The Battery Books & Music

Amazing place! Went with a small group of friends and we all bought things. Has a great variety of books, comics, CDs, etc, and all at amazing prices. You'll definitely find something you're interested in regardless of age! It may seem small from the pictures, but it makes use of every space. We all just kept finding more and more books and music, losing track of time extremely quickly. The store owner is amazing, he's nice and fun to talk to as well as extremely helpful and passionate. It's become a favorite place for all of us and I will 100% visit again soon.

Books books books. A great place to go searching for treasures. Great assortment of old and newer books that are waiting to be found. Random stacks to look through- while listening to random records playing. Friendly conversational owner. Negative reviews are people who are expecting to be at a barnes and noble with ample staff and a Starbucks- lame sauce.

A fine example of an old school version of a cluttered used bookstore with stacks of books on the floor vaguely alphabetized, Battery Books & Music has been around a few years I believe and has steadily improved. Their fiction section impresses and the prices are easy-going. It's about a third or a fourth the size of Book Alley, which is a few blocks away, and similar in almost every way, but it's nice to have two used bookstores in the same area of Pasadena. That says something about the city.

What a little gem! We stumbled upon this book store a while back when we were staying in Pasadena and I'm so glad that we did.

To echo what many have already said, the owner is incredibly welcoming and friendly! He started a very candid conversation with me as my boyfriend was going through all the records. I feel like I learned so much about him in the short amount of time I was there (in the kind of way where you feel like you've just made a friend by the end of the conversation). Anyway, my boyfriend picked up a record and Rich (the owner) offered to play it for him. He was so nice about it, it honestly felt like we were in his second home. (:

The store itself was fun to go through. Books are organized by category and may feel a little overwhelming when you first go in since there are literally towers of books sprinkled along the bookcases. They're not alphabetically ordered and some may be misplaced but nevertheless, this just made the experience feel like an adventure since you don't know what you may find!

I ended up with a book and the boyfriend a few records.

*Tip* if you have any books you're ready go part with, bring them here and see if rich will be interested in buying them! He told me that he usually pays attention to which authors are selling in his store, considers how popular or new the book is, etc.

I need to make my way back there soon and this time, I may bring some books to sell! ((:

This is a place where you can easily/happily lose your sense of time. Grabbed four books in the $4-$15 range, all in great condition. Street parking is free after 6pm on weekdays.

Nice selection. Good prices. Shame google maps directs you into the alley. Picked up a book on silent films I'd never seen. Was only 10 bucks to boot.

I really want to love to place. But their hours are all
Over the place. They rarely if ever only open at 2pm. Usually it's 2:30 or 3 If you are lucky. Books are Sort of all over the place, some moderately priced and others that are ridiculous. The charm of being disorganized loses its charm pretty quick. Owner and employees are usually in Bad moods, or seem bothered if you ask them any questions. Plus they are always so busy doing something else. Just food for thought. Organize and clean your store and treat customers like Human beings and I guarantee you, you will have more business. Really want to support the store, but like I said. It's 2:20 and still not open.

When I think of a bookstore, this place is the image that comes to my mind. They had every book that is on my 'want to read' list and more. The best part is that there is no way of know what you'll find on those shelves. Everything is organized by category, but farther than that- you just have to spend some real good time looking for what peaks your interest! I could spend hours here. The owner was pleasant and knowledgeable. I will be back here again and again

Rich or Rick was a super awesome dude! Got some eccentric books and CDs from here and he definitely knew the store all around

This is such a great place to get lost in the stacks! There's a general organization by genre, but if you're looking for something specific you might have to do some digging. The best way to shop somewhere like this is to go in with a free hour or two and look at everything until something catches your eye. There's so much variety that you're guaranteed to find a gem.