Victoria H.
Yelp
Remember how you felt about bookstores when you were a kid? The anticipation as you came in and started looking around to see what was new, the surprise and delight at unexpected finds? Those supremely magical new combinations of color, words and ideas that drew you in, kept you standing and reading and looking at pictures until you sighed and bought the book? That feeling happens to me here.
Garcia Street Books is a real bookstore. The titles and topics are contemporary, international, although they have a small kids section in back with Tintin and Asterix among others. There's a nice selection of literature, art, design, and other thoughtful categories. Their art books are particularly strong.
They favor the tabletop array for many of their books: one or two copies of each, paving the tables, seducing you with visuals. Outside are several tables and racks with more interesting books, all new but discounted. They are happy to do special orders, they host book readings with local authors, and they know deep background on cultural and literary themes.
They are next door to another locals fave, the Downtown Subscription coffeeshop, who carries a great range of periodicals to balance the books next door. Lots of people can be found drifting between both.
I give them four stars instead of five because their selection of odd mysteries and humorous writing is a bit skimpy for my taste. But their knack for gorgeous and fascinating books of other kinds almost makes up for that!