Skylight Books

Skylight Books has been the cultural anchor of the Los Feliz neighborhood since 1996, occupying a bright, airy storefront on Vermont Avenue that has become one of the most important literary spaces in Los Angeles. The store's curation is fearlessly independent, with staff picks that range from debut novelists to radical political theory, all displayed with the kind of handwritten shelf-talkers that make browsing here an education in itself. The film studies section reflects the neighborhood's deep ties to Hollywood, with screenwriters and directors regularly spotted in the aisles. The poetry section is among the strongest in the city, and the indie press display gives shelf space to small publishers that would struggle for visibility elsewhere. Author events here draw standing-room-only crowds, with lineups that rival any literary festival. Skylight's big picture windows flood the store with California sunlight, and the view of the Hollywood sign from the parking lot adds a distinctly LA touch to every visit.