University Press Books

I never really knew this place existed until I came for a poetry reading sponsored by one of my former English instructors at Berkeley City College one evening. And since transferring to Cal, I have walked by here many times yet did not stop in as I have promised myself and (personally) should have done so since I am in the area.
I recently placed a special order for a book with one of the associates a week ago. I was told it would arrive within a week. I was asked for my name and phone number. Well, the week went by and not a phone call. I gave it a few more days. Yesterday, I stopped by to inquire with the associate I placed the order with. Well, it turns out the order did not go through. Needless to say, I was not at all pleased as I needed the book for an assignment. She offered to place the order again. When she looked it up, she informed me she had quoted me the incorrect price. Needless to say, I informed her that it was way too expensive at that price increase and in so many words, I was no longer interested in trying to reorder the book again at all.
Wow. I am shocked and taken aback by all that transpired. I am willing to give the benefit of the doubt that it was a computer glitch as to why the order did not go through and it was not the associate’s fault. Hard to say. This was my first real experience with the store and it pains me to say it was not a good one. I do not know if I will be back to give this place another chance with my business.

THIS STORE IS AN OPTICAL ILLUSION! After almost 4 years here at Berkeley I finally set foot in this hole in the wall bookstore I always pass by on my way to the rsf. Who knew the inside is a freaking CAVE?! Inside is like a tucked away lounge/​loft full of books — mostly old classics and philosohical/​political stuff. I was looking for more mindless popular humor type books. Like Mindy Kaling’s book or Tina Fey’s «Bossypants» but ended up buying a philosophy book by Leo Tolstoy. Full price (I never buy books period. Except for school…) Who woulda thunk? Surprises surprises. If only they had open tables for studying or a café attached. Then I would probably come here to study. But until then this post-​finals-​impulsive-​bookstore-​splurge may be the only time I come here. It was a thoroughly interesting experience.
Only complaint is that the book sections are labeled very high up on the shelve so short people like me have to either strain their necks to see them or miss them altogether and end up wandering around the store deducing for themselves what each section is, based on the book titles. Also I was there for a good two hours doing this and no one said anything to me or asked me if I was lost/​looking for something. A little more assistance would’ve been nice.

solid, specific, and intellectual selection. although it is an academic bookstore, its atmosphere (especially the back reading space and the little garden behind) strikes me with such a personal attachment. i miss it already…

If you’re an avid reader in the East Bay, particularly if you seek out the kind of reading that’s beyond the usual NYT Best Sellers, books that might change how you think about something or that open worlds to you that you never knew, then chances are you’ve been to University Press Books. That doesn’t mean it’s the end-​all, be-​all in East Bay bookstores. Hardly. But it fills a dimension in local book offerings that other places don’t. It’s difficult to go into this bookstore and not see something that looks like a fascinating read. It’s definitely worth a visit.

Exactly what a good academic bookstore ought to be. Wonderful atmosphere too. May they prosper.

One of the best, and by far one of the most pleasant bookstores in the Bay.
Specializing in scholarly and academic titles, and with a friendly and knowledgeable staff, this place is hard to beat if you’re looking for something to engage your mind.
They also have frequent author events, movies, and even dinners, which are held in the back room or on the beautiful outdoor patio.
A great place to get lost for an hour or a day.

I dropped by this bookstore to browse, and my eye caught a map book of Berkeley. I just recently got a job in Berkeley and was interested in knowing more about the city. This map is a good start. Its called Berkeley’s PATHWAYS and gives a layout of paths, steps and walkways in Berkeley.

Solid bookstore with some great reads including Michael Pollan’s «In Defense of Food.» The back of the store has a spacious communal table for reading as well as rare pieces for those in search of a rare piece.

Nice, knowledgeable, and helpful personnel.

The more I look the more I like. Tucked in among the acedemic titles are unexpected treasures and quirky surprises. Explore, enjoy…

Great bookstore that focuses on academic publications.
I love going up on the second floor, because they showcase really old academic books and it’s always fun to see barely-​legible, faded scrawl on some of the covers. Maybe a good present for a true, book collector.
The social/​cultural section is also extensive and worth a look-​see, but I love their children’s books.

For years, I have managed to miss their annual book sale — but last fall I happened to clip the ad from a local free weekly and made it my mission to go there. I was so delighted by the offerings — it made me want to go back to graduate school! In fact, I saw reprints of books I had read during graduate school and it made me smile fondly, like seeing an old lover. You want to re-​read and delve into that topic again but you’ve moved on and — good heavens — there were so many books on the politics and science of food! feminist studies! local & California studies!
The annual book sale is cash only — and the books are insulted to be called seconds — the only thing hurt about them are their feelings: every book that I saw looked brand new, clean and gorgeous.
Love this publisher and love the sale!

I try to stop by UPB every time I’m in the area, and I always go in knowing that I will leave with my wallet a little bit thinner and my bag a little bit heavier. I am amazed that such a little store is able to boast such a wide variety of titles in all genres. It’s a fantastic place to duck in while avoiding the rain, waiting for a friend, or just to spend an hour browsing. The workers are friendly and helpful when you need them, but do not bother you at all. Sure you can get books easily from the comforts of your home with a credit card and a couple of clicks, but the charm of UPB is unparalleled in this day and age when bookstores are closing left and right. I love making my way through the display table and checking out the new stock and I believe UPB is one of the few places left that allows for such an intimate experience with books. So spend a couple of extra dollars and walk out of the store with a full heart and the promising excitement of delving into a new book! Or two or three.

A great space with a lot of charm. I’ve really only hit the philosophy section but they seem to have a good breadth of coverage in many areas.
As another reviewer has pointed out their organization is a little confusing, but in browsing to find what I came for, I usually see one or two other books I just can’t live with out, so perhaps that’s a good thing.

This place was pretty fancy. The only downside is the way they label things is kind of confusing. I didn’t even now this place existed until one of my classes had one of their books being sold here.

It’s not true that all books sold there are published by a University Press. Bestsellers are there, amongst some hodgepodge books for people with random interests. The person at the store really knew where everything was. Of course, the book I was looking for everyone should have (Girl With a Dragon Tattoo), but I thought it was cool that she didn’t even hesitate to answer, and I liked how friendly she was. My trip in and out of the bookstore took only 2 minutes. I’m not really a browser, and am much too busy to dwell at a bookstore, so it was quite a pleasant trip for me.

University Press Books is exactly what it sounds like… a bookstore where every title sold is published by a University Press. Of course, this means they mostly carry obscure, academic titles, but it’s the perfect way to expand my knowledge of every subject. I would have never entered this store had one particular prof not made special considerations to order our course books through this store only and not the student store. It’s a small location, but it has a lot of charm. More than that, they have academic readings/q&a sections that often prove to be very interesting.
I revisited University Press yesterday when on the hunt for McSweeney’s Panorama (look it up if you haven’t heard of it). I heard it was in multiple independent bookstores (and a couple Borders locations) around the bay area, and just as soon as they arrived they vanished. I left my name and they even called me today to say they had gotten more in stock (too bad I got impatient and went to Borders Union Square to get 6 of the last 20 copies left during my lunch break…)
But I digress. The staff is always very friendly and there really is no better place to find more obscure academic titles. And next door at Musical Offering Café, there’s no better place to enjoy a small salad and herbal iced tea with your new purchase…

The most wonderful bookshop experience ever. And that’s saying a lot. I couldn’t believe it when I found sections of old books on typography, print-​making and paper. Type specimen books from 1924… oh my. Yes, I’m a geek.
The staff are wonderful, the selection is intoxicating and the prices are very fair.

I must have walked by this store a dozen times thinking «I should go in.» For me, bookstores are like quick sand, sucking me in, like a fish on a hook they tug at my curiosity and seduce me with their promise of getting closer to the truth. Clearly, the philosphy section is my first stop. Being the indecisive Libra that I am, I go mad with choice, overwhelmed with variety. I wish I had more eyes, heads, hands to experience the depth of each and every book! The selection here is not as grand as Green Apple, but it’s a more refined selection, which is just as frustrating. How did I survive this trap of knowledge?
I walked through the maze of thought and came out on the other side. Into the garden of zen.
Trees. A fellow philosopher. Green tea with honey. Sunshine. Peace.
We were in…
After an hour of talk, transcending time, but not space, exploring the depths of our consciousness, meaninglessness of earthly pursuits, meaningfulness of love and ultimately surrendering to the unknown, we left the sun drenched sancutary and embarked once again on our meaningless pursuits out in the world. On our way out an engraved tile read:
…“The Garden of IDEAS is only half– baked.” And that is exactly why we inevitably were to give in and go back into the world of others; our ideas were afterall…
young.

Berkeley must be a special place if it can keep a bookstore like this in business. Now, academic press books are notoriously expensive to begin with (I’m glaring at you in particular, Routledge and Stanford University Press), and that’s the main thing this bookstore has going against it – through no fault of its own. But if I can’t find something at a decent price on Amazon, or if I really need something *now* because someone’s refusing to return a recalled book and I don’t have time to hunt around the used bookstores for a nice clean copy before I have to meet and discuss the title with my advisor by, oh, the next day, I try to buy from UPB.
While I’m at it, I browse the section of my academic specialty (s). This inevitably makes me cry a little, because I’m not rich, and they always have so many good books and exciting new titles.
They do have a useful little book club — buy $ 300 worth of books, and get $ 20 off your next purchase. It’s *almost* like saving 10% on every purchase. At any rate, I shop here for the sake of supporting local bookstores, especially *specialty* bookstores, even if I’m not rich.