Local Finds: Paperbacks Unlimited
Paperbacks Unlimited
4625 Sonoma Hwy. (Hwy. 12)
Santa Rosa
539-8102
paperbks.com
Jill Brown's favorite authors include Michael Connelly and Elizabeth Berg.
Overview: Although she had always wanted to own a bookstore, Jill Brown bought Paperbacks Unlimited on an impulse in 1972.
“Dick’s Books used to be here,” she said. “My ex-husband and I stopped in one weekend, and the owner told us he was selling. We bought it that weekend.”
The shop had 8,000 books then. Today, it has more than 80,000. They claim the distinction of having the region’s largest selection of used paperbacks. The books they sell and trade must in good condition and fairly current. No used library, flea market or thrift shop books are accepted. Nor are books missing covers, marked, stained, torn, malodorous (smoky, musty, perfumed) or dilapidated welcome here. “Very good or better condition” is the standard.
Celebrating the store’s 40th anniversary this year, the second generation is working at the shop, represented by Brown’s daughter Heather. The third generation is “in training” — grandchildren Drake, 8, Lance, 5, and Thane, 7 months.
Some of the store’s clientele has been coming for the entire time, and new people are discovering the shop every week.
Most books are sold at half the original publisher’s price plus tax. They recycle books they cannot use unless the customer requests the books back.
What you’ll find: About 78,000 current and out-of-print paperbacks, and 2,500 audio books on tape and CD. Hardback new releases, coffee table and cookbooks are sometimes available. They usually have most of the books written by bestselling fiction authors including Nora Roberts, Stephen King, Tom Clancy, Dean Koontz and Danielle Steele.
The Gay and Lesbian category features a small selection of lesbian fiction, with some gay novels and non-fiction. Authors often in stock are Anne Cameron, Valerie Taylor, Jane Rule, Ellen Hart and Sandra Scoppettone.
Paperbacks for elementary through high school kids include the Goosebumps series, Judy Blume, “Wizard of Oz,” Babysitters Club, Babysitter’s Little Sister, Freshman Dorm, “Anne of Green Gables,” Nickelodeon, Sweet Valley Twins, Sleepover Friends, Boxcar Children and Nancy Drew.
Items of Note:
* An expanding Paranormal Romance section with Haunting Hearts, Magical Love, Timeswept, Love Spell, Angel’s Touch and Faerie Tale Romances series.
* Good quality books on tape at $12 each.
Hours:
Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, noon - 4 p.m.
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