Borderlands Books

Love that they have magazines to read, and a great atmosphere! I really enjoyed stopping here for an ice tea on a hot Saturday.

Their prices are ridiculously high. I have spent lots of money there and now regret it. I should have bought all of the same books from Amazon or a street seller.

The hubs loves sci-​fi, magic, thrillers, mystery and weird stuff. He was in heaven here. LOVED this local, small biz that is backed by their strong community. They have a café connected to it. BUY something!!!

Stumbled in here completely by accident, but the service in this store is fantastic! I knew I was in a good place when I heard an employee (the owner?) Telling another employee as he was leaving to «have fun storming the castle!» More important even than Princess Bride references, they really know their stuff! I got eye-​hooked by a pretty cover illustration, and decided after reading a few random pages that it looked good, and the guy who rang me up was actually able to confirm, which leads me to wonder if they’ve all read every single book they sell. The store itself is really well set up with an oddly open, inviting floor plan, which seems an odd thing to note, but I promise it made a difference.

It’s pretty hard to sell me a science fiction book. Not because I don’t like science fiction: I *love* science fiction, but I’m particular, and I have also read an awful lot (and purchased even more). So when I ask a science fiction bookseller for recommendations, it’s hard to find something that I’ll want to read — but haven’t read or purchased already.
Borderlands was up to the challenge! I asked for help as soon as I walked into the store, and found myself in the hands of a warm, knowledgeable bookseller who walked me through the aisles, asking about my tastes and making suggestions based on what I said I’d previously enjoyed. One of the books I walked out with was just OK, if engrossing (Wool) but the other — which I initially resisted — was phenomenal: The Girl With All The Gifts. I can honestly say it’s something I would never have purchased without a recommendation and some prodding, and I’m so glad I read it.
I’ll definitely make Borderlands a staple of future San Francisco visits. If you’re a sci fi fan, this store is a must.

I’ll never spend another dime there, but I used to. I will support businesses that do not shoulder their (projected failures) on paying staff minimum wage.

A real bookstore. Oh, be still my beating heart. It brings me back to the old days… coffee, quiet, and helpful staff.

A great independent bookstore with lots of local fans. Includes a coffee bar with speedy service and really good beans.

Very enthusiastic staff and great selection for a small bookstore! Will definitely go back

Love them and am SO SAD that they are closing. :(

I seriously have nerd wood for this bookstore. I’m not even a huge science fiction and horror fan and I still have nerd wood for this place. I love how helpful their employees are in finding the right book for you.
Plus the fact that they specialize in only a couple of genre’s just pleases me to no end. I mean Borderlands Books is giving globalization and diversity the middle finger.
I like your moxie, Borderlands and I’ll be back soon.

Nerd Heaven! This place is super amazing and might just have something for everyone, despite its specialized selection.
The first thing I was surprised by was the spaciousness, warmth, and excellent organization of this place. Why I assumed it would be one of those tiny places crammed with books that completely overwhelms the senses on first glance, I do not know. I can only say that I was thrilled at the space between the aisles, the high ceilings, and the excellent signage.
Making it even better were the staff recommendations written everywhere. In a place with this many books, you need these personal touches to draw your attention and help you focus.
Finally, and I can only speak for the day we visited, the staff was amazing. We listened to Jeremy patiently and enthusiastically help several people who came up to the counter looking for specific books and recommendations. The guys was a veritable encyclopedia of knowledge, even able to cross-​reference books, authors, and writing styles to come up with multiple recommendations. For my husband, he quickly swept around the store and pulled out a stack of four books, then giving a brief and helpful summary of the styles, pros and possible cons of each. I saw him recommend a book for a young girl and also give her dad a helpful tip that one of the books he’d asked about may not be age appropriate because it was too scary– how did he know? He’d started reading it to his own daughter and decided so!
After my husband and I left the store, happy and with books in hand, we discussed the deep and highly-​specialized knowledge of Jeremy (and I can only assume much of their other staff) and how it is an underrated thing in this world!
But whether you go on a day when he’s working or not, the book recommendations around the store are solid and very enjoyable and browsing here is definitely not a chore– especially with the cozy (also light, warm, and spacious) café next door.
What a find on our visit to SF!

Great selection! Had a fun time browsing and picked up some books and cute cards. Loved that it was all sci-​fi but seemed a stiff with lack of sci-​fi art. Still had a good time! And cute café for coffee right next door.

Coffee latte was decent, loved the bookstore and coffee services. Was strolling around SF and here by luck. Good atmosphere and not as loud as I thought It would be which is great for studying session for college students out there.

This bookstore blew my mind.
It’s super well-​stocked with science fiction and horror. I grabbed a copy of War for the Oaks by Emma Bull. Then I noticed that the lady checking out after me had found a vintage copy of Day of the Triffids and I was jealous that I didn’t grab it first.
The staff is not only really friendly, but it seems as though they have read every single book in stock (and more). It’s rare to buy a book and have a really nice discussion about why that book is cool. As I was browsing, I just enjoyed listening to the staff talk to other customers and make suggestions. Gave me ideas of more stuff I want to read.
There is also a café attached that is super chill. Really good lemonade too!

Independent bookstore for the win.
Quiet and well stocked. Borderlands is the place you dream of when you think bookstore. It’s not a hurried place, but one that speaks of leisurely reads and great books. Horror, mystery, sci/​fi and fantasy seem to be their big genres, and the scent of coffee that wafts over from the café only complete the experience.
If I was a city dweller, I’d be there all the time!

Be prepared for a quiet spot, at least around noon midweek. Come to read, study, or chill out, but leave the conversation outside. Folks seem quite focused.
That said, it is one of the best coffee houses I’ve visited in town (the coffee house is adjacent to the bookstore). The coffee is good, the staff friendly, the vibe quiet, the space spacious and bright. Very enjoyable to hang and work.

Borderlands is my favorite bookstore. It is an independently owned bookstore that primarily carries books from the sci fi, fantasy, and horror genres. The selection is amazing and the staff recommendations are right on. Speaking of the staff, they are friendly and knowledgeable.
Another thing I love about Borderlands is the used books section. If I want to start a new series (I am a huge urban fantasy reader) but am not sure that I want to commit to a series yet (I tend to pick up 2 – 3 books at a go because I read quickly) I will find the first few books in a series in the used section for ½ the normal list price. The selection in the used books is also generally very good and the condition is good as well.
Borderlands also hosts a number of events every few weeks, including author signings and readings and book clubs. Definitely a great place for voracious readers who love the above mentioned genres.
It is impossible for me to walk out of here empty handed!

Wonderful. Tartine had insane line and if you had the perseverance to get through it there would Be no chance of a table.
So I continued my walk down Valencia and found this very spacious warm café attached to bookstore. First rate Café Americano. Fresh beautiful pastries. A find.

Stellar nerd-​oriented bookstore. This is how you fight back against Amazon.
I am a book lover. Always have been, always will be. But I am a fast reader and that puts me in an awkward situation when deciding where to shop. If I patronize amazon, I get ebooks, stupid cheap prices, and the ease of shipping right to me. But then I’m complicit in the killing off of little stores like Borderlands. On the other side, if I spend my money at mom and pop shops, I go broke immediately. So in general the small stores have to offer a lot to get me interested.
Well borderlands pulls it off. I’m not sure what I love more: employees who love to talk books and point you at various suggestions, the full café next door where you can read and lounge, the clearance and used book sections, or just the depth of awesome SF books they stock.
Give borderlands a shot — I think they make a damn compelling case for shopping for books locally.

Borderlands Books specialty is horror, scifi, and mystery novels. in my youth, i would have loved this place. can forseee visiting this place again in my twilight years.
highlights: used books, 25cents clearance shelf, 75% off section.
notes:
–mostly new books sold here.
–very clean, nealty shelved books here
–café next door.

Like other used book stores in various parts of the city, we make a point of stopping by here when we’re in the area, since we’re both sci-​fi/​fantasy fans. It’s packed in here, with a decent selection, plus a café and hairless cat!
If you have a jonesing for hard-​to-​find sci fi or fantasy, you can’t go wrong with checking this place out. If you can’t find something, ask the employees and they’ll be happy to see what they can do!