Wonderland Books

So I drive all the way from San Leandro to check out this fabled bookstore, and what a complete disappointment. I arrived at 3:30 in the afternoon on a Tuesday (the store hours online list it as being open til 5pm, so I should have had 90 minutes to shop). The sign on the door list the store hours as 11am to 4:20pm (first off, what kind of random, partial hour time is that to close?) and at 3:30pm the door is locked and a sign hangs in the window saying «closed, please come again». This is one of my biggest pet peeves, a store not maintaining it’s posted hours. I will never make a trip again to this location, which is their loss because I love obscure books and I come to ready to buy. Looks like Moes, Shakespeare & Co, HPB, and Dark Carnival in Berkeley /​Fairmont will be getting the business these folks missed out on today.

Called to see if they were still in business because I don’t recall seeing the shop on my numerous drives & walks on Faimount. I got a recording that clearly stated their hours, so their existence is confirmed, though they have really limited hours-​only 4 days a week. Definitely not open on Sundays. I wonder if Wonderland buys books to sell used.

Appropriately enough, were Ramona street to continue, it would go right through Wonderland Books.
It’s small, cluttered, and smells of dust and old books. The shelves are groaning with tomes, the floor piled high and everywhere you look there’s an odd little print or some interesting out of print title to tickle your fancy. Entering Wonderland was like stepping out of time; this bookstore exists on its own continuum and only opening for those who know the secret lust of books.
I immediately found two books I’d been wanting to read for years, and saw more panting to jump into my hands. I reined in my desire, however, and kept my stay brief, for much as I wanted to take the entire contents home, my pocketbook disagreed. The purchases I did make were, however, very reasonably priced. Also, while the owner will take credit cards, I would recommend taking cash unless you want an old fashioned swipe-​imprint.
Next time you think about dropping by Wonderland, give me a holler so I can meet up with you there.

You rarely find small independent book stores like this anymore. My old favourite M.C. Newburn’s Books in Albany is long gone, yet somehow Wonderland Books still survives. And it deserves our support.
Wonderland Books is located on Fairmount Avenue, just down the street and on the same side as Fat Apples. It’s small, quirky, a bit disorganized, and stuffed with all sorts of reading material that keeps people like me busy for hours.
Nerd-​vanna.

What a quirky little shop… If you’re tired of Big Corporate Bookstore with its sterile organization and wage-​slave employees, you might want to consider Wonderland. Just be forewarned: It’s the kind of eclectic, dusty, disorganized bookstore you see in fantasy movies, the kind where it’s a realistic possibility that you’ll pick up some old book and opening it will transport you to a magical new world of trolls and wizards… and the owner will wink at you knowingly as you wink out of existence.
That didn’t quite happen to me, but I was enchanted by the wide array of books available. In one section I found nearly the entire Wizard of Oz series – the first 14 books by L. Frank Baum, and several more sequels by other authors. The next shelf over held civil engineering texts, and a few feet away were lurid old murder mysteries. Watch your step though, insufficient shelf space results in stacks of books on the floor, choking the aisles. Then again, it’s usually only by tripping over something that the hero finds himself face to face with that magical book…
TRIVIA: Baum’s «The Wizard of Oz» was an allegory about the economics and politics of the United States during the 1890’s. Its popularity led to the sequels, which were merely fantasy stories. And of course, Gregory Maguire’s book and musical «Wicked» is a fun, new perspective on the original story.

What an unexpected little treasure of vintage books!
Walking back from Fat Apples, we wandered in to Wonderland Books. It is definitely not your typical book store — very messy and small but can steal you away for hours. They have lots of old magazines and books. We were particularly intrigued with the OZ series and all of the sci-​fi books — stirred lots of nerdy nostalgic conversation. But really they have a smattering of everything, such that I will go back sometime to peruse. And if you find that treasure from your childhood, everything is reasonably priced.
I just love book stores, no matter how random.

This is such a cool place. Messy — But cool. Old vintage books on many different topics/​subjects. Or if you just want to buy some old books as coffee table décor… this is the place to go. Old magazines, books for kids, paper dolls dating back to the 1920’s. You can spend a good few hours in there. This place has been around for 15 yrs. The owner is really nice and doesn’t bother you as you browse. Must check it out!!! I just scored on a set of 6 Raggedy Ann vintage books for my daughter!