Phoenix Books Mind & Body

Book stores are almost a thing of the past. What a pleasure to find such a wonderful place to browse with an amazing selection of books, both new and gently used. If you can’t find what your looking for, Joanne, the owner can find it for you.
I Highly recommend this place to any serious bibliophile

In such a small town a good bookstore is key. Phoenix does a great job. Whatever genre you are looking for I’m sure they have something, I mean seriously… Books EVERYwhere in this place. The only negative it the dust, there are some pretty old books and dusty corners here, so I always try and limit my stay. Prices are great and they even keep new books on hand, mostly the ones that the high schools are teaching that year.

I would honestly rate this store a –10. The owner is the rudest woman I have ever met. The shelves are crammed every which way with books, none of them in any order I could discern. The store is very small, hardly enough room to walk between isles (if you could find anything anyway). I tried to purchase some books that I did manage to find, that were very obviously used, and the owner tried to charge me MORE then the *new* price listed on the book! When I tried to explain that the book was obviously used, and not even marked new at the price she quoted, she told me «then go put it back!» If this is how she does business, it is a miracle that her store is even still open. Needless to say, I will never be stopping in this store again. Sad, since this is the ONLY bookstore in Los Banos. I now have to drive out of my way (45 mins– 1 hour) to either Gilroy or Merced to find my books at Barnes & Noble. At least their service makes it worthwhile!