Bell's Books

Enjoy all the splendors of artistic achievement in books that can enhance your life with a little bit of whimsy, joy, or merely a few moments of silent contemplation. Because, as Kurt Vonnegut said, “If this isn’t nice, what is?”

Just in! A fresh collection of books on significant World War II battles, plus a generous helping of books on the uniforms, helmets, equipment, and swords from the German military in the early 20th Century. These are especially helpful for those who are designing costumes for period war dramas for either the stage or screen, and these might also prove helpful to digital game designers who seek an extra level of detail.

Due to a recent acquisition from a remarkable science fiction and fantasy collection, our section has tripled in size! Come and see the range and depth of this area, which includes many first editions of well-known titles, signed books of Asimov, George Martin, Dan Simmons, Terry Pratchett, Octavia Butler, and many more!

The Bell’s Darwin Collection

Comprising all the major titles published by Darwin in his lifetime in a number of editions, our Darwin collection at Bell’s Books is a treasure trove for the collector of early evolutionary materials. 

Charles Darwin (1809-1882) is considered one of the greatest scientific minds in human history, having spearheaded the concept of evolutionary biology. His Origin of the Species has remained in print since it first appeared in 1859. 
The bulk of Darwin’s fieldwork was carried out during his five-year voyage on the H. M. S. Beagle (1831-1836), where he collected samples of unusual biological specimens for further study. From this data he concluded that species evolved and survived over time, being dependent on environmental factors related to the species’ ability to adapt. 


Initial publications of Darwin centered around geology and barnacles, but with the publication of his landmark Origin of the Species in 1859, he included humans in his studies, particularly with the 1871 release of The Descent of Man and The Expression of Emotions of 1872. 
In later life Darwin concentrated on the study of plant life. However, his interests did extend to earthworms, which he experimented on with colored lights in the garden at night, as well as having his son play the bassoon to them to see how they would react. 

Our stunning array of titles came from the lifetime medical and evolutionary book collection of the late Dr. Edward Sprague with many thanks.

New arrivals!

We now have unique Bell’s-related postcards. Images include a reproduction of an original painting by Joan Stiles Bell of Faith and Valeria Bell reading a book (the original hangs over our staircase), a night view of the storefront from the last century, a vintage picture of founder Herbert Bell (ca. 1965), one of our cowboy window displays, and the Bells’ staircase loaded with books (ca. 1960).

Only $2.50 each. Collect them all!

Bell’s Books in downtown Palo Alto celebrates ninety years of fine bookselling in 2025! Bell’s Books will host a ninetieth anniversary party at 536 Emerson Street (the store) on October 18, 2025, from 2 pm to 6 pm.

The event will feature presses from Kinetic Steam Works. Guests will have the opportunity to print their own bookmarks and watch master printers create three-color souvenir coasters. Several local authors will be on hand to sign their books, available for purchase in the bookstore during the event. 

The staff have also curated a display of the ninety finest books on offer from Bell’s today, such as The Souls of Black Folk signed by W.E.B. du Bois, a signed first edition of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, A Wrinkle in Time signed by Madeleine L’Engle, and a first edition of J.R.R Tolkien’s first book! 

Bell’s will be open as usual during the event, and guests are encouraged to explore the 350,000 books in stock in our historic building. The party will also coincide with the City of Palo Alto’s Code:ART installations around the downtown area.

Please join us for the revelry in celebrating Palo Alto’s oldest purveyor of new, used, and rare books as it reaches this milestone achievement!

All week, October 5th through the 11th, is Banned Books Week.

Consider reading some titles that were challenged in libraries, schools, and bookstores in the past… many still are!

Walt Whitman: Leaves of Grass

Orwell: 1984

James Joyce: Ulysses

Octavia Butler: Kindred

Allen Ginsberg: Howl

John Steinbeck: Of Mice and Men

Alice Walker: The Color Purple

Ray Bradbury: Fahrenheit 452

Margaret Atwood: The Handmaid’s Tale

Jacqueline Woodson: Brown Girl Dreaming

and many others…

Our current window display contains a number of retro tech items, including a variety of types of phones, a UNIX programming book from 1986, a 1982 IBM manual for the Basic computing language, a complete Mac computer from the 1980s, and an authentic “Think Different” sign from the office of a former Apple employee fondly known as Gandalf (because he had worked there so long, had a long grey beard, carried a walking stick, and was an excellent magician).