Renaissance Books

Category:	Book Store
Address:	3772 Elizabeth St, Riverside, CA 92506, USA
Phone:	+1 951-369-8843
Site:	renbook.com
Rating:	3.7
Working:	12–7:30PM 12–7:30PM 12–7:30PM 12–7:30PM 12–7:30PM 12–7:30PM Closed

Location

Photos 30

Reviews 7

A Private User

Obsessive-compulsive. Ever wonder what a bookstore would be like if it were run by mean old Mr. Hodgkins who lives at the end of your street? Mr. Hodgkins wont let you borrow some sugar, because hes sure that sugar is responsible for the decline of society and public health. He sprays your Christmas nativity scene with the hose because "those Christians were responsible for the Holocaust." Renaissance Books is less a bookstore interested in promoting the spread of knowledge, and more like a one-stop censorship shop, specifically targeting its selection to works which coincide with its owners bizarre worldview. The fact that he refuses to sell Bibles (the bestselling book of all time) should tell you enough, but my experience may roll your eyes even more...I was looking for Hegels Phenomenology of Spirit (a fairly common work of "Enlightenment Era" Philosophy), and he informed me that he would never carry such a thing, because "spreading Hegel is the equivalent of spreading Hitler." Im Jewish too. But even I think its a little much when you stock the shelves with nothing but Elie Wiesel. Thumbs up for being a bookstore, not in the UK, that isnt Barnes and Noble. Thumbs down for almost everything else.

A Private User

This is a really cool store. Its tiny and stuffed to the brim with books. I found every book I was looking for, with the exception of two books. One book he didnt have the book because he purposefully turned the book away because it "promoted bad grammar" (Me Talk Pretty One Day). The other book he wasnt familiar with, but thought the title was "too bloody" for his taste (Blood Wedding by Lorca). The owner obviously cares a great deal about the books that he carries. He was quite a character, but friendly, helpful, and generally lovely. Also, if I had bought the same books at Borders it would have cost me $10 more, and I wouldnt have had the great atmosphere and conversation. I highly recommend this bookstore.

Lydia Hernandez

Books store shopping is my favorite form of shopping! This store is very clean and it is clear that the owner takes care of the books. Some of the books could be found in other stores at cheaper prices. Many of the books in this store were pretty recent and cheaper than what you would buy at Barnes & Nobles. I wish that the owner would offer specials to encourage buyers (ex. First Wednesday of the month buy one book, get one 50% OR Every other Friday buy 2 books, get 1 free). The books are organized, which make it easy to search through the shelves and these books are actually really interesting! I see myself returning soon!

A Private User

I normally like to support independent bookstores. I wont be going back to this one. The owner was quite rude. On top of that, he said that he will not carry books by Marxist authors. Apparently what doesnt suit him shouldnt be available to his customers. Go figure...

Ruben Reynoso

Great selection of Science Fiction. They have hard to find out-of-print works, too.

Em Davidson

One of the last real book stores in Riverside! Great place.

Team Chelliez

This place is great and the guy is a friendly helpful type.