Books Inc is the quintessential book shop. Situated near Stanford University, it caters to students, parents and children. They'll help you find the book you're looking for, or the one you did not expect to read. It's a perfect place to find the classics, along with all types of other reading, from local to foreign, from bestsellers to cook books, from romance novels to horror stories.

Bell's Books is a family-owned bookstore in Palo Alto that's been passed down from generation to generation. Lot of people will tell you that this bookstore is a treasure. If you love reading or you are a book collector, this is definitely a place to go and stay for hours. Do not expect to find People Magazine or the latest New York Times best-seller; this store only sells used books. They offer an important selection of antique books and historic documents.

Kepler's Books is an independently-owned bookstore that has been featured on National Public Radio. Founded by peace activist Roy Kepler in 1955, it has become a landmark and a mainstay of Menlo Park. The selection is large, yet well-organized and easy to navigate. The staff is quite friendly and knowledgeable and meet-the-author events are also hosted quite frequently here. Check their website to find out when these events are happening.