A Book Lover’s Wonderland

126 thoughts on “A Book Lover’s Wonderland”

1. Wow! What a gem! I’d love to visit this shop. It looks amazing. I’m sure I’d buy a book and maybe one of those totes too.

   1. It was the type of bookstore that you want to support (dang, I didn’t buy a tote). I saw a short documentary about the store and its owner… a very uplifting story.

      1. You’ll have to go back one day and pick up a tote. I sent a link to your post to my son who lives in SOCAL. He’d love this book store as well. Maybe when we go down to visit him we can slip a trip up to L. A. in to see the store and shop?

         1. You have me kicking myself for not buying a tote so maybe I need to go back. I hope you get to visit with your son.

            1. Me too!!

2. Oh. My! I would love to visit this place!!!!! What an absolute gem!

   1. Isn’t it wonderful? There aren’t many independent bookstores around anymore and this one is magical.

3. Hi, Janis – This bookshop looks and sounds amazing (brilliant photos, btw). It now is on my bucket list of places to see/visit! I was delighted to see this post in my inbox (and on our linkup). I’ve been deeply missing posts from you!

   1. I hope you get to visit it one day. Downtown LA can be gritty but there is a lot to see (I may even post about a few other places we visited 🙂 ).

4. There are some beautiful bookstores around the world, aren’t there Janis? Alas I don’t think we have any in Australia. Thanks for sharing with us at #WOYBS? it is lovely to have you join us. x

   1. I am so glad that Amazon and the big mega-stores haven’t completely killed the indie bookstores. If I ever get to Australia, I’ll be sure to try to hunt down indie bookstores… and libraries… I’m love visiting libraries when I’m traveling. It’s great to be joining you four on WOYBS? again!

   2. Yes, you do Sue, in the most unusual places, like old buildings full of books and quirkier owners. Especially ones we have come across in small towns in the Outback and down in Victoria.

      1. Thanks, Suzanne. It sounds like it would be fun to discover these stores… and their quirky owners.

         1. There aren’t many bookstores left in the world. The paper making industry is on it’s knees especially here in NZ as the power prices are killing the manufacturing of it. All heading back overseas.

5. We go a few times each year, often when visiting Perch, a rooftop restaurant nearby. We live a ten minute walk from Vroman’s which is an equally famous bookstore here in Pasadena. Walking by there prior to the plague we saw three limousines, there was a book signing that day….Hilary Clinton.

   1. Darn, I wish I knew about Perch… next time. We have plans to visit Pasadena early next year so I will check out Vroman’s. Thanks for the tip!

6. I love L.A.! The next time I am there, I shall be IN this bookstore!

   1. Oh, great! You will love it! Just be sure to allow yourself several hours… and don’t miss the second floor!

7. What a fun place to visit Janis. You would not know where to look first. I like the themed rooms, but how they’ve made use of the old building to repurpose it into this large and seemingly endless bookstore is just amazing!

   1. It did feel endless! It must have been – and still is – a labor of love. The owner has quite an inspiring back story.

      1. Good thing you found that out-of-the-way tourist attraction. Next time do buy a book tote bag … it would be a great conversation starter!

8. I could spend hours in a place like that!

   1. … and we did! It was so much fun discovering all the little nooks and crannies.

9. Amazing! I probably won’t be getting to LA but the youngest daughter and I did get into the infamous City LIghts while we were in San Francisco many years ago. Powell’s, in Portland, is also a favorite. We took the train down from WA to shop there…on and to visit the older daughter as well, who was in nursing school at the time 😉

   1. I’ve been to both those bookstores, and they are wonderful! I normally get my books from the library, but I try to purchase from independent stores for gifts or when I want to own the book.

10. What a treasure!! And the creativity that went into all those curves and nooks and arches! Wonderful! A lot of love went into the presentation of those books.

    1. Wouldn’t it be fun to work someplace like that? They encourage creativity.

11. Atlas Obscura……good tip!!!

    1. Atlas Obscura is a great resource. I’ve discovered quite a few off-the-beaten-path things to do using their website.

12. I love all the aspects of this quirky bookstore, especially the building. Now that was a good find, Janis.

    1. We had so much fun browsing among the bookshelves and discovering all the little delights throughout.

       1. We both loved doing that in places we were exploring. It was refreshing after the usual touristy stuff.

13. Fabulous! I bet it was a hard place to leave.

    1. I wasn’t quite sure what we’d find there but, once inside, we spent a long time wondering around. If I lived closer, I’d be a regular.

14. That is my kind of book store, Janis! What a great find 😍. I’m glad these kind of places still exist.

    Deb

    1. I know! I love browsing through indie bookstores, and this one took it to a whole new level.

15. How cool is this place? Have you been to Powell Books in downtown Portland? It’s huge, too, but the one you found in LA is way cool! 🙂

    1. I have visited Powell’s a couple of times, but it’s been a while. It would definitely be on my to-see list whenever I get back to Portland.

       1. Let me know if you ever have plans to go there. I visit my brother there every so often. Now that we are less busy with the hard work of getting his house in order, I will have more time to have fun with friends. There are several bloggers in the area, too.

          1. Absolutely!

             1. YAY!

16. Now, that is a BOOKSTORE. Wow! I think every person who enjoys reading would be in heaven visiting that store. I also love the various artistic creations done with books. Thank you also for the travel tip. One can never have too many sources to investigate new areas.

    1. I loved that they encouraged reading and relaxing in their numerous comfy chairs scattered throughout. If we had more time, I would have found an interesting book and sat down for a spell.

17. Janis, as a lover of books and a former banker, this gem really tugs at my heartstrings. A big round of applause for the owners’ and interior designers’ creativity and their excellent use of space. Love that book tunnel! It’s art in book form. Who even thinks of masterpieces like that?! I’m pretty sure Alan would have had to drag me out of there at closing time. Thanks for sharing – I truly enjoyed the tour!

    1. Oh my, this combo would have been perfect for you! I don’t know if they have one person with artistic vision or if all employees are encouraged to create, but the result is magical. As with quite a few unique places in LA, I understand that the bookstore has been in a few movies, including Gone Girl.

18. What a cool bookstore. All the independent ones around here are small, like almost everywhere I suspect.

    Have you read Bookish People by Susan Coll? It’s a light read but takes place in an independent bookstore that is teetering on the edge.

    1. Big or small, I love indie bookstores! I just looked up Bookish People and decided to put a hold on it at my library. Thanks for the tip!

19. Wow, Janis. What a super cool place. So creative! I definitely want a Harry Potter bookcase. I wonder if I could build one? Lol. Thanks for the tour – a place to keep in mind if I ever visit LA. And thanks for the mention of the Atlas Obscura. I’m headed their next to see if there’s anything in my area. What a great resource. Thanks for the delightful post to start my day. 🙂

    1. I think a Harry Potter bookcase would be perfect for you and your fantastical books! Atlas Obscura has a lot of fabulous finds from all over the world… I’m sure they will have suggestions for your area. It’s a great resource.

       1. There are 62 sites in Portland, OR! I was amazed, Janis. What a fun find. I’ve visited a number of them, but there are dozens that I haven’t. Thanks so much for the idea to explore.

          1. Fabulous! Have fun exploring!

20. Hey Janis! What a GREAT bookstore! I’ve never even heard of it before so good on you for bringing it to our attention. I usually avoid LA as much as I can 😉 but if I’m in town that is definitely a must see for sure. How love how they created such imaginative rooms for the different genres. Thanks for the insight. ~Kathy

    1. We usually avoid LA too, but we wanted to make the most of our visit with family. Like most big cities, there are a lot of gems to be found among the noise and grit.

21. OMG, this is AMAZING! We might have to take a family trip here. My bibliophile children will LOVE this place! I need to send this to Hubby. We have next week off… Thank you, Janis!

    1. There is a lot to see in that area, including some fabulous museums (kids love the La Brea Tar Pits Museum). Let me know if you go, I’d love to know what you think.

       1. We did La Brea, thanks to you. What other museums are super close?

22. Well, how cool is that?! (Rhetorical question. It’s awesome.) As much as I love Portland’s famed Powell’s Books, they do not sell vinyl records – and there’s nary a book loop to be found. If I ever find myself in L.A. (unlikely, but you never know), I’m making this a must-stop!

    1. Powell’s is fabulous too. But you are right, I don’t remember seeing a book loop there.

23. I am so jealous! That bookstore looks and sounds like my idea of heaven. I’m going to have to go to Los Angeles just to visit it!

    1. If I lived anywhere near the store, I’d be there often. It truly was book heaven… with a coffee shop.

24. Gobsmackingly amazing!! I love the book tunnel and the loops and the architecture and the ….entire place. How amazing. And in your picture people are reading and browsing and it just looks so wonderful. I do hope they are making a go of it. I have never heard of that website you use for unusual spots to visit but will definitely think about it in the future. Great post. Hope all is well with you. Take care. Bernie

    1. Hi Bernie! The store has been around since 2005 (it started out small, housed in a loft), and has survived the pandemic, so I hope it will be around for a long time. I think they were smart to include the visual delights, so it has become more than just a place to buy books.

25. How amazing! Not just the books but the tunnel and other sculptures they made.

    1. It was so much fun to look around and see all the hidden gems (although I’m sure we missed a few).

26. Very unusual bookstore.

    1. It really was. So much to see!

27. What a cool, intriguing, and interesting place, Janis! I think everyone would enjoy a browse around this place – young and old, book lover or not. I’m glad you found out about this super creative and unique bookstore.

    1. Hi Liesbet! It was such an interesting store. It almost felt like a book museum… without an entry fee. 🙂

28. I do like Atlas Obscura and should have consulted in our travel over the last year, because I completely missed this knock-out store when we were in LA!

    1. It really is a great resource. I still have a few places to see in LA that we didn’t have time to visit.

29. This is incredible. If I show my husband he may actually wish to travel outside of Australia.

    1. Haha! That would be a long journey to the bookstore… but worth it! 🙂

30. Wow, I would definitely get lost (not physically) in that store. Love the sign as you exit the shop!

    1. Everything about the bookstore was fabulous! It would be fairly easy to get lost among the bookshelves upstairs… fortunately you can always find your way back through the book tunnel. 🙂

31. Wow Janis, this looks amazing!!!! I would love to visit that wonderland. I also appreciate the info on Atlas Obscura, which i’d never heard of. Thanks for joining us for #WOYBS with this fabulous post.

    1. Hi Debbie! Atlas Obscura is a really interesting resource for travel ideas.

32. What a wonderful bookstore, Janis. If I find myself back in LA, I will check this out. Your photos captured what must have been a delightful feeling as you walked around. I think they would have had to toss me out at closing time. Thanks for sharing this with Thursday Doors.

    1. I loved discovering interesting things around just about every bookshelf. I imagine quite a few patrons need to be nudged out at closing time. 🙂

33. Th

    1. Hi Shelley. I don’t know why so many of your comments get cut off but it’s nice to “see” you on my blog! I’m looking forward to reading about your next travels.

       1. Th

       2. I changed browsers. Maybe it was Safari’s doing and Chrome will be better.

          1. It worked!

34. Oh what a treasure! This bookstore reminds me of Powell’s Bookstore in Portland, only Powell’s is a bit more pedestrian, far less whimsical. And an indie bookstore in the Treasure Valley made good use of an old bank building for a while. They also put the vault to use for specialty books and they used the old openings for safe deposit boxes as a sort of memorial to the old-fashioned card catalogue. Sadly, that bookstore only lasted for a few years.

    I just checked out Atlas Obscura. I was curious if they had anything about the Faroe Islands, and they DO! They list many of the places I visited during the week I was there. What a cool website. Thanks for the tip.

    1. Powell’s is a great bookstore too. I sure hope this one has staying power enough to fend off the online competition. Thank goodness people still like to browse and page through real books before purchasing.

       Atlas Obscura must comb every little bit of the world for their information. They also invite people to submit entries about sights they may have missed.

35. What a beautiful book shop 😍.

    1. It was! Sadly, there are just a few of these grand indie bookstores left.

36. I love this post! I love indie book stores and what a creative use for an old bank. Speaking of banks and books, we recently visited The Morgan (as in JP) Library & Museum in New York. One of the current exhibits is about the life of his official librarian, Belle da Costa Greene. He was quite the collector and the museum is exquisite.

    1. I’d love to visit the Morgan Library & Museum. Our book club read The Personal Librarian last year. It was an historical fiction novel about Belle da Costa Greene, a person and story that I wasn’t aware of before. I bet the exhibit was fascinating.

37. An absolute treasure! With your gift of photography, the place really places a spell upon my viewer’s eye. So much to say, but that vault is really cool! Thanks for taking the time to post such an expansive review.

    1. I loved the vault room! I’m grateful that they kept many of the features of the old bank.

38. Oh, this is fabulous! It’s like an amusement park for book lovers!
    I really like Atlas Obscura as well. And I like how you can suggest a place if you find one.

    1. Atlas Obscura is a great way to learn about things to see where you are going, and for finding places to go to see interesting things. This bookstore was something I might have missed otherwise.

39. What an amazing place! I used to live in Los Angeles and had no idea it was there. Thanks for letting us know about Atlas Obscura.

    1. It’s located right downtown, so I imagine it could be missed by residents who live further out. I’m happy to introduce Atlas Obscura. I have it set to send me updates and it’s always fun to see what treasures they have found.

40. Oh, what a wonderful store! It will be on my “must see” list if I ever make it to LA.

    1. Great! It is definitely worth a visit if you get close by.

41. Now that truly is a bookstore like no other. 😊

    1. I try to visit indie bookstores and libraries while traveling, but this was really special.

42. I’ve been to this bookstore, and I’m so glad to see it featured here! Everybody should know about it — what an amazing place it is!

    1. Yay! I love that you’ve been there and can attest to its specialness. Thank you for giving it another “must-see” recommendation.

43. That is impressive! I’d travel there just for the bookstore.

    1. It would be worth a trip!

44. Fantastic place! I missed this post, Janis, but am glad that Suzanne brought me here.

    1. I really loved how Suzanne’s post kept the ball rolling on introducing independent bookstores to book lovers. These are such gems and need to be supported.

45. Wow! That’s one bookstore I’d love to visit!

    1. I normally try to avoid L.A. in our travels (drive through a quickly as possible) but The Last Bookstore is worth a side trip.

46. Oh that bookshops looks an absolute treasure – thank you so much for sharing your photos as I’m unlikely to get to visit it. My favourite book store is Daunt Books in Marylebone, London. Nothing like as fantastical as The Last Bookstore, but filled with wonderful books on worldwide travel.

    1. I will absolutely put Daunt Books on my must-see list when (not if) I visit London. I consider libraries and indie bookstores as places to visit while I travel as much as museums and churches.

       1. I approve wholeheartedly 🙂

47. This is FANTASTIC! I love a good, quirky bookstore. We will definitely put this on our list the next time we’re out in LA. Cheers!

    1. This bookstore is full of wonderful quirks! I hope you get to visit it sometime. Thank you for your comment… it’s always fun to discover a new blog (and I’ve now subscribed).

48. You did a great job of sharing this wonderful place. I have been there several times, and would probably go more often but I end up buying more books than I currently need to own! Ha! It’s such an appealing draw! A couple of years ago I had about a hundred good quality books I was ready to part with and they sent someone from the store to come and pick them up at the house. They’re very good at procuring high quality used books. I suppose one reason I don’t go often is I’d be one of those people who would end up buying back the books I’d originally donated. Yes, I have done that. This is a book lovers dream location. I loved seeing the way you highlighted it so perfectly!

    1. Hi Debra! I’m so happy that you shared your experience with this amazing place. I love that everyone who works there loves books and loves their job. Did you ever see the short documentary about the owner? I can’t remember where I found it online, but it made me love the store even more!

       I don’t think I’ve ever bought back a book I donated, but I have regretted donating a book (after looking high and low in my house for it and then remembering I had donated it). I’ve also bought second-hand books, read them, and re-donated them to the charity shop.

49. I’m going to look at that website. Oh my. that bookstore looks amazing. Reminds me a bit of Powells Bookstore in Portland oregon…the. main store is HUGE, with at least 3 stories I think.

    1. Powell’s is also one of the great independent bookstores still in existence. I try to support these when I can… although most of my books come from the library or secondhand shops. It would be a shame if behemoths like Amazon put them out of business.

50. What a great find! We have very small, but wonderful, locally owned bookstore in our community and I always wonder how long it will be able to survive. I will have to try out Atlas Obscura. It would be fun to see what shows up locally.

    (I am a little late getting to this post since they have not been showing up in my regular email. Technology – ugh. I signed up to follow again.)

    1. I’m so happy that you have a locally owned bookstore close by! They are becoming rare. I hope you find all sorts of interesting tidbits on Atlas Obscura.

       Thanks for refollowing me. I don’t know why that happens. I know that I have stopped getting notifications of posts too and have to go searching for them. Unfortunately, it looks like WordPress has you tagged as “Anonymous”… another head-scratcher that happens now and then for seemingly no reason.

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