Alias Books

by Foolio D.

Great selection.  If you dont know what you're looking for, and would just like to browse then definitely worth checking out.  If you DO know what you're looking for, keep in mind that the books here, though used, are considerably more expensive than your nickel and dime used book stores.  Expect to pay a price closer to something you would find on http://amazon.com than on craigslist.  Nonetheless, very cozy, fun to browse, and my favorite bookstore on the Westside.

by Kit S.

Alias must be new because every single shelf is in impeccable order. Alphabetic and everything! Though many of the shelves are still empty, Alias has an impressive stock already. There are two small bookcases full of graphic novels and comics (do NOT even touch it until I can go back there with a wheelbarrow) as well as a shelf dedicated to, you guessed it!, hunting and fishing. Prices are decent, comparable to other used bookstores I've been to so far in LA, and better than Borders or Barnes Noble. What I didn't like about Alias was how oppressively quiet it was in there. I popped in before lunch and it was so quiet, I have no doubt that everyone (all three customers) could hear my stomach growling. So I left, but I will be back and I will be armed with a ladder and a wheelbarrow! or a car!note: Owner Brian will buy books, but is looking for more "scholarly" books. translation: leave your danielle steele collection at home.

by rama b.Xuan T.Cindy B.Greg R.Justin M.

West LA...you are like a pretty girl with a lot of money but no brains...easy on the eyes and you dress well and smell good but can't hold a decent conversation and you're somewhat obnoxious...I like to talk about things besides the Industry, you know....Wait, there is a GREAT INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE right on Sawtelle? This is where we shall go and get a bunch of used books on art, literature,  politics, drama, philosophy, esoterica, poetry, history culture without breaking the bank (most cost under $10 and a lot are under $5.)  See, now I can introduce you to my friends and not be embarrassed when you say stupid shit.(Seriously, this place gets an extra star just for being on the Westside)2.5 stars  Let's hit the highlights shall we?Likes:1. Open late2. Used books = theoretically cheaper3. Close to the Nuart = pre/post movie browsing without having to commit to an actual purchase.4. The employees there were having a long conversation about the fascination behind zombies and zombie mythology.  That was neat to listen to.Dislikes:1. Well... Borders and Barnes are open late too... so... maybe that's not so special2. Used books = in reality are not cheaper.  You can find better deals for new books online.  Only buy a book from here if you wish to purchase a first edition or an autographed book.3. Not wowed by the selection.  Granted, there are some good reads here, but it's more of a "oh yeah, I loved this book but not enough to buy it" sort of way.  Again... it's one of those situations where you'd rather just buy it new anyway.4. One of the employees kept saying "braaaaaaaaains" in reference to the conversation about zombies.  Dude... that's a reference to the 80's Return of the Living Dead which is different from the "traditional" Romero's Night of the Living Dead in which the zombies eat everything.  You might as well be talking about the "zombies" from 28 Days Later.  Know your zombies if you claim to be an expert, you goof.I don't plan on rushing back in here to make any literary purchases.I was pretty disappointed. After reading all the reviews on Yelp, I thought this place was going to be awesome but it really fell short of my expectations. Small place. Looking on the shevles, not a lot of books there and not a huge selection. Yes, prices were cheap, which is why we all love used book stores. I have been going to the Bookman in Orange for a while but since I live in L.A., I was hoping to find something closer but I would rather drive out to Orange any day then to come to this place again.Uh...it sucked?The books they did have were cool and all. If I had a lot of money, I'd probably buy some of them, especially the incredibly specific non-fiction stuff (Birds of Jamaica, Bulgarian Military Photos from WW1, etc).BUT, and this is a big BUT, the books were waaaaay overpriced, especially considering they are all used. Just looked up a couple art books that I found interesting on Amazon. They were asking $45 for one - it was $30 NEW on Amazon. The other was $25 - and only $12 NEW on Amazon.I would say this place is nice to go browse in, but I would probably never buy anything there. Not to mention that half the shelves are empty...it's like they're not even trying.Small, tremendous used bookstore with bonus points for late hours and a well-curated stock. There always seems to be an interesting conversation going on in here, they have a pretty excellent selection of quality hardcover fiction, history, political science, art, film, and music books.  A good row of trade paperbacks, too. The handful of negative reviews are a little wrong-headed with regards to this spot.

by Lauren K.

After indulging in Cafe Dahab next door, a great hookah bar btw, my friends and I always find ourselves playing around in Alias books, especially since it is open until 11 p.m. They always have a great selection of fiction and non-fiction here and their art section has some gems too. I always say that LA lacks in good used book stores, which I kind of understand because most of the people who live here don't read, but Alias is a place that might make me bite my tongue. Then again, the tongue is the strongest muscle in the body, right?

by Matt L.

This place is everything I have dreamed of in a book store since I have moved to Los Angeles.Though the selection may be limited, they have cut the fat out of what would be found at most other bookstores.  James Patterson?  I'm sorry, my friend, but that name will be completely unfamiliar at this store.What is left from this culling process is the cream of the crop.  If you are looking to browse, then this is the perfect place to do it.  There are no distractions here, no bells and whistles demanding your attention, and there aren't so many books that looking through them becomes a chore.  Plus, they have an excellent selection of math textbooks (although again, somewhat limited).  Also, the place smells perfect.  Just as a used book store should.  It is the kind of smell that will make you feel smarter, just for breathing it into your lungs.  I'm not sure why it's called Alias books, but some things in life you simply don't question.  Perhaps this is one of them.

by Danielle S.

What are the chances?I wanted to find a specific book and didn't feel like buying full price at Borders.  Also, I wanted it NOW.  It's an obscure sci fi novel.  Most people wouldn't even know it.I went to Aiias Books and lo and behold, they had it!  They also had a pocket-sized Lao language travel dictionary from Lonely Planet.  Never know when you might need that... so I picked that up too.Freakin', f***ing amazing.  I love this place!

by Xuan T.

2.5 stars  Let's hit the highlights shall we?Likes:1. Open late2. Used books = theoretically cheaper3. Close to the Nuart = pre/post movie browsing without having to commit to an actual purchase.4. The employees there were having a long conversation about the fascination behind zombies and zombie mythology.  That was neat to listen to.Dislikes:1. Well... Borders and Barnes are open late too... so... maybe that's not so special2. Used books = in reality are not cheaper.  You can find better deals for new books online.  Only buy a book from here if you wish to purchase a first edition or an autographed book.3. Not wowed by the selection.  Granted, there are some good reads here, but it's more of a "oh yeah, I loved this book but not enough to buy it" sort of way.  Again... it's one of those situations where you'd rather just buy it new anyway.4. One of the employees kept saying "braaaaaaaaains" in reference to the conversation about zombies.  Dude... that's a reference to the 80's Return of the Living Dead which is different from the "traditional" Romero's Night of the Living Dead in which the zombies eat everything.  You might as well be talking about the "zombies" from 28 Days Later.  Know your zombies if you claim to be an expert, you goof.I don't plan on rushing back in here to make any literary purchases.

by rama b.

West LA...you are like a pretty girl with a lot of money but no brains...easy on the eyes and you dress well and smell good but can't hold a decent conversation and you're somewhat obnoxious...I like to talk about things besides the Industry, you know....Wait, there is a GREAT INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE right on Sawtelle? This is where we shall go and get a bunch of used books on art, literature,  politics, drama, philosophy, esoterica, poetry, history culture without breaking the bank (most cost under $10 and a lot are under $5.)  See, now I can introduce you to my friends and not be embarrassed when you say stupid shit.(Seriously, this place gets an extra star just for being on the Westside)

by michael c.

This is my favorite bookstore in LA. It's a used bookstore, but usually when I'm shopping for books I don't have a particular title in mind so I prefer the spicy bargain unpredictability of the used bookstore over the fresh convenience of the new. The first time I walked into Alias I was struck by how bare the shelves were; most decent bookstores' shelves are overflowing. "This place is a two-bit operation," I thought. Don't judge a bookstore by its number of covers. More than any other bookstore I've ever been to, the owners of Alias have trimmed away the fat leaving only prime-cut reading deliciousness. Do I really need a bookstore to have five copies of Heart of Darkness and eight of Moby Dick? Their art section is excellent; all the sections have interesting titles I've never heard of, as well as authors I'm looking for. The employee picks shelf is the best - interesting and hilarious. And the two Dutch brothers who run the place are great - and well read.Epilogue. It's in a fantastic spot - my favorite corner in Los Angeles (and I have converted out of town guests to this cult of location). Cinefile video and the Nuart theatre right up the block. In walking distance down Santa Monica Blvd is another great used bookstore - Gene de Chene, two art supply stores, a thrift store, etc. etc. And down Sawtelle a short drive is what I call Tiny Tokyo. Join the cult of Sawtelle Santa Monica Intersection. One of us! One of us!

by Greg R.

Uh...it sucked?The books they did have were cool and all. If I had a lot of money, I'd probably buy some of them, especially the incredibly specific non-fiction stuff (Birds of Jamaica, Bulgarian Military Photos from WW1, etc).BUT, and this is a big BUT, the books were waaaaay overpriced, especially considering they are all used. Just looked up a couple art books that I found interesting on Amazon. They were asking $45 for one - it was $30 NEW on Amazon. The other was $25 - and only $12 NEW on Amazon.I would say this place is nice to go browse in, but I would probably never buy anything there. Not to mention that half the shelves are empty...it's like they're not even trying.