Owl & Company Bookshop

Owl & Company Bookshop feels to me like a recent arrival on the local-bookstore scene, but in reality they've been around for several years now. They are a lovely cozy presence on Piedmont Avenue, which, amazingly, is home to several used bookstores - all with their own unique flavor and style.

I visited Owl & Co in early February, on a chilly rainy day - the shop was the perfect welcoming environment, and even has comfy chair to hang out in, for folks who want to linger a while.

There's a wide variety of beautiful old books lining the walls of this narrow shop, and several tables stacked with eye-catching books of the pictorial & coffee-table variety. The shop provides the perfect environment for contemplative browsing - it almost feels more like a library than a store. The prices are very reasonable, too; I've been astonished at how affordable some of the books are.

Ultimately, I recommend stopping by when you have at least 20 minutes to spend browsing: you'll discover some new books, and possibly have a nice chat with the amiable clerk behind the counter. (Also, sign up for their newsletter, which often announces special sales!)

-------------------------

The book I bought: "The Moogs" by Gelett Burgess. I spotted it in the children's section, and was immediately captivated. Originally published in the year 1900 (I didn't note the year of this reissue - guessing the 50's) this book is full of charmingly grumpy advice on how to Be A Good Child. Since I already have a billion books (and don't have kids) I figured this book would be happiest with a family that would actively read and enjoy it, so I gave it to a friend who has two little ones. Hopefully they appreciate the life-advice contained within! (Or at least the great illustrations.)

-------------------------

Owl & Company Bookshop is located at 3941 Piedmont Ave. (Next door to Piedmont Springs.)

Laurel Bookstore

I stopped by the Laurel Bookstore on Inauguration Day, which wasn't intentional, but was fortuitous, as they were giving away free copies of the constitution.
The shop is spacious, with easily browsable rows of shelves of both new and used books, a children's room, and an event space. They also have a nice selection of locally-themed books and cards.
Laurel Bookstore moved to the heart of downtown a couple years ago - away from their namesake neighborhood, but to a location that has much more foot traffic (and is near a couple BART stops.) Their current location is immediately off of Frank Ogawa/Oscar Grant Plaza, which puts them in the midst of the many protests that occur there. They seem to have embraced this aspect of their existence, as evidenced by the free copies of the constitution they were giving away (both that Friday and the following day which was the day of the Women's March - another event that passed right by their doors.) The many signs in their windows also showed support for the protest actions.
I hope they succeed in this location, and I look forward to visiting them again soon.

-------------------------

The book I bought: James Baldwin's Another Country. I have an unfortunately large gap in my Baldwin-consciousness, and now seemed a good time to rectify that, especially considering the recent release of "I Am Not Your Negro," the documentary about Baldwin.

Laurel Bookstore is located at 1423 Broadway, in Oakland.