Specialty Bookstores Offer a Different Story for Readers : Literature: From mysteries to science fiction to Chinese-language books, it seems the San Gabriel Valley has something for everyone.

A lone female figure stepped onto the sidewalk, pausing to adjust her cargo of terror: some $40 worth of suspense, mystery and horror books.

Armed with enough mystery treats to last through many a dark night--”Strega” “Rod Serling’s Night Gallery Reader,” “Silver Scream” and “Scare Care”--she moved briskly toward a waiting car.

Mary De Louise needn’t have scurried away from her midday caper, however. Even after her expedition to BOOK’em Mysteries, the San Gabriel Valley’s newest specialty bookstore, De Louise still had 15 minutes before she was due back on the job at Balk’s Hardware and Garden Supplies.

As she headed back to the workaday world, De Louise, 24, reflected on her lunch-hour spree.

“I’m excited,” she said. “I’ve never found any other place that has such a good selection.”

Avid readers seeking their favorite volumes have a wealth of choices in the world of San Gabriel Valley specialty bookstores.

BOOK’em, which opened in South Pasadena on Oct. 5, joined a select group of local booksellers offering tomes on everything from African-American art to zoology.

Old Pasadena has the sci-fi offerings of Planet 10, and Claremont boasts Recess, a children’s bookstore featuring a little red schoolhouse for playtime. Also in Claremont is Wild Iris, specializing in books by and about women.

In Covina, Pathfinder caters to devotees of Christian books, and virtually all the books at Evergreen in Monterey Park are in Chinese. Altadena is home to the Black and Latino Bookstore.

Mitchell Books, one of the oldest bookstores in Pasadena, specializes in out-of-print and rare collections of detective and mystery novels.

Barry Martin, a former television producer who co-owns BOOK’em Mysteries with Mary Riley, a Monrovia teacher, said he joined the ranks of specialty booksellers because he was “tired of the rat race.”

“I had always harbored this secret desire to open a bookstore and have my own kind of venture,” he said. “And being a lover of mysteries and thrillers I decided that this was the kind of genre that we wanted to deal with.”

BOOK’em’s exposed brick wall is decorated with FBI wanted posters and a pair of broken handcuffs supplied by the South Pasadena Police Department.

Its volumes are divided into separate sections, including Mysteries, Thriller, Horror/Occult, True Crime, Suspense and Vintage.

Even representatives of large general bookstores believe that the profusion of smaller, specialty establishments helps the industry.

“The stronger the independent bookstores are, the stronger the business becomes,” said Karen Watkins, a manager at Vroman’s, in Pasadena.

Here are a few of the notable specialty bookstores in the San Gabriel Valley:

Black and Latino Bookstore 1920 N. Lake Ave.

Altadena

(818) 794-9998

The first bookstore in the San Gabriel Valley to specialize in African-American and Latino literature, history and current issues. The store is developing a section featuring ethnic gifts and cards by original artists. Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

The Blue Planet 2095 S. Atlantic Blvd., J

Monterey Park

(213) 268-READ

New Age music and incense sets the mood for browsers in this small bookshop featuring metaphysical, philosophical, environmental and holistic books for the mind, body and soul as well as socially aware children’s books. Monday through Saturday noon to 7 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

BOOK’em Mysteries 1012 Mission Street

South Pasadena

(818) 799-9600

The shop is devoted to mysteries, with sections set aside for thrillers and true crime books as well. Store hours are Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Closed Mondays.

Evergreen 136 S. Atlantic Blvd.

Monterey Park

(818) 284-3622

A general bookstore with a complete repertoire in the Chinese language. The owner said the store is part of the largest chain of its kind in the United States and was the first Chinese-language bookstore in Monterey Park. Open 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m daily.

Mitchell Books 1395 E. Washington Blvd.

Pasadena

(818) 798-4438

Mitchell Books specializes in out-of-print and rare collections of detective and mystery novels. An old detective kit from the 1930s and other detective paraphernalia adorn the store’s walls and counters. Open Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Pathfinder/A Christian Service Store 1010 E. Arrow Highway

Covina

(818) 967-2893

Large selection of Christian books, music and gifts. Sections include marriage and counseling books and Christian novels. Open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sunday.

Planet 10 79 N. Raymond Ave.

Pasadena

(818) 577-9309

Located in Old Pasadena, Planet 10 specializes in science fiction, fantasy and horror books. Store includes children’s science fiction and fantasy section. Planet 10 also sells cards, games, rubber stamps and original artworks. Open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m; Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Recess 346 Yale Ave.

Claremont

(714) 621-7977

Located in an old brick-front building, Recess is primarily a children’s bookstore but also sells books for the expectant mother, child-care/child-rearing books, and books for college students interested in teaching children. The store features a little red schoolhouse for children to play in. Readings are held every Saturday at 11:30 a.m. Open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sunday.

San Marino Toy and Book Shoppe 2475 Huntington Drive

San Marino

(818) 795-5301

The store specializes in children’s books, including picture books and folk fairy tales for infants and toddlers, and many titles for school-age children as well. It also stocks toys for all ages, including some sporting equipment for older children. Open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m; closed Sunday.

Wild Iris Bookstore 143-A Harvard Ave.

Claremont

(714) 626-8283

Wild Iris features books by and about women, including the works of Alice Walker, Zora Neale Hurston and Maxine Hong Kingston. The store also features multicultural and “non-sexist” books for children. In addition, Wild Iris has a growing selection of American Indian books, pottery and jewelry on hand. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday.