Recycle Bookstore

Recycle Bookstore is Silicon Valley's answer to the great used bookstores of the world, a sprawling downtown San Jose institution that houses over a million volumes in a space that rewards patient exploration with extraordinary finds. Since 1981, the store has been the go-to destination for bargain-hunting readers, tech workers looking for vintage computer science texts, and San Jose State University students seeking affordable course materials. The technology section is uniquely suited to its Silicon Valley location, with out-of-print programming manuals and early computing histories sitting alongside current titles. The science fiction section is vast, benefiting from the Bay Area's deep pool of genre enthusiasts. The rare books section, tucked in the back of the store, occasionally yields remarkable finds at prices that would make East Coast dealers envious. The store's sheer volume means that organization can be approximate in places, but for readers who enjoy the thrill of the hunt, that is part of Recycle's considerable charm.