A Good Used Book

A Good Used Book is pure magic in Echo Park.nnWhen I think of iconic LA movie scenes, I could easily picture this bookstore as one of them. As an adult, I’ve always dreamed of having a neighborhood bookstore I could walk to, and this one sits perfectly between two of my favorite coffee shops and bakeries.nnI have to resist stopping in every time I’m nearby because I already own a massive stack of unread books, but I still go, because stepping inside feels like being immersed in a lovely community space. The layout is simple and inviting, what we in retail call “four walls.” Nothing feels intimidating. You can take in the entire store at first glance, then wander slowly through each table and shelf discovering treasures to add to your collection.nnThe shop is quaint, welcoming, and run by the sweetest couple. Every visit reminds me why I love it here. Once, I saw an influencer quietly taking photos, and instead of shooing her away, the owner encouraged her to feel at home and keep shooting. Another time, they hosted an event with other local bookstores, where I even discovered there’s one in Chinatown. That spirit of openness and connection reflects the real LA: it has always been about community.nnI’ve been coming since their soft opening, and I can’t believe I waited this long to write a review. Maybe part of me wanted to gatekeep this little gem. But truly, A Good Used Book deserves all the love. If you’re in the area, stop by, you’ll leave with more than just books, you’ll leave with a sense of belonging.

This little used bookshop smelled like old paper and had a carefully curated selection of out-of-print and local interest titles. I found a small art monograph that became a favorite evening read. Owner was happy to chat about nearby authors and recommendations. It’s a calm, quiet place — perfect for browsing when you want to slow down. Prices were reasonable for collectible editions

A Good Used Book is a gem near Echo Park Lake. They have a rad selection, including a bounty of used pulp paperback books, which is my jam :)nnThe space feels welcoming and cozy, and the owner is incredibly nice. You can tell they care about books AND community. Great spot for browsing interesting titles!

Went here during a trip to LA and it's a really awesome bookstore! Had a lot of rare and collectible books and staff was very friendly!

Edit: Be sure to check out the owners reply for some additional context on my observations!nnThis bookstore’s most notable quirk is its wide collection of vintage mass market paperbacks, stored in boxes instead of shelves and vacuum sealed in plastic. It results in an easy and enjoyable browsing experience which feels more like buying records than books, although it precludes any possibility of checking the book’s spine or pages.nnThe store has mostly fiction, as well as a dedicated classics shelf, but the selection of nonfiction was much narrower. The philosophy was limited to one small shelf, and had little of interest. The mass market nonfiction also contained few philosophy books, but mostly outdated. Finally the prices, both of fiction and nonfiction seemed on the high end, all hovering around $10 for mass market, although priced higher on some books for no discernible reason.nnThose in search of fiction may find something here, but those seeking philosophy, social sciences, or political books shouldn’t go out of their way for this one.