Century Books

Walking into this place feels like stepping into another universe — one made entirely of stories, history, and quiet magic. The moment you walk through the door, you’re surrounded by towering shelves and beautiful, chaotic stacks of books that feel lovingly curated rather than cluttered. It’s the kind of space where time slows down and you forget about your phone because you’re too busy discovering something unexpected. Every corner feels alive. The warm lighting, the golden walls, the endless spines of books — it’s cozy, nostalgic, and deeply comforting. You don’t just shop here; you explore. And the owner? Truly an angel. Kind, welcoming, and incredibly knowledgeable. You can feel how much heart and soul they’ve poured into this space. They don’t just sell books — they share stories, recommendations, and genuine warmth. The customer service alone makes you want to come back again and again. If you love books, hidden gems, or places with real character, this is one of those rare magical spots that reminds you why independent shops matter. I’ll be thinking about this place for a long time. 💛

This tiny bookstore specializes in cookbooks and niche literature, a lover’s dream. The owner was super friendly; he recommended a 1940s French cookbook that’s now sitting pretty on my shelf. I browsed for nearly an hour without interruption. The curated vibe here is so unlike giant chain stores. Definitely a hidden literary haven.

this place is wonderful! a true used book lover’s dream. they were cataloging a large collection when i arrived and the store was piled high with books. their collection is outstanding and the woman who owns the store was so kind. a great find in pasadena!

Such a treasure. Lots of interesting books from different genres. The owners were wonderful and helpful. They make sure you’re comfortable and they would gladly help you find books you might be looking for. Sadly they changed locations into a smaller place but it wasn’t so bad. Place was still nice. Worth a visit

Incredible selection of books! Judith is also such a wonderful host, she is such an angel.. Such a special place, thank you for such a wonderful experience!

My favorite Pasadena bookstore, absolutely. You might think because of its smaller size it might not have what you're looking for, but honestly, they have a huge selection and what's even better, its full of treasures you wouldn't find other places. They have everything from old pulp novels in discontinued prints to interesting beautiful editions of classics you'll recognize, to old books on interesting topics, and newer stuff. And the PRICES. So good. Reasonable prices, don't know how they do it, makes it possible for me to get more whenever I go than I think I'll be able to get. The people who own it are kind and make friends with everyone who walks in the door. Every time I walk in, the woman owner is engaged in a friendly, engaged conversation with a patron, but she's always quick to address you as soon as you walk in. I always order my Christmas and birthday gifts here, because of their wonderful selection, and the amazing (and sturdy) wrapping job they do. They're also very communicative about where your book is and how soon it should get to its destination. They even checked in this year to see if everyone liked the books and they got in safe! Love this place. You should absolutely go.

The owner and his wife are both super helpful and lovely. Warm and welcoming book store. Great range of collections. They didn’t have the book i was looking for but they rang other store and found them for me. Thank you so much! Will definitely visit again for books!