Books Inc. is an independent bookseller with locations all across the California Bay Area, including Alameda, Berkeley, San Leandro, Campbell, Mountain View, and Palo Alto. There are also three locations in San Francisco, along with two shops in the San Francisco International Airport. This unique bookspot is committed to putting diverse books in the hands of all students in the Bay Area community to spread the joy of reading far and wide. To learn more about Books Inc., we sat down with marketing manager Anita Levin. Let’s take a look at what she has to say about building a welcoming literary community, her favorite reads, and all things bookish!
Books Inc.
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Thank you for joining us! Let’s start the interview!
How did your bookstore transition from concept to reality?
Books Inc. started way back in 1851, making us the oldest bookseller on the West Coast! You can learn more about our conception and history here.
What do you feel is unique to your bookstore?
Our history, our outreach across the Bay Area, and our nonprofit, The Reading Bridge — which offers a free, new, and diverse book to every Bay Area student regardless of socio-economic status — come to mind!
We noticed that you are particularly concerned with showcasing diverse voices and raising awareness around Pride content. We at Bookstr feel the same way. Are there particular things you’re doing this Pride month and beyond?
Every Pride month, we host Drag Queen Story Hours in our Campbell location. We are also credited with hosting one of the first Drag Queen Story Hours at our Castro location back in 2013!
If you had infinite space, what might you add to the store?
We’d have to check with the managers store by store, but with infinite space, I would love to include a little stage for readings and open mics. I’d also love to have space to get some bookstore cats.
How do you feel your bookstore fits into your local community?
We have been a proud member of the Bay Area community for over 100 years. It has always been our mission to provide safe, welcoming, and book-filled spaces across the Bay Area! We have Books Inc. Picks of the Month titles that highlight Californian authors and Bay Area settings.
What does your store offer that a chain or online retailer can’t?
Rooms full of friendly booksellers who love to recommend new favorite reads to customers. Handpicked and carefully curated displays that shift out daily.
Do you have any staff picks or releases we should watch out for?
We have monthly Books Inc. Picks of the Month we’re excited about, which you can find here. I’m excited for Sally Rooney and Rachel Kushner’s new titles, Intermezzo and Creation Lake. Plus, Ava Reid’s Lady Macbeth!
Is there anything else that you’d like our audience to know?
We have a robust events program with major authors, local authors, children’s books, writing classes, and more! All our stores offer storytimes and book clubs for all kinds of kiddos and readers.
What’s your favorite book?
Oh gosh, always a tough question. Today, I’m going to go with The Waves by Virginia Woolf. A book unlike any other that she described as a “play-poem.” Gorgeous language in a stunning examination of aging.
Thanks so much to Anita from Books Inc. for letting us interview her. Be sure to support this indie bookstore by purchasing your next read from them!
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