The Books & Bookstores We Loved This Summer
I'm not like a summer mom; I'm a book mom
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Summer break is officially over, and I must admit, I’m not great at being a summer mom. I rarely plan big vacations or take my kids hiking, camping, etc. My version of a fun summer activity is going to the bookstore, followed by ice cream. When summer camps dried up, all I could think to do was take them on a tour of Northern California bookstores. So, I guess I’m more of a book mom.
You have to be smart about spending when you visit bookstores as much as we do. We save the bulk of our book budget for special new releases and buy a handful yearly. Mostly, we shop at used bookstores. We’re lucky Recycle Bookstore carries many of the books on our TBR lists for a low price, and when we’re done with the books we’ve bought, we sell them back to the store to buy more books—such a win-win!
This was the summer of the graphic novel for my family. People often assume that my kids are voracious readers, and they are, but only when it’s on their terms. Forcing my kids to read certain books usually backfires. Neither of them is very interested in chapter books yet, which sometimes bums me out, but after almost 10 years of parenting, I’ve learned to follow their lead with most things. Just because they don’t love thick chapter books now doesn’t mean they never will. And with so many fantastic graphic novels available, who can blame them?
A lot of incredible Bay Area bookstores aren’t on this list, but that’s because we didn’t make it to them. Maybe one day I’ll make an official list of our favorite local bookstores. But for now, here are some of the books and bookstores we enjoyed this summer.
Recycle Bookstore
San Jose & Campbell, CA
Recycle Bookstore is where we get most of our books. Both locations are great! As much as I love a hip, indie bookstore, Recycle Bookstore regularly satisfies my literary desires. Not that it isn’t cool; it’s just not trying to be, which makes me like it more. It’s not fussy or pretentious. The books aren’t precious or overpriced. There are a ton of books, and they’re organized just enough so that you get to rifle through them a little, but not so much that you give up. The San Jose location is the original and has a larger selection, but the Campbell location is equally good, even though there’s less to choose from. If you’re looking for rare or unique used books, you can sometimes find them, but it takes time. They have a few special books in a dedicated section at the San Jose location, but most of the time, they’re hiding on the shelves and take a keen eye to spot. If you’re looking for a curated selection of new and used children’s books, Bell’s Books in Palo Alto is the best, but it doesn't have most of the used contemporary books that my kids want—that’s what Recycle Bookstore is perfect for.
Ounce Dice Trice (1958)
written by Alastair Reid and illustrated by Ben Shahn
On a recent visit to Recycle Bookstore, I found this gem: Ounce Dice Trice, written by Alastair Reid and illustrated by Ben Shahn, two incredible artists in their own right, but together make a wonderfully delightful pair. It’s a love letter to words, filled with names for cats, whales, and elephants, but also strange, odd-sounding words you rarely hear in contemporary English.
What is Moonglade?
Moonglade is a track of dancing broken light left on the sea at dimity by the moon.
Perfection.
The Sesame Street Learning Kit (1970)
I’m always looking for The Sesame Street Learning Kit, but I have yet to find it in its entirety. Published in 1970, it included two posters, a guide to the kit, six parent/teacher guides, The Sesame Street Book & Record, 10 stickers, and five books! So far, I’ve only stumbled upon the books—which are awesome, but I want those posters and guides. The books feature themes like shapes, numbers, and letters—mainly in the form of stills, photographs, and dialogue from the show. For fans of those early seasons, these are a real treat!
Readers’ Books
Sonoma, CA
We visit Sonoma at least once a year, and while there, we never miss a trip to Readers’ Books. It’s conveniently located around the corner from Sonoma Square downtown and has an impeccable curation of new and used books. It’s also good-looking (look at that Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny artwork). And on our recent visit, the bookseller was incredibly patient with me and my esoteric book requests. The used books are mixed in with the new ones and marked with a sticker for easy access. My only critique is there aren’t enough of them. Most of the books are new.
City of Dragons: The Awakening Storm (2021)
written by Jaimal Yogis and illustrated by Vivian Truong
My daughter read a lot of middle-grade graphic novels this summer; it’s hard to pick a favorite, but after finishing City of Dragons, she made sure to tell me all about it. It’s a vibrant, coming-of-age fantasy about Grace, who, after her father’s unexpected death, is transplanted to Hong Kong with her mother to live with her new stepfather. Grace deals with the typical excitements and fears of starting a new life, in a new city, and at a new school, but when an old woman gives her a dragon egg on a school field trip, Grace and her new friends become responsible for protecting the dragon from mysterious evildoers threatening the city. It tackles many real-world experiences that children go through (e.g., grief, moving to a new town, navigating new relationships) while being wildly fantastic and engaging.
Captain Underpants (1997-2015)
by Dav Pilkey
Some people have mixed feelings about Captain Underpants and Dog Man, two insanely popular graphic novel series by Dav Pilkey, but we’re massive fans. First, even though it was published in 1997, it’s still just as relevant and hilarious. Second, Pilkey understands what a certain group (and that group happens to be very, very large) truly wants to read. George and Harold are two comic book-loving pranksters who are always causing mischief and telling silly potty jokes, but they’re also warm, loving, and misunderstood. They’re the kind of kids that, for a long time, weren’t represented with any sort of nuance in film and literature. Pilkey was that kid in school. He was a class clown and struggled with ADHD and dyslexia; he knows what it feels like to be that kid. My son is that kid, too. He may not be fully aware of it yet (he just thinks they’re super funny), but I see it, and I’m entirely in favor of his obsession with both series. We read Dog Man last year in kindergarten, so this summer was all about Captain Underpants, and now that we’re finished, we’ve started Pilkey’s lesser-known series from the 2000s, Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot.
Kepler’s Books & Magazines
Menlo Park, CA
It’s impossible to name my favorite bookstore in the Bay Area—especially when San Francisco and Oakland have so many fantastic ones—but Menlo Park’s Kepler’s Books is high on my list. Perhaps it’s nostalgia. Growing up, my dad took me to Kepler’s a lot. But mainly, it’s because of its recommendations. If there’s an obscure book you can’t find at any of your indie bookshops, there’s a good chance it’s at Kepler’s. The store has entire walls lining the shop dedicated to its team of booksellers’ thoughtful and unique recommendations. Plus, the children’s section is packed with the best of the best and has a dedicated bookseller ready to help your child find their new favorite book.
Hicklebee’s
San Jose, CA
Hicklebee’s is also high on my list of favorites. If you’re ever in San Jose, it’s a must-visit. Like Kepler’s, Hicklebee’s has a long history in the Bay Area. When it recently went for sale after 40 years under its original ownership, I was flooded with messages to become its new owner, which was flattering. Sadly, I’m not in the market to buy a bookstore, but I’m happy to be a champion. What makes Hicklebee’s unique is it only carries children’s books (aside from a tiny section of new adult books for, you know, the parents). The store's walls, pillars, and shelves are signed by an astonishing array of children’s book authors and illustrators from past to present. Stepping inside feels like opening a magical old book.
Sometimes, I wish the selection was larger. And I find the website impossible, but that’s common with these long-standing bookshops—they rely on foot traffic—and I hope Hicklebee’s has an abundance of tiny feet in its store for many years to come!
All Eyes on Ozzy! (2020)
by K-Fai Steele
While my kids don’t read as many picture books as they used to, they still appreciate them. We like to keep them in our reading rotation, especially on nights when the kids are too tired for longer books and want something short and entertaining. We read K-Fai Steele’s All Eyes on Ozzy! so many times this summer that my daughter started making her own Ozzy books—we can’t get enough of Ozzy!
East Bay Booksellers
Oakland, CA
I travel to Oakland and Berkeley for work sometimes, and whenever possible, I tag on a visit to a bookstore (any drive over 20 minutes feels justified if I’ve been to a bookstore). Oakland has great bookstores (and record stores)—if I’m in Rockridge, I like to take a long walk down College Avenue and hit up as many as I can. Pegasus Books has new and used books, but I’ve not had much luck there. I prefer East Bay Booksellers, which, like Kepler’s, has a stellar selection. Every time I visit, I grab Tove Jansson’s Fair Play (a book I can’t find at any of my local indies), but then I get distracted by the other amazing books and decide I’ll get it next time. I know I could easily order it online, but that takes all the romance out of book buying. If it’s there on my next visit, it’s meant to be.
Book List (plus a few honorable mentions):
Ounce Dice Trice (1958)
written by Alastair Reid and illustrated by Ben ShahnCity of Dragons: The Awakening Storm (2021)
written by Jaimal Yogis and illustrated by Vivian TruongCaptain Underpants—a graphic novel series (1997-2015)
by Dav PilkeyMy Very Own Special Particular Private and Personal Cat (1963)
written by Sandol Stoddard Warburg and illustrated by Remy Charlip(Enchanted Lion Books recently reissued it!)
All Eyes on Ozzy! (2020)
by K-Fai SteeleThe Skull (2023)
by Jon KlassenAmulet (2008)—a graphic novel series
by Kazu KibuishiStepping Stones (2020)
by Lucy KnisleyThe Tail of Emily Windsnap (2012)
written by Liz Kessler and illustrated by Sarah Gibb
Training Day: El Toro & Friends (2021)
by Raúl the ThirdThe Brilliant Ms. Bangle (2023)
written by Cara Devins and illustrated by K-Fai Steele
Stuntboy, in the Meantime (2021)
written by Jason Reynolds and illustrated by Raúl the Third
Okay this is AMAZING. I can’t wait to share in my newsletter next week!!
"My version of a fun summer activity is going to the bookstore, followed by ice cream." SAME. Thank you for this wonderful book tour of the Bay!