Dark Carnival Imaginative Fiction Bookstore

Category:	Book Store
Address:	3086 Claremont Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705, USA
Phone:	+1 510-654-7323
Site:	darkcarnival.com
Rating:	4.3

Location

Photos 45

Reviews 20

A Private User

Ive never understood why, ahem, that downtown Berkeley SF & Fantasy store was always voted tops when Dark Carnival has such a bigger selection. I guess its because Dark Carnival is in a less prominent location, on Claremont near Rockridge and Elmwood, in that small row of shops where Star Grocery is. Dark Carnival has the feel of one of those old, dusty used bookstores that rarely exist anymore--with untold piles of books everywhere. However, its a new bookstore not a used one. Its two stories crammed full of SF, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, and an smaller and eccentric selection of childrens books and fiction too. They have an amazingly complete selection, often including both American and imported copies of books. If youre a genre book lover in the East Bay and have only been to that downtown Berkeley bookstore youre really missing out.

Joanie Chew

The kind of bookstore I grew up with in my hometown; packed to overflowing with books obviously lovingly curated, but kind of a disaster area. Normally, finding piles of old toys behind shelves would be off-putting... but once youre in these stacks, its easy to forgive the clutter and little clusters of odds and ends because youre too busy perusing the terrific book selection. The people here are happy to talk and help you find things, but theyll leave you alone to browse, and that kind of quiet time is my favourite way to shop for books. Its just you, a contemplative quiet, and books all around you in every spare bit of space available, floor to ceiling.

Jay BRYON

One of the best real SF/Fantasy bookstores on the planet. Ive been going to Dark Carnival for decades, and its a real old-school bookstore with history, delightful clutter and weirdness, and of course actual knowledge of SF books. Authors are frequently doing book signings here because its that kind of place. Next door to Escapist Comics which is affiliated, its a one-two punch hard to beat for the bibliophile of either SF/Fantasy/Horror or Graphic novels and Comics. Id rather spend my book budget here and keep the tax dollars in the community than some conglomerate chain, where the poor wage slaves have no idea who Honor Harrington is.

Jay Bryon

Ive been going to Dark Carnival since about three locations ago, which is a long time ago in a galaxy far far away. This is an institution, not just a place you can happen to buy books. It has its own character, and a vast SF/Fantasy/Mystery/Horror selection. It has a soul, unlike the chains, and unlike online retailers, your money goes back into your community. Also the staff know what the hell theyre talking about, because they love this stuff.

Erik B

This bookstore is a repository of some of the best dark fiction youll ever find, and its hoary shelves full of musty tomes can surely enchant a group of friends for hours as you search for more and more rare finds. They will special order books for you, and have all sorts of fantasy , horror, and sci-fi affiliated merchandise, too. If you are or know a bibliophile, this must be among your haunts to buy gifts or to stock your own library.

Felicity McCarthy

If you want science fiction, fantasy fiction, you need to come to this bookstore. The book will be here. If its not, the owner will get it for you. Leave your ego at the door; this bookshop proprietor cares about books, knows about books, has read the books. Ask him, dont tell him his business! Hes there all the time. Please dont go out of business; we all need you. Going again soon to stock up...

Grant Berg

I have never found a bookstore quite like this one in any other part of the world. Its got towers of books from every genre of speculative fiction. Lots of classics as well as new titles. The warren-like organization of the place is a little strange but it definitely heightens the otherworldliness of it all. Truly how browsing for a new sci-fi or fantasy book should be experienced!

Amanda Lukas

Really, I would give it 4.5 stars if I could. I loved it. There were so many books! It was amazing. The only thing was how hard it was to follow the organizational style, but it was my first time there so I will learn. Plus, it adds extra charm to it. You could spend hours there. It is surprising how large it was. It went way far back.

Michael Chandler

Called to look for a book and was hung up on when he thought he wasnt going to make a sale. Rude. Just rude. Self centered, no customer service, down Che bag. I was going to ask about other books but you can suck it. I will not only never shop here but I will tell other people not to as well. Have a bad day. Jerk..

Alan Moreira

Dark Carnival is one of the most amazing book stores I have been to. Their collection is huge, you will be hard pressed to not find what you are looking for. They also are well connected to the local bay area comic scene. Come in. Find what you want. And then find a whole lot more.

Joshua Spanier

A book store straight out of the pages of Harry Potter. Nooks and crannys piled high, with stacks upon stacks, messy, fun and utterly beguiling. Great selection of out of print and new. A wonderful place to explore.

Michael Shehane

A sprawling book store that desperately needs a good cleaning. The owner must be a hoarder. More character and charm than you could ever imagine. You must go, and buy a book here.

Jen Darmstadt-Holm

You need a hard to find horror/scifi/fantasy novel? It is likely here. Need a Giant Microbe? Check. That plastic desk toy you didnt know you needed? That is here too.

Darcy Sullivan

Wow! Amazing selection of science fiction, horror and mystery books. Absolutely vast. Theres an excellent comic book store right next door, Escapist Comics.

A Private User

I love this store! It has the best selection of sci fi books in the US! jack is into his store and you get a great deal . THANKS jack jc spot

A. K. B

They have all the books. (Mainly Great collection of science fiction and fantasy)

Benjamin Joeng

Packed to the gills with sci fi and fantasy books, but a bit hard to find stuff.

Pam Martin

Funky, junky, and spunky. Other sci fi stores will come up short forevermore.

Rebecca Laincz

One of my favorite bookstores of all time!

ubaldo rodriguez

its an awesome place