Kate the Great’s Book Emporium

This is a great bookstore! It doesn’t feel cramped and dirty like some independently owned used bookstores. It’s open and is very organized.
There is a great selection of all different kinds of books and they are all very reasonably priced. I got a new book for $ 8, that’s not bad at all! And I much rather give my money to the independent bookstores. (But I still venture inside Borders and Barnes and Nobles on occasion, I can’t help it!)
The thing that makes Kate the Great stand out to me is the service. You never get that kind of attentive caring service at most other places. I believe the gal’s name was Claire that helped me pick out a book to send to my mom. She was so helpful and very friendly. She wrote down books for me to try and seemed genuinely interested in helping me find good books. I think certain other bookstores could take a page from Kate the Great’s book. Ahem, you know who you are, Women and Children’s First.
But I do have one negative. They are closing soon! Boo! Just when I come across my neighborhood bookstore, I find out they are going to close in July. Hurry book lovers, hurry! Buy all of their used and new books while you can! Rush over to do all their fun activities they plan for us! Hello?! I said hurry! There are tons of books left to buy! Don’t just sit there, turn off the computer and get some great books. Then you can sit on your rump as long as you want and read.
Hey wait a minute. If you go out and get all the books, there won’t be any left for me… hmmm…
I’ve got a question for you that I need answered. ASAP. Why do we make bookstore one word but grocery store two words? While you ponder that I’m going to just go for a walk. Yup. Just a walk. To no where. Uh. anyway…gotta go!

I come here whenever I visit the neighborhood Toyota dealer nearby. I always find something that interests me… and it’s never Fantasy, Sci-​Fi or Trashy novels, although there is plenty of that.
I’ve gotten great deals on children’s books, Henry Miller, Carlos Castaneda, Self-​Help, music books and the Classics.
And I’ve not once notice how hot the workers are. 4 stars for Kate the Great’s!

*Hangs head in shame*
*Refuses to meet eyes*
*Has a naughty grin underneath the chagrin*
I suppose it is time to cleanse the soul. The truth is supposed to set you free. Before I get to that, I feel the need to back peddle a bit.
I am an educated person– an over educated person by some standards. I have traveled to over 18 countries, used to speak more than one language (um, ya, we are not going into how I lost that ability), and know more than enough about my chosen topic of study to be classified as an expert in many circles. I have spent so much time in class that I feel like I need to act like I have some (at certain moments) .
I also read. I read like some people eat chocolate. I read like a fat kid loves cake. I read like dogs sniff butts. I think you get the picture. But just in case you do not– I go through at least 2 – 3 books a week. Every week. For pleasure.
I also read political books for fun– but that is another story.
(I do read heavy duty research, interpret statistics, and read other hardcore technical stuff for work– at least 20 hours a week– but that does not necessarily excuse the following behaviors)
*Takes a DEEP Breath*
1. I do not return library books on time. Never. Ever.
I have stopped borrowing them. It is just too embarrassing– I forget that I checked them out, I run up HUGE fines, or I lose them. (ya– dvds too– but that is another review)
*Face is red with shame, trying to pace breathing so I do not hyperventilate*
OK– confession #2.
2. I read horror novels, fantasy novels, sci-​fi, vampire novels, mysteries, and the occasional romance.
*knows that everyone reading this is currently laughing at me– not with me*
I have found my new place to get my fix. Kate’s let me shop with my well behaved dog this weekend. The books were cheap, dirt cheap– like between 2 and 3 $ each. They took my debit card happily. They were friendly. They let me shop at my leisure without popping up and trying to help me non stop. They had a great selection of my preferred type of relaxing reading. I went in expecting nothing, I left with 7 books.
So, was I looking for work materials?- Nope– anything that I would need for that, I know I have to get at a specialty place, or to head over to the seminary co-​op.
But Kate’s? It is perfect for what it is designed for-​picking up cheap books and browsing.

I read, a lot. Maybe I didn’t find anything here because I don’t read trashy romances and sci-fi’s, old pulp, and pop-​fiction. I heard a lot of great things. I don’t get it. From checking the other reviews out, it seems what warrants this place multiple stars in some people’s eyes are the fact that one of the clerks is attractive and the place smells nice. Rockin’.

I will preface my review with this: I read all of the great reviews on this bookstore and had very high hopes, which could be why I was more disappointed.
Although I love used bookstores, Kate’s was lacking. It was more expensive than I was expecting (except for a few sale shelves) and didn’t have a huge selection of anything but trashy novels. I’m not a trashy novel kind of person, but if you are, then go nuts!
I did like the feel of the place, though. It was cozy and had a place to sit, which is always important in a bookstore.
If you go, don’t expect the greatest bookstore in the world because it’s just ok.

I love Kate’s!
Here’s what I love about this store:
–Claire, aka hot, smart, witty book clerk 1
–Jeanine, aka beautiful, hilarious, intelligent book clerk 2
–Katie, aka really nice, super-​upbeat owner
–awesome selection of sci-​fi and horror books!
Ok, well there’s lots more. Kate’s also has a ton of events-​everything from open mics to plays. The people are friendly (not just the people that work there, the people who hang out there). It is a just a good time joint to go to.
Oh yeah. There’s a ton of street parking, even on the weekend. Big plus for me and my little Saturn.

This is one of my favorite places to browse for books. I am an unashamed novel-​reader and keeping me in my habit can be very expensive. I find that the used books here are very reasonably priced and the bookseller is very knowledgeable about the selection. We often trade recommendations with each other.
If I walk into Kate’s with a particular book in mind it may not be in stock, but they are great about special orders.
I always walk out of this place feeling like a valued customer — and with a fix for my reading habit!