The Avid Reader at Tower

It’s ok. kinda
a booklover, grew up with a book collector father who surrounded me with thousands of books that I had full rein to read. I love books, bookstores, libraries. havent yet found a bookstore in the greater Sac area that meets my standards. I like to be able to hang out, browse, I like my bookstores to be sexy and cozy and have lovely ambiance, this place is just fine. I don’t want to hang out here, I felt sorta weirdly watched while I was in here, they only have new books, there’s not a lot of places to sit and really dig through a pile o books to pick my faves, the lighting is not romantic, I don’t hate it but don’t have the urge to go back.

Great little bookstore! I was looking for several copies of a particular book that my boss needed for a meeting. I called all over Sacramento and couldn’t find it. While this place didn’t have the book I needed in stock, he did order it and had it delivered the next day! Under normal circumstances the order would’ve been on time, however there was a bad storm so the delivery was delayed. He promptly communicated this to me, and offered a discount for the inconvenience. Although this was not necessary, it does speak for the level of customer service they provide. I will definitely come back for any future needs. Thank you.

One star today. I just called them at 5:30 to see if they had any more Sunday NY Times and he said «yes, just one».. I said «great, I’m closeby in Land Park would you hold it for me?» He said «Sure, what’s your name?» I gave him my name, left my dinner and ran right down to the bookstore… less than 5 minutes later. I walked in, smiled and gave him my name and said I was there to get the NY Times… can’t believe it, he said «Oh, someone just walked in after your call and bought it!» What the %#^|#]£!!! I couldn’t believe it!
With that kind of customer service is it any wonder there’s rarely anyone there. Good grief!

This place is awesome! Really friendly staff, good selection, comfy couch. They gave me free cookies. Need more screenplays.

Was there today with my niece after brunch at Tower Café. I was loving the experience and had an arm full of books to buy when I asked to use the restroom. The gray haired and bespectacled man I asked said, «sorry, we don’t have public restrooms.» He could have stopped there and it wouldn’t have been a big deal but instead he kept talking. «It’s not handicap accessible and we’ve been sued by those people, so we’re a little sensitive.»
I was so shocked I just said «I bet» and left the counter, found my niece, dropped the books and left the store.
Those people? Seriously? First of all, I AM those people. I suffer from chronic pain and often struggle to get around, and my son has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. Second of all, it’s one thing to not offer adaptation — we’re used to that — it’s a whole other to be blaming us for the inconvenience of trying to patronize your store. How dare someone with a disability think they have a right to exist in public! How dare someone actually make you comply with the law! Obviously that would make you a little «sensitive»
Although, really, I don’t think you know what that word means.

This is in my neighborhood. I wish I could say it was my go to bookstore after all it is local and has a decent selection. So why the two stars. It is the service or more accurately the lack of a greeting, a smile, a freaking can I help you? I have been in here at least 15 times and each time I hope the staff will have changed. There is one gentleman who tries to help but I imagine his coworkers bully him for greeting the customers. I really am baffled by people who open retail stores and obviously do not like dealing with the public. As a book lover who still likes to read paper books, I wish I could give my support to this store.

The extra star is for their selection… Pretty good selection and they have quite a few of the latest best sellers.
However, considering you’re an independent bookstore, you would think you want to keep customers comfortable and feeling welcomed… Hence the deductions of stars. I have been to this place multiple times and bought a few books along the way. They are more expensive than amazon but I don’t mind paying a little extra to support a small business. Every time I was greeted with the stare that says «what are you doing in here?»…I figured that was due to the location that they probably get a lot of people just trying to use the bathroom or something. Anyways, the last time, I was in the process of choosing books and ended up needing to use the bathroom really bad… I asked if I could use their bathroom (I had 3 books in my hands that I was going to buy) and the woman said «we don’t have public restrooms»… Great way to encourage me to spend my money at your business! Oh, did I mention my husband and I were the only customers in the store at that point? Maybe they should correct the sign to say «bathrooms are for employees only»
Needless to say, I put the books back, went to tower café to use the restroom and never went back (we ended up buying the same books at a used bookstore about 5 minutes away). Why would I support this place when there are 2 used book stores that are within a 5 – 10 minute drive of this place and both have 100 times better customer service?

Wow! I teach a multicultural children’s literature class at Sac State. Class starts in two days. Just decided I want to read aloud a young adult book, starting the first day of class. Given my feminist bent, it had to be a woman of color, and I wanted a dystopia novel. Pretty specific stuff. Researched a title, crossed my fingers and called Avid Reader. Bam! It’s there — waiting for me at the counter with my name on it. Can it get any better than that? Nope! «Bookstores» have morphed into endless websites. Those slippery slopes of discounts can lead us to a bleak world where human contact is no longer necessary! Yikes! Thanks for keeping me grounded Avid Reader — don’t disappear!

I received a gift certificate to this store for Christmas. After reading the reviews here, I wasn’t too sure what to expect, however I was pleasantly surprised. There was a wonderful selection of books and the employees were quite pleasant. I came back a couple weeks later, this time bringing along a ten-​year-​old and an eight-​year-​old. They were each allowed to choose one book, but both were overwhelmed with the options (what a great problem to have!). One of the employees (a young female; I don’t remember her name) took the initiative to speak with each of the kids individually, asking leading questions to find out which genre of books they most enjoyed and then presented them each with several suggestions over the course of our (very long) browsing. With her help, the kids were able to narrow down their choices and both left very pleased with their new books. After these two experiences, I will certainly be a regular customer of Avid Reader.

The best way to heal a broken heart? Why books of course!
After feeling particularly forlorn last night I decided to venture out into the world and I stumbled into The Avid Reader while waiting for a friend to meet me at Dimple next door. It occurred to me that while I had been to Records and Dimple quite often, I have never been into The Avid Reader, which I consider highly strange as my love for books usually outweigh everything else. Are their hours longer now? I think that whenever I wanted to pop in before they were closed. Whatever the case I am glad I finally got to check this place out.
Upon walking in I was greeted warmly and with the offer of assistance by a man working at the front desk. When I said I was just wanting to browse and was not looking for anything specific there was no pressure from the staff and they went back to chatting letting me absorb the place to my hearts content. Fresh, never-​before-​cacked books line the walls housed in old, weathered shelves. The books are separated by non-​fiction on one side of the store, with labels for travel, biographies, history books, etc) and then the other side is labeled as Literature without much indication (that I noticed anyway) between different types of fiction. Was it all organized by author name? I didn’t notice. It was amusing though to find a single minute copy of a Harlequin Romance between two other random books in the self help category. They do have a good selection though and I found a perfect book (that I didn’t know I was looking for until I seen it) that I couldn’t find at Barnes and Noble last week. In the center between the fiction and nonfiction there are stand alone shelves that each house Poetry, some Graphic novels, and a few more biography type books. Looking through the poetry section reminded me of the books I have at home I have yet to flip through (Poetry 180 by Billy Collins, where did I put you?) and what I need to add to my collection.
My favorite part was the children’s section, they had a wide variety of books for kids. From the classics to the popular Monster High type stuff. As long as they are reading! The huge picture book selection is colorful and fun and I wish I could take them all home (I don’t have kids but I love these whimsical books). My friend appeared and started talking the the girl who works there about the Book With No PIctures as she was laid out reading a book herself. It was a nice, comfortable experience and I am looking forward to coming back when I need something new in my hands.

I love love love this bookstore! So why didn’t I give it all five stars? Because the people who work here make it difficult to like this place so much. I love that they have inclusive books for kids, and such an amazing selection for young adult my son always find something. Any time they haven’t had what I was looking for they were able to get it quickly and for no additional charge… well that is mostly true. I mean first you have to pretty much tackle someone to get their attention, and then twist their arm to get them to actually assist you… but after that it’s all roses. Mostly. I mean when they call to tell you it’s in (when they remember) they are probably going to be rude… but it’s such a great store. And there is one older gentleman who works there who is always so helpful and nice… he seems to not work weekends though. Maybe the best idea is to go during the week. I really do love this store even with the nasty reps. My daughter is a half Chinese child of lesbian parents, and they always have books that she can see herself in. Consider the customer service as part of the experience and you won’t be disappointed.

I love going to Avid Reader! They have a wide selection and if they don’t have the book you’re looking for, they can order it and have it waiting for you to pick up in the next couple of days. HOWEVER, many of their workers are unpleasant at best. Seriously, would it kill you guys to lighten up? The last two cashiers that I have dealt with were extremely grumpy and each one gave me different answers to the same question about my books on hold. Bottom line: good bookstore with less than awesome customer service.

I have visited this bookstore a few times over the last few years and typically I am never disappointed. This location has a good variety of books and magazines, and has interesting unique greeting cards and a shelf full of journals and notebooks. The staff is always friendly and helpful, and I usually find what I am searching for here. The only negative aspect of this bookstore is the lack of adequate parking.

Doesn’t allow you to use their bathroom. Which sucks because this store has a cute children section but I can’t have the bathroom inaccessible to my young kids.

Avid Reader is a good, nice, local bookstore to send your patronage, but service could be more proactive.
I came in as a side trip while on B-​way because I wanted to read WWZ after seeing the movie (I know, terrible). I looked around kinda lost for a couple minutes before I just went up to the counter. After a short wait the service was friendly and funny. They showed me to the book, prominently displayed at the entrance, in both before-​movie-​release and after-​movie-​release editions (I chose before).
The checkout process was way easy and I saw a few people had ordered books. I am all about supporting local, small business, so I had no problem buying it here rather than used on the internet. So come out to the Avid Reader next time you are feeling bookish, but be assertive to get service.

It pains me to write a bad review of any bookstore, but given how bad the service is here, I feel obligated to do so…
I have been in here 4 times. Each time, I never received a greeting. I asked questions twice and both received cold, unhelpful answers.
The owners/​workers seem uninterested in actually having customers buy anything in their store.
Sorry, but this place is a dud.

First review of the new year! and now… for the review…:
Ahh books. I love flipping through them. No need now with my new Kindle Fire HD! I love that thing! But, the prob with it, is there aren’t any pictures. Not that I have seen anyways. Never thought to look up children’s books (until just now) and see if they have pictures.
Came in here for a good old flip through. Was missing it, ya know. I had been on my way into Dimple Records for some grab bags, and thought «I still need to get my boyfriend an xmas gift,.» I knew exactly what he would like, and low and behold– they had something along the lines of what I so desired.
I had wanted to get him either «The Jolly Postman» or a book with pictures (a fun book) of gods and goddesses. Walked through the young adult section (passing through really) and towards the mythology section– BOOM! A book that was just like «Jolly» but was a mythology book of gods and goddesses (greek) with a family tree even included!
I even got the book at a slightly cheaper price than what was listed on the back.
Score!
The man behind the counter (I assume owner) seems a bit grumpy in his older age, but hey! No worries, we will all be that way someday :) I didn’t take it personal and neither should you!

Let me preface this by saying that bookstores… independent or chain… make me giddy. I can walk around, browse, sit, read, and do it all over again on a Friday night and be very happy. So giving a bookstore close to Midtown, and an independently owned one at that, one star isn’t something I do lightly. The one star is for the set up of books on the tables and by the register, they were new titles and interesting ones at that, I discovered the book «Married at 14.» and can’t wait to buy it from another spot. All other stars could have easily been won by this place with just a little bit of effort.
Like other reviewers I’m just not sure why there is a total lack of customer service. They do not acknowledge anyone that comes in, and the place isn’t so busy that it should be very difficult. Their selection seems good until you are looking for a specific author, then it seems rather difficult to find. I asked the lady at the counter for a specific author and she pointed me to a wall. I kept staring at her waiting until she realized that this wasn’t a dollar tree store and she was going to have to get off of her stool and show me exactly where she was talking about. She walked me over to the section «where it might be, but we usually don’t order that author, although I’m not sure why since a lot of people ask for her.» Then she immediately walked back to her stool, poor thing she must get really tired being on her feet for 3% of her work day.
It just seems odd to go to a bookstore where the owners/​staff have a complete lack of interest in the people there. I’ve been to many bookstores in different cities and part of the fun is getting to know the people working there. Their love of books and sharing their knowledge with you always seems contagious.
I really can’t put my finger on it, but this place is just a total bummer. Like they need prozac. The vibe actually makes me want to dislike the written word. Hmmmm… maybe this is the place you go to break an addiction to reading. I think they would be successful every time.

As a book collector, I hate to give this place two stars. I really appreciate that we still have places to go and purchase actually books… with pages.
Alas, there is no life here. Its boarder line depressing, and there is a weak selection, though you can order– but I could do that from home. The several times Ive strolled in on a whim (to get the sight of Broadway out of my head for a second) I have never been bothered with or even acknowledged.
I’m sure Ill pop in from time to time– they did have some nice handmade cards for sale.
If I’m in search of a new book, Id rather check out our local libraries. For a free service you get much more from there.

The Avid Reader is a good bookstore for perusers, but maybe not so much for folks with a specific book in mind. The selection is extensive and enjoyable, but it includes a strange collection of books that you won’t find at many chain stores. That’s why I come here. If I want a selection from Oprah’s Book Club I’ll go to Borders, but if I want obscure Faulkner in a newly printed edition, I come here. And I usually end up leaving with a newer book that caught my eye.
The books are a little pricey overall, but can you really blame a small independent bookstore for charging a bit more? That’s the sacrifice were supposed to make to support local businesses.
The Avid Reader is a great addition to the small block of intellectually-​minded businesses (including the Tower Theater and Records) that has sprouted up in the middle of a downtrodden street.