Books Inc.

Great independent local chain bookstore, with an interesting selection of staff picks. I love how they can special order almost any book and get it there within two days.
They deserve 4 stars alone just for sticking it out in this neighborhood. I’ve personally witnessed one shoplifter and another aggressive panhandler turned around by the staff.
It’s tough to make it as a non-​used bookstore these days and I am so thankful that there is still a place where I can walk in, pick up the books and ruminate over my next great read.
Just a small tip for those who find the selection lacking: I’ve often chatted with the booksellers here about authors and titles I enjoy. They always offer to order the book free of charge and with no obligation to buy.

This is a really pleasant place to shop for books, with great light, friendly staff and a good assortment of books. Its greatest strength is probably the quality of its discount table — I rarely find good books on discount tables, but they had all sorts of good stuff.
The downside was really their staff recommendations — I looked at half the books that were on their recommendations table, and nothing grabbed me, which is unusual. And while they have recommendations scattered throughout the shelves (which I appreciate) there weren’t that many, and nothing too inspiring.
If I knew what I was looking for, rather than just browsing — or conversely, just browsing but not planning to buy — this would be a great spot. And even though I didn’t get inspired by the staff picks, I did find some good books here. And we certainly enjoyed our visit.

Love this place. A bookstore that actually is still around and it’s right next to Peet’s and Philz across the street, the inside of the plaza actually has a cute independent theater. This place is perfect for the casual intellectual date

I really don’t like being followed around in a store. I had a bad experience with that at this location. My husband and I worked in around 7p on this past Saturday 5÷18÷2015 and an Asian lady and Hispanic man (employees) were talking to each other at the front counter. I’m Black and my husband has a Haight kid look, and the next thing I know the Hispanic guy and the Asian lady have ended their conversation quickly, and he has relocated to the back desk and is trying hard to look as if he’s not eying my husband or myself. What a joke.
Nobody is trying to steal your crusty books that will be half priced anyway soon because your irrelevant bookstore will be out of business shortly. I really hate when this happens because it’s upsetting to me and my psyche, but I am working on the mantra, «They are stupid.»
Anyway, I don’t think this store is «diversity-​friendly» and they obviously judged me as a person that was coming to rip them off. What assholes. I mean, you work at a bookstore making $ 14.00 an hour if you’re lucky, and I’m getting my Masters’ and make about $ 80,000 a year. Though these are the realities, it still hurts to be judged and followed around a store, as if you’re a thief and a degenerate.
Get a life. I won’t be visiting any of their locations again, and I caution others with a conscious not to as well.

There’s nothing quite like buying long spy novels in anticipation of a lot of waiting, especially when that waiting doesn’t materialize. The verdict came in quickly; yet I spent the next couple of months getting through a very interesting, though not very well written, book.
Thanks, Books Inc., for giving me that opportunity. You’re still clean and well-​lighted, and that makes me sad. Couldn’t you have dirtied up and let a bulb or two burn out?
I love San Francisco mostly because I miss it.

Centrally located, VERY helpful and fun, personality-​filled staff AND connected to a PEETS!!! What is NOT to love. I’ll be back. Any time the staff shows appreciation for the customer and provides excellent customer service… well, what can I say, that is what makes a business really great.

When I come to Opera Plaza I always go to the bookstore. I still remember with found memories «A Clean Well-​Lighted Place For Books» store at this location for many years. I am just glad there is still a bookstore. The stock in the computer/​programming section was lacking but there was a book «Bitcoin for the Befuddled» that caught my eye. The previous bookstore had racks and racks of magazines/​periodicals which has been reduced to two small racks. I like browsing foreign and unusual publications. I still managed to find something to buy.

I just left the Books Inc location on Van Ness, and had abad experience. I walked up to the checkout counter (I was the only person in line at that time). The lone employee behind the counter immediately got on the phone with a customer, and rang a bell. Another employee came to the register, and began checking out the people who had formed a line behind me. Two customers were serviced while I stood there. My big complaint, I was never greeted, told excuse me for a moment, or even thanked for my purchase. I have been shopping at this location twice a wk for the past three years, and will not visit this chain again!

I love books Inc. This is the best book store after Barnes & Noble. I love how I can find my favorite children’s books here. I also like how big the store is. So big in here. I don’t like it that there is a Pete’s Coffee & Tea Next door. I wish that Pete’s Coffee & Tea goes out of business and Philz Coffee takes it’s place.

Nice size independant bookstore in an office building. You won’t find every book ever printed in stock but you will find a hsppy, smiling, knowledgeable staff that will do everything they can to help you find what your looking for. Truly this is what a bookstore should be.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask about special ordering the book you are searching for, chances are that they will be able to have it in your hands in about yhe same time Amazon would. Plus you get the pleasure of knowing that your keeping some of your hard earned cash in the local community.

We’ve stopped by here a few times since it’s right nearby but I don’t recall actually buying anything. It’s not Borders or Amazon, but if you’re looking for a small, nice bookstore, you can’t go wrong here, especially if you want to support a local business that carries local authors!
Today I ordered two books online through the website for pickup at the store. There’s a bit of confusion with the email responses, apparently you need to wait for a response from the store letting you know that the actual books are in. As a result, I wasn’t able to get one of the books I wanted when I stopped by a few hours after ordering. No worries though, the sales guy behind the counter was super nice and grabbed on of the books they had in stock for me.
This is a pretty sweet store and I would happily stop in on a regular basis for the great atmosphere and random book.

Thank goodness for this place. Sometimes, I just want a book without having to pay for shipping. I was on my way someplace down the street and remembered that I’d wanted to get a particular book. I found it, paid, and went on my merry way.
If you like books and stepping into a bit of tranquility before catching the bus, it’s well worth a visit.
Another cool perk is that they have authors in fairly often and have a really great listing of books for reading.

Saw Dan Jones speak here on 2014-​02-​11 about his new book «Love Illuminated».
Really impressed with a book store that can survive these days and hold these types of events.

I go in this shop whenever I’m in Civic Ctr to see a performance at the Davies or War Memorial. Great place to browse to kill time & I always leave with a purchase. Not only great books, but a fantastic selection of greeting cards & other items.
Also a Peet’s Coffee attached to this store.
I was fortunate last night when I was there, an event took place. The author Ezekiel Tyrus was reading from his book: Eli, Ely. Really enjoyable, too bad I couldn’t stay longer as I had a performance to attend.
I really enjoy this chain of book shops.

Amazing bookstore!
As a bookworm I am always on the lookout for new, interesting bookstores and Books Inc. is definitely a legit place! It doesn’t look that big on the outside but once you walk in it keeps going and going further back and to the right. There are so many books to choose from it can be a bit overwhelming but it’s easy to see where things are thanks to the labels. If you go all the way to the back there are a couple of tables with books on sale which is great if you are on a budget ($ 2-​$ 10). Thankfully there are seats throughout the store so you can grab a book/​magazine and read a bit before you make your purchase.
Will definitely be back! =D

Decent enough bookstore– selection is okay, only stopped by to browse the current best sellers so didn’t go too deep in the store. Location was quiet enough to page through and read, unlike others that make zero attempt to control the atmosphere within the store.
Love that it’s attached to a coffee shop without having it actually inside the store, which is often a contributing factor to the noise level, due to the customer chatter and overall coffee-​making cacophony.
Don’t think you’d be likely to stop here to find something specific unless it’s currently on some best sellers lists– their selection didn’t look extensive and no one greeted or offered to help me find anything, which was fine but may be problematic if you’re unable to find something.
This seems to be a great place for book signings and author meet ups, but I don’t know how they fit much in this place. Will have to plan another trip in advance rather than just popping in on a whim.

Sadly book stores don’t exist’s anymore. Thankfully this company still does.
I was here last night at the Lauren Conrad book signing. When I walked into the place. It smelled like coffee. There is a Peet’s coffee right inside of the store to you’re right. They have my architecture books that is why I’m giving this place 5 stars.
Yes I did meet Lauren herself it was so cool. The staff is well organized about this event. Well planned out in fact.
This store is organized also. The layout of the place is nice. They have little staff notes on the bookshelves about a certain book. They also have little gifts too.
Nice selection of magazines.
BUY REAL BOOKS FROM REAL BOOKSTORES NOT FROM iTunes or Amazon. LET’S SAVE THIS DYING BREED.

ONLY REASON I GOT ON THE SMELLY BART TO HAVE PEOPLE LOOK AT ME AND TALK TO THEMSELVES IN MY EAR.
E L JAMES. Author of the 50 shades of Grey trilogy. She did a book signing here on the 25^th of September. Lemme break it down for you ok. Pow chika chika wow wow!
Ok. First do no judge. I am a fan. I am in love with Christian Grey.
2^nd. When Facebook announces She is Coming to the Yay Area, oh hell yea I’m moving cars and monsters.
So Book Inc. Set’s this up where we HAVE TO, buy the books to get 1 ticket, if you buy all 3 in a Trilogy set you get 3 tickets, So I buy my books online. I already had these books on my kindle fire, Juan B was kinda mad I spent 50 bucks on a box set. Screw you dude! this is as close the Mr. Grey as I am going to get.
Time passes. It’s September 25^th. I get ready and I go looking for this place. I feel stupid me and my brothers girlfriend walking along Van Ness we didnt see it. Not 1 but 4 people gave us the wrong way Mean people man.
We finally get there ok. There’s no one. I got there early I was told if I got there early I would be receiving a «Laters, Baby» button did I get one. No!!! Why I don’t know. I’m still really pissed.
So I have 2 hours to kill. I went to McDonald’s across the street. I ate, I went back talked to fans until my jaw went numb. The organization for the event was not cool, The girl walked out with like a college bound notebook with the letters A-​Z on them just walking around like a number girl in a boxing match, Mind you she is walking amongst thousands of horny women and some men, you dont make an effort to call, some people didnt hear their Letter Called. I was Letter «L» and I was another hour till I was called.
SHOWTIME.
I met E L James. (GOAL MET)
But I got tongue tied and really shy and cried, I asked for a hug she gave me one. ok after this really quick encounter I’m walking away, the security leans into me and says «Your lucky I let you do that» LOL are you serious? I respond «Too bad, you must not being doing your job too well.» and I walked away. Not like I care about what security think 100% of the time anyways. Like if your going run your events make sure its not so sloppy. And I seen on the website NO POSED PHOTOS with Ms.James. Um Why later on the new I seen that the book club took a group photo with her.
That pissed me off!!! If you bend a rule for one, you can bend one more. That really wasnt fair. they need to stay on their policy if they are going to insist.
Overall if you come here for a popular book signing be sure you have something to do. it’s cold here bring a sweater. Also the staff for me wasn’t too friendly, I wont be making my way here again, I wish she would signed my kindle and I could of saved a tree.

Bookstores seem to be an endangered species, so browsing one feels special. Like going on a safari.
I came here for the Dave Eggers signing. The staff were very friendly.

The city of my youth used to have a Books Inc… inside of Country Club Centre (anyone echo this piece of nostalgia out there?!)…nothing as spiffy as the one off Van Ness!
First time visit. Hooray for the oldest independent bookstore in the West. However, with that one gets no sales on books… boo =(. Had some time to kill before dinner reservations, and knew that one of my favorite authors (whom I’ve met twice, and who bothered to email me back when I told her how I felt about Shanghai Girls) was back in town, due for a book talk there at 7PM… same time as those darn reservations!!!
Didn’t even know that the plaza sporting Max’s also has a bookstore, with a popular Peet’s hanging off to its side.
Clean, organized, well laid-​out small-​medium sized shop with all the chairs propped, ready for dear Lisa… want to tuck into Dreams of Joy after I’ve killed the stack by my bed… course didn’t help that I just purchased A THOUSAND SISTERS, by Lisa Shannon. It’s about the devastation among women in the DRC, and having just joined an African Book Club, I have an even keener interest than usual.
Friendly, smiling and conversant cashier – we had fun discussing what we liked of Ms. See’s works. Like it!