Long Beach Bookstores: Read All About It

Long Beach’s literary landscape is as diverse as the city itself, offering spaces where readers can discover new favorites, connect with local culture and linger among well-loved shelves. With cozy nooks, a progressive haven and a treasure trove of unexpected finds, the city’s eclectic mix of bookish spots delivers something for every sort of reader. Here’s a look at some of Long Beach’s favorite places to get between the covers.

CASITA BOOKS

Casita Bookstore (1440 E 4th St), as the name suggests, is located in a charming home that looks like something you’d stumble upon in an enchanted forest. Large windows allow lots of natural light to flood its great room. Shelves are stocked with children’s and young adult books, as well as adult fiction, Spanish-language literature and cookbooks. The lighting is warm, the atmosphere calm and the nooks are comfortable.

PULP FICTION COMICS

Long a local destination for comics aficionados, Pulp Fiction Comics (3925 E Anaheim St) stocks all genres–superhero to silly, dark to darkly comic. Pulp Fiction is a great place to go to get the latest releases and its knowledgeable staff is welcoming and always up to help the uninitiated find what they’re looking for; even if they’re not sure what they are looking for. Regulars also love the shop’s generous weekly deals, which make exploring new titles delightfully easy on the wallet.

PAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE

Fiercely independent, Page Against the Machine (2714 E 4th St) is a progressive bookstore with a hyper-curated selection of books and related material on activism and organizing, social and political movements, as well as socially conscious living and sustainability. Located at the far east end of Retro Row, it also hosts regular readings, discussion groups and exhibits that seek to inspire creative solutions to injustice, intolerance and inequality.

ONCE READ BOOKS

Once Read Books (5422 E Village Rd) is a wonderful tumble of used books–estimated at more than 35,000–arranged on shelves from floor to ceiling, addressing subjects of practically every stripe–memoirs to metallurgy to more. It is the local bookshop that comes closest to emulating the long since passed, and mourned, Acres of Books, not only for the amount of books, but also the treasure hunt-like quality of finding something you may not have expected or even knew existed.

BEL CANTO BOOKS

Bel Canto Books (2122 E 4th St) offers a thoughtful selection of fiction, nonfiction and children’s books, often highlighting women authors and writers of color. Along with its Retro Row flagship, it has curated collections located at Kubo LB (3976 Atlantic Ave) and Steel Cup Cafe (2201 N Lakewood Blvd). Visitors can enjoy author events, workshops, storytime and book clubs. Bel Canto also provides a personalized concierge service that matches readers to books.

CREDIT: Nannette Ricaforte

BARNES AND NOBLE

Barnes & Noble’s (6326 Pacifica Coast Hwy) Marina Pacifica location recently reopened after an extensive six-month refresh. The transformed, 15,000-square-foot store—originally opened in November 1996—is filled with an expanded selection of books, toys, games, journals, stationary, vinyl records and other gift items. There is also a Barnes & Noble (7651 E Carson St) located at the Long Beach Towne Center, this popular hub for local readers similarly offers all manner of books, gifts and good feelings.

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About the Author

Steve Lowery

Steve Lowery is a longtime local. Over the years he has written for the Los Angeles Times, ESPN, and others. If you're looking for the hidden gems of Long Beach, Steve is your go-to.