FRIDAY FIVE
Litquake Festival, which is taking place in SF this week, is a great time to reflect on the city’s literary roots. Before it became a hub for tech robber barons, this city of ours was home to some of the country’s most prolific and exciting writers.
For the record, SF still serves as an address for many amazing scribes, but in its artistic prime, the literary world here was a main draw. Most famously, Jack Kerouac called North Beach home in the late 1940s; Allen Ginsberg lived in the Haight in the ’60s; and Hunter S. Thompson wrote his book about the Hells Angels in Cole Valley.
Lucky for us, San Francisco is still home to some of the most idyllic bookstores in the country, and visiting them gives you a sense of that golden era. Here are our favorites.
1. Green Apple Books
It’s no secret how much we love Green Apple Books (hint: we wrote an entire ode to it last year as it celebrated its 50th anniversary). As TBI writer Nicole Clark explained, “It’s the right amount of disheveled to feel lived in, brimming with books and knick-knacks in every available nook.” Open late and always busy, this is a great shop for browsing. Just use the handwritten book reviews pinned to the shelves as a guide. It’s located in the Inner Richmond, but the trek to this decades-old bookstore is always, and forever will be, worthwhile.
TBI tip: Don’t miss the fiction section, which is located in a different building a couple of doors down. They have records there too.
www.greenapplebooks.com, 506 Clement Street (Inner Richmond)
2. The Booksmith
A true independent neighborhood bookstore at the center of everything on Haight Street, the Booksmith is known for its cozy atmosphere and frequent (and famous) author readings. This literary establishment has been around since the mid-1970s and is one of the area’s longest-standing businesses, making it as much of a Haight Street icon as Amoeba Music. Make sure to browse the staff recommendations located throughout the shop, and look out for signed copies leftover from previous events.
TBI tip: Check out what’s going on at its sister store, the Bindery, too.
www.booksmith.com, 1644 Haight Street (Haight-Ashbury)
3. Borderlands Books
The beauty of Borderlands is that it isn’t only a bookstore—it’s a mecca for sci-fi lovers and a place where writers gather. The shop, which has been around for 20 years, focuses exclusively on books in the sci-fi, fantasy, horror and mystery genres. As a testament to some of its die-hard fans, several years ago, when the owner announced that the store was closing due to financial constraints, more than $2 million was raised so they could stay open and buy their own new storefront, which should open soon at 1377 Haight Street. This lovely literary hub in the Mission is an iconic staple for all writers in the Bay Area, and thankfully, it’s not going away.
TBI tip: Buy the book, then buy a drink.
www.borderlands-books.com, 866 Valencia Street (Mission)
4. Dog Eared Books
Dog Eared Books—which has locations in the Mission and the Castro—is a bright and airy indie bookstore that’s been around since 1992. The shop is general interest, meaning you’ll find a little of everything here, but it specializes in offbeat, Beat and small-press works. It sells both new and used books as well as magazines and art from local artists, which is displayed on the walls. Despite its small space, you’ll never feel a lack of literary diversity in this joint.
TBI tip: Grab a snack at Craftsman and Wolves after.
www.dogearedbooks.com, 900 Valencia Street (The Mission) and 489 Castro Street (The Castro)
5. City Lights Booksellers & Publishers
Perhaps the most famous bookstore (and publisher) in the city, City Lights draws locals and tourists alike. The North Beach establishment, known as a “literary landmark,” was founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter D. Marti. It served as a publisher of independent literature at the forefront of the progressive-thought movement with such Beat generation greats as Jack Keroauc and William S. Burroughs. City Lights still publishes the occasional book and has released about 200 in its history.
www.citylights.com, 4519, 261 Columbus Avenue (North Beach)
TBI tip: After stopping in, visit the Beat Museum around the corner.
Hey! The Bold Italic recently launched a podcast, This Is Your Life in Silicon Valley. Check out the full season or listen to the episode below featuring Aarti Shahani, technology reporter at NPR. More coming soon, so stay tuned!
