You know that specific smell? Not the dusty, decomposing scent of a basement, but the crisp, slightly sweet aroma of high-quality paper that has actually been cared for. That is the first thing that hits you when you walk into Alias Books Atwater Village. It is a sensory reset. Honestly, in a neighborhood like Atwater—which has transformed from a sleepy Glendale adjacent strip into a hyper-curated hub of $7 lattes and designer ceramics—Alias feels like the soul of the place. It’s a bookstore that actually functions as a bookstore, not just a backdrop for an Instagram story.
Located on Glendale Boulevard, right in the heart of the village, it sits tucked among the cafes and boutiques. It’s easy to miss if you’re driving too fast toward the 5 freeway. Don't do that. Slow down.
The Curation Game is Different Here
Most used bookstores are chaotic. You’ve been to them. The ones where you have to move a stack of 1970s National Geographics just to see if there's anything readable behind them. Alias is the opposite of that. It is surgical. The shelves are lean. They don't keep junk.
If you are looking for a battered copy of a bargain-bin thriller, you might be out of luck. But if you want a first edition of a Joan Didion essay collection or a hard-to-find monograph on mid-century Japanese architecture, you’re in the right place. The owners and staff have this uncanny ability to stock exactly what a curious, slightly pretentious, but well-meaning Angeleno wants to read.
The focus here leans heavily toward the arts. You’ll find a staggering collection of:
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- Film theory and rare screenplays.
- Photography books that weigh more than a small child.
- Literature in translation that you didn't know existed until five minutes ago.
- Poetry volumes that aren't just the "classics" everyone had to read in high school.
It’s about the "find." You go in looking for nothing and leave with a $40 art book that you now realize is essential to your happiness.
Why Alias Books Atwater Village Matters in a Digital World
There is a weird tension in Los Angeles retail right now. Everything is becoming "experiential." Stores are trying so hard to be "content hubs" that they forget to just sell good stuff. Alias Books Atwater Village ignores all of that. It doesn't have a built-in espresso bar. It doesn't have a DJ in the corner on Saturday afternoons. It has books. Thousands of them. Neatly organized.
The shop is an offshoot of the original Alias Books on the Westside (which sadly closed years ago), but the Atwater location has developed its own specific personality. It’s a bit more rugged, a bit more reflective of the Eastside’s obsession with the "working artist" aesthetic.
I talked to a regular there once—a guy who looked like he’d been scoring film soundtracks since the nineties—and he put it perfectly: "I come here because the shelves tell me what I should be interested in next." That’s the magic of a curated used bookstore. An algorithm shows you more of what you already like. Alias shows you what you didn't know you loved.
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Let's Talk About the Prices
Look, it’s not a thrift store. You aren't going to find $1 paperbacks very often. But the pricing is incredibly fair for the quality of the stock. They know what they have. If a book is rare, it’s priced like it’s rare. However, the "general" fiction and non-fiction sections are surprisingly accessible.
You’re paying for the curation. You’re paying for the fact that someone with an incredible eye spent hours sourcing these titles so you didn't have to sift through a mountain of trash. It's a value proposition. Do you want to spend three hours at a massive warehouse store to save $5, or do you want to spend 20 minutes in a beautiful space and find a gem?
The Vibe and the Neighborhood
Atwater Village has a very specific energy. It’s walkable, which is a miracle in LA. You can grab a sandwich at Proof Bakery, walk a few doors down to Alias, and then sit on a bench and read while the world goes by.
The shop itself is bright. It has these great windows that let the California sun spill across the spines of the books. It makes the colors pop. It makes the whole experience feel less like a chore and more like a retreat. The staff? They’re quiet. They leave you alone. They aren't hovering or trying to upsell you on a membership program. They’re there if you have a niche question about French New Wave cinema, but otherwise, they let the books do the talking.
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Managing Expectations: What Alias Isn't
Let’s be real for a second. If you’re looking for the newest James Patterson or a "how-to" guide on Excel 2019, this isn't your spot. Alias is for the seekers. It’s for the people who want to be surprised.
It’s also small. You can’t bring a pack of twelve friends and hang out. It’s a place for solo missions or a quiet date. It’s intimate. Sometimes, it’s even a little cramped if there are more than five people in an aisle. But that’s part of the charm, isn't it? It feels like a secret, even though everyone in the neighborhood knows about it.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
- Parking is a Nightmare: It’s Atwater Village. The street parking on Glendale Blvd is mostly metered and almost always full. Try the residential side streets, but check the signs. L.A. parking enforcement is a predatory species.
- Bring Trade-Ins (Maybe): They do buy books, but they are incredibly selective. Don't bring your old college textbooks or mass-market romance novels. Think "high-end." Think "unique." Call ahead if you have a large collection.
- Check the "New Arrivals" Cart: They rotate stock constantly. If you haven't been in two weeks, the store will look 20% different.
- Explore the Back: The deeper you go into the store, the more specialized it gets. Don't just stay by the front door.
The Real Value of Local Bookstores
We lost a lot of bookstores in the last decade. Every time one stays open—and thrives—it’s a win. Alias Books Atwater Village isn't just a shop; it’s an anchor. It keeps the neighborhood grounded. It reminds us that physical objects matter. That the weight of a book in your hand and the texture of the cover are part of the reading experience.
In a world of Kindles and endless scrolling, Alias is a reminder to slow down. It’s a reminder that some of the best things in life are second-hand, well-loved, and waiting to be discovered on a shelf in a small shop on a sunny street in Los Angeles.
Your Next Steps for Visiting Alias Books
If you're planning to head down to Atwater Village, here is how to make the most of it without the typical L.A. stress.
- Go on a Weekday: If you can swing a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon, the store is quiet, and the light is perfect. You'll have the aisles to yourself.
- Pair it with Local Eats: Grab a coffee at Kaldi Coffee or a pastry at Proof first. Books and caffeine are a non-negotiable duo.
- Check the Sidewalk Stalls: Sometimes they have overflow carts outside. These are often the best place to find unexpected "browsing" material at a lower price point.
- Ask for Recommendations: If you’re stuck, ask the person behind the counter. They usually have a deep knowledge of a specific niche, whether it's obscure 1960s architecture or contemporary poetry.
- Keep an Open Mind: Don't go in with a specific title in mind. Go in with a mood. Let the shelves guide you toward something you didn't know you needed.
The shop is located at 3163 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039. They generally open around 11:00 AM, but it’s always smart to double-check their Instagram or Google listing for any holiday shifts.