I'd first heard about Bookmans a couple years ago at Comicon. The staff was hanging out taking goofy pictures of convention-goers and providing cool magnetic Bookmans frames to house them in. I've had my pictures on my refrigerator door front along with the Bookmans name for so long, I figured I should check it out.
This used bookstore is well organized. I did not need a guide to help me find the exact book I was looking for and some others in the same genre.
I like that it is HUGE because you have such a better chance of finding something that will appeal to you.
I spent nearly 70% of my time in the children's books section, looking for books for my early reader. Most of the paperback books I bought for my daughter were $2 each. The price was a bit high considering the retail value on many of the Scholastic books was probably $2 to begin with. Still, there were a lot of books that I felt would be a good addition to her collection. And, I prefer to spend the money locally while reusing a book than buying from a large corporation.
The other 30% of the time I debated buying a $10 hardcover version of a book I'd been considering and choosing from a seemingly endless supply of paperbacks and large formats. I ended up leaving the hardcover there... my wrists can't support them and I ultimately end up giving up on even the best-written books because of my carpal tunnel. I ended up with a couple $6 books that were so good, I have already passed them on to interested near-strangers.
I've been reading more and more since my visit to Bookmans. So, thank you Bookmans for reigniting a passion that had gone without a flame for too long.