Davis, California can boast about itself—after all, it was a Business Insider’s 2013 choice for Top 10 Smartest City in America. It’s one of the most well-educated cities in the country, with more than 75-percent of its population holding at least a bachelor’s degree. And, of course, it’s home to a world-class leader in higher education and research, the University of California, Davis.
One would think that such a brainy city must host a plethora of bookstores just to serve all the academically-inclined, but in fact there are only two currently in business today: the Avid Reader and Logos Books. Both stores are independently owned and conveniently located only a block away from each other along 2nd Street between F and G Streets in the heart of downtown Davis. Neither of these bookstores bears any similarities to corporate giant Borders, whose own location here didn’t last, but you won’t hear any locals complaining about that.
In its 23rd year of business, the Avid Reader was started by owner Alzada Knickerbocker in her attempt to get away from the corporate world and delve into private, independent business. As many competitors have come and gone, the Avid Reader has truly stood the test of time. Kickerbocker even has a new location in Sacramento while continuing to extend services throughout Yolo County, for example hosting book fairs and author events in nearby Winters and Woodland.
In its 23rd year of business, the Avid Reader was started by owner Alzada Knickerbocker in her attempt to get away from the corporate world and delve into private, independent business. As many competitors have come and gone, the Avid Reader has truly stood the test of time. Kickerbocker even has a new location in Sacramento while continuing to extend services throughout Yolo County, for example hosting book fairs and author events in nearby Winters and Woodland.
When I walked in from the back entry for the first time, it felt like I was going through a small tunnel or cave—one made of piles and piles of books. The tallest piles were new books just taken out of their packaging, with smaller rubber-banded piles with sticky notes on top indicating who had special-ordered these books for pickup. Beyond, the rest of the bookstore is actually quite spacious, with a high ceiling to hold a great span of literary genres. Avid Reader carries everything from new hardback releases to coffee table volumes, pop paperbacks to the classics, and of course a little space just for editions brought out by authors who call Davis home.
While talking with her at a checkerboard table next to a most sweetly stocked children’s section, Knickerbocker exudes an uncommonly strong drive for excellence.
First of all, she’s a board member in pretty much everything book-business related: Board of Davis Downtown Business Association, National Board for California Businesses, and Board of Northern California Independent Booksellers to name a few.
Second of all, she’s managed to survive all of the modern threats to independent bookshops—international book retailers, Amazon.com, and, of course, e-readers. “I did take a Kobo [the Avid Reader’s partnered e-reading tablet] with me on my last vacation, but something about it didn’t seem right. You just don’t absorb (learn?) the words the same way,” she says. And that’s pretty much the only consumer trend she hesitates about for the rest of our conversation. Knickerbocker will do whatever she can to serve her loyal customers and community: providing e-readers in store, locating out-of-print books, holding family fun days, and promoting as many local writers as she can find.
Second of all, she’s managed to survive all of the modern threats to independent bookshops—international book retailers, Amazon.com, and, of course, e-readers. “I did take a Kobo [the Avid Reader’s partnered e-reading tablet] with me on my last vacation, but something about it didn’t seem right. You just don’t absorb (learn?) the words the same way,” she says. And that’s pretty much the only consumer trend she hesitates about for the rest of our conversation. Knickerbocker will do whatever she can to serve her loyal customers and community: providing e-readers in store, locating out-of-print books, holding family fun days, and promoting as many local writers as she can find.
She also can hardly contain her pride describing how knowledgeable and dedicated her staffers are, insisting that they are the town’s “go-to” guys for all things printed.
Exploring the children’s section in the back of the store was like reliving all of my best memories of early elementary school. I was almost sad that I couldn’t fit in the little red reading chair upstairs. I would have loved to curl up in there, where the skylight washed all the furniture in the most inviting shade of yellow, and pick up Winnie-the-Pooh without being judged.
The Avid Reader is at 612 2nd Street; hours are Monday-Saturday 10-10, Sunday Noon-8. For more information, call (530) 758-4010 or visit on the web at www.avidreaderbooks.com.
Just one block due west is Logos Books. A little dustier, and definitely a little smaller, this second-hand bookshop is owned by retired math and computer science professor Peter and retired French and English instructor Susan Linz. The books here may be just a touch dated—after all, you’ll only find used books here—but the shop’s wholehearted dedication to philanthropy easily makes it a valued Davis landmark.
How wholehearted, you ask? Try: not-for-profit. Meaning: all proceeds go to the charities Save the Childrenand Doctors without Borders. Since opening its doors in 2010, the Linz’ have raised a total of $67,000, all for charity.
How wholehearted, you ask? Try: not-for-profit. Meaning: all proceeds go to the charities Save the Childrenand Doctors without Borders. Since opening its doors in 2010, the Linz’ have raised a total of $67,000, all for charity.
On my first visit here, my sister and I ended up spending two solid hours trying to get through all the titles on the shelves, compelled by the incredible diversity we found. Ancient Korean Magic? Yes, please. Napoleon Bonaparte’s love letters to his other “significant other”? Who could say no? There is also a bargain shelf out in front, and right inside the door you’ll find a cozy space where the owners host their very many events, which is Susan’s favorite part of being a bookshop owner.
Staying true to her discipline in the languages, Susan hosts Spanish and French learning groups as well as poetry nights and artists’ receptions for Davis Downtown’s Second Friday Art Walk. Peter’s ardent pursuit of intellectual and scientific knowledge is showcased in the back corner of the store, dedicated to all kinds of biology, medicine, and religious theory texts.
But, of course, in a city full of overachievers, the Linz’s don’t show up for post-retirement work six days a week just for philanthropy; they really believe in their purpose to be one of the few places in town where people can slow down and enjoy the “treasure hunt,” as Susan likes to call it, of the printed word.
“Downtown Davis is slowly filling up with so many eateries and drinkeries—is that a word, can I say that? Young people need to do more than eat and drink. And that’s what we try to do for them,” she says.
Those who stop by looking for that textbook they need for tomorrow’s class or that newest installment in a best-selling teen series may be a little disappointed. But if you can just take some time for a casual bookstore browse, you might just find an oldie-but-a-goodie you might never have thought to read if it wasn’t right there in front of you.
Those who stop by looking for that textbook they need for tomorrow’s class or that newest installment in a best-selling teen series may be a little disappointed. But if you can just take some time for a casual bookstore browse, you might just find an oldie-but-a-goodie you might never have thought to read if it wasn’t right there in front of you.
Logos Books is at 513 2nd Street; hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10-8, Sunday 10-6. For more information call (530) 400-1083, or visit http://logosbooks.wordpress.com/.
~ Story by Michelle Lee
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