A Great Good Place for Books

Oakland, United States

4.7

Open now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 510-339-8210
Website:
www.ggpbooks.com
Address:
6120 La Salle Ave, Oakland, CA, 94611
b/t Moraga Ave & Mountain Blvd
Oakland Hills, Montclair Village
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
1 miPark Blvd & Trestle Glen Rd
1.1 miPark Blvd & Hollywood Ave
1.2 miPark Blvd & Dolores Ave
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Garage, Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes

Today

Today 9:00 am – 7:30 pm
Open now
Local time (Oakland) 11:17 AM Friday, June 27, 2025

Business hours

Monday 9:00 am – 7:30 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am – 7:30 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am – 7:30 pm
Thursday 9:00 am – 7:30 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 7:30 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Description

History

Established in 1997.

A Great Good Place for Books began its life in 1997 as 2nd Edition, a used bookstore. In 2001, 2nd Edition closed its doors and reopened as a store for new books: A Great Good Place for Books. Debi Echlin, the original owner, made the store a bright, cheery, and family-​friendly place.

The store changed hands in 2005 when Debi passed away. The current owner, Kathleen Caldwell, has continued the traditions of handselling and community gossip, and GGP continues to be a warm and welcoming place to spend an afternoon.

The store’s name comes from a non-​fiction title: The Great Good Place, by Ray Oldenburg.

A Great Good Place for Books also recommends

A.G. Ferrari Foods

62

reviews

Specialty Food

,

Delis

,

Cafes

A Great Good Place for Books says,

«Located directly across the street from GGP Books, A.G. Ferrari has the best sandwiches in town.»

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20 reviews of A Great Good Place for Books

No registration required
Place rating: 4
Walnut Creek, CA
I wanted to take my mind off of the real world and immerse myself in the world of books. This little book store was just the place to go.
A couple of girlfriends of mine had told me that an author would be doing a reading here, which ended up to be a book signing as well. This gave me the opportunity to purchase the author’s books that were available on the spot, for her to sign :)
This is a small bookstore filled with books and seating along the walls in the form of benches. The room was filled to the brim with fans of the author, which left others to stand in the doorway.
Luckily, there is a couch area hidden in the back where the author sat down with each person to chat and sign their books after the reading.
It’s quite a cozy place, and I can see that at times other than a book signing, it is a pleasant place to browse for books.
Overall, it was a great, good respite from the outside world to duck in here for a great, good book.
Support local!
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
They have a wonderful selection of books — including for kids of all ages; and they have books on tapes for rental!
Jenny
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
Awesome locally-​owned independent bookstore!!! I’m so thankful that this little gem of a store can compete with on-​line stores and electronic readers. The owner is is so nice and every staff person that I’ve encountered is always attentive and helpful. Everyone has been extremely helpful in offering suggestions for yourself or for others. They have a great selection of children’s books and serve cookies as well. And if they do not have the book you are looking for they will order it for you. They often have authors come to do readings and book signings. This is my favorite place to buy gifts and they offer free gift-​wrapping.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
Books — a huge variety.
Friendly, knowledgeable staff — eager to help. Whether it is just locating the book you came in to buy, or providing you with suggestions on books you might want to read next, or which books to give as gifts.
Atmosphere — the «Cheers» of bookstores. The owner remembers your name and what you love (and hate) to read.
Kid Corner, YA Land and dogs are welcome. It’s all there in one tiny space in Montclair.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
I buy my school classroom sets of books here. Terrific service.
Yes, Governor Brown, most teachers spend 1 to 3K each year on supplies and materials for their classrooms like me. You need to go to the Montclair bookstore here and spend money here and also fund school materials for teachers. You need to get off your ass and fund California public schools, teachers, and classrooms directly with the taxes we agreed to pay. A good first step would be to allow /​encourage teachers to select classroom novels and non-​fiction classics/​books from venders like this and compel them to create literacy strategies in their classrooms.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
This place is awesome! The staff is really friendly, such a relaxing place to pick out books!
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
If you are within ten miles of this bookstore, go here first for all your book needs. If you can’t find what you want here, then go to the bookstores on my Books List.
Seriously, this bookstore carries an amazing selection of books for an extremely tiny space. They have a lovely children’s section in the back, partitioned off so kids can have their own little fantasy book world. They’ve got a frequent buyer’s club, and they have book clubs, as well. Every time I’ve gone there the staff have been incredibly helpful and retrieved every book for me that I’ve ever asked for, except…
One time they didn’t have the book I wanted, and after I made it clear I was totally too impatient to wait to order the book through them they SENT ME ACROSS THE STREET TO THEIR FELLOW INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE COMPETITION– which had my book. Need I say more about how much this place rocks? Be classy! Be green! Be local! Stay away from those big chain stores! Put down the Kindle and caress some paper! Buy at this lovely local bookstore.
Place rating: 5
Rancho Mirage, CA
We live and breathe all things tech in the Bay Area. I love everything about it. But in that rarified world of iPods, iPads, iPhones, etc, Kathleen creates a slice of pure cutting edge heaven at A Great Good Place For Books. Don’t let the small space fool you. Kathleen’s informed selections are all home runs. Her super staff are not just the hired help, cliches of the nerdy bookstore employee with a nose buried in a book, but rather very cool, Super smart book lovers who also know and love the city they live in. Kathleen has created a community of people who check in for her motherly humor, advice, wisdom, and oh yes, the best damned book recommendations anywhere. She has an almost psychic ability to connect you to the right book when you need it most.
A gem of a book store run by a gem of a woman! Buy all your books here.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
What a pleasure to have a local bookstore who will give you informed suggestions when looking for a book, whether for yourself or as a gift for a friend. They’ll happily order for you if the book you’re looking for is not in stock. The author events are a lot of fun.
Nice kids section with a good selection.
Support your local bookseller!
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
I like to support local bookstores, and Walden Pond is close to my office. But I got a Groupon to A Great Good Place for Books and went there this past weekend. They didn’t have the book in stock that I wanted, but they said they would order it. I asked when it would be in; they said Tuesday and they would call me. Faster ordering than I would have thought.
Well, Tuesday they did call. I went in after work, found a parking space right in front, and they had the book waiting for me. I owed about 62 cents and offered a $ 20 (all I had) and they let it go.
The store has author events and it seems to carry books that appeal to children as well as adults. They even sell gourmet chocolate at the counter.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
This is truly a great good place. The staff is quite knowledable. Whenever I have a need for books for young relatives (I never give them anything else) I ask Kathleen and she never goes wrong. This year she was even able to extrapolate from a wish list of web dealer of plastic toys to books.
The staff is willing to order anything, and usually can get it in two days, plus if you are at a loss for something to read they will suggest. It doesn’t get any better. I’m happy to eschew the web giants for service and local.
Place rating: 4
CA, CA
I love to read. I read constantly. Ebooks are not very appealing to me unless I am traveling. I enjoy the weight of a book in my hands and turning the pages. That’s why this place is a magnet for me. The variety and selection of what is in stock is fantastic, and they will order whatever you want if they don’t already stock it.
They also carry a stock of cards, calendars and other literary type aids. Don’t miss the kids section in the back, which is pint-​sized for the little ones.
Check it out!
Place rating: 4
Lake Mary, Orlando, FL
I came here last month for an author signing.
The area surrounding this tiny bookshop is like a plaza. A plaza on a steep hill. There’s a Chase next door, restaurants across the street, cute shops down the street and a Starbucks and Peets Coffee up the street. There’s also a parking garage.
The bookstore, like I mentioned is TINY. And usually I hate tiny cramped up places but this place is FILLED with books! Their YA section captivated me for the whole hour before the signing. The workers are very friendly and helpful. And unlike chain bookstores like B&N, they actually know what they’re talking about!
I will definitely keep an eye out for this place since they seem to have some really exciting signings!
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
I love this store. The people who work there are so genuine and always engaging.
I am typically running in frazzled with a 2 and 4 year old in tow. The staff is always happy to give the children a sticker and a cookie — which could possibly be the the answer to world peace. My kids love coming here as much as I do. When we are in the Village they always ask to go to the book store. I love that they have created an environment that fosters a feeling of reading is fun for little kids. We try to teach it at home, and it is so nice to have a local store that reinforces it for us.
Oh — and it is my go-​to spot for birthday party presents. They wrap for free.
My family LOVES a Great Good Place for Books.
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
This friendly neighborhood spot brings books and community together. Friendly staff who make an effort to get to know you and your personal tastes if you have questions or are searching for recommendations. I’ve ordered many books through here – if they don’t have it they’ll get it. This place has a great, warm feel to it, and there’s always a plate of cookies out somewhere (big plus).
Being a 5th grade teacher, it’s also nice to have a bookstore close by that appreciates young adult fiction! Woo hoo!
Place rating: 5
Alameda, CA
They cater to canine clients as well!
Place rating: 5
Phoenix, AZ
I drove down from Sacramento to attend an author talk and book signing by one of my college friends and was extremely impressed with this store. The owner and staff were very friendly and clearly knew their stuff.
The store was standing room only for my friend’s appearance, but it didn’t seem excessively crowded. The store also had an excellent selection of books and is the type of independent bookstore I like to support.
If i am back in the area, I will definitely return.
Place rating: 5
Monterey, CA
This is a lovely little bookstore. It has a pretty good selection for the size and the staff are always friendly. They offer free cookies, water, and tea to customers. I have been here several times for gifts and books for general reading enjoyment and I will continue to shop here.
It’s also a good place to get books for school, especially if it’s a specific version of the book. You can bring in the ISBN number of the book you need and they will order it for you. Other bookstores won’t do this for you.
Place rating: 4
Pleasant Hill, CA
This is a cozy and friendly neighbourhood bookstore that is right across the street from the Montclair Pharmacy. It also seems to be the literary equivalent of Cheers, where everyone knows your name (especially if you’re a kid). And it’s almost Midwest (Prairie Lights?) in approach to literacy, community events and support, and unpretentious friendliness. Offering a plate of cookies within the well stocked and nicely appointed children’s section is also a classy touch.
Place rating: 2
Oakland, CA
I must have come on the wrong day. I was very excited to check out this local independent bookstore. There was no one in the store when I arrived.
I was looking to buy «Zeitoun» by Dave Eggers. The woman behind the counter told me it was out of stock. I asked when it would be in, and she shrugged. I had come in intending to sign up for the notifications of upcoming events, etc, but this staff member clearly had no interest in engaging. I would have been glad to give a phone number or email so that they could notify me when it arrived, but again, there was no involvement-​and no one else to distract her. Odd.