Phoenix Books

Phoenix books has a decent selection of books, and if they don’t have what you are looking for their staff is ULTRA helpful and will always do everything they can to special order it for you and get it as quickly as you would ordering online yourself.
But what puts Phoenix over the top for me is the fact that they carry used books: so I often find a used hardcover version of that book I’ve been meaning to read for less than a new paperback version of the same. And I also went through my shelves and cleared out 3 boxes of old books I’m never going to read again — and sold most of them to Phoenix books. Where I now have a huge credit on file, and can support my book habit with my book habit.

really great bookstore, quaint and charming… i would’ve loved to buy something! except the charm is gone once you ask for help! I had asked for some book recommendations and the snotty clerk barely looked up from her computer and mentioned some book that had garnered a lot of «buzz» lately. when I asked her if she had actually read the book herself she said no, and then proceeded to ignore me. I mentioned that I liked to supplement my reading with audio books for the commute, and she replied with «not to be a bitch, but I am not going to recommend anything to you if you’re just going to download it later!» WOW! thanks for your assistance, especially considering you may or may not have even read anything you would recommend to me anyways…

I always try to support small business when I can, even if it means sometimes going out of my way or paying a bit more. Fortunately Phoenix Books is in a great location and I often pay much less here for my books than I would at a big book chain. I think it’s like overstock that they get but when I check the center table they ALWAYS have great classics and modern books as well, priced under 10 dollars.
Also staff is extremely friendly book nerds (i mean that lovingly) who have turned me on to more than a couple great reads. Highly recommended.

I love the vibe of this book store and they do an awesome job displaying really interesting books. Great prices, too. I haven’t read a non-​kindle book in forever but I always end up buying something here to contribute to keeping places like this alive.

Good selection of new and used books for a relatively small shop. The clerk with the hipster beard is quite handsome as well.

I really enjoy this bookstore. It actually may be one of my favorites. Sometimes, I want the almost overwhelming feeling of having books about to avalanche over me (hello, Green Apple), but sometimes you want to walk in, have some space, and a nice clean, organized layout. This is Phoenix Books. And, I love their traveling selection, and Buddhist-​focused section, too.

So, here’s the thing: there are plenty of reasons one could pick to snark about this place. You could say the selection is small compared to say, a B&N or an online store. You could say that you’re an ebook kind of reader. You could gripe about the parking (which, of course, Phoenix books has nothing to do with). You could say that the pricing isn’t as competitive as an online retailer. And you could, in fact, be correct about all of those things.
But you know what? Screw each and every one of those reasons anyway! This is an independent bookstore. The kind of store that reminds me of Cover to Cover, which I grew up on (and which, coincidentally, also used to be on 24^th St.). The kind of place where a nice lady named Haley actually calls you to let you know that your special order book has arrived and is ready for pickup.
It’s the kind of business that we as consumers should reward. Why? Well, refer to that godawful Tom Hanks/​Meg Ryan movie, «You’ve got Mail» for an explanation. Which is to say, sure we’re living in an
world. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t cherish and support the Phoenix bookstores of the world too.
You’ll want to stop in, lounge and patronize this bookstore when you can. Trust me on this one; I’m an Elite. ;)

Sister store to Dog Eared Books on Valencia and Red Hill Books on Cortland, Phoenix Books has that independent bookstore charm but it’s smaller than the other two locations and that means a rather small selection. For example, they only had 1 title by Bulgakov (the most common one, The Master & Margarita).
On the positive side, they carry many used and sale books and some new books. If you come to browse and not look for something in particular, you’ll likely find something. They’ll also order books for you. They have a cute children’s book area. The selection of non-​book merchandise (greeting cards, notebooks, toys) is quite small.

Cute bookstore. I saw that they had a few Baby-​Sitters Club books out front (unfortunately titles I already owned) and decided to go in. They have an awesome children’s section, with a table and chairs. I perused the music books section and they had some discounted copies of one of my favorite books, Gimme Something Better by Jack Boulware and Silke Tudor. I contemplated purchasing a copy, but ultimately decided against it since I became an eReader convert. Sorry.
Parking during the day is pretty easy, in my experience.

Never underestimate the modern power of an old school bookstore. I hadn’t realized how invaluable these guys are until I found myself in a dilemma about a book. I had intended on buying my mentee a book of Poems by Maya Angelou as a graduation present, but was busy so I hadn’t had the time to order it online. 2 days before her graduation, not enough time to order online, and not being able to find it at a major bookstore near my area and after calling tons of bookstores, I finally happened on the book I wanted here. The lady on the phone said she’d hold it for me for two days. No questions asked. Good people!
Got it for a lot cheaper than I would had I ordered it online (it was a vintage copy, but it still serves the same purpose, if not even better). And I saw book recommendations in-​store that I wouldn’t have seen had I bought it online. Let this be a lesson for those (guilty as charged) who fall into the amazon/​huge chain trap. Give the mom and pop stores a visit every now and then. I want to go back to buy that Nick Hornby book I was eyeing.

Awesome, Awesome literally walked through the door looking for Cleopatra s biography. Wonderful sales person, she Rocks! All I had to say was Cleopatra s Biography went to the book isle and literally in my hands in 30 seconds. I have not been able to put the book down. What a wonderful place, when you go to the big box stores you have to wait so they can go into their computer to see if they even have it. This place is better, customizable to the client; they also have great suggestions from their staff. Do check out a varied array of literature at your fingertips.
Shop Local!

It’s so nice to have a local bookstore to buy books rather than shopping on line. Especially for childrens book, in which I’m buying a lot these days. They have both used and new — good selection, and at reasonable prices. Also, like that they have table and chairs in the childrens section so you can take your time and even sit with you kids to see which ones they want to by.
Definitely a local Noe Valley gem.

After just writing my review on City Lights (please look at it and save yourself a trip) I realized I have never reviewed Phoenix Books.
I love this place, I can wander around looking for things on my own, sifting through some of the used books (I’ve found some great finds!) and be perfectly content. On the other hand, if I want some suggestions/​guidance the staff is pleasant and knowledgeable which is wonderful.
Thanks to the staff at Phoenix Books I’ve found some new favorites and great used gems. Any time I’m in Noe Valley I pop in and always end up with something great.
Well done Phoenix, your combination of selection and a great staff make me love you. Maybe you could teach the people at City Lights a thing or two.

What else can I possibly say about Phoenix? I love this place!
They usually have a great selection of used best-​sellers so no need to pay full price or track down loaned out copies from friends. They also have a good selection of old greats with a few overlooked quirky finds.
The Noe locations food section is particularly great and I often finger through the section when looking for new inspiration.
Definitely worth a visit whenever you are looking for something new to read.

Wow. What an awesome selection of new & used books!
Phoenix is a no-​frill, chill spot to grab some good reads. They are reasonably priced, too. There were tons of cookbooks & other reads for me to peruse. The kids were excited and busy looking through the children’s section.
We walked out w/​a purchase of two used cookbooks and two used Diary of a Wimpy Kid books for less than $ 20.
Sweet!

2 ½ stars.
This shop is prepping to move and in good time, too. The place is pretty crammed with new and used tomes. Hopefully, they won’t shove the poetry section in the back of the new digs. The cooking section is very nice. However, a pretentious couple with a big, smelly dog nearly ruined the first-​time visit.

Today I went to 4 used book places to sell books and this was by far the best service I got. I also went to Dog Eared, Aardvark, and Green Apple. The woman with long white hair took a lot of my books and was EXTREMELY sweet and un-​snobby. She gave my a good amount of credit for my books. It was a great experience. Then I went outside and there were 2 great books in the FREE bin! YAY!

I adore independent bookstores. I pride myself on shopping a local small businesses. I love quirky people and places.
BUT…I also enjoy being treated with a little respect and friendliness when I shop somewhere. I don’t need employees to jump out of their chairs to greet me, or to make meaningless small talk, but what I do need is for them to not be rude/​totally disinterested/​seemingly annoyed at me. This, unfortunately, has been my experience every time I’ve been to Phoenix books. I always feel like I’m being judged as not hip enough, too mainstream, too Noe Valley for them. Umm, hello? You’re located in an upper income San Francisco neighborhood, so please check the attitudes at the door.
I’ve worked in the service industry a lot in my day, at co-​ops too. It has always been important to me to foster relationships with my customers and treat them with respect.
So dear owners of Phoenix books, the last thing I want to do is buy books off of Amazon. I want to buy books from you. So please have some basic customer service training with your employees…

We were out of town for seven months and this was the non-​restaurant in San Francisco I missed the most. They are so kind and fun, with great recommendations. And they keep a list of Booker Prize winners behind the counter — maybe I’m the only one who references them, but hey.
Generous buying policy, too.

C O N F E S S I O N
I admit, your Honor, that if I have to attest to the guilt and sin that burdens my shoulders and conscience, it would have to be my love of books. And never mind this obsession, despite the fact that I currently have two multi-​shelved packed rows of books and books and books. After a quick coffee break this morning at Martha’s, I proceeded into Phoenix and after a quick perusal in their philosophy section, purchased a used book priced at a lovely $ 3.00 encompassing Kant and Freud.
In addition to used books, they also carry new books priced conveniently and outside, if you are lucky, can procure great deals on clearance items (pulled two calendars out for late x-​mas gifts… shhhhh)
Great staff, great selection despite the small yet cozy feel to the store. But the main point, your Honor, is that this is my neighborhood store and hence my addiction.