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Small World Books has been serving locals and tourist since 1969.  SWB is an unusual purveyor of literature, dedicated to the principle that the book you want is the book you should have.  They are the best independent book store in Venice, and carry a wide selection of titles published by both major and small presses. Located on the exciting Venice Boardwalk, they have a well-read staff anxious to find the book you want.  View the history of Small World Books below!

If you would like to purchase one of the recommended books below, visit or contact  Small World Books via Email or call 310-399-2360

Small World Books is located next to The Sidewalk Cafe on the Venice Boardwalk!  1407 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, Ca 90291.

Click on image for larger view.

Venice California Coney Island of the Pacific

  • Jeffrey Stanton
  • The classic history book of Venice in all its glory – a multitude of photographs with informative text.
History o f Venice of America Series, Book Number 2, 1850-1939
  • Arnold Springer, PhD
  • A vast collection of historical material gathered from the author’s research of primary sources
Images of California Venice California
  • Carolyn Elayne Alexander
  • A smaller photography collection compiled by The Venice Historical Society.
Art Tiles at Venice Beach, A Graphic History: 1904-2001
  • Noel Osheroff, Tamie Smith, and the Venice Art Council
  • A beautiful guide to the tiles on the park benches of the Boardwalk
Venice: A Contested Bohemia in Los Angeles
  • Andrew Deener
  • An academic work on the diversity of Venice and its tenacity in maintaining that uniqueness.
Dogtown – The Legend of the Z Boys
  • C.R.Stecyk III and Glen E Froedman
  • The Legend of the Z-Boys has been described as “The Dogtown text book” and an insightful companion piece to the movie: “DogTown and Z-Boys”. . Spanning 1975 – 1985, the first section of the 240 page book includes the best of the “DogTown” articles written by C.R. Stecyk III as they originally appeared in SkateBoarder Magazine. The second half compiles 100’s of never before seen skate images from the archive of Glen E. Friedman – many of which appear in the movie.
Venice
  • Dotan Saguy
  • A contemporary collection of photographs – eccentric and wild.
Concrete to Saltwater
  • Brian Averill
  • A magnificent collection of photos of the new skatepark, set against beautiful views of the surf culture
Gentrifying Paradise – Resistance and Removal in 21st Century Venice California
  • James R Smith
  • Tactics to combat gentrification.
The Holy Barbarians.  Bruno in Venice West and other Poems
  • Lawrence Lipton
  • A retelling of the “Beats” life in Venice – cast of characters including Allen Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Kenneth Rexroth and others.
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Here is a history on Small World Books!

Opening in what was then referred to as Boys’ Market Center in Marina del Rey on Labor Day 1969 and then taking the short hop skip and jump to the Venice Beach Boardwalk on Labor Day 1976, Small World books has been doling out sincere recommendations to both locals and tourists from around the world for every one of those 50 years!

Bonnie Reynolds and Blake Latimer.  Photo courtesy of Small World Books

But Small World Books has also been an artistic hub for both emerging and established authors, from signings with Anne Rice(the line went down the boardwalk as far as the eye could see!) and Walter Mosley(his first book signing was with them and his mother made sure to invite all her friends,) among countless other authors both big and small; to art openings, live music and innumerable stories(some more appropriate than others) that have shaped who SWB is and what  makes them one of the most unique bookstores in the country!

Photo courtesy of Small World Books

 

Purchase a Venice book or find another!

Tell Small World Books about other books you’ve liked, and they will find the next one.  Email or call 310-399-2360

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