Beers Books

Love this place. Not much to say, but it has the old fashioned feel of a classic indie-​bookstore. Love all of the kitschy signs everywhere, as well as their no cell phone policy. Parking can be a problem at times.
Depending on when you go, they have random «happy hour» sales, which I have taken advantage of quite a few times. I am headed to Nashville in two weeks, so I now have an ample supply of reading material for my flight.

I was looking for something to do while visiting Sacramento and being a little nerdy, a bookstore was top on my list. I felt a little guilty going to a bookstore instead of something «cool» so «Beers & Books» sounded perfect. I was a little disappointed to see I misread it once I arrived. They don’t serve beer.
Despite not having adult beverages this bookstore was really great. You can find popular modern and classic books at good prices. The store is medium sized so some sections such as business are very small and others like religion lack major sections found in other bookstores. Anyone will still be able to find at least a couple books they have been looking for in this store regardless of your tastes. You can also explore new books in one of the ample seats sprinkled throughout the store. You will not find a plethora of gifts or toys, but there are a ton of books.
Lastly, if you are allergic to cats you don’t need to worry. Just seeing pictures of that fuzzy cat made me want to sneeze, but they seem to keep the store fairly clean.

I’ve been going to Beer’s for many years, beginning with its original location. Generally, it maintains a very good selection of used books (history) which I truly enjoy. BUT … over the years the growing issue for me has been the fact that some, though not all, of the staff are contemptibly rude and arrogant towards customers. While at times it has happened to me, more frequently I’ve observed it directed at others. I’ve chosen to believe this was just individual bad behavior, but it has gone on for so long that it’s clearly institutionalized at Beers. More to the point, the management doesn’t seem to care in the slightest, tacitly condoning the behavior of some of the staff. I recently observed a staff person insultingly patronizing an elderly lady who asked for guidance in selling her used books while the apparent «supervisor» who was within earshot pretended not to notice. Cowardly and disgusting! The Beer’s culture has worn unacceptably thin.

Definitely a place to check out if you’re a book lover. I always leave with something great to read. They have great inventory.

Make sure to go on Second Saturdays because everything in the store is 20% off. Great selection of used titles and kid’s books can be really cheap.

I love books. Beers has books. BOOM, super easy Unilocal review!
I hadn’t been to Beers Books since they were on L and 15^th St (yes, I know, hang my head in bookworm shame) and I’m glad to find they’re still bursting with previously-​loved books at good prices. I loved their classic literature and graphic novel sections, and was amused to see the huge aisle of alternative medicine, magick, metaphysical, etc … haha, oh Midtown.
I found a couple of book on the cheap, the staff were pretty friendly, I got checked out quickly and there was even a 20% off sale that day. Cheap books for even cheaper, yay!

If you’re looking for a certain book, you may not find it. But this is a good bookstore for browsing and chances are you will leave with quite a few books. They have a large fiction selection, spread out over several categories.

Had nothing I was looking for. Probably a good place to browse though.

Today was my first and last time going into Beer’s books. The staff were «very stuffy «and looked at me like «why are you here?» This is 2015 Beers Book staff! People of all ethnicities read. I will NOT be returning! I’ll take my chance and spend my money at Barnes and noble where I’ll feel more welcomed.

My weekend trip had been canceled, and I in Sacramento for the day so I decided to check out what Sacramento has to offer for used bookstores. Little did I know I’d encounter one of the best that I’ve ever been too!
The service was top notch. They have a ton of rare, out of print, hard to find books. I found the dream book I had been searching for almost 10 years for! They were so nice, they gave me a discount AND put all of my books in a reusable cloth beers books bag! I was astonished! I’ve never had a store do that for me!
Excellent, eclectic selection. Is it the largest bookstore I’ve been too? No. But it’s defiantly got a bit selection.
They also organize things into a lot of quirky sub categories. Which I feel is a plus for a used bookstore. It helps define their «soul» for the lack of a better world. Also, 3 people seemed to work there. I’ve never seen that before! Ton’s of help for the size of the store.
I know my used bookstores, and it would be hard to do better than Beers!

Nice bookstore. Great selection. Broad variety of subjects. Nice sized pagan section. Loved the tarot card sets. They had everything. Bit pricey for used books though, at least for my personal taste.

Great location downtown with a nice selection of books. Helps to know what author you like to read but definitely hours could be spent perusing. Staff is friendly and even though it’s quiet inside you don’t feel like they’re just watching you waiting for you to ask a question or buy a book. Books mostly were in great/​good quality alrhough the prices seem slightly steep although I haven’t been to use bookstore in years.

what can I say… the constant evolving inventory and incredibly reasonable pricing always makes this spot a must on my downtown adventures.
if you’re a fellow bibliophile make sure you check this spot out.

If I’m not spending my paycheck on food, then I’m spending it on books. Beer Books is one of my favorite bookstore in Sacramento! They buy and sell a variety of books and also have daily deals.
I went on a Thursday around 5:30PM and they had a happy hour with 20% off, I would call ahead to double check. Their used books are reasonably priced and such a great deal! Their staff is super helpful and amazing. I called ahead to see if they had a book in stock and he went ahead and saved it for me even though it took me a few days to visit and get it.
My future library will be thankful for Beer Books and their great price, amazing staff and post-​grad deals!
Bookworm Tip: Their collection of Palahniuk, Vonnegut, and Steinbeck are ones to check out! Also if you spend $ 100 or more you get a SUPER nice and STURDY tote back, with cats on them! CATS!

This is such a great bookstore. I have found some hard to find books here and the prices are below retail. There are plenty of trade fiction books and you will be given credit toward your next purchase if you bring them back when you are done! What a deal ;)

I was looking for a particular book and Beer’s had a copy. It was $ 2.00 and change.
Took out my debit card to pay for it and the clerk asked if I had cash because they have a $ 5.00 minimum for cards.
I didn’t have any cash with me and told the clerk if that was their policy then just forget about it.
I left, thought about it for a minute and walked back in an told them they lost a sale and a customer.
I turned and walked out. The clerk said something behind my back but I didn’t hear it! Won’t be returning any time soon!

I like what one of the previous reviews said about «the used book smell» this place has. And it’s true. There’s something old school about this book store and I like it.
Books on sale right out the store front. Inside, just shelves upon shelves of all kinds of books. All I wanted to look for was some books by Haruki Murakami, but didn’t know where to start as it was kind of overwhelming. Then I stumbled upon the aisle of authors, all labeled on the shelves. Found the Murakami book I wanted. Then I started walking around, checking things out, and they have literature from everyone and books about anything, it seems. Even a corner of the shop had shelves of comic books still in the plastic.
Only reason I gave it a –1 star is because the employee who rang me up didn’t give me my change. My book was $ 18.39 and I paid with $ 19 cash. He asked me if I wanted a plastic bag and when I said no, he just went back to whatever he was doing before I came along. I was gonna trouble him for the change, but I figured not to since it was only a couple of cents. Not too big of a deal, but still…
Anyways, I will definitely come back here for more Murakami or if I start reading works from another author.

I just can’t get enough of the used book smell. Beers Books provides that and more.
When I walked in, I was immediately excited to see collections of Tintin by Herge. Even though I am a huge fan, I don’t actually own any copies because I keep meaning to buy a complete boxset. I was a little disappointed when I discovered that they were «new» items, meaning they were full price. They didn’t look particularly new, but maybe that’s just me?
I did, however, manage to find a great steal on some Steinbeck and various poetry anthologies for half price. I also got a copy of «The Little Prince» for $ 3! There is a huge variety of pocketbook paperbacks that are all severely discounted as well. I was very impressed with the fantasy and sci-​fi sections.
If I had more time, I’m sure I could have blown a couple hundred dollars in here. I will be back on subsequent Sacramento visits… and I’ll be on the look-​out for Tintin!

I’ve been coming to this place since I moved to Sacramento over 4 years ago. I don’t know how I haven’t written a review yet.
This is by far my favorite bookstore. And I’ve worked in other bookstores. There’s just something about the smell of a well-​loved book. You know what I’m talking about.
Books here are cheap, but they’re in good condition. They carry books that are worth your money, not that crap romance rubbish that you get at places like Nearly Perfect, or whatever.
I always browse whatever is outside. I’ve found some dang good books for a dollar on those carts. Then I look at the newly in table. I almost always find something here that I want to read.
Come here if you need a book (or 7) to read. If you know what you want to read or you don’t. Or even if you just want to touch some books. Or pet an adorably aloof fluff-​monster of a cat.

My boyfriend is an avid reader and I’m not, but when he introduced me to this used book store, I could feel myself drawn through the aisles, scanning title after title, looking for something that might catch my interest. I used to read mostly science fiction and fantasy novels when I was younger. But I just don’t find the time to read like I used to.
This shop turned out to be a wonderful place to explore! There are rows upon rows of old books that were previously owned. This gives you the chance to find something that is a lot cheaper than buying it new. Then turn in your old reading material and get some cash back when you have finished with it and ready to move on to that next great novel, mystery, romance, comedy, or history book. Don’t expect to find any one subject in particular; after all, this is a place of randomness. And that’s what makes this store fun!
On a less happy note, I also wanted to post this review to mention the bookstore cat Raffles. I had the honor of meeting this sweet little kitty, but under the saddest of circumstances. He became very ill with decreasing kidney function, and was taken to the vet hospital where I work at. I quickly grew very fond of Raffles (as we all did), while we cared for him during his hospital stay. The manager of the bookstore (Bill Senecal) and the employees all loved this little guy deeply and wanted to do everything possible to get him through his illness. But unfortunately, he didn’t pull through and the hard decision had to be made to relieve his suffering.
One of the technicians I work with happened upon a newspaper clipping from the Sacramento Bee that featured Raffles just a month prior, looking relaxed and content in his unique home. The bookstore was being reviewed by The Bee and Raffles was the official house cat of the store that often greeted the customers and warmed their hearts. What an interesting yet surreal surprise it was to find this article in the hospital right at the time Raffles was under our care! The true meaning of this coincidence may never be known to us. But I’m sure there had to be a reason.
The store owner and staff were very kind and expressed heartfelt concern through this whole ordeal. I could see how deeply they cared for Raffles as they had to endure the loss of an important member and mascot of this close-​knit book store family. I believe Raffles has passed on to the other side, well and happy again, knowing how much his family loved him!