The staff at Walden Pond Books:
• (shelved alphabetically)
• Comments from our customers found on Yelp, Google, news articles, blogs, letters, reviews, etc., etc., etc.

Aldous Ask Aldous about: art, music, books in Spanish, magazines & periodicals, Mexico, publisher imprints.

"GASP! The staff actually know what's in their store and seems to have read most of the books as well - they aren't illiterate idiots from the chain stores!" - Kim L.

Bob Ask Bob about: rare books, publisher relations, current & forthcoming fiction, historical novels, fantasy & science fiction, mysteries, world history, classic children's literature, mythology.

"I appreciate their knowledgeable buyer and the mind behind such a worthy selection of both fiction and non-fiction." - Linda H.

Constance Ask Constance about: children's books, juvenile & young adult fiction, graphic novels, comics, women's studies, wildlife conservation, salads.

"There is a super cool girl there who knows EVERYTHING about graphic novels - my latest obsession - and
willingly and kindly answers all curious questions about the art form." - J.J.

Hayley (July only - insists on pursuing higher education during the rest of the year) Ask Hayley about: children's books, juvenile & young adult fiction, education, book ordering.

"The people who work here REALLY know books! Thanks to the girl in the children's section, when I couldn't find the kid's book I thought I would buy as a birthday present for my niece, I was introduced to the "Half Magic" books. (When the first book proved a hit, I was happy to tell my niece where she could get the rest in the series.)" - Mycroft H.

James Ask James about: poetry, philosophy, American history, science, natural history, psychology, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, fantasy & science fiction.

"The staff is ridiculously knowledgeable and can recommend a new book / a new author based on your interests (and they make amazingly well-made recommendations)." - Joanna S.

Jay Ask Jay about: radical studies, political science, jazz, antiques, collectibles.

"They're knowledgeable without being p***ks. Kind of amazing considering how many snobs work at independent bookstores." - Annalisa L.

Kim Ask Kim about: Eastern philosophy & religion, cookbooks, used fiction inventory, women's studies.

"The staff is very helpful. I have described books in the most vague terms and they've been able to help me find them." - Nikki C.

Lemuel Ask Lemuel about: Christianity, Western religion, late 19th & early 20th century fantasy and metaphysical fiction, rare books, martial arts.

"Much more akin to scholars in classic literature than people you would find working at Barnes and Noble or any other large bookstore. These guys know their stuff. This is what a bookstore should be." - Erica G.

Lily Ask Lily about: aesthetics, art books, vocal music, foreign languages, mathematics, linguistics, psychology, philosophy, Buddhism, mythology.

"One of the salespeople helped me for at least half an hour to track down used copies of almost every book on my list with the correct translations." - Lauren A.

Maeve Ask Maeve about: political science, social justice, literature, health & nutrition, ethnic studies.

"I have gone in a couple of times to get a gift, and asked for suggestions, and they have been right on the money." - Scott W."

Marshall Ask Marshall about: jazz, radical studies, literature, Cuba, Mexico, post cards, greeting cards, everything else in the store. Also ask Marshall about how he's owned the East Bay's finest independent bookstore for 38 years.

"Great service. Wonderful treatment. For example, I called checking to see if they had a book in stock that my Grandfather is looking for. They went out of their way to go through several locations in their store looking for it. Compared to a couple chain stores I called where I was put on hold for 5 minutes before I could even ask them... What a huge contrast!" - Emily

Paul Ask Paul about: metaphysics, astrology, art books, self-help, sports, comics, music, Flatland. Also ask Paul about how he manages to pay all the bills of the East Bay's finest independent bookstore.

"Ahhhh, a bookstore that seems to prioritize the enjoyment of books over the purchase of books! The laidback, welcoming vibe makes me much more likely to buy books." - Beth B.

Peter Ask Peter about: business and financial books, Indonesia, wooden shoes, windmills, 17th and 18th century Dutch trading policy, cycling, recycling, book ordering, our entire inventory of past, current, and forthcoming books.

"When I've asked for a suggestion, I've been steered towards some of the most wonderful reads that I'd never heard about before. The people who work here LOVE books - and they know their books." - Ross C.