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Treehorn Books, Santa Rosa: Founded by two Sonoma State graduates in 1979, Treehorn Books has an extraordinary selection of used books, specializing in classical literature. An ever-expanding inventory lines the shelves and is stacked on tables. It's hard to find a book-free spot in this tiny Santa Rosa shop. Treehorn caters to its many regulars, whose tastes are kept in mind for new purchases. The store buys books from customers but is selective in doing so, considering the shelves are already overflowing. Teachers receive a 10 percent discount. 625 4th St, Santa Rosa, 707-596-3845. (Photo by Erik Castro)
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Knight’s Books, Santa Rosa: Sonoma County locals and visitors in search of lost time should make their way to Santa Rosa's Railroad Square. This is a mecca for lovers of vintage things and Whistle Stop Antiques has plenty of it: furniture, jewelry, rugs, magazines and more. Upstairs, you'll find rare and used titles at Knight's Books. Lanny, the owner, has been here for forty-three years, selling special books from his own collection and buying from other local sellers. His books are significantly older than your average used book and significantly more expensive, since many of them are rare first editions. Lanny gives discounts to book dealers, seniors, teachers and (lucky) students. The store is open 2-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 12-5 p.m. on weekends. 130 4th St, Santa Rosa, 707-526-5611. (Photo by Kent Porter)
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Paperbacks Unlimited, Santa Rosa: Founded in 1972, Paperbacks is Santa Rosa's largest used bookshop, and the oldest in Sonoma County. The store specializes in popular fiction but also has non-fiction on its well organized shelves. The mystery/suspense and science fiction sections are among the most popular in the store and there's also great books for young adults. The owners, Howard and Jill Brown, are now in their 70s but hope to keep the store open as long as possible for their many loyal customers. Customers who donate books to the store get a store credit and seniors receive a discount. 4625 Sonoma Hwy, Santa Rosa, 707-539-8102, paperbacksunlimited.net
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Levin & Company Books and Music, Healdsburg: "A good bookstore should be the nexus of a community – a place where friends and strangers can come together for a while and feel like an extended family," says the family behind Levin & Company. Bookworms have come here for 25 years to browse over 2,500 titles in the fiction section (the largest of any independent bookstore in Sonoma County) while audiophiles enjoy the curated vinyl and CD selection. There's non-fiction, too: history, science, biographies, eastern and western philosophy, gardening, cooking and more. The store hosts literary events such as book-signings with authors, and upstairs is a collection of local art, jewelry and crafts. 306 Center St, 707-433-1118, levinbooks.com. (Photo by Bronwyn Simmons)
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Aaron Rosewater, co-owner of Levin & Company, organizes the shelves at his bookstore in Healdsburg. (Photo by Beth Schlanker)
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Copperfield's Underground, Petaluma: Paul Jaffe and Barney Brown purchased Sebastopol’s Myst Bookstore in June of 1981 and changed the name to Copperfield’s Books. 37 years later, there are 10 Copperfield's across the North Bay, including in Healdsburg, Petaluma, Santa Rosa and Sebastopol. In the Petaluma store, there's a downstairs underground shop, a "haven for treasure seekers looking for used and rare books." The cellar space is packed with thousands of titles, including some rare editions, covering a variety of subjects: art, history, science, fiction, poetry and more. 140 Kentucky Street, Petaluma, 707-782-0228, copperfieldsbooks.com (Photo by Beth Schlanker)
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Reader's Books, Sonoma: This Sonoma bookstore opened in 1991 with the mission to create a space for locals to hang out, in addition to their homes and workplaces. Its most popular sections are literary fiction, cooking and, more recently, politics. Customers can read books on the patio in the garden, and bring their dogs for company. The bookstore hosts weekly author events (pictured, local author Emma Cline reads from her debut novel 'The Girls') and offers a 15 percent discount to teachers. Used books are accepted in exchange for store credit. 130 E Napa St, Sonoma, 707-939-1779, readersbooks.com. (Photo by Robbi Pengelly)
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(Temporarily closed) Twice Told Books, Guerneville: The location for Twice Told Books has been a destination for avid readers since the 70s. The bookshop (then named Mockingbird Books) was bought by new owners Rachel and Seamus in 2019, who renamed it Twice Told Books (the name of the store before it became Mockingbird). Twice Told boasts a collection of both used and new books and is connected to next door neighbor Coffee Bazaar. If customers are unable to find a desired book here, it will be ordered for them at a ten percent discount. Monthly fiction and non-fiction bookclubs are in the works, as well as author events. 14045 Armstrong Woods Rd, Guerneville, 707-869-1479.
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Second Chances Used Books, Sebastopol: Located on the same block as everyone's favorite ice cream shop, Screamin' Mimi's, Second Chances is Sebastopol's only independent used bookstore. The owner of the store, Brandy Mow (pictured), previously owned Copperfield's Used and Rare bookstore in Sebastopol. Mow has filled her new store with good books and added cozy armchairs for customers to enjoy a quiet reading moment. Brandy keeps a digital itinerary of the store's books so that she can easily inform customers of available titles and she organizes open mic poetry nights in the store. 6932 Sebastopol Avenue, Suite E, Sebastopol, 707-827-8291. (Photo by John Burgess)
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Pages Books on the Green, Windsor: Windsor's only independent bookstore, located on the charming Town Green, was founded in 2004 and is family-owned. It is well-stocked for its relatively small size and the staff is happy to order any books upon request. The young adult section is especially large and the students from Windsor High who work here will help customers find the best new books to buy for young friends and family. Windsor locals like to buy a book here and then head over to Cafe Noto to pair reading with a hot drink. There is free parking outside the store. 920 McClelland Dr, Windsor, 707-837-8665. (Photo by Bronwyn Simmons)
