INDEPENDENT BOOK STORES
About
Independent bookstores do more than sell books — they help build community.
When you buy from a local independent bookstore, you’re supporting small business owners, local jobs, community events, and spaces where people gather to share ideas and stories. Independent bookstores often carry unique selections, promote local authors, and provide a more personal experience than large online retailers.
Every purchase helps keep creativity, culture, and community connection alive right where you live.
Camino Books
Del Mar
Alan has known John Evans and Alison Reid, founders of Camino Bookstore, since 1984.
They care deeply about civility, culture, and creative production of all kinds. We are a local, independent bookstore emphasizing quality over quantity, engagement over inertia, and guilt-free reading of all stripes. We host author events, support a diverse staff, and cultivate a celebratory attitude toward knowledge, reading, and pleasure.
Kepler's Books
Menlo Park
Kepler's Books is a legendary independent bookstore in Menlo Park, California, serving as a cultural and intellectual hub for the San Francisco Peninsula since 1955. Founded by peace activist Roy Kepler, it is renowned for its community engagement, curated selection of books, and a unique hybrid model that includes a non-profit foundation for author events. [1, 2, 3]