Not to be confused with its sister store The Last Bookstore, Lost Books is a literary oasis in the city. You’ll enter through a stunning, plant-filled tunnel that leads to this magnificent haven of tales. It’s like stepping into the pages of Treasure Island or The Secret Garden and getting lost in a thrilling adventure where your imagination is free to run wild.
The verdant canopy has been lovingly installed by Yuko Kitchen—an urban jungle and one of our favorite spots to fill up on Japanese comfort food while stocking up on leafy gems or playful ceramics. These three restaurants pivoted during the pandemic to offer takeouts while selling the greenery that was previously only meant to be decoration. And, yes, they are also available to purchase at this new space.
The stores shelves are filled with vintage classics, modern literature and vinyl. It’s all too easy to lose all sense of time in this paradise of art, history, fiction, non-fiction and mysteries.
Wander through the enchanting canopy with around 20 plant varieties like Swedish ivy, bird’s nest fern, and live moss spilling from every available surface with twinkling fairy lights creating a magical glow. You’ll eventually arrive in a labyrinth of wooden crates, lined with books under a ceiling completely covered in dried reindeer moss.
The idea is that the living foliage will continue to grow and this magical place will continue to evolve.
Location: 2233 Honolulu Avenue, Montrose, CA 91020
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 11AM–9PM, Sunday 10AM–8PM