Moe's Books, Berkeley

Nestled on Telegraph Avenue near the University of California, Berkeley, Moe’s Books is a treasure trove for bibliophiles. With four sprawling floors housing over 200,000 new and used books across diverse genres, this historic bookstore has been a cultural cornerstone of the San Francisco Bay Area since its founding in 1959.

Moe’s Books began its journey on Shattuck Avenue, thanks to Moe and Barbara Moskowitz, who envisioned a bookstore that better served customers than the trade-in practices of other stores. In the 1960s, the store moved to its current location, where it briefly shared space with the Print Mint before becoming the sole occupant in 1966. Over the decades, it has become a beloved institution, widely recognized for its eclectic inventory and rich history.

The bookstore remained under the stewardship of Moe Moskowitz until his death in 1997, when his daughter, Doris Moskowitz, stepped into his shoes. Under her leadership, Moe’s Books has continued to thrive, even as Doris paid homage to her father with the 2016 publication of Radical Bookselling: A Life of Moe Moskowitz. A plaque honoring Moe, installed by the Berkeley Historical Society in 2014, underscores the store’s legacy in the community.

Over the years, Moe’s Books has been a nurturing ground for literary talent. Figures such as Steve Wasserman, publisher of Heyday Books, and acclaimed author Jonathan Lethem, credit their time at Moe’s as formative experiences in their careers.

From its vast collection to its storied past, Moe’s Books is more than just a bookstore; it is a living monument to the enduring love of literature, community, and history.