This is my new favorite book store anywhere. I cannot wait to go back! They do an incredible job of curating titles from local writers as well as current events. Especially if you lean towards leftist politics they carry a huge selection of nonfiction and even showcase it.A must read from my first haul is Witchcraft and the Gay Counterculture. The staff was also super knowledgeable and kind.

05/ 25/ 2021A family member lives down the street from the Piedmont Ave.Local business Stroll& I ( ahem! ) am Addicted to BooksI enjoy the Selection ofPolitical, Economic,Sociological,Philosophy,Self Improvement,Science+Communist / Scientific SocialismTextsGenerally.The ladies there Also will order anything you request.Good Treasures I have found their many times ;)

Tons of books at reasonable prices, staff feels like the genuinely want to be there and love books. I felt very welcomed yet left alone enough to do my own searching. Things can get a little unorganized but its never too all over the place, makes for a fun hunt for something special! My girlfriend and I will be back for more!

I would have no issue with given them a 0/5 star but i can only give a low rating of 1/5. There customer service is horrible, the manager on duty when I stopped by a few days past was anything but what i would consider a manager of any kind in any way or form.I have been to most if not all of the local east bay book stores looking for older out of print or specific book prints etc. most of these stores if they do not have it would politely say we cant get it and that would be it, or would give me some advice on where i could possible look to find a copy.Not with this so called manager. She with her (ummm knowledge) of the book industry instead typed it into her computer inventory and it showing they had none in their inventory explained how i would not be able to get the book anywhere and good luck trying as it would be out of my powers to get it.I took out my phone and went to abebook and found a few copies at which time i said i just came here to support the local shops.At which point she said a sly remark on internet sales and at that point i dropped my books in hand on the table and simply said they just have better customer service then this store and left. never will i return and support that bookstore. They do not need my support and many other book stores in the area could maybe use my support.You can look at my profile i do not write review of stores much but this experience I felt compelled to write.

Excellent independent bookstore for new and used books. The owner is always helpful with great recommendations.

Went in looking for a journal. The person behind the desk was too busy to stop her conversation to tell me where the journals were. Once she was ready to let me know, with an attitude, she gave me a long description where they were that made little sense. After seeing me lost she started to yell from the other side of the store where I should be going instead of walking me to the area with journals. Seems lazy and rude. Unfortunate given all the previous positive reviews.

This is the spot for all things books. Local treasure, many things to find. Fun cards and the like too.

Friendly staff and good selection of new and used books

Independent bookseller with a great selection of new and used books! Knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Lovely staff. Excellent selection. I am inspired to aspire towards literacy.

Very friendly and helpful. Ordered a book for me and had it within a week! Great having a local bookshop I can count on

Friendly and helpful staff. Wonderful store.

Great bookstore, cool finds.

Fantastic little bookstore! Great selection of new and used, huge back rooms full to the brim for your browsing pleasure. Order over email during the pandemic!

This cozy bookstore is one of the anchors of the Piedmont neighborhood and contains a nice mix of in print and gently used books. The selection is good and the staff will order what they don’t have. It’s a great independent bookstore and I always find something well worth reading.

The owner is knowledgeable beyond belief, makes the greatest recommendations and will always follow through on a project. a true force of nature

Ive loved this place before covid and now it has a solid place in my heart.Weve been lucky enough to order books through Staci, she makes ordering and pick up a breeze. If they dont have it in stock, they will do their best to get asap. They even have a collection of used books.Today Staci went above and beyond when i asked her to help me with a gift for a 7 year old and I had no other info besides hes going to be 7. She put together a thoughtful group of books for me to choose from.Support this lovely and amazing small business - we need it to stay on Piedmont Avenue

LOVE this book shop.

Love this place. If you are in the neighborhood, definitely stop in (after COVID of course). They have a great selection of books both new and used, a punch card for frequent buyers, and they buy used books during certain hours for store credit (not cash). Note: I think they limit you to two bags of books to be considered for selling at a time.The folks working there are kind and knowledgeable, willing to help you find something and also happy to just let you browse. I also saw them effectively and kindly de-escalate a mentally ill homeless person inside the store (who was helping themselves to things), and deal with a similarly challenging situation as well.Insider tips:1. There is parking (a few spaces) along the side of the building to the left if you are looking at the front door.2. Not sure if it is officially the case, but based on the cute dogs I have met there, it seems dog friendly if your dog is on leash and well behaved.

Excellent customer service and good selection. I like supporting local businesses and they had everything I wanted and had it mailed to my home.

I could lose hours in this cozy bookstore. The staff is always friendly and ready to answer questions. Dont be afraid to take a risk on a staff pick!

I am fan of a bookstore it is more like a calm place for me. Reading books was a relaxing time for me. I love those books they have here selections was great and well organized as well. This place was great and always visit here again.

My favorite book store in Oakland. A great selection of history and theater books. Wonderful staff.

They got a variety of categories available. Great selection and the books were laid back properly. Always clean and organized too.

Always cheerful, prompt and informative

This place was much larger than I had expected. They had just the used book that I wanted and the price was unbelievable. There were so many books that my friend and I asked for help to find the book I was looking for and it was only $6. From popular to more obscure books, this place has practically everything I could want.

Lot of books choices. Great place and service as well. I love to be here I love books and they have a great deal of their books display and great stocks. Well done.

Customer service here is a 10+! Super friendly and helpful staff. They can easily and quickly help you find a book and they’ll even put it on hold/have it ready at the counter for you.Large selection of new and used books in all genres. Their used books are typically in great shape.So so happy I found this place. What a gem!

Great bookstore with good new-books- selection, plus tons of used books for sale. Theyre generous with their buying of used books. I love trading in old good-condition books for new or used ones. Theyre often busy but still find the time while multi-tasking to be friendly and helpful.

Love this place. I work up the street from them and theyve always been super helpful about certain books Ive been looking for. They also have an giant collection of used DVDs and Blurays for sale.Stacie has always been super cool and friendly.

This was my local bookstore for many years, and I still make it a point to come back. Great selection of new and used books, with a friendly staff that can order you anything they dont have, and chat about books they are into. Now worker owned! I love Spectator and highly recommend it among the many used book stores in the area.

A Great book store. I have been in love with book stores for most of my life and this one combines all of my favorite parts: a knowledgeable friendly staff, a cozy well curated atmosphere, and a wide array of great titles. It is obvious that the people who run the store are passionate life long readers.

Awesome independent bookstore with amazingly knowledgeable staff. Unique recommendations to keep you inspired & curious.

I love this little book store. A very wide selection with both new and used books. Sometimes you can find some real gems among the used books.

I bring my second graders here for a field trip each year to practice their money sense (spending $5 cash). The staff has been ever so friendly and patient, even taking the time to help the kids count back their change on their own, work out tax, and choose books they can afford.Thank you for being such a wonderful part of Piedmont!

I am a book nerd. If you are a book nerd to this is a spot you can get lost in. It is a second hand store so dont think you are at barnes and noble lol. I have found some gems in this place and will continue to in the future I am sure as long as they keep their doors open.

Nice book store with great staff and prices. Fun place to hang out and turn some pages. Inventory constantly changing.

Nice mix of new releases, new and used books at fair prices. Lots of great used art and craft reference books.They have a fantastically curated selecting of artsy independent greeting cards!

Explore the used books labyrinth, many quality offerings therein you will find.

A great used book store where you can spend an hour or two at your favorite pastime, looking for books. There are three good sized rooms with all genres but no place to sit down!

Great that they are doing phone orders for books

Great little book store. Has a great selection of used paperbacks (especially sci-fi & fantasy) and reasonable prices.

Terrific local shop not owned by corporate clowns

Great small bookstore. They have an eclectic selection, and I always find something Im interested in.

Chill spot w great selection of new and used books. Nice staff and vibe.

Great selection, great prices, great people!

Great local bookstore, very helpful staff and can trade in boos for store credit or cash

They have a million of books (new and some 2hand), good prices and a good space.

One of many great bookstores on Piedmont.Always a treat for my dog where we come by to just say hi!

Great selection and generous buyback

Decent selection of books, friendly staff.

Great local bookstore among a strip of lots of other mom-and-pops (mostly)

☆edited☆ You talk about some unhappy, rude new proprietors. Straight rude without having the character to explain themselves.

Really enjoy this neighborhood bookstore.

One of the best pop ups I have ever had the pleasure of visiting.

Great used book store

Good bookstore with a decent selection. Mostly secondhand books, plus some new books and some remainders.

Spectator books is like a magic bookstore from a movie. They always have just what I need when I need it.

I love this place!