Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore

Such a great little independent bookstore!
They often host book signings for authors, and I was lucky enough to visit Mysterious Galaxy for Nadine Nettmann’s signing. What a fun experience. The bookstore is large and was able to hold several chairs for fans, which was nice. I really enjoyed seeing an independent bookstore, as I feel they’re not as common as they used to be — and I was happy to be able to support it.
I will say it was a bit difficult for me to find using GPS as the store is located on the back of the building. It’s basically in the shopping center where See’s candy and the pool store are, so turn into that parking lot and you’ll find the shop. :)
I must admit it had been a long time since I’d actually walked into a place and thought «this smells like books,» but I’ll definitely be back to enjoy it!

Date of visit: 5÷27÷2016
I was lucky enough to come here for the launch signing of Laura Tims’ debut novel, Please Don’t Tell (which is an awesome book and you should all go read it).
This local bookstore specializes in Sci-​Fi, Fantasy, Mystery, Suspense, and Horror genres, with each genre having it’s own section. They also host several events throughout the year, including author signings and writing groups.
The staff here was incredibly nice during my visit and helped me and my family buy the book for the signing. They were also quick to set up extra chairs when they saw the crowd because bigger and were open to answering questions about the bookstore.
Now, for the author signing itself, the event was really nice and casual. There was pizza, brownies, and water that Laura and Sarah brought for everyone and we all really enjoyed hearing about Laura’s book, the writing process, and future books to come. After the Q&A portion, there was a short reading and then Laura took the time to sign everyone’s books.
This was definitely a great event to go to and I’m really happy to be supporting a local bookstore. I’ll definitely be back to buy more books!

About 10 months ago my husband and I were in San Diego for work and stopped in here, because books!
It was such a pleasant experience. I really appreciated that they were so passionate about the SciFi genre that they created an entire store for it. I’m just starting to step outside of fiction/​classics and into SciFi and all the employees were excited about giving recommendations. After one gentleman walked my husband and I through the shop recommending book after book he left us to explore and decide.
I’m a fan of all sorts of bookstores, I love the chaos of the one’s that are so filled that the shelves are bowing, and the floor has stack upon stack of books. But the ease of the floor space they have is really pleasant, especially when you have a little 1.5yr old as we do (now 2). Their children’s section was a little lacking and kinda pricey, thus the –1 star, but they had a small Halloween themed Pookie board book that we got our daughter. I have that danged story memorized now, so if anyone needs a bedtime story let me know! ;)
We’ll be headed back south again soon and will likely pop in for another walk through. Happy reading!

SciFi is an addiction. That’s just how it it. This place will feed the monkey. It’s awesome. It’s SciFi crack and you can drop serious cash.
There is a great selection. You think you are only going to buy one, but end up with four or five. They have a local authors section that’s pretty cool. Check it out. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable and they play great music! They are always willing to talk books with you. It’s comforting and great. I think that’s what I like the best — that it’s a comforting space.
If you love sci-​fi, fantasy, mystery, and/​or horror and you haven’t been here yet, then drop what you are doing and get your ass over there. Support small business and support your fellow book addicts.

We’ve loved Mysterious Galaxy bookstore for years! They have books for all ages. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. They can easily give recommendations & suggestions as a gift or for yourself. We’ve seen many authors at in-​store book events. The new location has much better parking. A++

Love the new location and the fact they have books, because that’s what bookstores are supposed to have. I’m looking at your Barnes & Noble — and your wall of electronics, cds and what not that no one who is looking for bound paper will ever need… at least not from a bookstore. MG has exactly what I’m looking for, not to mention an awesome sci fi section!

Pack up the babies and grab the old ladies cuz everyone goes to Jim Butcher’s show! Halleujah! Jim Butcher, usually found with an underworld spy or the wife of a close friend is appearing live in the cozy confines of Mysterious Galaxy. An excellent place for murder, mayhem and a good read. Wearing a black Elvis jumpsuit, he struck a baritsu pose that would have made Jim Morrison swoon. Not since Byron has anyone made flowing black locks, a devilish twinkle and more sparkle then the whole of Team Edward look this good. And the retired librarians go… Do do do Do do do (repeat five times) This type of author event only occurs when Kris Kardassian has any input on the staging of author events at Mysterious Galaxy.
Author events promote a love story between the artist and their fans. The rules of engagement are fairly simple. First, ascertain if your novelist has a new book being published. Visit the Mysterious Galaxy store or website, check in with your author’s webpage or check Sunday UT author signing events calendar to check for dates. Purchase the book at Mysterious Galaxy and be rewarded with a numbered ticket (Golden Ticket) if your writer happens to be a demi-​god. Do wear comfortable clothes and shoes cuz who knows how long the signing line is –Comic con long? There is limited seating so plan on showing up at least an hour prior to the signing time.
Author events are fun and informative — all your comrades have drunk the Kool-​aid and are one in their desire to worship at the altar of their favored author. Neil Gaiman read aloud from his Graveyard book. His voice was firm and seductive filtering it’s way through your entire body. Check out his audio book and find out how a major wordsmith can play with your pleasure centers. This event was at the old MG which made the event akin to a Hansel and Gretel experience with the oven — hot and cramped. The new store offers more space and more books — a plus at any venue.
The Jim Butcher event taxed the limits of the store but was manageable. After the writer discourse, everyone was sent outside to await their five seconds of the fame with the author. Mysterious Galaxy provided creamy pastry to the horde of ticketed barbarians at the gate. The Mongol horde always travels better with pastry ! Mysterious Galaxy is a class act and if you can check out any event Mary Elizabeth moderates. The woman is the high priestess of KOOL. and yes, Jim Butcher is fun but he probably would look better in the white Elvis jumpsuit!

I was skeptical at first. My friend dragged me here and from the outside I expected a small cramped space with a few old/​tattered books. Instead I was pleased to find a quaint, well kept bookstore with a variety of authors and titles. The condition of the books was very good. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. If it weren’t so much of a drive, I would definitely go more often. If you happen to be in the area, I highly recommend stopping by.

A wonderful hidden gem. I’ve only been in a couple of times but each time was a new journey. I was able to find a few classics at reasonable rates. I dragged my friend in and he was thrilled to find a couple of his favorite authors’ books. I highly recommend a trip to Galaxy books for anyone looking to stock up and curl up in a nice cozy reading nook.

I’ve visited MGB every time I’ve visited San Diego for the past 5 years, which means — I believe — I’ve been to 3 different locations. This book store specializes in my favorite genre, SciFi, and does it extremely well. The current location, while the most spacious, does nothing to detract from what was already an outstanding collection and outstanding customer service. The staff is always willing to make recommendations, discuss reading lists and in general help you in any way possible. This is probably the best experience I’ve had in a book store.

Super cool local gem of a bookstore! They specialize in fantasy/​sci fi/​mystery but they do have books of all genres. You’ll also often find them selling books at events for authors. They did a great event here recently featuring tons of beer (!) and cookies.

This place is awesomely dangerous. I came here for a book signing recently, and I was like a kid in a candy store. I wandered around after my turn getting a book signed, and ended up leaving with 4 more books and a list to come back for more. I love how the store is set up, they have knowledgeable and kind staff, and every title a geek like me could ever want to read. I can’t wait to go back!

For readers interested in Horror, Sci-​fi, or Mystery this is one of the finest bookstores in San Diego. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. They have a passion for reading. The selection is astounding. The new store is infinitely superior to the old digs.

The layout and size of the new location is great. With the expanded store, they have the breadth to unfold their wings soar. The new store doesn’t disappoint! The new location brings a larger science fiction area as well as a bigger mystery section. Patrons can now breathe a little as they stock whatever prey they are after.
As a father and YA writer, I really like their expanded youth section. The hottest trending tittles as old favorites. It’s a great new facility.
Welcome home M.G.

Sam and Patrick have some really good book/​author/​story knowledge. I totally felt welcome here. The placement is a little hidden it is behind See’s candies… Here you can find from R A Salvatore to Tim Butch… If you need a book that they do not carry, they will order it (if it is still in print). They have a wide variety of events and some books on site are signed… I had my eye on the Laurel K. Hamilton… had it been the Anita Blake series… I would have been mine… LOL
Stop here and support our local businesses! Also quite a step up from the last location on Clairemont Mesa.

This is where I spend all of my disposable dollars. Rob reads my favorite genre and always has terrific recommendations. David is as nice as they come and Maryelizabeth is one of the sweetest people I know. All of the employees are helpful, knowledgeable and love books as much as I do. This store promotes local authors and has book signings with local authors and bestselling authors like Matt Coyle, Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs, Dana Cameron, Christopher Golden and Kristen Elise to name just a few. It’s a wonderful place to browse for a few hours.

Love this place. Whole bit about keeping local bookstores open aside, the staff here is equal parts laid-​back, helpful, knowledgable, and friendly. They also do book signings, I got my copy of Lamb signed by Christopher Moore at the old location. Definitely give these folks your money in exchange for goods and services, and of course, support local!

There are so many things to love about this book store! That it’s a book store (for people like me, who sniff books as they’re being read). That it’s a local store, not a chain. That they have some amazing author events on a regular basis. That they’re small, and friendly. That the prices are fair, and the selection is varied.
Before this, my exposure to Mysterious Galaxy was limited to dropping in (and spending way too much money at) their booth at Comic Con. I knew they existed, I knew where they were, and I knew that they did author events, but I just never made it their way, for some reason.
I finally had an excuse and a chance to visit them, when I found that not one but two of my favorite authors would be stopping at their store for an appearance/​signing two weeks apart. I figured that both events would be crowded, and was expecting a cluster, so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw how organized the employees were.
Both events I attended were numbered events, meaning that once the signing started (after the author was finished speaking), they made patrons line up in numerical order. This was a huge relief, since the first event had the store packed to the gills, and I wasn’t in the mood to elbow my way up to the front.
The staff expertly handled the crowd, and the tear-​down of the chairs that were brought in for the speaking portion. They managed the flow of people into the store, and made the event run smoothly. I so appreciated that.
I think I may have found one of my new favorite places to shop. I do still love Barnes & Noble, but Mysterious Galaxy is slowly (not-​so-​slowly) making a run for that number one spot. I could easily spend all day in there, browsing the books or the merchandise, talking to the staff about their picks (which are easy to find on the shelves), or listening to authors when they’re in town.
Indeed, I found so many new titles to try in my two visits there! I made a list while we were waiting, and am eager to go back to buy some of these titles.

I think I found the greatest bookstore of all time… They recently moved to this bigger location, and it’s immaculately organized with sections of all my favorite genres — scifi, fantasy, graphic novels, YA scific/​fantasy, and mystery! What’s best about this place is that there’s so many corners with niche tables like the «indie best sellers,» «local authors» and the «staff favorites.» Plus, there’s signed first editions everywhere because they host so many book signings. I love walking through a bookstore and finding handwritten suggestions tucked into every shelf. They have a couple of chairs, too, so you can flip through your stack of books to narrow down your purchases. I always love that. I’ve overheard staff members chatting with customers, and it’s clear that this is the kind of place that employs true book nerds who can give suggestions on all kinds of genres. Love it.

What a fantastic store! Great staff, great events (so many signing events!) and selection!
I love shopping here, getting reccomendations, etc… best bookstore in San Diego hands down.

If you are into fantasy/​science fiction or mystery/​suspense this bookstore is for you! I was in need of some new reading material and I received some excellent suggestions from the employees and found some new books. This was a great find!