Oakland’s Piedmont Avenue is sprinkled with restaurants of all types: Caribbean, French, Californian, Japanese… I get hungry even when I am just walking Dutsi up to the cemetary on the hill and back. Sometimes I like going on gut and eating out solo, and often the best companion is a good book. Last stroll I had a dream about Croatia, the real Mediterranean paradise, and found myself surrounded by new and used travel guides, written from every angle, on the walls of Spectator Books. I read about Slovenia and Albania in addition to my reverie of Croatia, and took a few guides for the road, to sit at Dopo and make believe I am there, and also realize Oakland’s not all too different, at least climate-wise. Next trip to Spectator I found 5 VHS of my favorite James Bond flicks, then I found on-sale calendars, perfect to take on my life’s whens and wheres. For a glimpse at times gone by, dig around the rare book collection, also searchable online, and you’ll found the tale you were dreaming of. Spectator is the best place for finding reasonably-priced guidebooks, or a new dining partner for your next Piedmont escapade.
Details: Spectator Books, 4163 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, 510.653.7300
Open: Mon-Thurs 10a-9p, F-Sat 10a-10p, Sun 11a-8p, They buy your used books 11a-5p everyday.
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