Mathom House Books

Love this place! The store credit options aren’t as good as at, say, Powell’s books in Portland (which will remain my favorite forever), but this place is pretty decent. I found the Bell Jar audio book narrated by Maggie Gyllenhall, and it was spectacular. I like their collection of books and arrangement. I like how classes are going on in the background – that gives it this small town feel. The front could be a smidge (or a lot) friendlier… but I like that they remember my account name when buying stuff.

This is a great bookstore and these are becoming harder and harder to find these days. The prices are reasonable and they have an ongoing special running where if you buy 3 book you get the 4^th free. Yesterday I purchased 4 used books (all of which appeared practically new) for $ 20 and change. I’m not sure where you can get a better deal than that when taking into account the condition of the books. I’m please I came across this bookseller. I’d much rather give my money to the local independent booksellers than the Amazons and Barnes & Noble’s.

Used bookstore with a decent selection. Very few of these around in Orange County. Prices are very good, significant discount over list, got a book for 6 that was listed for 20 something. They carry dvds and cds as well for the anachronistic.

This is one of my happy places. I’ve been coming here forever & constantly recommend it to friends and strangers alike! Brandy is so incredibly helpful and it’s refreshing to have such customer service.

What an amazing book store! All their classics are dirt cheap– and you get a deal if you buy three used books, you get the fourth free. Their staff is totally lovely and I had a great conversation and book recommendation from the girl with the blue hair who was totally kick ass! It’s a huge store with a bunch of great books and I can’t wait to come back! Definitely will be a mandatory stop when I’m in my hometown.

Splendid nook of books! They have everything, but can special order whatever rarity they don’t have in stock. Each staff member has different taste in books, and so there is a well-​rounded expertise and a plethora of recommendations to be had! They have first editions, hardcovers, and a sci-​fi fantasy room to blow your mind! They are simply the best bookstore I’ve ever visited. They genuinely care about the books, versus just your money. I can’t recommend them enough.

I wish I could’ve liked them better because I have a soft spot for small local bookstores, but I really couldn’t bring myself to. I felt like staff was pretty apathetic and seemed pretty grudging about giving their attention/​help to the customers. Maybe I visited on an off day, but the two people I interacted with seemed really unwilling to talk to me.
Based off such lackluster customer service and the fact that the prices were on par with your local Half Priced Books, I decided it wasn’t worth my time and left.

Gotta love the cute cat here. Anyway, they have the books you need at a great price! I came here during high school for all my reading books. They’re very helpful and get you just what you need. Reasonable priced!

Great local bookstore. Cute. They have a pretty awesome collection of fantasy/​sci fi and classics. They’ve got new books, too. The only thing that I wish they would do is actually give you back cash when you sell them books. Instead, you can only receive store credit. Oh well. More books. Haha

A great place to shop for books. And right next to a great record store.

A relatively small bookstore, but it’s full of lovely books. I can wander in here with the intention of «just looking» and can guarantee I’ll walk out with at least a few new reads.
The books are organized well and the staff knows what they’re talking about. Prices are fair, about what you’d expect from a used bookstore.
Plus, that name! Mathom House… someone is a Tolkien fan :) the name alone is what made me check out the store. Love it!

Pretty much everything you could want in a used bookstore: large inventory, friendly staff, good prices.

Excellent selection, great prices. Knowledgable staff and they take trade ins. They always have the required reading list items for our high schooler and are also great for recommending reading for our middle and young readers as well. Could spend hours wandering the aisles! They also offer tutoring on site, have plenty of parking and a long table to sit and read at.

Great used and new books. Very strong on paperbacks, some better quality used hard covers. Outstanding selection of new young adult books along with staff who can make great recommendations. My kids have love every suggested series.

I really enjoy coming here. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. They give really good recommendations when I’m looking for a good book or series to read.

This bookstore is magical.

I have to say that I am never disappointed when I go to Mathom House Books. The smell of old books alone is worth going into the shop, but the fact that the staff is not only friendly, but are knowledgeable book worms makes it even better. The owner Bill always says hi to me by name, even though I’m only in every few months. He has great recommendations, a vast awareness of his inventory, and promotes a family friendly environment. My daughter was only a few months old on her first visit and spit up all over me, the staff were quick to offer me wipies and ask if I needed help, had this had happened in a big book store no one would have said a word to me!
There is an extensive selection of all book genres, but boasts a formidable collection of Sci-​Fi/​Fantasy paperback. In fact, I think they may actually have the best selection in Orange County. They offer store credit for bringing in books and have a buy 3, get 1 free on used books at great prices! Today I bought 3 novels and 2 kids books for $ 6! If they don’t have something in stock, they offer to order it for you and will actually call you when it comes into the shop, a rarity in customer service these days! I just can not say enough good things about this place!

What a gem!
I’ve driven past on the 5South for years, looking down into the plaza and seeing the little sign for books. Today I was on my way to Office Depot up the road when I found the way blocked by CalTrans, so I turned into the parking lot and ventured inside the Mathom House Bookstore.
What I intended to be half an hour browsing found me, several hours later, in a happy haze wandering the same aisles, up and down, over and over. They have new books, and old books, and books of every subject. You can trade your unwanted books in for credit, and apply it towards your purchase. Even the books they won’t take they will donate for you if you wish.
I love this place, I’m so glad I found it, and I’ll surely be back over and over.

I love coming to this bookstore. The staff is always friendly and welcoming.
Each time I have gone to the store, I always find something new and interesting to read — whether it be cookbooks from the 1990’s or a historical fiction book to read while traveling. Even when I can’t find a book in the store, they will offer to order it for me. Now that is customer service!
If you like reading books, but don’t like paying the crazy prices at Barnes & Noble or even Amazon, this is the place to go for books. They even offer a store credit program when you bring in books you have read.

Maximizes shelf space, helps you find what you know you want and didn’t know you wanted, great variety.
I was pleased with their eclectic audiobook selection. Always a friendly and knowledgeable staff to help you. A great stop beside Tuesday Morning, 99 Cent Store, Staples, and Curves — or just a convenient local shop to pick up your latest read.

I love used book stores. Love ‘em like they’re family. I’ve been in the Romance Book mood and been loving Nicholas Sparks books for some reason. I don’t like paying that much for books… so I go to used book stores, garage sales or reading my moms books for entertainment… but I gotta admit I’ll splurge on a new book every once in awhile.
Since this is my last week working, and I don’t have another job lined up… I need entertainment for when I’m off. I went in here today to look to see if they had any paperback Nicholas Sparks books. Found three used: A Bend In The Road, The Rescue, and The Guardian. Love it! My new «vacation» will be much more interesting as I look for another job. And 3 used books only cost $ 8!!! Sweet, I love it!
Plus, staff is always nice and friendly. Nice plus in my book.

Mathom gets 4 stars, because it is better than Village Books down the road. Why is it better you ask, well…
Parking is a breeze
It’s bigger with more selection
The owner is a helpful nice guy
and —
You k now those know-​it-​all types that are so obnoxious you can’t stand them? — That’s me! — and this guy always has me beat, so I have to give credit where credit is due!
Tip: Take a break from the long read and try a book on tape/​CD — makes the drive more fun.