Otter Books

Do not know anything about the store, but since they are closed until May 1^st, I thought someone should post it on Unilocal

I spent a good hour perusing this store and the selection is great. The categories are varied and the selection of vintage and quirky books are extensive. I picked up old, hardback copies of Flaubert’s «Madame Bovary» and Brontë’s «Wuthering Heights,» as well as a cool, old anatomy book with illustrations and this quirky kid’s book from the turn of the century about monsters. The owner was very nice and helpful, but not overbearing or paranoid, which might be expected in a small, privately-​owned shop, especially if you hang around for a while. None of that here though. And, since i bought quite the stack of books, he was open to me haggling with him a bit on the prices. I will definitely return to this bookstore.

This used bookstore has interesting stock. The prices are great, and I can’t imagine anyone walking in, browsing around and not finding something interesting to read. Even people who don’t like to read can find great photography, travel or art books to look at. There are comfy chairs, and it’s next door to a coffee haus, so pick up something to drink, buy a book and sit down for a while to enjoy both.
Steve, the proprietor, is very knowledgeable about books. Love the cookbook section. And the window displays are interesting. Check them out…

While on our way to the Unilocal event at Sharona Chocolates we saw the sign for «Otter Books.» Since we usually have focused our visits to Pancho Villa, Yogurtouille and Talbot’s Toy Store we have bypassed most of downtown San Mateo.
Otter Books has been around for less than four months.
It occupies a site of a former mystery book store. The store is smallish but quite sunny and inviting. Although the books are used, they are neither dusty or musty and sit on newish bookshelves.
There is still space on the shelves so the books are jammed together.
There is a very eclectic selection of books on just about every subject.
Although you may not find the exact book you are seeking you will more than likely find a book or two or three to take home.
I found some songbooks, an audio book cd collection of baseball stories and plenty of other books I would’ve bought. Mr Rinky found some history books.
Steve, the owner is so likable we felt immediately like kindred book loving spirits.
He has many years of bookstore experience,
We hope to bring him boxes of books to sell.
So happy to have discovered another independent bookstore gem!

Taking over what was M Is For Mystery (they still have the old sign in back), Otter holds mostly vintage books. Subjects like travel and Art will contain more period or historically written tomes. The owner is a huge SF Giants fan so you’ll see the collection in the window right up front as will the staff be sporting the gear while working. If you’re looking for collectible or possible out of print items, this might be the book store for you