About Us

"I've been dropping into Berkeley Books for several years now, after discovering it accidentally in the 6th Arrondissement. Once you get inside the bookshop, this process of accidental discovery goes on, because this is one of the last remaining bookshops on the planet where creative chaos reigns. That, and a broad spread of American and British books makes Berkeley one of the final hunting grounds for literary book lovers anywhere. Forget browsing, scrolling, burning and scanning. Serendipity can only be experienced in a place like Berkeley . . ."

James McCabe, Augsburg Germany

"You've got books that we can't get at home anymore."

A visitor from Charlottesville, Virginia

"This is a fascinating shop."

A visitor from London

"You've got a great selection of books for people who think and read."

"You meet interesting people in this place."

Jane from Calais

Latest News: We've rebuilt our website, please let us know what you think here.

History

Berkeley Books of Paris opened for business in May 2006 when three Californians who had been working at the nearby San Francisco Book Company decided to open their own shop. Of the three, Phyllis Cohen, after helping in countless ways with the launch of the new store, moved on in 2007.

Phil Wood had been coming to Paris for many years and decided to move here from San Francisco in 1996. In 1997 he co-founded the San Francisco Book Co and worked there as manager for the next seven and a half years. Before coming to France he had been working in publishing. In 2002 Phil and his wife, Anouk, moved from Montmartre to the Ile St-Louis, where they lead a happily quiet life together, playing host as often as possible to their children and grandchildren.

Richard Toney worked for many years for Green Apple Books in San Francisco before moving to Paris in 1999, when he, too, went to work for the San Francisco Book Company. Richard is very widely read and knowledgeable about many subjects, as is shown by the stock in our shop, much of which came from his personal collection.

Phil and Richard look forward to greeting you at Berkeley Books of Paris and sharing with you the love of books.