Author Archives: kippy

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 … Continue reading →

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 … Continue reading →

The Bell’s Darwin Collection

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 … Continue reading →

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 … Continue reading →

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 … Continue reading →

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, … Continue reading →