DIESEL, A Bookstore

This is one of my favorite book stores in LA. I come here any time I need a pick-me-up. They have an amazing selection of books and the people who work there are so kind and welcoming. Last time I went they had the exact book I was looking for on display right when I walked in, it felt serendipitous!

I go here every year for my client's book release and signing. It's a smaller book store packed with books and helpful staff. It's nice to be able to still go to a bookstore as opposed to ordering online.

Independent bookstores are the best and this place is a gem. This place has a great selection and a friendly and helpful staff. It’s great place to buy gifts. They will special order books for you too.

solid independent bookstore - was pretty crowded on a Saturday afternoon. Enjoyed pursuing the shelves and reading the shelf talkers, appears that this bookstore participates in indie next list - which was a nice touch to the recommendations. Found it to be a little messier than most bookstores.

I love me a good bookshop! Diesel is tucked away in the Brentwood Country Mart, which is worth exploring in and of itself. Due to COVID you can't wander around the store, but the staff was useful in helping me find the book I was looking for. I recommend checking online before visiting to make sure the item you're looking for is in stock. Cool vibe and can't wait to check it out more post-COVID.

Small Bookstore in a nice, quaint area. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. I was there for a book signing event.

Wonderful book store. I purchased a signed copy of the book, Max Miller's Tasting History. I thought it wasn't signed because I was stressing over a new baby we were about to have and totally missed it. The support was very prompt in helping me figure out my mistake and very kind. Next time I'm in the area, I would love to stop by in person. Thanks again!

Wonderful bookstore. Very cool staff I ended up getting three books

I came here to pick up a book a few weeks ago, the staff was really nice and helped find everything I needed. I'll definitely come back to pick up my next book. There's a coffee shop around the corner that's really good too. Definitely a perfect spot to have a coffee and read on an autumn day.

Bad service and notable bad rep in the area for their choice in books. Better to buy online and read reviews beforehand

I stopped here after eating at a cafe nearby. I'm an avid reader and visit bookstores every time I get a chance. I ended up buying a new fiction novel. The cashier was friendly and even helped us look for a discounted book. If you're ever in the area, I recommend stopping by!

Diesel is my favorite independent bookstore in Los Angeles. I've been coming here for years to browse or to pick up books I've ordered. The Country Mart is kinda bougie, but I've never gotten that vibe from the staff at Diesel, who are always helpful and well-informed.

When it comes to bookstores, I'm the easiest date in the world. If I leave without having spent at least a hundred bucks, something is wrong. Diesel is that wrong. I've tried supporting Diesel over the years, but I'm done. Several reasons. The staff are not knowledgeable and generally not particularly engaging. The customer service is nonexistent. I've never encountered anyone who works there who could offer more than whatever was on the New York Times bestseller list that week. Maybe something they'd caught on Fresh Air. No one who wanted to talk, you know, about books. They really don't seem to know much beyond how to work the cash register. The selection is bad. Embarrassingly bad, even for a small space. How can a bookstore not have even one copy of Ulysses on its shelf, for example? No copies of anything by Jon Fosse, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature last month? Regardless of how one feels about the Nobel, not even just on principle? The less said about their mystery and poetry sections, the better. Their return/exchange policy sucks. Five days, for store credit only? When you're competing with, I don't know, AMAZON? Last weekend I bought four books at Diesel (no thanks to the staff). A few days later I cracked one of them and realized it wasn't what I expected. Too bad, I'm stuck with a $30 purchase I don't want. I've tried with this place. For years. But I'm done. The good news is, Barnes & Nobel is coming back to the Santa Monica Promenade soon....

Absolute gem of a place and wonderful staff. If you're in Brentwood Country Mart, definitely stop by this store.

Not a great selection of books amd very little room imside. I don't think I would fo back.

Came here for an outdoor book event! They had a Q&A and quick reading in the outdoor courtyard and I really liked it! :) There is also an ice cream place a couple of doors down and places to eat or shop. Free parking. I signed up for their events list so I could attend more in the future. Did not even know the book store was here. Staff was nice and friendly.

What a delight it is to visit this quaint store with a wonderful selection of newly released books as well as the classics. I go to this store for my non-fiction selections as well as mystery novels (including Michael Connelly), and while I am here I always find something delightful for my grandchildren (ages 4 years to 9 years). And, of course, my husband always finds something to suit his varied reading interests. The staff is knowledgeable and courteous. And there is one small thing that pleases both my husband and me immensely, and it is that whenever we buy a book at Diesel, the staff always gives us bookmarks. It is a little thing, but it is that kind of service that keeps us coming back ---- also, the staff has ordered books for me in the past, and that works out well.

Great little bookstore tucked away in the Brentwood Country Mart. Went for a book signing and Q & A session, held in the courtyard, it was very nice. The white haired woman behind the counter was not friendly or cordial, she could use some customer service skills.

Okay selection of books, understandable given the small space. The older woman with white hair is always in a bad mood. We need more bookstores- especially on the West side-and people who share enthusiasm about the joy and connection that books can gift us in our lives. I wish that Diesel would hire kinder people who are less preoccupied with their grievance of the day.

Great bookstore to stock your bookshelf and build your collections. Great for completing a collection too: if they dont have it, they can order it and you can pick it up later -- no advance payment required! Friendly. Small. Cozy. Has all the necessities. Low bookshelves so you don't feel crowded or overwhelmed. Free parking at the lot.

Walking in and seeing their collection felt like a kid in fifth grade handing you the last piece of string cheese to peel away. Nothing much to peel away here. One recent visit the three associates I interacted with, were friendly and genuinely seemed to like working there. The next visit, the guy seemed like he was doing me a favor. Working years in service, I've become obsessed with making each guest, customer, client, feel not only welcomed but valued. I try to have little to no expectation for excellent service when I venture out. The second time was just a bad experience. Out of curiosity I looked up the books I had purchased from Diesel on Amazon, and saw I would be paying half the price I spent on all the books, tax and shipping included. Working in service for over 30 years, I always express to new hires, that people remember the experience, not so much what they ate or bought in fine detail. The experience at this bookstore, I've frequented it seven times over the last two years, it has been consistently hit or miss. I only went to support them, knowing I'd be spending double more than often, sometimes triple per book. No more.

I'm glad the Amazon bookstore recently closed in the Palisades Village. Diesel is a real bookstore. It is a charming little bookshop that I'd recommend people check out. You will find books here that you didn't know existed!

My first visit was today and it's already a favorite. Due to COVID it is best to call and make an appointment to go in and browse. Other than that it appears to be very limited as far as how many people are in the store at once. The store is small and cozy. But it has a large variety of books. I found two board books for my toddler age daughter and a few poetry ones for myself. The staff is very friendly. One gave me a solid writing book recommendation. It's Located in the Brentwood Market, Parking is free in the lots and metered out front.

They have everything I need and always give excellent service. It's so nice to be able to support a local book store.

One of the best bookstores anywhere. Great selection, friendly and knowledgeable customer service.

Diesel is a sweet little bookshop tucked away in a very nice walking area of Brentwood. I went in and came out with a couple of books from their carefully curated selection. I liked the vibe of the store and the selection. I enjoy going to book stores for browsing and this one did not disappoint. They seemed to have friendly conversations with the locals and regulars. I am neither and strangely they didn't say hi or speak to me at all while I browsed but did seem to say hi to everyone else. (Maybe I have RBF. :) ) Overall, it was a lovely way to spend an hour of my time and I found some nice gems that I wouldn't have found otherwise. I do wish they were friendlier, but on the other hand, most people who visit a book store don't want to be bothered by overly friendly booksellers.

I love this bookstore for many reasons. I really like the way the employees give feedback on the books they've read. The store stocks many books that are not available on iBooks, so that is a big plus. The way the store is organized, it is so easy to find exactly what you are looking for. There is a great selection of everything from A to Z! I don't shop in bookstores that often, but this one is definitely worth visiting!

I'm partial to independent bookstores. The selection may be smaller, but you can't beat booksellers who carefully curate their collection and know the books they sell. And they're happy to order what you're looking for (or make suggestions of alternatives) if they don't have it on hand. This place may be out of the way for me but I'll most likely be back there anyway. It's that good.

My high school boyfriend used to work for a fantastic bookstore in the Palisades that's been closed now for several years. I've thought of it often when mourning the loss of indie bookstores in LA, because until recently, I didn't know of a single other one anywhere on the Westside. I feel like Diesel must be relatively new--I'd definitely been to the Brentwood Country Mart without seeing it not too long ago--and I'm glad it exists. How nice to have access to good ice cream, good chicken, and good books, all in the same place. The Brentwood Country Mart is super fancy, but Diesel feels very welcoming and low-key, a real cozy little place with a strong neighborhood bookstore feel. There are staff recommendations and fun displays highlighting interesting titles, and the fiction selection is pretty solid. Everyone I've spoken to on staff is friendly, and of course, very into books. I came in for an event recently, to interview Ben H. Winters, author of Underground Airlines, which I highly recommend. I go to a lot of book events, but this was my first one at Diesel, and I'm glad that there's a destination like this on the deep Westside--really, the more venues for book events, the better. Diesel's space is outdoors, on a cute little patio, a very pleasant space. I don't go to Brentwood often enough for Diesel to be my go-to bookstore, but I'll always peek in when I find myself at Brentwood Country Mart. It's a charming neighborhood bookstore in a neighborhood that needed one, and I hope it makes tons of money and sticks around.

I love this bookstore! As I was walking in, I saw a display of a new Dr. Seuss book. A lady walking in at the same time started chatting how that was impossible (as Dr. Seuss passed away). However, once we got out of the doorway and into the store, the gentleman working overheard our conversation and said it was in fact Dr. Seuss as many of his written, but previously unpublished books were now being illustrated and published. That was a lovely tidbit for him to share. We perused and I found a large selection of books in every category. The workers were friendly and knowledgeable and the store is so pristine and organized.

As rare and good to find as a first edition, that's Diesel, A Bookstore, an "independent neighborhood" brick & mortar business, a must visit next time you're at The Brentwood Country Mart https://www.yelp.com/biz/brentwood-country-mart-los-angeles A quick peruse just before Christmas revealed a vast collection on the usual topics with an especially fine selection of children's books as well as greeting cards and unique gift items. Staff couldn't have been nicer and more available. Unfortunately, I couldn't remember the ages of my long lost girlfriend's kids so I nixed getting anything to gift them at our reunion lunch that would have been inappropriate for their current years. Check out Diesel, A Bookstore's website for a variety of in house events - authors read, even an upcoming kid's craft project - plus staff "must read" recommendations. You can even source audiobooks online. http://www.dieselbookstore.com/brentwood-info I'll be back for a more leisurely browse! Park free in The Brentwood Country Mart's lot, valet for a fee, or at a meter on 26th Street or in the surrounding neighborhood but pay close attention to street sweeping and other restrictions signage.

I want to feel great after leaving a bookstore, especially after purchasing a book to support a small business. The woman working there wasn't so friendly lol I just sort of wish I spent my money elsewhere. I buy books often. I knew I could have paid half the price on Amazon but chose not to. I knew I could have paid less for the same book at a bookstore just a little bit further out but I chose not to. I chose to buy here and I left sort of sad lolol It's a cute little place but I think I will keep spending my money where I leave feeling happy after (:

I could have spent all day here but I had to quickly dash out! Hyper kudos to the buyer. Excellent selection of books!

I love this place! Not only do they have that artistic, literary feel, they create a thoughtful readerly vibe. I spend so much time on the Internet, when I do order a full print book, I always go independent. Due to COVID, I preordered and paid online. Curb side pick-up is available, all I had to do was call and say 'I'm here' when I arrived, and where I was parked. Out in one second, friendly hello and thank you.

What a great old-school bookstore! This reminds me of the 90's when independent bookstores dotted the city, and one could go there for good conversation about books, writers, and current events. Yes, it's small and the selection cannot hold that equal to a megastore, but the quality (of the books and people) more than makes up for it. This store also has wonderful events with writers such as readings, panels, and lunches. I'm grateful the westside has this shop.

What's great about Diesel is they have regular book signings by new and established authors. Cool enough for a book lover, but there's always the serendipitous fun book to find as well as the one you just got signed. Staff is friendly and helpful. Always a delight to browse here.

Cute bookstore. Charming lay out and warm staff. CONS: no place to sit and read... just sayin... put a bench in or something.

Recently bought a few books from Diesel Bookstore that were great. The State if Water by Obi Kaufman is excellent. For my son, I bought the book How to Give Up Plastic by Will McCallum that was on display. Love this bookstore! Always a helpful staff. 5 stars

I ate at a restaurant nearby and found myself here afterwards. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, but ended up buying a notebook and a birthday card. This is a cute, small bookstore. It is laid out in a easy to understand manner with the categories displayed above. It may not be a huge Barnes & Noble, but it has a great selection of books and other items. The employees I came into contact with were friendly. Worth to check out if you are in the area!

The book store itself was very nice, but my experience was not great, simply because there were far too many people. I went on a Saturday afternoon - I recommend going at a less busy time. I had to park a quarter of a mile away, and I could barely focus when I was in the store because it was so noisy. That said, it was clean, well stocked, and had a good children's section. They also had small cards written by staff recommending books, which I always think is the hallmark of a good new bookstore. The staff was polite, but not overly friendly.

A small but well equipped store. The books are well-curated and the staff are helpful. They have cool events throughout each month and has a wonderful community feel. I love buying paperback books so I frequent here every time I visit the Brentwood Country Mart. Things don't cost $$$ here so if you are looking to buy reasonable prices items, come here and splurge! I also bought and love their "Born to Read" t-shirts! So much fun for the book lovers.

This bookstore reminds me of the bookstores you see at the airport. Limited selection of books. Not a whole lot to look at, and not a whole lot of room to peruse. On top of their small selection of books, with Amazon Books opening up in the Palisades, I'm sad that this bookstore won't be able to compete with the rest.

Cute bookstore with a surprisingly good selection for such a small store. The noted staff recommendations on the shelves was nice. If you're the type to sit a while and hang out in a bookstore, it's not the place for you. As mentioned, it's small and there's no seating.

Such a cute book store! If you want to support local bookstores this is a good choice. They have a good selection of books, and an adorable "kids corner". The prices are a bit high, but it's expected for where the store is located (Brentwood country mart). They validate for parking, so you get a few hours free parking in the country mart's lot if you buy something from them. The only downsides of this store are: it's very small, so when it's busy the store feels very crowded, and the staff lately seems to be very snobby, and somewhat pretentious. They haven't always been that way, but lately the warm welcoming they used to have is just not there. Hopefully it changes.

Help keep diesel going!! Go there, buy books, it's such a lovely lovely place. They are just barely making it through the pandemic. There's nothing in the world that can replace browsing in a bookstore. You can never do that online.

You need to go here if you love books and will never buy from B&N and mourn the loss of Dutton's and Midnight Special

NOTE: the web site is www.dieselbookstore.com This is a friendly, independent bookstore. They can order ANY book for you to the store for free, so please don't let the small size of the shop deter you. The staff is knowledgeable and laid-back. They'll leave you alone while you browse OR help you find exactly what you're looking for. Their staff recommendation wall has not steered me wrong yet. You might even recognize some familiar faces from Dutton's :-)

So, given the location and the timeframe, comparisons to Dutton's are inevitable. Dutton's, this is not. There was something magical about the floor-to-ceiling aisles of books, the courtyard, and the cafe that could be found at Dutton's. And to be fair, that kind of feel is something that is cultivated over time and Diesel has only been open for a few months. Nevertheless, it is exciting to have a bookstore I can easily bike to from my house and it is independently owned to boot. Of course, it is not as cheap as your Amazon.coms or even your Barnes and Nobles, but it is not expensive either. Their collection is eclectic and does a good job for how small the space is. A welcome addition to the Country Mart. --- Take Big Blue Bus #4.

Diesel is a fantastic example of a friendly neighborhood bookstore. The selection is eclectic and wide despite its small size. The staff is always helpful and knows its inventory well while being able to suggest books that can fit into a certain category. On more than one occasion, a staff member has suggested a book as a gift given certain parameters (e.g. a children's book in which characters visit London) that has worked perfectly as a gift. Their prices aren't that different from what you can find online, and being able to shop locally is always a gift.

Thoughtful book choices as well as best sellers. inviting space. Lots of helpful book reviews by staff. Able to browse and enjoy. Located in a charming part of Santa Monica. Love visiting a bookstore where you can tell they love books! Worth a stop.

Diesel is a nice addition to the mart - it's nice to have a store that isn't an upscale clothing store. It's fun to browse through the books here and it's a very nice place to kill time. I often end up buying a card or two. If find the cooking books to be well curated and they also have plenty of great kid books.

What's not to like about this place? It's nestled in the Brentwood Country Mart and a space to buy good books. It is relatively small store but it is packed with a wide array of books. I have always found titles I wanted at this store.

Charming bookstore. The selection is small compared to others but that is understandable seeing as it is a small independent bookstore. The staff are very nice and helpful. A lot of the time I will pre-order a book here so I can guarantee that I get it the day it comes out. The staff is really good about calling to let me know when my book has arrived.

Great local bookstore. I will support it whenever I can. Barnes and Noble is out in Santa Monica so this bookstore must be supported. Jeff Bezos at Amazon is rich enough. He doesn't need any more of our money.

Finding an independent bookstore isn't easy these days and to have one in the neighborhood is a joy. Buying my books from Diesel not only helps support this dying breed of indie shops, but it keeps my tax dollars in the community. Although Diesel is small, they have a great selection and if what you're looking for is not in stock they are happy to order it without any obligation to buy. Ordered books are usually in-house within two days. The staff always has great recommendations which make buying birthday gifts a breeze. They validate for parking and so if you decide to do some shopping or sip some wine while you crack open the latest bestseller you've got two hours to enjoy!

Love this store. Staff so helpful and good "recommended" sections. Always easy to order if not in stock. Love supporting hen.

although it is a bookstore geared for the ritzers of Brentwood it has a borderline divine selection and I was nothing but smiles looking around. classics? yes big fancy books with lots of pretty pictures? indeed kids section? of course despite the prices I would buy from here because it caters to my bag, baby. Ritz Rating: 10/10