Bargain books with a little dust
A reader recommended I check out A&M Book Cellars in Canoga Park for jaw-dropping prices on paperbacks. I would be bowed over by the store, he promised.
I was - and I wasn't. A&M is one of those stores where homemade signs point customers to the door that still works. The merchandise is not perfectly organized and the floors are a little dusty.
But the prices are remarkable. A hardback of "The Corrections" by Jonathan Franzen (a fabulous book once it gets started) in gift-worthy condition was $5. Paperbacks copies of Tom Clancy, Mary Higgins Clark, Catherine Coulter and Patricia Cornwell books were half their cover price ($3+) and in good, but not perfect, condition.
The store had sections for romance, legal thriller, science fiction, western, and young readers. The top shelf in many of those sections are $1. Books not marked are half their cover price.
In the bargain room books are a quarter each, five for a dollar, or 15 for $2. The titles are not entirely obscure, as I suspected they would be, but their condition suffers more than the rest of the store. In the bargain room I saw "The Firm" by John Grisham, a hard back copy of Tom Wolfe's "Bonfire of the Vanities" and "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien.
A&M has been around for 24 years and one employee claims it is the last independent paperback bookstore in the Valley. Even if that's not true, the store is...
...an anomaly. Clearly, choosing low prices over shiny newness has worked for them.
So what's their secret, I asked the woman behind the cashier, whose glasses really were about to fall off the tip of her nose.
"I have no idea," said the employee, who told me her name is Sue Compton. "People just like to read."
I wasn't quite satisfied with that answer so on my way out I asked a customer going in. Why come to this dumpy little bookstore that has a decent, but by no means comprehensive, selection?
The customer, Jean Maxwell, didn't waste words.
"Because it's cheap," Maxwell said. "I'm a voracious reader. It's just so inexpensive to go here." When she wants a new title, she can always go to Barnes & Noble. Not as homely, and a little more expensive.
Visit A&M at 19801 Vanowen in Canoga Park. (818) 716-6259. Monday through Saturday 10 to 5 and Sunday 1 to 5. They are occasionally open a little later on Wednesday.
Thanks, Bruce!
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About The Bargain Hunter
Daily News staff writer Julia Scott loves to find bargains on everything from groceries to Gucci. Her tips will help keep your hard earned cash where it belongs - in your pocket.
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Two independent bookstores in the valley I know of right off are the Iliad in North Hollywood (whose selection puts A&M to shame) and Dark Delicacies in Burbank. But thank you, Julia, for supporting independent bookstores. But maybe Burbank and North Hollywood aren't considered the valley. I don't know.
Del, Burbank and North Hollywood are in the Valley. Thanks for the other Valley suggestions. ~Julia
Hi Julia - Sherman Oaks Library has book sales on the 2nd Sat. of each month. Paperbacks are 3 for a dollar and many hardbacks are $1-3. All are in good condition and it is well organized. Children's books and lots of non fiction also. Proceeds benefit Friends of the Library.
what's the address of the Sherman Oaks Library for those of us who live at the other end of the Valley and might want to make the drive?
Arlene,
Try Googling "Sherman Oaks Library" to find their address. I did and the first link that came up had what you are looking for. Check it out at http://www.lapl.org/branches/Branch.php?bID=51
Good luck! ~Julia
If people truly ant a bargain re-discover the public library. You can check out up to 30 books. Have the ease of going on line at home and place holds on the books you want and pick them up (after being notified by the library via internet) when they are ready for you.
The library is the true bargain!
I totally agree! The public library is my favorite bookstore. ~Julia
A real find in Burbank is the "One Dollar Book Store" 818-238-0371. 301 N. San Fernando Rd. Burbank, CA 91502---Every book no matter the original cover price is one buck. Hardbacks, paperbacks, whatever. Last time I was there I bought 15 books for $15, read them and then sold them to Brand books in Glendale for more than $15.
I think the One Dollar Book Store has other locations besides Burbank
You missed the best feature of A&M. They take trade-ins. You bring in your old books, and they give you credit. They keep a record of your credits which you use to buy more books. They have new as well as old books and often have prepublication books.
Good catch! Thanks for the additional info. I'm sure other readers will find it helpful. ~Julia
Been going there for several months now and it is a real bargain. The library is fine but then you have to remember to bring the books back on time. With A&M you always get credit for your returns and no penalty for time. Only one problem I found is that the grouchy lady at the desk could use some lessons in public relations. Never smiles even if you say good morning and comment how nice her smile is. ---- Not a very happy person --- pete2sail@gmail.com
Been going to A&M Book Cellers for years...and love it ! You can look, read and find new authors without anyone bothering you. If you have a question someone, customer or employee (owners) can point you in th right direction. It is a great place to find well loved books and return those for credit that are not keepers for your own collection. The lady at the desk is part of th atmosphere, she gives correct change and if you have a free book coming she alway's gives you the card for it. Be kind, say please and thank you..even if she seems like a grouch she has feeling to. Libray is good to but selection is getting limited with budget cuts
Love the deals at A&M... However, the lady at the desk is a major problem. I always smile and greet everyone in a friendly manner, the way i would like to be treated. That attitude does not work any better with her. Last week she upset a women so much she left in tears. The owner says she doesn't always feel good. Well, got to tell you... dealing with her leaves us pretty tense.
Love A&M....I have been going there for quite some time and I love it. You can purchase books, trade in books for credit or peruse until you heart is content. The staff is great even to grouchy lady behind the desk. Get to know the grouchy lady and you will find she is really a sweetheart.
I have been shopping at A&M for at least 20 years. It may be short on decor but it's big on books. The books are arranged by category, alphabetically by author. The bargain room is 25 cents each, 5 for $1 and I think 25 for $2. The owners are booklovers and very friendly. You can browse for hours without being bothered. They have a nice little reading areas set up at the south end of the store. They also sell some great bumper stickers and a neat t-shirt. Twice a year all the non-bargain books are 1/4 of the cover price. I regard it so highly that I have brought several new customers to them.
Just to let you know, A&M is having their semi-annual 1/2 price book sale January 11 - 17th. Everything is half of what their prices are (usually 1/2 or even less than that off the cover price). Hours are 10 to 6 Sunday the 11th and 10 to 7 the rest of the sale. They tend to take in a ton of books too (from previous experience), so frequent trips during the sale can yield some good finds. I've been shopping their for over 20 years, and even got books delivered to my house when I was pregnant and on bed rest since I couldn't make it in. The owners are great!