Maxwell’s House of Books

Very awesome bookstore with excellent prices! The owners are very nice and have great taste in books! They have a card minimum purchase of $ 10? I think which is fine because you can get a lot of the promotional books by the front door ($ 1.83 +tax) or if quantity isn’t your thing for books you can get a quality book for cheaper than if you were to buy new in a corporate store or used online. I would definitely check this store out if you’re into great books. There’s a fun café across the street. Swami’s anyone? If that’s not your thing they’re opening a new coffee shop where Cosmos was so if you’re getting food& drink in the area this bookstore is a neat place to check out too!

It’s absolutely wonderful! I’m a pretty avid book reader so it’s very nice to see some independent book stores around. This place is filled with tons of books. Old, new, used, current, historical, fictional, you name it. It’s great to wonder by, or spend a few hours. The books are also marked down quite a bit! I once talked to the owner and he said that he brings in a book every day, so there’s always something new. I’d definitely recommend it!

I have been meaning to write a review for this little bookstore for awhile now… I love this place! The owner was the sweetest man! I was buying a book on the sale rack which was only a couple dollars but since I didn’t have cash I wanted to use my credit card. There was a min charge for using your credit card (which honestly, I was ready to grab a second book or just have him charge me the difference so that I met the min) and instead he gave me the book for free :) it was such a nice gesture so the least I can do is highly recommend this store! The owner is a good person and he deserves our business!!!

Every time I come back home to visit my mother, I stop at Maxwell’s. This bookshop is a little oasis when I’m trying to escape my mother. Not only that, the service is impeccable. The owner and the workers are so helpful, quick to find a book for you, and are well versed in just about every genre. I especially appreciate their opinions when recommending certain pieces of literature.
The general neighborhood is beautiful and very artsy with a cute antique shop down the street, Maxwell’s takes the cake in shops down there. Although it’s a cute, hole-​in-​the-​wall type of bookstore, it has very many options to choose from.
My one issue is that there is no place to really sit down and read comfortably.

You want books? Here you go. This is an amazing book store. It’s twice as big as you think too. They have old books, new books, a great staff and weekly deals. Most of the prices listed are just ballpark numbers. The manager will usually take the number down quite a bit before your purchase. You don’t have to ask either– he will just do it.

Harbors and excellent selection of books, new and old. Prices are often greatly discounted from retail. The proprietor is very helpful and even offered to allow me to take a book and pay him later (I refused and did not make the purchase until I was able). That’s a level community trust you rarely find for those who frequent an establishment of its kind.

Eclectic collection and cozy place to take a few minutes for a bronze. You are sure to find something of interest. Located in the heart of downtown La Mesa with lots of places to go when you are finished here. Recommended.

A bibliophile’s dream. Great stock that is always rotating. Pricing is always consistently fair and surprisingly low. Each book is marked and is in good condition. The husband and wife owners are incredibly knowledgeable and fun to engage with. My favorite book store in San Diego County. The next time your hunting for a good used book shop in San Diego, take a trip to the past and visit the sleepy city known as La Mesa.

Maxwell is a true sweetheart of a man! I love his store and he always has great lit theory and poetry in stock. I can spend hours in here just browsing. I never would have imagined finding a French language copy of Clockwork Orange’s sequel by Anthony Burgess, but it was at Maxwell’s! Honestly, it is impossible to sing enough praises about this store and this man. If you are looking for a wide selection of used books in East County, you definitely need to head to downtown La Mesa.

All right! I’ve discovered a new used bookstore in my neck of the woods. This makes me happy. :D
Today my husband and I drove down to Swami’s for breakfast, and afterwards I said «Hey, let’s go check out that bookstore across the street.» My husband said «What bookstore?» We went outside and I pointed at Maxwell’s.
Outside they’ve got an intriguing cart full of books for $ 1.82 a piece (I’m assuming because this comes to $ 2 with tax, though my math skills are, challenged to say the least), and I saw a few that tickled my funny bone or brought up memories («He’s Just Not That Into You» for the win).
Inside there are some rare and first edition books to taunt you (assuming you love the physicality of books, of course), and the owner greeted us saying he would be happy to help us find anything we were looking for. We thanked him, but just wanted to browse, and we puttered about in the back of the store where I discovered plenty of Californiana to entice me as a new transplant to the state, while my husband salivated over the art section.
Also, Ray Bradbury Martian Chronicles! How have I not read this book? (And if I have, why don’t I remember it?)
We both ended up walking out with 2 titles a piece, at really reasonable prices, and I will definitely return to see what else they’ve got. After all, there’s always something new at a used bookstore!

Excellent little bookshop! The owner is like Mr. Rogers meets boot camp. A patriot of reading and community. Between browsing through the well-​ordered hodgepodge of books or the random, thoughtful, quirky quotes and mementos stuck on the walls, you’ll wish you had two or three sets of eyeballs and another set of arms to hold things. No baskets are available to lug your finds around in, so bring a bag or book tote.

One of the best used booked store in San Diego. I’m always finding titles that are out if print or hard to find and the quality of the books is very impressive. Some seem brand new, but are 20 or 30 years old!
The owner, Craig Maxwell, is a very friendly person. I have traded books into him for credit and have always found him to be fair and reasonable.

Wonderful used bookstore located on La Mesa’s charming main street. All bookworms should visit if in the area.

This is a great little bookstore! I love stepping in here whenever I walk through downtown La Mesa. They have a pretty heavy selection, and a lot of the paperbacks of interest are under $ 5. They do buy books too, at 40% of what they will sell it.
Maxwell and his associate are really nice; you can tell they have a great admiration of literature. If you don’t know an author they’ll look up the book for you and help you find it on their shelves!

I love this bookstore so much. It’s nice to a mom and pop bookstore with lots of variety and quality that can survive in this day and age of globalization franchises and big box stores. This is definitely a win for both book lovers and the little guy.

I love small community bookshops, they have an atmosphere of intimacy and thoughtfulness that is impossible to recreate at a Barnes and Noble’s or Borders. Walking into Maxwell’s is like walking into a very accomplished and well-​rounded individual’s private book collection (with a penchant for sci-​fi paperbacks).
When I walked into this tiny shop a few weeks ago I had nooo idea what I was looking for, but the teller was very engaging and helped me find some serious gems.
Their selection of critical theory and philosophy is right up my alley, really gave me a chance to delve into material I’d only encountered in reference before and was kinda too scared to tackle. They also have a great selection of plays, poetry and classics with a few special volumes behind glass cases near the entrance.
I asked and all the bookshelves are handmade for the shop, which gives it that awesome attic-​like feeling. I left feeling super satisfied and the prices were right. Frantz Fanon for 6 bucks? Yes please! Roberto Bolaño for 7? Yeaah!

Ive lived in La Mesa my whole life and never really explored downtown La Mesa. I finished lunch across the st at Swamis and decided to do some exploring. I had never noticed Maxwell’s before and I love bookstores, so I immediately stopped in!
They have a good selection of novels, art books, anthropology and psychology books as well as other subjects that dont interest me.
I found a copy of Aleister Crowley’s «Diary of a Drug Friend» in brand new condition for only $ 6!
Maxwell’s only fault is a lack of a metaphysical section.

Dig this shop. Stacked to the roof with fun, oddball, interesting, specialized and really essential books. The owner’s an interesting fellow as well, so don’t be afraid to spend some time roaming the shelves and really rolling around in the selection.
THIS is the sort of joint the city of La Mesa should be encouraging more of in its little downtown area — good book shops like this don’t grow on trees, and there’s not enough of them around anymore. Wonderful.
Mr. V

I was looking for a book for my grand-​niece, who loves to read.
This store is convenient to my home, and in general, being in the
La Mesa Village Bus. District. I would like a source of inexpensive
books, since she loves to read! I went in there, Mr. Maxwell showed me the appropriate selection, and left me alone to peruse. I found something very reasonably priced, and probably a few others for later purchases. the owner was again cordial upon check out. Very clean store, nice selection apparently, helpful staff, good location. I like supporting small business owners, especially where their profit margin cannot be very high. And they are trying to do their best for us.

Oh reading, how I have neglected you these past few weeks while I was drowning in the land of homework and exams.
It will never happen again. I promise!
That time has passed, summer is here and I am baaaaaaaaaaaaack in action. On my way to get a white chocolate mocha (coffee. my greatest weakness — well that and musicians) I happened to fall right into the «$ 2» sale. WHAT!!! … yes. two dollars. only.
I now have three books that I’m reading simultaneously and one of them is a lovely $ 2 deal I got from Mr. Maxwell himself!
I will definitely be back for more.
Amen.
and thank you book Gods!