Choosing my favorite bookstore is like choosing my favorite iguana.    

Like many in the Red Room, I’ve spent many hours (and many dollars) at places like A Clean Well-lighted Place, City Lights, Green Apple, Moe’s, and Cody’s. And I once spent a summer in Paris at Shakespeare & Company thumbing through used books and listening to the rants and ramblings of the ancient owner. So many great stores. Legends all. However, when it comes down to choosing one bookstore at this point in my life, I will go with my neighborhood haunt.  

Christopher's Books is a one-room shop on Potrero Hill in San Francisco. It doesn’t have everything, nor does it pretend to. Fortunately for me I’m not looking for everything. In fact, I rarely know what I want when I walk into Christopher's Books, but the selection is such that I always find the perfect something I just can’t wait to read. The staff is helpful and friendly. Most importantly, they leave you alone to check out the books at your pace.  

There are many great things about living on Potrero Hill, but there’s also been a fair amount of change over the years. The ice cream shop on the corner has been replaced by the French bistro. The Thai BBQ restaurant has been replaced by the upscale sushi joint. The breakfast counter has been replaced by the creperie. Such is life. Still, all is right in the world as long as Christopher's Books remains on the Hill. And Bloom’s, too. That’s the neighborhood bar, and that would be a subject for another blog.