If you love mystery books, this is the place to go. The staff are experts at the mystery genre, and the store has a lot of character and charm. This is a perfect model for independent specialty bookstores.

A tiny but well maintained shop that just happens to have a great selection of books every time I’ve ever gone. I’ve never managed to come here without buying something. They also have a great bin of free books they always seem to be wanting to give away. The new release stand in the entryway makes everything so convenient – I don’t understand why more bookstores don’t do this!

I love the part of the Mission Forest Books is in. Literally, I would liken it to Crack Alley. There is probably some guy asking you for money outside, and every other building houses a bar. Somehow, despite its surroundings, Forest manages to be clean, well-lit, and completely spacious. For some reason, Forest never feels cramped, even though it’s in a small space. I really enjoy this place.

The woman who runs this shop is literally the biggest bitch you will ever meet. She is really scary. REALLY scary. No one likes her. That said, her shop is good – especially for being in the Haight. And the prices aren’t too bad. If you know what you want, walk in really quickly and avoid the staff like the plague, unless you want to be howled at or insulted to your face. Psychotic owners, good books. I guess it’s a trade off?

Sci-fi junkies, come to Borderlands. This bookstore specializes in science fiction, and there is even a weird Scottish Hairless cat that sits in the window (he’s real, so don’t worry if he seems dead becasue he’s just sleeping) being really creepy just to make things that much more sci-fi. It’s a darkly lit store with creeky black floors, and there’s a cozy little reading nook in the back. A perfect niche bookstore.

A great bookshop with a wonderful history selection and a history of its own. Argonaut has been in Noe Valley and family-owned since 1941. They have a extensive collection of books on the American Wild West and Californian history. You can spend a wonderful afternoon just browsing, so definitely check it out.

This is probably THE bookstore everyone tells you to come to in SF. In the 50s, beat poets like Kerouac spent their days at City Lights and then went to Vesuvio’s next door, a cute little bar, to drink their brains out. You should go to Vesuvio’s, have some whiskey, and go puke in Jack Kerouac alley. You’ll be reliving history! This bookstore is a landmark. Definitely check it out at some point. You’ll have to stomach the tourists, but if you come late, after a night of drinking in North Beach (yes, this store is open late) you might stumble into something or someone (ooh la la) of interest. Lots of great lectures and authors series held here too.

This place is a disaster in the best of ways. The owner has been collecting random books since the 1970s, so if there’s something old that you can’t find anywhere else, you can probably find it here. Check out the mammoth collection of old magazines in the basement. McDonald’s – not to be confused with the hamburger man – is on quite possibly the most unsavory street in the Tenderloin. You will probably have to walk over two passed out heroin junkies to get through the door, but it’s well worth it. This place is an institution.

This store is small, and the selection is only okay – so you might want to call beforehand to see if they have what you want. The owner has an encyclopedia knowledge of the shop’s inventory, and will probably be able to tell you right away if they’ve got what you’re looking for. That said, this place is great if you like any of the following genres: romance, horror, mystery/suspense, sci fi/fantasy. Not that much in the way of great literature, but boy do they have your romance needs covered, if that’s your thing.

Gorgeous stationary department in the back with a wonderful selection of handcrafted cards, papers, and notes. They have a really good selection of calendars and small gifts as well. Best place in Russian Hill to buy gifts for kids – this bookstore has an amazing children’s book collection.

Great, friendly, knowledgeable staff that can provide wonderful recommendations for books based on your tastes. This place is nestled in adorable Noe Valley so you can come out here and make a day of it – bookstore, cafe, dinner, and a movie! Can’t think of anything more pleasant.

This is hands down the best place to come buy pulp fiction in the city. Want a grubby magazine of pinups from the 1950s? Want any genre of vintage pornography or lurid dime erotica? Old MAD magazines? Detective novels from the 1940s? Well, Kayo is your place. They don’t sell it unless it’s cheesy – and that’s a good thing.

Adorable little ‘spirit bookstore’ in SF. Also known as a metaphysical bookstore. They sell books that cater to all religions and beliefs, and just walking into the store feels like a spiritual experience. A fantastic selection of yoga books. You WILL find your zen here.

This is a bookstore with a sense of humor. There is an amazing selection of books here for anyone in the buying mood, and you WILL find the most random stuff here you can imagine, just walking in. The travel selection could be better, but the free book bin makes up for it. I have found some great free books here. But don’t just come here to get stuff for free – come spend a day, read, and walk out with some new reading material. The windows are huge so there’s a ton of light, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable.

Adorable little bookstore in the heart of the Castro. They have a very good selection of gay interest books, and their magazine selection is top notch. I get my Italo Calvino fix here and am always delighted at the prices and at the conditions of the books.

THE BEST BOOKSTORE IN SF. TRUST ME. I cannot gush enough about Green Apple. And not only is there one Green Apple, but there’s TWO. There’s actually two buildings – the major building, and the annex that houses all the books the main building can’t house. Green Apple is worth the trip to the Inner Richmond, and what’s even better is that, because it’s so far out, this store is never insanely busy. I love this place so much I want to live here. Don’t just read what I say though, go there for yourself. NOW! You won’t regret it.