5.0

First off, they bought many of my old trashy pre-teen novels, extra copies of Harry Potter, etc. that other bookstores (ahem, Spectator Books) weren't interested in, and gave me a fantastic price for… more

Lauren A.

2009-08-17

5.0

This bookstore is pretty awesome. Having lived in SF, Seattle and Austin, I have some pretty firm opinions about what makes a good bookstore:-1st: great used book selection, well organized, and… more

Dru K.

2009-07-21

4.0

Large selection of books, but I wasn't impressed with the cookbook section. I didn't find a single used book under 10 bucks. What's up with that?!? I bought a used piano book for $12.50, and then… more

Robin K.

2009-06-15

5.0

So nice to be so close to a real book store.So nice to walk in and have it smell like real books, instead of patchouli or triple mochas and scones.These guys are so nice. It may be my rack, but I have… more

Polly D.

2009-06-13

5.0

I could easily lose several hours in this store and often do. If I were to own a bookstore, it would very much resemble this establishment. It is light filled and packed to the gills with stuff. Plus,… more

aimee g.

2009-04-23

5.0

a little dilapidated. full of personality. fabulous selection. well organized.the staff is laid back, approachable and pretty fun to chat with about books. they're knowledgeable with out being pricks.… more

Annalisa L.

2009-04-08

4.0

they've got used books for cheap, vintage post cards, and they don't mind you standing around and reading. can't get much better than that. the building itself isn't really anything special. in fact,… more

Shiyuan D.

2009-03-19

5.0

Great. I found an old, old version of War and Peace (I couldn't find the date anywhere, but trust me, It's classic) for $10. I even found a self-help book there that I've been looking for (too much… more

Tiesha T.

2009-03-02

5.0

Forget about the books! This is some top notch crate diggin right here! No joke! I bagged a whole bunch of Heath Brothers here for dirt cheap, returned home, drank a 40 and laid down some sick ass… more

Jason W.

2009-02-13

5.0

With a super clever name is truly adorable, this cute book shop will special-order books for you if your heart so desires. It's friendly, eclectic, and cozy; everything you want in a neighborhood… more

Lauren S.

2009-01-29

4.0

Very nice selections of books and very queer friendly business. The often buy books that other places won't and I always have a nice trade slip to work off of for used books. They would get 5 stars if… more

Margo R.

2009-01-15

5.0

More awesome deals at Walden Pond Bookstore.$2 Bridget Jone's Diary- Never got to read it so I'm excited.$2 Bridget Jone's, The Edge of Reason$2 The Debs- Yet another Chick Lit book. Are you noticing… more

Sara F.

2009-01-11

5.0

So much cool stuff in here. Staff is super-friendly and the sound of the creaking wood under your feet... ahh..... Great place to peruse alone or bring a date. If your date ends up getting bored and… more

Loli L.

2009-01-06

5.0

Good used fiction and history selection, good browseable variety of new books hard and soft. Please shop here, I'm worried about them surviving, they are a neighborhood treasure. If there's a good… more

Chris P.

2009-01-02

5.0

The internet is great for *some* things.The internet means never again having to go behind that special curtain to the "back room" at Captain Video, only to find that the pair of Hush Puppies I spied… more

Tsada K.

2008-11-28

5.0

Anna L. and I were checking out the shops along Grand Ave. and lo and behold, we ventured into Walden Pond. I'm usually a sucker for bookstores especially since this one had the same poster I had.… more

Jen S.

2008-11-26

5.0

When I say I love locally owned, secondhand (and new) bookstores, I mean stores just like this one. I love how there are books crammed into every nook and cranny possible, and as you get farther and… more

Amy K.

2008-10-09

5.0

A great, family-owned and operated, neighborhood bookstore. Marshall and Paul are good, community oriented folks. Gift certificates from Walden Pond are a go-to present with guaranteed success. Their… more

Joel H.

2008-09-22

4.0

My sixth grade teacher took me here when I was young and that was how I discovered this little gem in Oakland. I always thought all books were expensive unless you get them from the library...until I… more

Kim N.

2008-08-16

5.0

I hadn't been by for a while but not much has changed. Which is a good thing. The record bins were a bit of a disappointment in a typical records you'd find in a thrift store way but... the books were… more

Callie K.

2008-08-07

3.0

I sold new books (about 10) and it was $13 in cash! What tha? Then again, I guess it's the whole Supply/Demand factor involved in the buying/trading process of the bookshop. I decided to take the… more

Dorothy S.

2008-08-03

5.0

A nice, old-fashioned used bookstore. I live in the neighborhood and can't resist just walking the aisles scanning spines or stopping outside to surf the dollar bin. I sometimes give gift certificates… more

Ross T.

2008-07-15

5.0

"If you have built castles in the air,your work need not be lost;That is where they should be.Now put the foundations under them." ---Henry David Thoreau,… more

Ed U.

2008-06-22

4.0

sure its leftist and sure there is some stuff in here that hasn't been moved in years, but dammit, this has got to be one of the best bookstores i have been in awhile. i liked the owner, who was… more

Monica M.

2008-06-13

4.0

Occasionally, I walk over there from my house. Then I buy myself a treat. I've bought myself several trash novels there. Kind of a waste, considering the great volume of interesting books here. more

Anne-Marie R.

2008-05-29

4.0

Great bookstore, great idea, great service. more

Ches W.

2008-04-22

4.0

Fun, interesting, and independent Lefty bookstore. My politics are not quite that far over, but it's usually a good thing to open your mind and explore the possibilities! I found store staff to be… more

Eric B.

2008-04-03

1.0

OK, now I have to be a drag and show you how small a person I can be. At least five years ago, after years of patronage, after years of buying ALL my books exclusively from independent booksellers,… more

Nicole K.

2008-02-10

2.0

It gets 2 stars for being an independent. Minus 3 stars for the prices, the lack of attention from the clerks and the pervasive leftie atmosphere. If my only choices were this and a Barnes and Noble,… more

sean m.

2008-01-04

4.0

enh.this is a great bookstore for finding books that you've never heard of and they sound really interesting and they are.if that made any sense at all, please notify me at once, as i have no idea… more

Inari T.

2007-11-25

4.0

What are you people talking about? There is no crankiness here. Just lots of good books, new and old intermingled. Love it love it love it. The guys have a dry sense of humor, but are very… more

Kelly P.

2007-10-07

4.0

Gotta keep these independent bookstores in Oakland, etc. Love this place for the location, selection, and the fact that they bought so many of my books in the past as to keep my gas tank filled.… more

Mel H.

2007-07-09

5.0

There's something about being in a used bookstore that make me feel like one of those British children in 1980s fantasy dramas. Like I'm going to find some really fantastic antiquated book that will… more

Devon F.

2007-07-09

1.0

High prices and closing at 9 is lame. Amazon is open 24hrs. more

Damon S.

2007-07-03

2.0

If there's one thing I hate about store clerks, waitresses, baristas and those of that ilk, it's when they have a loud conversation with their coworkers. You're here to serve me, not socialize… more

Nicole S.

2007-06-29

4.0

bought some salman rushdie hardcovers here.paid a little too much for them, but then i am spoiled from all the cool books i've picked up at yard sales.there could be more sci-fi hardcovers here, but… more

chester l.

2007-06-26

5.0

I love this bookstore. I can always find the obscure used books I want - and even though the prices are a little high, they always knock a few dollars off at the register for me. (Plus you can find a… more

alyse m.

2007-06-25

3.0

This is a great bookstore for browsing. The book bins outside the shop, as well as the interesting window displays, really encourage passers-by to stop and browse. Inside, there are both new and… more

Stacey B.

2007-06-22

5.0

I am very fond of this bookstore. There is a great selection and of course, the fact that they have great used books is the primary plus. This place keeps me entertained for hours even with people… more

c. w.

2007-06-10

5.0

This is one of the few independent bookstores left. They have a leftist political bent but also have great fiction and other books as well. They have a great selection of cool magazines (Adbusters,… more

Andie J.

2007-06-04

5.0

You like to keep it rRRReal when it comes to bookstores??Try this one for size.One of the few lasting independent bookstores in the area.It's almost like entering an antique store for books!Great… more

Wel C.

2007-05-09

4.0

Ahhhh, a bookstore that seems to prioritize the enjoyment of books over the purchase of books! The laidback, welcoming vibe (one night, both workers there apologized to me for asking me to move when… more

Beth B.

2007-04-23

5.0

This place is PERSONAL, and that's hard to find in a bookstore anymore. Even a local one. So what if the staff is a bit testy? I prefer to think that they're just a little territorial about protecting… more

Katya J.

2007-04-16

4.0

Yes, a bit pricey...but I was able to choose an extra copy of Hammet's "The Glass Key" for $3 over its 4.50 counterpart...and found a copy of "Outlaw Josey Wales" (my second-favorite movie) again for… more

Nat M.

2007-04-15

4.0

I used to live right close to this place so I was in all the time. It's quaint and very independent - which I like. The quirky cast of characters who work there are helpful and the recommended… more

Julienne G.

2007-03-18

4.0

i admit it. sometimes i shop at borders or amazon for convenience. if i know exactly what i want, and i am in a hurry. but when i am in the mood to slowly peruse the aisles, this is a good place to… more

scott w.

2007-01-27

5.0

For fiction books (this is pretty much all I read and all I can comment on), this is an EXCELLENT bookstore. I rarely walk in without leaving with at least $100 in new and used books (as a result, I… more

Anne H.

2007-01-21

4.0

I don't really get out to Oakland very much, but I did stop by here the other day. Most things seemed a little on the expensive side, but they did have a good selection of older and unusual items. I… more

Mari J.

2006-11-01

5.0

This place is pretty great, i always find something good to read here and they have lots of good magazines too. the staff is very interesting and you can usually walk in on a conversation about how… more

jen d.

2006-10-29

5.0

One of my all time favorite independent bookstores in the Bay. They carry tons of progressive books, also a great selection of vegetarian/vegan cookbooks. And great selection children's books as… more

Belle M.

2006-10-04

5.0

Don't go when you're in a hurry. If you're someone who loves books, you will get LOST in here. You can get a ton of new stuff at great prices. The staff is v. helpful. I have desribed books in the… more

Nikki c.

2006-09-11

3.0

Nice selection of used books. Poor selection of new books and books in good enough shape to give someone as a gift. Their sports section was lacking when I was in a rush to get a sports fiend a… more

mindy s.

2006-08-21

3.0

Great for used books, and I've found the people working there to be pretty helpful most of the time. There was one bad instance where I went in with a list of books for school...it wasn't a busy day… more

Murry t.

2006-08-13

5.0

We sell our gently used books here but my absolute favorite guilty pleasure is to go into Walden Pond and head straight to the far left corner where all of the used mystery books are. For less than… more

Tracy A.

2006-08-12

4.0

Great used book selection. I looooooove used books!!! Mostly because they're cheaper . . . yes, it's already been established that I'm a cheap mo-fo.Anywhoo, went the other day and meandered through… more

T-Bag S.

2006-06-02

3.0

This place is sooo Berkeley and yet its in Oakland amidst the "Bush is traitor in chief" Grand Lake Theatre so I guess its not terribly out of place.They are by far not the most pleasant or warm staff… more

Sean S.

2006-05-01

5.0

It feels more like you walked into an old guy's library than a bookstore. A large selection of new and used books fill this quaint store in what seems to be no particular order. A couple of guys… more

Erica G.

2006-04-24

5.0

i just love this place! yes, its very leftist, and the people are a tad cranky, but they have a great unique collection that can't be replaced! more

jill k.

2006-03-28

4.0

I love this bookstore it smells old, looks old & the worn plank floors squeak. Wonderful selection of new and used books. You can pick up an amazing selection of coffee table books here for yourself… more

JJ C.

2006-03-14

4.0

One of the few bookstores that are open late, I like to pop into the chocolate store a few storefronts down and then stroll over to Walden to browse the great selection of old fiction hardbacks and… more

Vera D.

2006-03-14

4.0

Walden Pond has a decent selection of used books, as well as a pretty substantial new section. Makes a nice stop after the Lakeshore Farmers Market or dinner at Miss Saigon. more

MiRIAM w.

2006-01-30

5.0

This bookstore is rad! So many new and used books at affordable prices, and employees who can engage their customers in thought-provoking political discussions. Tons of cool liberal reading material… more

Pamela D.

2005-12-28

5.0

It took me a little while to warm up to this place (while I probably agree with the owners' liberal politics, Marxist slogans make me bilious), but now I'm a real fan. The art books are fantastic,… more

Arwen O.

2005-11-02

2.0

Like moldy books sold by angry aging communists? Attitude for wanting something that got reviewed by mainstream media? Old paperbacks marked up 5x the original cover price? Then this is the place for… more

David K.

2005-09-02

5.0

Great local bookstore that's still in business and hopefully will stay that way. New and gently used books with a friendly and knowledgeable staff. I like that they have a collection of books about… more

Nicole I.

2005-08-13

5.0

Why go to one of those big corporate bookplaces when you can go to Walden Books and get better service while supporting your local bookstore!? The staff is nice and knowledgeable, they have a ton of… more

Lisa K.

2005-08-04

5.0

For my money, this is definitely one of the best bookstores in Oakland. The fact that the competition there isn't quite as fierce as it is in SF or Berkeley doesn't change the fact that this is a… more

Michael T.

2005-04-16

5.0

Interesting cranky old people working who know a lot about books. Great used and kids sections. more

amy m.

2005-01-13