A Clean Well Lighted Place for Books

Marker A Clean Well Lighted Place for Books

(415) 441-6670

601 van Ness Ave Apt 310 San Francisco, CA 94102
Write a Review

14 Reviews of A Clean Well Lighted Place for Books in San Francisco

Have experience with this business? Write a review


Great place to read a book, or hear a reading  4 Star Rating - Very good

By Sam L. | insider_guru Insider Guru | Rank: 696

I really like this book store. Over the years I've enjoyed many author readings and events here. They have a solid selection, neighborhood vibe, and helpful staff.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes / No (you must log in or sign up to vote)

Good but a little Corporate  4 Star Rating - Very good

By ordulph o. | insider Insider | Rank: 19,105

The Cookbook and Children's sections are worth a trip All in all, this is a great independent bookstore, but I find the atmosphere a little corporate and cold.

PROS:
CONS: Parking!

Was this review helpful to you? Yes / No (you must log in or sign up to vote)

bookstore  4 Star Rating - Very good

By Anonymous Opens in New Window

A bookstore that lives up to their name. This bookstore is one of the best bookstores in the city. They are very organized and have a large selection. They are not a big store but you can find many types of books. I like this store because they carry so many arts and crafts books that specialize in origami. Its very quiet and clean and their lighting for reading is great. It lives up to their name.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes / No (you must log in or sign up to vote)

The nicest bookstore  5 Star Rating - World class

By ida o. | insider_expert Insider Expert | Rank: 2,526

I love a "A Clean Well Lighted Place for Books" for its books selections and a homey atmosphere. I buy most of my books there and choose to skip BN and Borders with their coupons just to go to A Clean Well Lighted Place for Books to find MY next book - or have the book find me

Was this review helpful to you? Yes / No (you must log in or sign up to vote)

Independent bookstore at its finest.  4 Star Rating - Very good

By Kwok C. | insider_expert Insider Expert | Rank: 2,056

One of the nicer independent bookstores in San Francisco. They offer a wide range of books, along with events where you may find your fav author to sign your book. They offer quite a unique blend of adult themed books, and books for the children. There selection of children books are quite delightful, and a joy to bring the kids to. There store isn't as open as say a major retailer such as Boarders, however it does the job, and there staff is quite knowledgeable.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes / No (you must log in or sign up to vote)

The Best Author Events  4 Star Rating - Very good

By Anonymous Opens in New Window

This is one of the best known bookstores in The City. Every sophisticated book lover should come to this place if they visit San Francisco. They have visits from some of the highest-profile authors. At the Brian Green event, the place was packed. The front section has nice and unique notecards and gift items. This is a fun store to browse. They have a nice selection of cookbooks. Get on their email list for notification of author events.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes / No (you must log in or sign up to vote)

Great Place for Book Lovers  4 Star Rating - Very good

By Lorraine M. | insider_expert Insider Expert | Rank: 4,637

I Love this book store. It has a great selection of books and an easy, user friendly layout. It has a great general feel to it. Has great special events like book signings, Harry Potter book release etc. It's prices are generally good, sometimes a little more pricey than some of the larger book stores.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes / No (you must log in or sign up to vote)

Clean and Fun!  5 Star Rating - World class

By Aaron K. | insider_expert Insider Expert | Rank: 8,919

Travelled all the way from Sacramento for a "book signing" (was more of a concert). The place was packed, but still lots of fun. The store has a lot of books in a little amount of space. The staff is nice, and they'll help you if asked! They were really great at crowd control as well, and had a large number of people moving fairly quickly thorugh the book signing.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes / No (you must log in or sign up to vote)

Unique Bookstore with a Nice Selection  5 Star Rating - World class

By Victor L. | insider_expert Insider Expert | Rank: 2,984

For six years a bit over a decade ago, I passed by this bookstore five days a week on my way to my elementary school. I only entered it several times then, but I still remember what a wonderful selection of children's books they have.

Several weeks ago, I passed by this bookstore while on a errand, and decided to drop in it since I haven't been there for so long. This bookstore is quite small compared to the regular bookstores I visit, such as Borders and Barnes & Nobles, but A Clean Well Lighted Place For Books is in a league of its own. Everything about this place is unique, from its name (which I absolutely love) to the types of books it carries to the authors and speakers who show up at the store occasionally.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes / No (you must log in or sign up to vote)

Great Bookstore!  5 Star Rating - World class

By Roberta W. | insider Insider | Rank: 16,600

Wow this is a great bookstore. They carry a lot of books by the not so known authors as well. They are always having book signings and the authors coming in to read. It is very clean and indeed well Lighted. Their children's section is wonderful and organized nicely for good book picking (for the appropriate age of the child). They are a must go to book store in San Francisco.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes / No (you must log in or sign up to vote)

Best author appearance series in San Francisco  4 Star Rating - Very good

By Stephen M. | insider Insider | Rank: 15,259

ACWLPB is where the authors I want to hear are most likely to appear in San Francisco. A few blocks north of the Opera House and Davies Symphony Hall, it is also a good place to browse between dinner and performances.

The staff are knowledgeable and eager to help (including many had-written recommendations of particular titles scattered through the large store).

The store is fairly large, but has fewer gay books and social science titles than the Union Square Borders store.

ACWLPFB has a frequent buyer program. Members receive a bimonthly listing of upcoming appearances that includes a 20%-off coupon. And after buying 20 (I think) titles, buyers receive a credit toward purchasing more equal to 20% of their total expenditures.

PROS: author appearances, dedicated staff
CONS: good but somewhat limited selection

Was this review helpful to you? Yes / No (you must log in or sign up to vote)

Great Independent Bookstore  4 Star Rating - Very good

By kathleen l. | insider_expert Insider Expert | Rank: 4,890

Not as wide of a selection as Green Aplle but consistently execellent in it's selection of current literature. A great place for browsing with an well versed non intrusive staff.

PROS: selection, location
CONS: parking

Was this review helpful to you? Yes / No (you must log in or sign up to vote)

Great Readings  4 Star Rating - Very good

By V W. | insider Insider | Rank: 14,515

These guys have a great reading list with all kinds of authors showing up from Lemony Snicket to Ann Rice. You won't be disappointed in their book selection. Sales tables have great prices on surprising titles.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes / No (you must log in or sign up to vote)

A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Booklovers  4 Star Rating - Very good

By N P. | insider Insider | Rank: 16,223

I always wanted to come here and finally did on my last trip. I'm really glad. There's a nice remainders and great magazine section. Kids loved it too! One wall is filled with cookbooks. They also have a good stock of books by local authors. It's well worth the stop.

PROS: Nice selection, very pleasant atmosphere
CONS: Parking

Was this review helpful to you? Yes / No (you must log in or sign up to vote)