The Avid Reader Bookstore — Local services in Davis

I'm not one for reviews but this bookseller has left me with such an intense emotion I'm writing one. Walking into a bookstore, for me, is usually a quiet ritual something between therapy and treasure hunting. But on this particular day, what was meant to be a quick browse on a rainy afternoon turned into something far more memorable, all thanks to one staff member whose warmth, intuition, and genuine kindness left a deep and lasting impression on me. I noticed her the moment I stepped in, before we’d even spoken. She was helping another customer at the time, but something about her presence caught me maybe it was the way she listened, so fully, or how gently she moved through the space like she was part of the store’s heartbeat. But what really struck me were her eyes dark, expressive, and deep with quiet emotion. They held something I couldn’t name right away, like the feeling you get from reading a line in a book that somehow knows you. I remember thinking, That’s someone who feels the world deeply. She greeted me with a smile that didn’t feel rehearsed or obligatory it felt true. She complimented my scarf, something small but sincere, and I could tell immediately she wasn’t just saying it to be polite. There was a calm attentiveness in her energy, like I was the only customer in the world for a moment, despite the shop’s cozy busyness. It wasn’t long before I found myself asking for book recommendations something I rarely do because my taste can be a bit… niche. I started with an oddball request “Do you have anything that feels like a rainy day in a cabin? Not necessarily sad, but thoughtful. Cozy but with emotional weight.” Without missing a beat, she lit up and said, “I know exactly what you mean.” And she did. She walked me through a few carefully chosen titles from literary fiction, old soul fantasy, and even a lesser-known collection of short stories I’d never heard of before. Each suggestion came with a reason “This one has the rhythm of falling rain,” or “This author writes like they’re making tea for your heart.” I tested her with more, “Something a little magical but not fantasy? Maybe with food descriptions?” She found three. “Something that feels like a late-night conversation with an old friend?” She pointed me to an author whose prose actually made me tear up later that week. She didn’t just know the inventory she knew how to match a mood to a narrative, how to listen between the lines of what I was asking. As I gathered my little stack of books, she helped me at the register. Even then, her kindness didn’t dim under the weight of transactions and other customers waiting behind me. She remembered what I’d said earlier, asked if I liked tea with my books (I do), and recommended a tea to me I hadn’t tried yet. There was never a rush, only this steady grace about her, like someone who understands that stories and people deserve time. She made me feel seen. Really seen. In a way that’s hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it. There are some people who pass through our lives with just a moment’s contact, and yet they leave us better than they found us. That’s exactly what happened here. It’s rare to meet someone whose job is to sell books, but who ends up sharing a small piece of magic instead. Her energy stayed with me long after I left the store gentle, open-hearted, and luminous. I’ve always loved bookstores, but now this one feels different. Like a place where stories live not just on shelves, but in the people who work there, too. To the incredible staff member (you know who you are): thank you. For your grace, for your eye for connection, and for making a stranger feel at home. And for those eyes dark and filled with quiet galaxies. I’ll be back again and again not just for the books, but for the beautiful way you bring them to life. Also that black tea with some Lavender mixed into it was the perfect combination...

A Hidden Gem of a Bookstore – and the Best Bookseller Ever!

This bookstore is everything a reader dreams of: cozy, welcoming, and full of character (and characters, haha pun intended). I stopped in just to browse and left with a stack of books I didn’t even know I needed—thanks to the incredible bookseller (I wish I could remember her name! I want to say Jocelyn) with long dark curly hair and the most joyful energy I’ve ever encountered. She clearly passionate about books and took the time to ask what I liked, then lit up recommending titles I’d never heard of but instantly added to my TBR. Her excitement was contagious, and it felt less like shopping and more like being invited into someone’s personal library. Every book they suggested felt like a perfect fit—like she could see into my reading soul.

Seriously, if you’re looking for a place where the love of reading is alive and buzzing, this is it. I can’t wait to come back, both for the next batch of books and hopefully to thank that amazing bookseller in person.

10/10 recommend—this place is a...

I’ve always thought this was an excellent bookstore. Recently however my friends and I have had several experiences with the staff that have caused me To rethink my opinions. One experience had a staff member rudely interrupt me reading my book, scolding me about how I shouldn’t hold a book a certain way. I understand the concern, but it was very condescending and I felt like a child. Another incident with a friend of mine had another blond staff member talk down to him. It was raining and he only took a moment to relax in the bbookstore while he was simultaneously grieving a friend who recently passed away. He was not loud,disruptive, or taking up space (the lady said kids need the chairs to do their own thing but I don't see the reasoning behind that with no kids in sight).

I think the brand has potential if the staff worked more towards creating a welcoming environment for passionate readers and sstudents instead of accosting them over minor issues. I hope they see this and try to do better...