Now that both Barnes & Noble and Borders are gone, a lot of us are wondering two things: 1) What next? 2) Where do I buy books?
I contacted city officials when B&N closed. I was pleased that both the mayor and the economic development director responded immediately. (Not one of the city councilmembers I contacted bothered to answer me.) Both said they were concerned and were paying attention, but that Fremont (unlike some other cities, for better or worse) doesn’t have control over what businesses landowners rent to or how much they charge. The economic development director said they’re also trying to get stores interested in Fremont…but of course, it’s difficult now.
As for where to buy books, if you like to browse in person (like I do, despite my love for the internet), there are still options. Here are a few:
- Half Price Books (43473 Boscell Rd., Fremont). A small but good bookstore with mostly used and some new books, as well as movies, music, books on CD, videogames, manga, comic books, magazines, etc. Almost everything is at least half off the cover price (books published overseas are noticeably more). Bargain books ($1-3) are both up front and in the back by the restrooms. Newish books are in the front–go to the right as soon as you go through the door. The employees are friendly, but the chain has a reputation for not paying much for your used stuff. Very convenient–close to 880, just over Auto Mall from 680), in strolling distance of Any Mountain, Spicy Town, Prolific Oven, Asia Pearl (dim sum), a health food store, and a froyo shop, and just a parking lot or two away from Nordstrom Rack, In-n-Out, DSW, etc. HPB won’t order books, but will put them on a watch list for you.
- The Book End (5678 Thornton Avenue, Newark). This little shop, tucked in a shopping center near an Afghan restaurant and a bar, specializes in paperbacks. I remember it as being mostly romances, mysteries, and westerns, but Yelp reviewers say they have science fiction, too–so I should go back and see. (And let me take a moment to say: LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS, GET A WEBSITE. Google will help you do it for free! It’s not easy to survive these days, so why make it harder for people to find and find out abut your business? Sigh.)
- Rumi Bookstore (4050 Peralta Blvd, Fremont, CA). I’ve driven past this interesting-looking Islamic bookstore on Peralta many times, but have never been in it. Their own description on Yelp (more informative than their website, which is e-commerce-oriented) says that they have perfumes and music as well as books.
- Fry’s (43800 Osgood Road, Fremont). Fry’s, the electronics store, has a small but surprisingly diverse collection of books–a few graphic novels, the random cookbook, a little fiction. Of course, it’s mostly science-oriented nonfiction, computer how-tos, and so on, but you may be surprised at what you can find. The books are up front and to the left as you come in. Fry’s also has videogames and movies (Target and Wal-Mart also carry a few books, of course, but their selection is far more boring than Fry’s). They have a cafe, but it scares me a little. Plus, Fry’s is most of the way to Ajisen anyway.
- The Book Shop (1007 B St., Hayward, CA). Friends of mine love this place, but I haven’t had any luck here yet. I suspect it depends on your particular reading interests, so give it a try! (I’m sure I’ll be heading back now that our options have narrowed.) An old-school, mostly-used-but-some-new independent bookshop in downtown Hayward. Unlike HPB, I believe The Book Shop will order books for you. Right next to Buon Appetito, a pretty good Italian restaurant (or worth combining with a trip to Pot Pie Paradise, also in Hayward though not nearby).
- Book Buyers (317 Castro St., Mountain View): This is a large used book shop (music, software, and movies too). They have foreign-language books (spread across several sections, so look carefully), textbooks (although they say they don’t–check in the relevant section, especially for language classes), and a good selection of manga and graphic novels (also confusingly spread around) and RPGs. They reputedly pay more than HPB if you want to sell your books, but their buying hours are restricted and may require two trips. Their prices on books are also higher, but they occasionally send out coupons to members of their mailing list.
- Books, Inc. (301 Castro St., Mountain View): An “indie chain,” this was the first independent non-used bookstore where I was regularly able to find things I wanted and could afford. They have great recommendations, good coupons, in-store events, and deeply discounted sale books that are things you’d actually want to buy (including multiple things from my Amazon wishlist). They sell ebooks as well…which I don’t really understand, but you can snap QR codes right in the store. They also carry games, a few toys, and some really nice handmade cards, many of which are both locally made and less than the ones at Papyrus. There’s even a cafe upstairs.
If you decide to leave the area, you have lots of options. For sheer convenience, my choice for a book-shopping trip is Mountain View. Just take 880 to 237-W. Follow 237 until it runs out. Turn right (that’s El Camino Real) and then right a few blocks later on Castro. There are two great bookstores literally right next door to each other, with free parking on the block behind. In addition, just on the other side of 237 on El Camino, there’s Nijiya, a Japanese grocery store with a little restaurant, good prices, and a nice selection of organic items. On your way to or from Mountain View, you can stop in the McCarthy Ranch area of Milpitas for ramen at Maru Ichi, meat overload at Pepper Lunch, vegetarian options at Loving Hut, dim sum at Mayflower, butternut squash ravioli at Pasta Pomodoro, etc.
Not listed: Several mostly Chinese bookstores, such as Tara Books & Gifts (inside the Lion complex near Newpark Mall). Several of these stores carry English manga or other English books, plus interesting or cute stationery and other items, so they may be worth checking out. If you are hesitant to go in because you don’t speak Chinese, don’t worry about it. Just go in, be polite, and enjoy.
Let me know if I missed any, or if any new ones open up soon!
(P. S. Did you know that Fremont has a used record shop? As in vinyl? We sure do. Needle to the Groove will even fix up your old damaged records for you.)
EDIT: I forgot to add Treasure Island Comics, now on Mowry near Coco Chicken, Le Moose Crepes, Lucky, and the Bicycle Garage. I have no intention of ever going there again, which is probably why I forgot about it. But it’s popular with many of its customers. (I’ve been meaning to check out Illusive Comics and Games in Santa Clara, which also carries role-playing game books.)