Alias Books East

Smaller book store, but very good selection of philosophy. The curated books are all in great condition and hard covers with the dust jacket have been protected with plastic sleeves. The selection mostly includes works from important and recognizable philosophers in the continental tradition but there’s also a wide selection of primary sources from classic philosophers and a few important works from other traditions. Most importantly there is no useless filler. All the books available have been curated very nicely leaning towards books which aren’t available at every bookshop. The average price is higher because of the rarity of many of the books, but never overpriced for what you’re getting. The same all goes for the other sections especially literature, film, and poetry. This store is worth going out of your way to visit.

Fewer and fewer books these days. I remember when this opened. I remember the original Alias over by the Nuart. I remember wishing I was a grad student with a job here. Love the section, love the staff; wish I had more good bookstores like this near me.

Casually came in with my friend who was visiting from out of town in the afternoon. Cute shop, small curated selection but my main gripe was the girl and her dog who was “working” at the desk. Thought she was non-verbal (which would’ve been fine) because she did not speak or greet me. However she obviously could speak and did not greet a single person who stopped in, acknowledge anyone, and was on her phone the entire time. No thank yous or hellos even when someone purchased something. Very rude and awful vibe to be around. I love to support a local bookstore for a great area but based on other reviews it seems like this is NOT the “great” owner everyone is talking about and based on low star reviews this may have been the person running the shop that day. Bummer!

Whether you’re looking for sophisticated or gritty writers, you’ll find them here in a comfortable, modest setting. I always find something on their shelves I didn’t know about (or that I must have) before walking in. Always helpful staff. Love this store!!

Used book stores are essential! Here you can find all sort of stuff from popular titles to plenty of obscure or hyper-specific works, like a book on artwork from North Korea for example. Definitely worth a visit for any book lovers, especially if you’re into philosophy or political science

What is wrong with everyone who works here? Is it a prerequisite to cosplay as Comic Book Guy with an even nastier attitude?

I had as much fun looking at the art on the walls and hearing the music as I did looking at the books. Such a great vibe, I wish I could just chill in there.

Concrete floored single level used book store. Music playing in the background was a bit loud. Felt a bit cramped. It actually makes me sad to see independent book stores get pushed out of the market by Amazon and others. Reading past reviews it seems at one time this store had wood floors & multiple levels with cats freely roaming. This sounds quaint and cozy. The current state of this business no longer matches this description.

I love a good used book store. Very clean, well-organized and curated bookstore with a heavy emphasis on academia, the arts, classical literature and great novels. I enjoyed going through the extensive social science collection (I'm an anthropologist) and the books devoted to art and fashion. I'm personally at a book ownership level that I seldom buy tangible copies of books unless they are art books or extraordinarily rare. I was tempted several times at this location, though I did leave empty handed. I will say that there are people who might find this book a little too highbrow for them. And that's ok. It's definitely a store aimed at folks who've been to graduate school. There's also little nook at the front of the shop devoted to children's literature with some very cool titles. Value is reasonable for a used book store. Most books were close to their original cost unless especially old or unusual. The clerk was a classic book store clerk. Focused on her own reading, but clearly ready to help. If I had the time I could spend a couple hours here. Definitely recommend.

Small store with overpriced stock and unfriendly staff. There are much better used bookstores to choose from.

I doubt these hermit-like bibliophiles even check their digital reviews/reviews in general, but I'm leaving one nonetheless. I was in here a few weeks back or so with a friend shopping for some birthday gifts (which we didn't find, but that's beside the point). The miserable and lackluster excuse for an employee in the form of a white girl with mousy untamed hair was plopped at the front, staring at her phone like she was waiting for lottery results that would be her ticket out. She stared at the both of us for a good 5 seconds, blankly and dismal, annoyed that she had to potentially do what she was hired for. I was about to say "hello" until she nearly scoffed and looked back down as a slave to the screen. Immediately thrown off...is this who we want representing the front of our store? Selection was okay, but it felt awkward from that point on, so we left within 5 minutes. Of course, while she clocked back into the physical realm while we were leaving, we did not happen to receive a "thank you" or farewell. It's also just coming to mind how awful her appearance was...I get that it's Atwater Village, but please. Unkempt, rude, and miserable employees are not a good look for any business. Perhaps a career as a grocery store stocker with her AirPods on? Eek.

Patrick has extremely refined taste. Always worth my visit. I know what I'm looking for and interested in. And, I always discover something/someone I didn't know about. This is NOT a typical used bookstore. This is more like coming into someone's well curated personal library, that's set up like a store. A rare gem.

I like to come here to check out their art books. They have a great selection of all sorts of different styles and some cool books by really influential artists. It's such a shame, though, because in the 10 years I've been coming here I've never had a good customer service experience. Neither the owner nor the sales associates look like they want to be there helping customers so that makes me not even want to be there. Major bummer

a beautifully curated, deeply interesting shop. i love the art and the owner, and i always find books i want to buy. i want the couch, too, but it's not for sale :/

This place is loaded with a wonderful selection! They provide hand sanitizer at the front which is great too. I wish they wouldn't play such loud music though. I get that you don't want people to stick around too long inside, but my head was pounding trying to just read the synopsis of a book. They do sanitize every incoming book, but one of the workers did occasionally take his mask off indoors and it's a super tiny space.

Decent selection of used, rare books. The stuff are a bit nicer than they were a few years ago. And a better selection. Love coming here.

I love book stores but not this one. First off I walked in and said hello to the worker and didn't even get a hello or a welcoming gesture back. I was in the store for a couple minutes with my best friend browsing through books just to see what we wanted. We got interested in an art book and right as we were going to go buy it the worker came up to us and said "You know that's what a library is for?" Truly makes me never wanna pick up another book again. I would've bought it if it wasn't for the rude worker. Just disappointed.

Don't bother unless you know the owner. Didn't acknowledge me when I walked in (I said hello first and he acted like I was a distraction from whatever he was doing). I found a really interesting looking book on opium smoking in China, which would be great research for some of my own books, but I'll be damned if I give these hipster snobs my money. There are way better bookstores out there. If this is how they treat all the customers who aren't regulars, I can see why their other location closed.

This is the spot for any book lover. You will find a great selection, more than reasonable prices, and a laid back yet helpful vibe from the staff. Definitely worth checking out!

BIPOC or people who don't pass as hipster beware - Wandered in with over 20 minutes before closing to browse with no one else in the store. A young woman came out of what must have been the employee room and didn't greet me or acknowledge I was there. Fine, it's not like I need a red carpet, I'm here to browse. I collect a specific type of rare art books and ephemera, so I continued to browse the back section where the art books are. The employee came into the back room and started "working on" a shelf near me. I say "working on" because it seemed she didn't really have an express purpose other than to pull out individual titles and put them back where they were. Not sure what was so urgently needed in that particular section near me when the shop is almost closing. This ticked me off to the familiar feeling I was being carefully watched. As a BIPOC who doesn't look like the typical rare book collector, this is something I'm used to. Weird but not unusual so I continue browsing. Note - they do have an interesting selection in artist biographies and writings! Eventually though I feel her presence being more passive aggressive. I had only been there for a few minutes but wanted to respect their closing time. I asked her what time they opened the next day and she answered without turning around. It was at that point I decided I felt my patronage wouldn't be appreciated. No security cameras in store, so it would make sense if they rely on employees to check for theft. It may have been this one employee, though it seems others have had issues with other employees as well. This visit felt uncomfortable and was not an enjoyable experience as a serious buyer.

Ten minutes didn't pass before the person working the register approached my friend and I and said, "You know that's what a library is for?" I'd like to acknowledge the fact that my friend and I were looking through books for fashion and photography; Items you would normally collect, not read, since there are little to no words. My friend was interested in the Dior book but after his rude commentary we left without spending a penny. Not sure if the man was the owner or just an employee but that was my first & last time in that store.

We love Alias!! They always have an amazing selection of thoughtfully curated art books and the owner is so knowledgeable! I stop by regularly to check out what great new finds they'll have.

Beautiful shop! Carefully curated selection. You can tell it's owned by someone who loves books.

This is an amazing bookstore, easily one of the best in LA. They have the best selection of extremely rare fine art books that you just won't find anywhere else. The quality of the books are fantastic. The owner is also a kind, friendly, and helpful guy. He seems to have an encyclopedic knowledge of books (as, indeed, you'd expect an owner of a bookstore to have). That said, he can recommend to you amazing books if you're unsure of what you're looking for like, say, a gift. The prices on all the books that I've seen are fantastic, even better than what you'd find used on Amazon. Also, you'll get a great deal on any books you sell to the bookstore. If you have any rare books you'd like to sell, this is absolutely the place you want to be. I've already sold several books here and always got a very fair price for all of them, even better if it's for store credit. The last time I sold a group of books, the owner gave me credit for $60. There was one rare German Dusseldorf School of Photography book that he had that I was eyeing, but it cost $65. He simply knocked off $5 for me and let me have the book. I can promise you that this type of scenario would never happen at any other bookstore. Keep in mind, though, that this is an independent bookstore; don't come in here and ask to knock $10 or $15 dollars off a $40 book (and subsequently make a fool of yourself). Before you go to any other bookstore in LA, come check out this place first, especially if you live in or near Atwater Village. You won't regret it. Also, it you're the type of person who likes to support independent bookstores (like me) you can't do better than this amazing gem of a place. I wish more of these types of independent bookstores existed, but then again, I'm already so extremely happy with this place that I'd always come here first anyway.

Here's a seeming oxymoron: a used bookstore that's clean, not dusty, and immaculately kept, with a keenly and tastefully curated selection -- but without being ridiculously overpriced. Yes, the best of all worlds is possible at Alias Books. The very selective owner only chooses well-kept books from a limited (but excellent) selection of authors. There may not be a ton of titles in each section, but generally, what's there is gold -- and not buried amidst piles of dog-eared copies of last year's best-sellers. I can't speak for every section, but the Mystery / Sci-fi and Horror sections are small, but dense with all-time classics and esoteric rarities. (If you're a true genre fan, you could pull blindly from these sections and end up delighted with whatever you've discovered.)

Pleasant, well-organized store with books that are meticulously curated. I can always find something good when I pay a visit. They are selective with their books. All the ones I have pulled off the shelves have been in near perfect condition. No musty pages here. They also have older run editions or editions from international publishers. Really cool to find a book you love with a cover you've never seen before. The atmosphere is a quiet retreat from the bustle of Atwater Village. I didn't have the same customer service issues as it looks like other Yelpers have experienced. Yesterday when I went in, the person at the register was friendly and engaged in conversation with me. Other times I have gone in, I was happy to browse in silence and not be bothered. Not sure why others are hung up on not being greeted at the door. What a strange gripe. You're shopping at a used book store, not an Aeropostale. Will you find the books cheaper on Amazon? Yes. I have to ask: if that is a concern for you, why are you going into a used book store at all? The extra price you pay is a premium for thoughtful curation and selection. I'm happy to patronize used book stores like Alias and keep them in business rather than throwing more money into the maw of the ever-churning book-selling/empire-building machine that is Amazon. One last point, are there any used book stores out there that aren't considered "hipster"? What does that word even mean anymore? Pretentious? Snobby? Having an opinion? Having standards? Alias takes pride in the books it picks and sells. If that's "hipster" then consider me one.

Best bookshop around. No fluff only quality and at great prices. Patrick is the real deal and it flows from there. Looking for great photos books you're covered. Poetry? Novels? If you can't find it here you're not reading the right stuff.

Excellent selection of children's books in a nook where I can sit and spend time looking through the collection for a few diamonds. Not your usual dumbed down books but some you surely wont find in the Target or big box aisle. Other family always finds a great book on photography or woodworking. Appreciate small physical scale of this well organized store with lots and lots of stock.

You never know what you'll find, and I was pleasantly surprised. Once I looked closely, I found some very early and first prints! Check it out! The employee there was also friendly and helped out; the ancient was also pleasant. It's worth a stop if you're in the area.

Wow, this place is awesome! A great little shop with a ton of eccentric and niche selections. I've been in bookstores before where I talk with the guys walking the aisles and I get a blank stare when I ask about something a little obscure. I asked Patrick about his selection and it was like he had this encyclopedic knowledge of everything in stock and was able to offer a few suggestions. He helped me find not only a few research materials that paid off well, I found a few other topics of interest while I was there. This was a breath of fresh air after a few long and frustrating days, and highlights why I still like going into brick and mortar stores instead of just ordering online, as I often don't know what I'm looking for until I find it!

Great little independent book store in Atwater with a great selection. We came here by happenstance and ended up staying a while. They have a good selection of art and architecture books here. Priced well too! I ended up getting a book on Rene Magritte for only $25. Service is helpful as I originally asked about a book by Francoise Sagan I didn't get any of that rude snobbery that some places have... It's a small book store but well organized and neat! They have a great system as to finding books you are looking for and nothing is hard to find.

I love this bookstore. It's the best little used bookstore in Los Angeles. If you don't find what you are looking for, you will surely find something else fantastic. The serendipity of the used bookstore experience is something I treasure. I have found so many wonderful books here and often shop here for special gifts. Atwater Village has been changing rapidly this year. Please stick around!

This is a small used bookstore (sister location is on the West Side near where the Nuart theater is located) but the selection they have is great. In particular they have a great photography, poetry and music section. Though the books are used they are in very good condition. I bought a book of essays by one of my favorite authors (J M Coetzee) for $7. Lots of cute stores on the same strip so you can walk and see cool stuff too. Plenty of metered parking as long as it isn't a busy time of day or night. They are open until 10PM yea!! You can sell your books certain times and days of the week for either cash or store credit too so that's awesome.

I juuuuuuust fell in love. I have never been to a bookstore that has an inventory stocked with every single author that I like, used no less. Small store that holds a wide gamut of books; they keep it small by only keeping it with the best selection possible. Whoever maintains this place has absolute killer taste. The condition for all of their stock is impeccable. Called today to find a book by Raymond Caver and they found it and held it for me to pick up later. The clerk (Skip, I believe) was incredibly nice and showed me some of the rare first editions that a bibliophile like me could only dream of owning someday when finances permit. Second day as an LA citizen and I think I found my go to used book store.

Everyone knows this is the best used/rare bookshop in LA because Patrick's taste is something people respond to. To me, what is important to mention is that this is the place to go if you have interesting books (in nice condition) that you're looking to sell. Forget the hassle of selling online, if you have good books, you're better off taking them to Alias. They are definitely more selective than other shops, but if they want what you have they will pay more fairly. I've always been happy selling books to them. Note: Call ahead to see when the buyers are in as there are two now, or be prepared to leave them and come back.

Hyper-organized, thoughtfully curated selection. My only beef is that each time I come into the store, I am never greeted. It's such a small place that you really can't miss a visitor. Do I look so busy and intent on looking at books that I turn staff off from saying hi! Certainly hope not! I live by Alias West, and in their own quirky way, the staff there welcomes me. Lately here though, there have been a few local things on display and for sale at the cashier desk, including a locally authored book by the lovable, British curmudgeon over at Stories. My friend will loop me in on how that read turns out. PS - there's also a not-so-secret-but-kinda-secret bathroom available to staff and customers behind one of the bookshelves. Just ask. I only found out about it because I wanted to wash my hands.

Full of snobby hipsters. Brought in mint used books to trade and got the bratty treatment from the guy behind the counter. Just forget it.

Dropped in while waiting to brunch at Canele's and boy, am I glad I did. Alias Books is, as other Yelpers have pointed out, a real gem of a shop. The selection of books for sale are perfectly curated, the condition of everything is good, if not great, and the prices are totally reasonable. Left with three books for my little one (there's a cute nook for book-lovin' munchkins). Love this place.

A truly great shop-around-the-corner, this joint has a great diversity, a great turnover of new stock, and an overall bad-ass quality for the incredible art books they have. Which I will - perhaps, one day - be able to afford. Check out the staff recco's - they pretty tight.

This place is small and beautifully designed and well laid out and the staff is great (no jaded book vendors with 1000-pages-per-week egos). Alias has the very best selection of the types of books that no one really enjoys or reads, but likes to own and have on their shelf. If you are looking for that type of book (I am talking to you grad students and wanna-be French intellectuals) then this is the place for you. That said, it is also great for kids (cool little kid nook) and Alias has some really nice art books and a nice selection of non-post-structuralist and non-post-reading-for-enjoyment stuff too (no one really enjoys reading Baudrillard, Zizek, or Donna Haraway, nor have they ever really read one of their books in its entirety... ever). I like this place and I am glad it exists.

Freaking. Good. Bookstore. I never have a bad recommendation from the shop clerk. I always find something I want. Prices are cheap because they are mint condition used books. You can sell them something you don't want anymore. They have fun art shows and readings. Hand picked quality books in a cute, warm store. LOVE that they are in my neighborhood now!

Love Love Love Alias Books East! 9 out of 10 times I walk in and find exactly what I'm looking for, granted it's usually a classic (Cats Cradle, Old Man and the Sea, 1984, etc) or best seller (Interpreter of Maladies) but still--Wow! For a little used bookstore it has a great selection and reasonable prices, $6 for paperback fiction. Oh also love that it's open until 10pm and walking distance from my place! I really hope the business does well especially since independent (used) bookstores sometimes struggle to compete with big chains like Barnes and Noble and Borders. Well I'm all about the small independently owned businesses. Vive independent bookstores!

This place is way overpriced for pre-owned books. As I was looking through the shelves, I searched several books on Amazon and new ones were either the same price or cheaper! I had looked this place up because I needed a specific book right away, but I realized it would be MUCH cheaper to just order a NEW one online. If they were new, the prices would make sense, but why would anyone pay more for a noticeably used book? The only exception I can see for pricey used books are special editions or rarities, but the books I was looking at were quite common and nothing special. Also, the employee that helped me was pretty snobby. I asked him about a specific author and he scoffed and said "what has he really written anyway..." They actually ended up having a few of his books, but the employee was so judgemental and rude in a "why would we have any of that author's books" kind of way. I won't be returning.

I know I've found a gem when I can't start grabbing books off the shelves. I'm very picky about book stores, but this one is aesthetically pleasing and there is something exciting in every section. Seriously could have stayed here for hours. If I wasn't broke, I would have literally walked out with at least 5 books today. The prices are really not bad at all, and the books are in great condition. Did they hire a curator to manage the interior? Seriously, it's laid out perfectly. Every shelf, everything in its perfect place. I could literally walk right through and not jump around from bookcase to bookcase. It was exhilarating and relaxing at the same time, and that is why I will DEFINITELY be back. Soon. So soon.

My family and I have been long time customers of Alias West. We were delighted to find out that they opened a second location in Atwater Village. We trekked on over there yesterday. We could have spent all day in the store. The selection is PRIME. We each walked out with a few books and scoped out several more that we were interested in. Definitely one of our favorite new used bookstores! It's a small, well packed store at fabulous prices. Unbelievable selection of tempting books. We'll be adding this store to our regular book hunting grounds! I almost feel like writing, we have found a secret top notch bookstore which we will reveal more about AFTER we go buy all of the books that we saw that we wanted. ;) I can't wait to go back!

Things have changed: owner is super cool & the books are in mint condition. With that said make sure to bring plenty of money! Cheers.

Like so many of us, our Amazon One-Click means that we have stopped spending time in used books stores, navigating the dusty stacks of chaff, looking for a hidden discovery. Alias East is a different type of store - meticulous, lovingly curated, well organized and remarkably interesting at every turn. The owner's eye comes through loudly and, luckily for us, he has a great taste. Patrick is a sterling gent, an honorable trading partner and a gracious shopkeeper. Atwater Village is lucky to have Alias.

My favorite used book store of all time with the greatest taste in music u can find! Also they are really great in customer service

A favorite spot when visiting the city. A real old style bookstore that invites you to browse.

After my negative review of Alias Book East in which I complained that they left customers waiting outside during their posted business hours, the owner of the store thought it would be an awesome idea to send me a private message suggesting I kill myself. Way to go guy--really winning those hearts and minds!

A real gem in Atwater Village. This is a great spot for artists who are looking for interesting books. Patrick, the store owner curates the selection very well. There's always interesting new arrivals----and because the books are used; they are affordable. Highly recommended.

One of LA's finest book stores. Exquisitely curated too! And amazing minimalist design. One of my all time faves. A must visit place.

Well curated selection of used fiction and non-fiction. Quality store. Prices fair. Nice atmosphere. Well worth visiting and supporting.

this bookstore is super small but packs quite a mix of books into their tiny space. the fiction/literature selection filled about 5 bookcases and was obviously curated by someone with great taste- i found many titles that i would love to have in my personal library. there is also a large variety of other books (philosophy, art, science, popular culture) that are well organized and in great condition. the prices run a little higher that other used bookstores (such as the last bookstore and the iliad), but are still a good value with most books starting at 6-7 dollars and a lot of the books that i looked at appeared to be brand new or almost so.

Like this place a lot. Great books all over. Hard to stay on track and not go overboard and over budget! :) Check out the film and fashion sections!

I wonder how many people know how great Alias Books East is? Patrick knows his stuff and is a great guy all around. Best art books in LA and when I need a quick gift for someone, this is my "go-to" place. Thanks Alias Books!

Consistently great selection, all in top condition, all delightfully organized. Nothing looks used here. It's not overwhelming in size like The Iliad nor dusty like Brand Books. You can spend a lovely day here. Let's keep places like this in business, my friends. And, hey, you can use some of that extra cash you saved for some coffee and pastries from Proof Bakery across the street.