Sideshow Books

As other reviews have remarked, this is a very cluttered and delightful bookstore. The owner is very friendly and serves free espresso to visitors. The book selection is extensive and there are sure to be a few great picks for anyone provided you’re willing to search for them. Regarding philosophy, Sideshow Books has a decent collection but seems to have suffered from being picked over frequently, but there were still a few titles more interesting than the standard shelf fodder. In addition to the philosophy section there was a radicalism/communism section which also seems to be frequently searched. Many of these books were behind a table piled high with books, and so searching can be fairly difficult. Expect to knock down some books at least once during your visit. Another notable section was the black and African nonfiction section which extended to the ceiling and had books shelved two copies deep. A lot of good radical history, biography and sociology can be found there. All books were priced more or less in line with the market price, with great prices on rarer titles. Overall, it’s worth paying a visit to this bookstore if you’re in the area or you like digging through stacks of books for treasures.

super lovely hidden gem! I called ahead of time to see if they carried a book and the owner put it aside for me. The inside of the store is like a magical little wonderland filled with great quality used books, rare finds, records, posters, and trinkets that give the place so much personality and character. The owner is really down to earth and even offered me an espresso he was making. Wish I’d known about it sooner, and will definitely be making it a regular stop!

Really cute place with a friendly owner, but it was overpriced (in my opinion) for a store suffering from serve overcrowding/hoarding and dust issues. Prices were hidden on the inside of the books written onto the pages in pencil, which I thought was a little deceiving. I also felt like the selection, especially for natural history/nature books was poor. I find better things at my local half price books. Yes, it was charming, but I would only stop here to take a look at the oddity of the store, not to actually shop for used books

Such a charming, truly special place. The owner Tony greets you with an offer of espresso when you walk in; classics play from a record player in the corner; you happily go get lost in the aisles of books. My favorite find has been a collection of vintage Agatha Christie paperbacks, but I know I’ll be back for more!

Amazing book store! They owners genuinely care, have an amazing selection of classics, modern contemporary novels, and more theory based literature! I’ve seen zines and some graphic novels. There’s something for everyday and the owner offered us a free cup of espresso! Best little bookstore around.

just the way a used bookstore should be--crammed with books and playing great music. every staff member i've interacted with has been stellar. every time i come here and poke around i happily spend ages and find something great!

Amazing little used book store with wonderful owners who very obviously adore books! Very mom & pop, feels like the used book store from my small town home. They’ll even offer you an espresso!~

Amazing store. So many gems and treasures. Found a few cool books. I have 4 of my own in the store now. The owner is super cool. Will come back often.

This place is a gem. I hesitate even writing about it because I don't want it to become a victim of the LA-influencer-scene but it is truly an experience. The owner, Tony, greeted me with a smile and a "would you like an espresso while you browse" and I was immediately hooked. He got an influx of people in and I thought he might forget about me and my espresso as I perused but he crawled by several other shoppers and found me, deep in Mystery/Crime Fiction! What a pleasure! I'll def come back.

A gem in a city that needs literary gems! The owner Tony clearly cares about books and it was great to see so many book lovers pouring through what's there. The variety is wide and they even have first editions, rare books and signed books by authors like Joan Didion.

Tony the owner, was so so nice! It was my first time at the bookstore and right when I walked in, he kindly greeted me and offered some expresso. Felt like I was treasure hunting for books and ended up with some great finds! Definitely recommend!

Yes, just yes. A living breathing used book store with poetry and danger, hidden corners that call you to get lost, and the ringleader Tony who will make actual real unhurried conversation with you and maybe an espresso if you are lucky. This is an affordable used bookstore for the kind of people who love dogeared annotated books pulled from forgotten Nantucket libraries and the occasional first edition signed collection of Anaïs Nin. If there is still some magic in L.A. buried under the tech spawn and YouTube stars in their luxury box apartments, the doorway would be found here.

Best bookstore on earth. It's literally perfect. Great prices and the owner Tony is amazing. Stop in. Have some espresso.

This is my version of heaven. Espresso. Knick knacks. Kind folks who talk to you like a person. The most amazing selection of books. It just feels good here.

A small used bookstore packed to the brim with a great selection of reads. Books, espresso, & amazing service. Tony was super friendly & helpful. My favorite new spot!

Tony who runs this place is one of the most hospitable proprietors I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Truly. Today was my first day in the store and upon entering he greeted with me a hello and offered me a cup of coffee! In all the years I've been going to small mom and pop businesses, I don't think someone has ever once offered me a complimentary coffee right at my welcome. When I told him I was looking for beautiful antique books pertaining to geography, history, and California he steered me right in the direction where I was able to find wonderful vintage titles that fit perfectly into my new home's decor. Oh, and when I mentioned that our house was built in 1919 he steered me straight to a volume that was titled "1919". Insane that he knew exactly where that was. It's a real treasure and I wish I had only knew that this little receptacle of literary gold existed sooner.

I needed to find a book, Good Sam, for a book club and I went to this local book store, Sideshow Books. The owner, Tony said he could get it for me and he text me a few days later. I am only a few minutes away so I headed over and I meandered around the labyrinth of books, vinyl and interesting memorabilia everywhere in this small store chocked full of fascinating items. This joint is a throwback to earlier days when one could take the time to explore a store and make a discovery, something not going to happen in ordering online.

INITIALLY: Our first visit occurred in 2016. It was late at night... they closed at some ungodly hour which was fine by us, since we would have stayed until the cows got up (they had already come home. LoL). NEW LOCATION/PARKING: This shop is now much easier to locate than the original shop and if you stop by on a Sunday evening, like we did, parking is simply right outside. MY VISIT/PURCHASE: This place has an amazing amount of books packed into what may seem like a small space... but, the shop extends toward the back a good ways. Come with time to spare and check it out. I found a nice copy of James Hilton's Lost Horizon and Goodbye Mr. Chips in a single volume, delightfully presented in an ornate hardcover edition. It wasn't even on my list... I somehow overlooked it. GAME PLAN: I travel from bookshop to bookshop with printed list of classics I am looking for. Neatly stored in sheet protectors in a binder. That said, a bookstore is never a 1, 2, 3 visit for me... as I am seeking titles from multiple genres, and this includes dozens and dozens of titles. True no shop will have all that I seek but, part of the fun of collecting is an unexpected find that you simply stumble upon. This place is good for that. RECOMMEND?: Yes, most definitely. We'll be back.

I am not from LA but stumbled upon this bookstore on a visit to a museum. I am a sucker for dusty mountains of books and cool people that love books like I do. I am a book collector, specifically of poetry and art. This place was a diamond in the rough that is actually Beverly Hills. The City of Angels is a trip, I tell ya. This round I only got two but I could spend all day there if I had the clout to buy everything that caught my eye. Thanks for the free espresso, was delicious! Never met a store owner that does that.

At first when you whiz by you think it's like a mirage in the desert; what is a bookstore doing in this miserable stretch of La Cienega. And so I ignored it for months. I finally went there and found the mirage is actually paradise. The ideal used bookstore for everyone, with a vast supply of rare and wonderful books in every subject, and an owner who will do everything to help you find what you are looking for, or don't even know you want. How can we clone him and it?

This is my ultimate favorite book store in all of Los Angeles! Before covid they hosted some of the best movie nights in the backyard, comedy shows, music shows even poetry night. This place is a haven for those who love exploring the world of books or just socializing with new folks from all over the globe. Tony the owner is the best person to help you get a good book ! He is super friendly and courteous! They even have art galleries !! And much more I can't wait for them to host these amazing events

This is a wonderful used bookstore with easy parking, welcoming owner and a wide selection of books! Everything is organized in sections and the owner is super helpful in case you need any assistance. He's clearly very knowledgeable about his inventory and cares a lot about his customers!

This place is one of my favorite bookstores. It's such a warm happy environment and they have the coolest books, magazines, and prints. The workers are so nice and offer you an espresso when you walk in. It's really the perfect used bookstore.

This is nearly the platonic ideal of a traditional used bookstore. Books piled everywhere, good prices and great music. There's no cat and Tony could be a bit older and grumpier for my tastes, but nobody's perfect.

Really cool bookstore. I could easily spend an hour here browsing all the books. They also have sections on Dreaming, Alternative Healing, Science, UFO's, etc. There's cool art on the walls if you take the time to look. Some random stuff too like a box of found photos and vintage postcards. They close at 9 pm not 10 pm like it says for their hours. Weeknights after 7 pm, there's plenty of street parking! They have events like collage night, book club, occasional concerts.

Exploring this store was such a wholesome experience. They also have a great selection of books!

Decided to kill some time here before catching a movie at the Nuart and it turned out to be a lovely visit. It's got that pleasant clutter of most used book stores, and whilst browsing the stacks I came across three books I wanted to check out--score! Plus 10% Yelp check-in discount--double score! Amongst the stacks you'll find the unexpected: a tiny screen on one of the shelves playing a vintage b&w movie, for instance, and a box of random snapshots (from god knows where) for 50¢ a pop--an art project in the making! The middle-aged gentleman working that night was very nice as well and I'm definitely looking forward to visiting again the next time I'm in the area. STEPH JUDGEMENT: Very cool used book store with all kinds of treasures.

I'm so glad I found this gem of a place! Whoever you are, you're bound to find something that sparks your interest here. The owner is kind and informative. Everything is fairly priced and negotiable. I can probably lose myself in this store for hours. I stopped by after a meeting at my company's LA office and I can't wait until I have to go to another meeting so I can visit this shop again! Support your local small businesses, especially this bookshop.

What a phenomenal book store. Tony is intelligent and well versed in his collection of curios and books to read! Also, he makes a mean cup of espresso! Will definitely be coming back :)

If you're looking for a unique local bookstore, please show your support here. My husband and I found this place by pure happenstance and we are so happy we did. Tony, the owner, is incredibly kind and helpful. His store is fun, eclectic and filled with all kinds of books. You could spend hours perusing. He immediately made me feel like an old friend when I called and gave us an incredibly generous offer for all of the books we were selling. Thanks again, Tony!! You're the best!!

Cool place! Lots of books and the owner is really nice. Lots of cool rare books you won't find anywhere else. Just an all around great place to hang out and buy vintage books. But I noticed sometimes they charge me tax and sometimes they don't? So not sure about that..

Been seeing this flyer posted about discounted books. Thought it was a pop-up shop on NORTH La Cienega. Nope, they should be at this location for awhile. And they are on SOUTH La Cienega, closer to the 10 freeway. Glad to see some used & vintage bookstores actually opening up nearby. Most of the ones I used to go to are now closed up for good. They also have some records, photos, postcards, art, & other curiosities. As well as special events!

Was stuck in traffic yesterday on Cienega and saw this massive sign that just read "BOOKS". I decided I'd pop in for a quick minute because I was in need of a new book; however, I ended up staying for about 2 hours. The owner of this bookshop, Tony, immediately offered me a cup of coffee and, thanks to the cozy little seating area, I was able to actually sit and flip through some of the pages. Eventually I left with about five new reads, and I fully intend on returning (even if it's just for the coffee and conversation.) Highly recommend!

THIS IS THE BEST BOOK STORE I've EVER BEEN TOO. Immediately when walking in the owner offered us free espresso which we gladly took. He then offered our dog some water which we also gladly took. He had a very large selection of books. I was in for an hour and probably could have stayed an hour more. When checking out, he knocked down the price of one of my books by ten dollars because he thought charging a book that much was too much. He also briefly chatted about each book each one of us got. After leaving, we all talked about how much we loved his collection and eagerness to please. I told my local friend I would visit again just to experience this book store again. Please support your local bookstores and visit Slideshow Books.

this place is a hidden gem . when you walk in it feels so comforting & home like. thank you Toni for offering me some coffee, so very kind of you , it adds so much warmth to the book shopping experienceI found so many books I wouldn't normally find at main stream bookstores . Can't wait to return

Best book store you will ever find. Please respect the vibe though. It's one of the few places in LA that still has the RIGHT kind of love. Not a place you go in and out of. It's a place where you find yourself. The staff is always ready to help, but if you want to check their hours and merchandise it's best to call before heading over and wasting your energy. Plus the art is pretty amazing if you take a moment to look up at the ceiling. I would even recommend bringing someone here for a fun date. It's a good place to let go and just have fun. :)

Great little used bookshop with all kinds of books piled high. Owner Tony is super friendly and not only explains where everything is, but offers you a free expresso brought in a tiny china cup! Many treasures to be found also.

Great example why great book stores are closing or folding because of Barnes and Noble... Yelp said this place was open, I drive over (I don't live around the corner either), and apparently it's closed until 2pm...a note on the door said they were recovering from the Royal Wedding. Great business model. Not returning if this place can't stick to their hours.

This place is simply the best place. So much to explore. Always offered an espresso. Always walk away with way more than I intended. Tony's so great to chat with. Wow. Wowowowow I love it here.

You don't know where you are unless you know where you have been. Before the electronic media, people would become educated through books, follow dreams and explore far away lands through the printed word mixed with the imagination of the reader. Things have changed since then. We are in a time when truth is relative; true and false have become archaic concepts--replaced by alternative facts. Sideshow Bookstore captures the past, returns the person to a mellower time through the rows of books and illustrated posters from a gentler generation. Books have become a sideshow. Only a person who loves books could build such an establishment. Thank you Tony.

This bookstore is a treasure trove for book seekers. The selection is large and ever changing. I have always found something of interest whenever I have been there. Tony, the owner, is friendly and very knowledgeable and knows his inventory. At times there are movie nights and performances by musical artists. Authors also showcase their new books. Prices are fair and the atmosphere is very warm and inviting. Sideshow Books is always worth a visit.

amazing place and amazing owner. found a book ive been looking for just sitting on a stack (serendipity!) and the owner offers to make you an espresso for free. really made my day, hes a friendly guy go out and support him

A great but messy bookstore, books are everywhere on the floor and it's hard to walk around. They've a lot of books piled up, hard to find, since they're not well sorted. They've a great selection of Hollywood's movie stuff, from books to scripts, since they're in the area. The price is on the high end of a used bookstore. Most HC are $10+ and the worse of all is the owner like to close his store during published business hours. I drove by two times during the week during business hour and it's closed. A bit frustrating, I'd suggest you to call before going to confirm.

There are no bookstores left in the entire world. No wait, there's still one left. And it's an amazing one. Love this place. Owner/chief cheerleader pointed me toward an amazing read that I really appreciated. And he had a wild array of stories to share. This is a real book store and a great place to remember how great bookstores used to be. Thank you, Tony! PS: DEATH TO AMAZON.

Love this bookstore. Great selection and an incredibly nice owner.

I'm so glad this bookstore is here for us right now. Wonderful spirit and service to the neighborhood.

If you're like me and enjoy digging for stuff, this is the place for you. The store is stuffed with books and other cool old memorabilia. You could spend hours here just compiling a list of books or adding to your reading list. Plus the owner is super sweet, offers espresso to everyone who comes in. Definitely check this place out.

This age, everything has become digital with bookstores being replaced with American Eagle and Abercrombie and Fitch. I'm glad sideshow is here to stay and to be open late as well! I'm not certain what the exact hours of operation are but I know they're open quite late (10:00p). Although small, they have a great selection of books and the workers are very helpful and kind. It may be difficult to navigate around the store so don't be bashful and just ask for help! They're quick to lend a hand and help you get what you want! They have a good selection of sci-fi books. Just bought a Philip K. Dick book there just yesterday!

I had driven by Sideshow's La Cienega store front many, many times wondering if the giant "BOOKS" sign was sincere or a con before I finally decided to investigate. I'm glad I did. Walking in, the noise of La Cienega disappears and you're in a book haven. With a friendly and helpful owner. I want to say it's magical, but it's more important than that--it's the type of local business that makes the city feel like a community, like home. Everyone should be so lucky to have this kind of bookstore in their neighborhood. Sign up for their mailing list--they have movie screenings, live music, and other events!

I came to this cute little bookstore and I couldn't be more satisfied with the service here. The man in the front greeted us with a genuine smile. He seemed so sweet off the bat. My boyfriend and I sat down to read a book together and he came over to us and offered us coffee! No other bookstore has done that for us. He didn't have to do that but he seemed so enthusiastic to show us what his new coffee maker made. He brought it to us, again with a smile. Once it came time to pay, he offered us a personalized bag for our book that he made himself! Such a cute little detail. He also remembered my bf who came in a few weeks prior and we were surprised that he remembered that as well. He was so sweet and I can't wait to drive back up here to visit this book store again!

I had the best time perusing this bookshop. I spent hours looking though old books and only covered about two sections. Lots of other interesting merchandise and the owner was so welcoming and helpful. The place is packed with books yet he knows where to find every hidden gem. And his knowledge of so many subjects is impressive. He's covid compliant with masks and limits the amount of people inside. I can't wait to go back!

What can I say? This is a truly special place. Yeah, it's a bit out of the way. You have to be going there and you won't just come across it, but it's sure worth the trip. Great homey funky fun vibe, great selection, great books, great prices, tons and tons of used goodies and the people are awesome. Ask Tony what inspired the look of the bookstore if you want a great story. Next time I'm in town I'll definitely be going back - got several books at a great deal and it was a fun and uplifting experience - more than you could ever want in a great bookstore.

Love this little book store. Stopped in one day before work and ended up getting into a half an hour conversation with the staff, so friendly. Support this place!

This is an absolute gem! The staff is very nice; just goes above and beyond to help in any way possible! It feels very cozy inside and just packed with goodness. This will definitely be my new go to.

Great vintage bookstore. Lot's of old movie and 60s counter-culture stuff. They'll work with you on the prices too. Easy to miss driving by, worth making the effort to find!

Book lover's delight! They used to be off Sawtelle in West LA but the owner, a super nice book lover, moved all his over stock here and the space is great. You will always be happy you walked in and you will always find something cool and quirky and informative to enjoy. Super helpful, kind, supportive owner. He told me his joy in life is to pass on books that have given him joy to others who may derive even greater joy!

This small bookstore has many many books. Tony, the owner, was very friendly and helpful in finding the book I was looking for. I will be back to sell my books and buy from him.