For bookworms with a soft spot for the nostalgia of independent shops, the Bay Area delivers.
Though small, local bookstores seems to be going the way of dinosaurs, our region is still a bibliophile's mecca for indie purveyors, where the shelves are stocked with old leather-bound books as well as modern paperbacks, and community programming still includes author readings and signings—even during the Covid-19 pandemic, when book launches and author conversations have all gone virtual.
More than 600 small bookstores nationwide will be hosting in-store and online events for Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday, August 29th. See which of your local shops have something special planned, or just celebrate all things literary by sending love to our favorite, quirkiest, and coziest book nooks in the South Bay.
This indie bookstore, founded in 1955, is a historical gem. It has learned well all the ingredients to stay afloat in modern times: a cozy reading nook for kids, nonconventional nonfiction, and even a radio podcast, recorded right in the store—you're still in Silicon Valley, after all. Adapting for Covid-10, Kepler's is currently offering shopping on its outdoor plaza with booksellers on hand to make recommendations and facilitate purchases from inside the store. // 11am to 5pm Tuesday through Friday, 10am to 3pm Saturday, and 10am to 2pm Sunday; 1010 El Camino Real (Menlo Park), keplers.com
What started in 1981 as a bookshop specializing in children's recordings, Linden Tree Books has since branched out to include more than just your standard kidlit—puppets, puzzles, science games, and book-character dolls grace their shelves, offering something for any wild child or young bookworm out there. Tune in for story time on Facebook Live Tuesdays and Sundays. During the pandemic, the shop is also offering free local delivery on orders $100 or more. // Open 11am to 3pm Wednesday through Sunday; 265 State St. (Los Altos), lindentreebooks.com
