Spectator Books

Spectator Books has a fabulous selection of new and used books. The store has many little rooms and feels both welcoming and challenging since there are so many different kinds of books to examine. It’s very possible to literally spend hours reading and exploring in this delightful bookstore.

Love this place! It is so cozy and everything about it just amazing. Outside is a little pink cart that has all the books on sale for 0.91¢ ($1 with tax). I was able to grab a book for myself and also some books for others. They have a very good selection just from the front cart alone. They also have other items on sale as well. When you walk in, they have masks, hand sanitizer, wipes, a “drink parking”, everything you need to feel comfy. This store is STACKED with books and every single genre. I came across a great find which I bought for a friend (the book in the picture) and it was a used book but in perfect condition. Interior is clean and well organized.

You get punch cards for purchase and right next to the register is a “purse launch pad” for people to put their stuff down to pay. I just loved how they thought about each detail in a customer’s experience and those little things made me fall in love.

I love this book store for personal and gift buying. Incredible depth and breadth of available new and used books. Very well curated and organized.

Phenomenal little bookstore. I was worried that the shop would be too small/narrow for my rollater walker, but I can squeeze through just fine. Larger/wider wheelchairs may be an issue, but I'm sure the folks inside would be happy to help-- the staff here is incredibly kind and accommodating. They also offer punch cards for regular patrons!

More please :) get a 🗓 calendar @Least! Looking forward to my next visit.

Really cozy and well-organized bookstore that fits a lot into a small space. A favorite to stop into when we’re in the area

Love this bookshop. Best one in the area. And with the frequent customer card, they’ve incentivized me to be loyal!

Absolutely love this place. It may seem smaller at first when you walk in, but they have a hallway and 3 different rooms full of books in the back! I like that they’ve got a punch card system. Great selection of both new and used books at fair prices.

Incredible selection of used books on race and politics and much more.

Wonderful staff.

Always a great selection of new and used books. Staff picks are well curated

I love this awesome bookstore! I have traded in books for credit and have had them order books if they aren't in stock. They are friendly and helpful. I've bought cards, stickers, and a journal here too!

Great selection and super friendly staff! It’s real small in there, but it has a cozy feel that reminds me of my old college library days among the stacks. My favorite in town 😌

This is my new favorite book store anywhere. I cannot wait to go back! They do an incredible job of curating titles from local writers as well as current events. Especially if you lean towards leftist politics they carry a huge selection of nonfiction and even showcase it.

A must read from my first haul is Witchcraft and the Gay Counterculture. The staff was also super knowledgeable and kind.

I love the selection of books, and the employees are rock stars. I was there on a day when a particularly cranky costumer was placing a special order, and the employee was super caring and helpful, so much so that the cranky customer eventually apologized and expressed gratitude for the kindness. It was beautiful to witness. Let's give these booksellers some love!

I like to visit new bookstores anytime I'm traveling, and I got to walk around the lovely Piedmont neighborhood on this visit to the Bay Area. Spectator Books is a top-tier bookshop, and I found the staff friendly and knowledgeable. There is a good mix of used and new books, and the selection is terrific (for my totally arbitrary tastes anyway). Great range of new and used stuff published by the great smaller presses -- the likes of New Directions, Dalkey Archive, Graywolf, City Lights, and Coffee House Press. And I so appreciated the extensive staff picks: Rather than a sprinkling of recommendations, several staff members had full shelves (or multiple shelves!) of recommendations. One staffer's picks completely aligned with my recent interests -- shout out to Stacie! -- and that made for a great time browsing. I'll also note that Spectator has a nice selection of used and new comics from the best publishers (Fantagraphics, D&Q, NYRC, etc.).

My picks: "A Cat, a Man, and Two Women" by Junichiro Tanizaki and "Forgotten Journey" by Silvina Ocampo.

Tons of books at reasonable prices, staff feels like the genuinely want to be there and love books. I felt very welcomed yet left alone enough to do my own searching. Things can get a little unorganized but it's never too all over the place, makes for a fun hunt for something special! My girlfriend and I will be back for more!

Extraordinary shop! Brilliantly curated selection of new and used books, along with a selection of other stuff book folks will love. If the question, "Have you seen the trauma shelf?" fills you with "awwww," this is the place for you.

I love the variety of books, unique gifts and custom service

Love this place. If you are in the neighborhood, definitely stop in (after COVID of course). They have a great selection of books both new and used, a punch card for frequent buyers, and they buy used books during certain hours for store credit (not cash). Note: I think they limit you to two bags of books to be considered for selling at a time.

The folks working there are kind and knowledgeable, willing to help you find something and also happy to just let you browse. I also saw them effectively and kindly de-escalate a mentally ill homeless person inside the store (who was helping themselves to things), and deal with a similarly challenging situation as well.

Insider tips:
1. There is parking (a few spaces) along the side of the building to the left if you are looking at the front door.

2. Not sure if it is officially the case, but based on the cute dogs I have met there, it seems dog friendly if your dog is on leash and well behaved.

Great bookstore with good new-books- selection, plus tons of used books for sale. They're generous with their buying of used books. I love trading in old good-condition books for new or used ones. Theyre often busy but still find the time while multi-tasking to be friendly and helpful.