Cal’s Books

I went to Cal’s Books recently based on the Unilocal reviews. I had no problem finding the place.
I love bookstores that are room after room, floor to ceiling, multitudes of books and Cal’s definitely fits that description. Books are well organized and I believe the owner was the one that helped me. Definitely friendly and knowledgeable. If your blood sugar is low and you are in a rush Cal’s Books could be somewhat overwhelming. Set aside some time/​energy to browse. You will not be disappointed!

There are so many treasures in this cove of wonderful. From comic books to ancient text, this place has it all. If you have a question about a book or where to find something, most often the clerk can give you a quick, complete answer. There’s no end to what you can discover in this floor-​to-​ceiling, wall-​to-​wall book fortress.

I’ve been looking for a genuine locally owned used bookstore. Cal’s is overwhelming but in the best way possible. It seems like you would get lost and not be able to find anything but that is wrong. Everything is clearly and easily labeled. The customer service is great. I browsed for a minute but when I needed help they knew exactly where to go.
I was just sad I couldn’t spend hours there. I will definitely be coming back to spend a lot more time and taking it all in! Thank you for being such a blessing!

Hidden gym in redding, didn’t find the book I was looking for but he had lots on the subject and a variety of topics too. Books are in the 4 – 7 dollar range which can be high for some books but not others. But worth checking out.

Remember that scene from Neverending Story when Bastian is running from the bullies and hides in a bookstore? Look it up. That scene is how it feels to walk into Cal’s. Floor to ceiling books, everything you could ever imagine.

I really really love this book store. The guy who works there (I am horrible with names) is super knowledgeable about every single thing I have asked him, which has ranged from childrens books, to WWII to scifi to Stephen King. He has never not known the answer. The shop is floor to ceiling books. Literally. There is something for everyone in this store. My husband who usually avoids books actually buys and reads from this store.
I live all the way across town, so I always call ahead just to make sure he is open. He has a tendency to be closed on some Mondays. Normal hours are 10:30 — 5:30 Monday through Saturday.

THE BEST BOOKSTORE EVER!
We first drove by yesterday and, sadly, it was closed. I asked the storeowner next door and apparently, Cal occasionally takes Mondays off, sometimes Tuesdays. Basically, if he’s not there by 12:30pm, he’s not likely to be there that day.
Made sure to call today and YAY! The store is open.
I wasn’t sure what to expect because the store resides within a storage unit… very unlike any used bookstore I’ve been to.
Then we walked in and we were greeted by 6 010 693 760 194 759 884 800 books. Literally. The further we walked in, the more books we saw. It was utterly amazing. At least 5 spacious rooms filled with books from floor to ceiling. Many of the bookshelves also had books protruding from them and wooden planks connected free-​standing bookshelves together. What were on those wooden planks? Books, of course.
The books are a bit pricey but it’s good to support mom and pop shops. Some books can be bought for stellar prices, such as travel guides.
We asked Cal how long it took for him to amass his collection; it took some 40+ years! Such an impressive collection and eclectic store. He clearly loves books and for bibliophiles such as us, we will certainly be back for more books!

I’ve been going to Cal’s books since it was actually owned by Cal and his wonderful parrot. It is quirky and comfortable, with books all the way up to the ceilings. You can find ANYTHING there and the current owner can help you navigate the clutter.

Nice little place. Great prices, literally HALF THE PRICE of other book stores. Friendly staff. I will be back.

By far the coolest and most inviting book store I’ve ever been to! You won’t regret checking out Cal’s!
They close up shop pretty early, but it’s never crowded, and Carl is always very helpful if I have any questions. The aroma is lovely, and the decorations are charming and interesting.
Don’t pass this place up!

I FINALLY found this gem of a bookstore. It was my first time the other day and I was really impressed yet overwhelmed with the book selection.
The bookstore is hidden in the end of a parking lot of storage units in downtown Redding. I pulled up and was the only customer for a while.
The vibe is pretty chill, with a tad loud jazz music & chairs at the end of aisles to read. It does feel a tad cramped since the book shelves are filled to the ceiling on every wall.
Pricing is pretty decent, I purchased a book for $ 3.20 and it was in wonderful condition. Some books are a bit expensive, costing up to at least $ 18. But I would say it’s still worth it. I would say more than half of these you can’t find at Barnes&Noble/Target/Walmart.
The store owner was very helpful, pointed me directly to the literature section in the left corner which fit me perfectly.
If you want a quirky, original bookstore that’s a hidden treasure. go here!

If you like huge piles of scrumptious-​smelling used books,
if you like listening to some obscure ancient jazz vinyl through the store stereo,
if you like new books and old books and rare books and bestsellers,
if you like it when the used book store guy knows where every book in the store is,
if you like trading in your well-​loved books for spectacular new adventures in literature,
if you like a bookstore with true character,
shop at Cal’s. No other bookstore will do.

Sort of haphazard organization, with different editions in strange places, including behind others. Overall, great selection, especially considering the location: in an extended storage unit behind a car lot in the backwoods of Redding, itself backwoods.

I was excited to find this store on Unilocal as we drove through Redding. I love funky bookstores of all kinds, and will go far out of my way to find them.
I’m sure this place is great, but none of the reviews mention that it’s located in the very back of a creepy storage-​unit center, in a couple of combined storage units. Weird.
Also, they are closed on Sunday.
I like «Storage Wars» as much as the next person, just know what you’re getting into.

Basically the coolest thing in Redding. Bar None. It stands up to my favorite bookstores in SF and Oakland too– reminiscent of the Richmond’s delicious Green Apple… They have such a huge selection, and as one of the other reviewers noted, you feel like you’re walking into a different world when you walk through the door. Wondrous!

Huge selection of books, but are really expensive. You can find much better prices from Amazon and Barnes and Nobles used book sellers. Even an Art book I wanted was less expensive new at Amazon than Cal’s wanted used.
Unless it’s a rare out-​of-​print book that’s impossible to find, you would be better doing your shopping online.

The good: Selection.
The Bad: Location.
The ugly: It’s 300 miles away from me. (boo)
This place is great. Cal’s has a crazy amount of books and they are all lovely. Brings a tear to my eye. And than I sneeze because it is stuffy in here!
Be prepared to spend hours and hours in here because that will happen. It has happened. To me.
Some books are hard to reach, you can legit get lost in the aisles, but it is also a haven for book lovers.
I think I found a book for like 50 cents once. Score. It was one that I wanted too.
Do not let the location deter you from massive finds. It is worth the drive and the search.

One of my favorite places to spend a rainy day. It is like discovering a treasure trove. Its hard to find in a very unlikely place. But when I step through the front door, I feel like I am a character from one of the books on the wall discovering some awesome hidden shop full of secrets. My favorite part is that one can find very old hard copies of classic literature. Books are treasure, and a ceiling to floor multi-​room hoard of jewels for every possible taste exists in an eclectic, almost mystical environment at Cal’s. I hope Cal’s stays forever. I almost don’t want to share this review. I like to pretend it is my secret. Secret is out now!

In high school I’d come here with my boyfriend’s older sister to check out old books and look at pin-​up girl magazines from the 1960s. Then I’d flip through their records and try and look cool while she made her purchases from their herb shop. Sometimes she’d buy me a magazine or we’d stop on the way home for an iced coffee. Looking back, I think that may be as close as I’ve ever been to having an older sister figure (I’m the oldest of three girls). Those times feel very formative in my current way of being and I have Cal’s to thank for providing the atmosphere.

Best used book store in Northern California. The staff are very friendly and the atmosphere is very mellow. I love it there.