here, but what's there is very good. Plus, there's jazz every Friday night (early like maybe from 5 to 6:30 p.m.), frequent poetry readings. Diane Di Prima is often one of the poets. Once a month there's an emminent author's night where people read works from famous authors born in that month. Owner Eric Whittington has a sort of quirky, erudite charm and a good sense of how to forster community.
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