There’s a Books Inc. (2275 Market St., 415/864-6777, www.booksinc.net [1], daily 10 a.m.–11 p.m.) in the Castro [2]. This small independent Bay Area bookseller’s chain hosts numerous author events and stocks plenty of local authors. You can also find your favorite paperbacks here.
At this location, the managers stock lots of great gay literature (fiction and nonfiction) in keeping with the neighborhood. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like, browsing through the books here. (I love the Books Inc. chain and wrote much of this guidebook in the café at the Mountain View location.)
Links:
[1] http://www.booksinc.net
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/san-francisco-and-the-bay-area/sights/mission-and-castro