More Moe's

If You Want to Ruin Bookstores for Yourself, Become a Writer Everyone knows bookstores are the greatest places on earth. Having a terrible day? Go to a bookstore. Need something to do to end a lovely day, go to a bookstore? I love the smell and the sounds th…

The Thorny Politics of Translating a Belarusian Novel How did the translators of “Alindarka’s Children,” by Alhierd Bacharevic, preserve the power dynamics between the book’s original languages?

That is very good news.

Some Surprising Good News: Bookstores Are Booming and Becoming More Diverse More than 300 bookstores have opened in the past couple of years — a revival that is meeting a demand for “real recommendations from real people.”

Our rare book room has a few books about food and wine. We are open today and tomorrow.

The fair comes to Oakland today!

The 54th California International Antiquarian Book Fair, Oakland Welcome to the largest antiquarian book fair in the country, February 2022 in Oakland, featuring over 200 booksellers from the ABAA and ILAB.

Some classics can be enjoyed over and over again.

We are open upstairs Wednesday through Saturday 11-4. We have been open on Sundays too. Is that good news?

We have regular books everywhere but in the rare book room. Our general stock of over 200,000 titles has to be seen to be seen. Come by. Or call. We can look for you. or email [email protected] to send a list.

There are treasure everywhere.

Here is what you will get to keep with you forever, all four floors of Moe's Books if you scan the QRCode below. Or just come by 11-7pm Everyday.

Support Moe's Books by contributing to our General Fund anytime.
This photo of Barb Moskowitz, Moe's wife and business partner, was taken at an early party. Since they began selling books in Berkeley in 1959, they always enjoyed a celebration.

Moe's Books General Fund, organized by Dee Moesdottir Moe's Books has been in Berkeley since 1959. In 1979, when our new custom building was opened … Dee Moesdottir needs your support for Moe's Books General Fund

Robert Hawley was at Black Mountain College in the 1950s when Charles Olsen told him to quit trying to be a poet. He turned to publishing by starting Oyez. He moved out to the West Coast where the poets were. In our window you will find many wonderful items from his poetry connections and Ross Valley Books, the local store that he ran for many years. Prices upon request.

Among other things, we have photographs of William Everson and David Meltzer whom he published and worked with, an Oyez broadside (four copies if this one variant) features Robert Duncan, and a portrait of Robert Hawley painted by Mary Fabilli who was an important figure in the San Francisco Renaissance associated with Robert Duncan and William Everson (Mary was briefly married to him and her strong beliefs in catholicism were an pivotal factor in Everson becoming Brother Antoninus).

Our collection includes a rare signed broadside of Tomas Transtromer who Hawley published early on, long before he won the Nobel Prize. A few newspapers with mentions of Robert Hawley or Oyez thrown in. Before he opened Ross Valley Books (whose sign graces our window), he worked in the rare book room of the legendary Holmes Books in Oakland. Although he did not return to poetry, Robert Hawley always showed great professionalism in books and the highest ethical standards.

- John Wong

prices upon request.