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Best Independent Bookstores In Sacramento

February 27, 2016 / 5:00 AM PST / CBS Sacramento

To those who think that print books are a thing of the past, you couldn't be more wrong. The Sacramento area is full of small independent bookstores that keep the printed book alive in the age of technology, the internet and e-readers. Independent Sacramento area bookstores carry a range of options, from the latest books to the most rare broadleaf, out of print pages. There are discoveries to be made at every turn in the independent book stacks of Sacto's best bookstores. Here are some favorites.

Time Tested Books
1114 21st St.
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 447-5696
timetestedbooks.blogspot.com

Since 1981, this independent bookstore has established itself as a cultural icon in Sac. Not only does Time Tested Books hold the title as the official bookstore of Capital Public Radio, it's also the official bookstore of the annual Fairytale Town - ScholarShare Children's Book Festival and the host of the Sacramento Women's Book Club. They're also the undisputed champion for new, used, rare, obscure titles and trade-in books. Time Tested holds the title, with wonderful books throughout every stack.

Beers Books
915 S St.
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 442-9475
www.beersbooks.com

Beers Books has been around for a whopping 70 years in a number of locations and manifestations, dealing in new, used and trade-in books. Their calendar is chockfull of sales, book signings and local events. Their website also makes shopping on your couch, office or wherever extremely easy. Selling or trading in your old books can be a snap, as well. They are always up for expanding their collection every day. It's no wonder why Beers has been around for so long.

Barry Cassidy Rare Books
2005 T St.
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 456-6307
www.barrycassidyrarebooks.com

Rare book shops are an animal all their own, and Barry Cassidy Tate Books is no exception. From their converted house setting to their devotion to rare books and related ephemera, you're as likely to find that out-of-print book as you would a rare broadsheet or art prints. Barry Cassidy has an exceptional selection of antiquarian, out of print items, with a comprehensive, searchable catalog to boot. If your taste lies in the historical artifact of the printed word, Cassidy's is for you.

Related: Best Books About Sacramento

Richard L Press Fine Books
1831 F St.
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 447-3413
www.richardpressartbooks.com

Richard L Press Fine Books has everything the other bookstores have, but with a distinct area of expertise. This store specializes in the graphic arts, devoting much of its collection to rare and out of print books on sculpture, painting, printmaking, prints, printing, graphic arts, posters, poster art, photography and architecture. There are also large collections of non-Western art books from around the globe. If your habit is in the more eclectic side of the book arts, look no further.

J Crawford's Books
5301 Freeport Blvd., Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95822
(916) 731-8001
www.jcrawfordbooks.com

Finally, we have a more traditional used book seller. Since 1983, J Crawford's Books has been a staple in the Sacto area booksellers' diet. They specialize in all sorts of used book, from hardcover modern first editions to trade paperbacks. They have a wide collection of books relating to World War II. The active trading component and an offline search service can help you find exactly what you are looking for.

Christopher Millard is a freelance writer and cultural critic whose music reviews can be found on Examiner.com. He also works as a publicist for Valence Communications Group and is a contributor to the health and wellness magazine, Hybrid. Chris currently resides in Sacramento, California.