Walden Pond Books

This place is a gem! Favorite bookstore in the area with a great selection of new and used books. Their staff recommendations are great. They have an excellent fiction section, non fiction, and well stocked cookbook section. The shelves are nice and narrow, the floors a little creaky - it feels like a bookstore should feel. Nice selection of calendars as well. They buy your used books as well for store credit or cash and it's nice to pass books back and get a little discount on your next read in exchange.

Cool bookstore that originated in the early 70s, and is Oakland’s largest independent bookstore. They buy and trade books. They also carry LP records, greeting cards, and they sell rare and collectible books on eBay.

Ambiance***** There is a lot to explore. There's a large collection of masks high above the books on the west wall.They even have their Rare Book Room upstairs.

Service***** Friendly staff
Accessibility *****
Cost****

I couldn't love this place more! In full transparency I have a good friend that works here, so my review may be biased, but I do collect books and consider myself a expert. The staff are friendly, they are fair priced, and they buy books Thursday thru Sunday. They sell comics, vinyl, and CDs too. Out front they have discount books priced $1 to $5 daily. I would highly recommend this place.

By far one of the best book stores in the Bay, great selection and the beautiful upstairs rare book section looking over the store was a unique literary experience. I buy my books from here monthly !

Best bookstore. I love the selection of old and new. It's also fun to go through the super discounted books to see what you'll find.

This is the best book store in the East Bay! Friendly staff and great selection from fiction, to architecture books, and even dozens of cook books! The place has is great at highlighting BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors and local books.

Loved this bookstore. They have a TON of options ranging from new releases to collectibles. Everything is very nicely organized so you can easily head to a specific genre that you’re looking for. The staff are super nice too, and they sell HOT DOG BOOKMARKS which was an amazing little find.

Waldon

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Waldron Ponds Books
This is a very cool bookstore that originated in the early 70s, and is Oakland’s largest independent bookstore. They will be starting to buy and trade books again this September. Besides books they carry LP records, greeting cards, and They sell rare and collectible books on eBay.

Ambiance ***** If you have never been in a bookstore, you owe it to yourself to drop in and check out their scene. I love how much there is to explore. There is a large collection of masks above the books on the west wall. The wooden floors actually creaked when I walked in reminding me of some really old libraries. If you’re into really old books, you might want to check out their Rare Book Room upstairs.

Service***** They have a very friendly staff ready to locate what you need.
Accessibility *****
Cost****

The staff here is amazing and very helpful. They were even able to help me find a used copy of the book I was looking for to help me save money. I highly recommend.

I like this bookstore located close to our home. It buys back used books and has a great collection of non-fiction subjects and old fashion books for kids.

One of my favorite bookstores in the bay! Great new and used collection plus some extra goodies for gifty things!

Bought a book today with 756 pages for just $9.50!!!! I sniffed the pages when I got home and the new book smell is still intact 🤭

I stopped by recently for some birthday gifts and was pleasantly surprised with the fun collection of books, games, and cards. The store staff are friendly and helpful, and I appreciate many of the small cards on the book shelves annotating staff picks and recommendations. This is solid local bookstore.

Really good bookstore for browsing through books the staff was also very friendly and I felt that the books were reasonably priced

I have been coming here for years. I always find something I want to read. (I read Kindle books also, but sometimes I also want the tactile sensation of holding a book while I am reading it.)

This shop is a museum and a boil store! Probably one of the most avant-garde book store I’ve ever seen. Great store! Get your copy of Harvest Moon here! You will find it right next to my pal, Harry Potter.

Such knowledgeable, friendly staff. Awesome selection of books and more for adults & kids. Pillar of the neighborhood! So fun for browsing and buying.

If you search on Amazon, call Walden and they may have it or can likely order it in a few days. If you pay a few $ more here, that’s an investment in your neighborhood, sustainable employment, and human connection, rather than furthering the dystopian Empire’s model of (1) employees being laid off in favor of (2) underpaid, benefit-less independent contractors with no security, being terminated in favor of (3) robots (drones etc.).

Great bookstore with excellent new and used selection. Records too

Make sure not to miss the used section in the back! Has a great selection of new and used books. I always find something I’ve been looking for in the used section. Records aren’t too bad either!

This store is a delight. Walking through the aisles and finding new surprises is one of my favorite things to do. It's got a good selection of books and super friendly staff. Worth supporting!