Diesel, A Bookstore

Tucked away inside the cozy Brentwood Country Mart is Diesel, A Bookstore. Although the store is small, lots of great books are packed inside the Diesel walls. For those of you who enjoy supporting local stores, Diesel carries a fine selection of books. A bustling site during the day, this bookstore has a children’s section, biography, art, politics, photography, education, travel, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, cookbooks, note cards and more.

If you’re looking for a title they don’t have, the sales associates are more than happy to order it for you and give you a call when it arrives. Since it’s humble openings in the 1980s, Diesel has hosted many impressive authors for events and signings, including Adrienne Rich, Michael Moore, Chuck Palahnuik, David Sedaris, Charles Baxter and the mighty Kareem-Abdul Jabbar.

Bookworms looking for inspiration should check out the Staff Recommends section of Diesel’s website. Among the literary gems suggested are Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned: Stories by Wells Tower, Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger, The Book of Salt by Monique Truong and St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves: Stories by Karen Russell.

In the corner of the store you’ll find a round table topped with staff suggestions and note cards stating a synopsis or note of why the book was suggested. Staffers also participate in writing the store’s monthly newsletter. If you need help picking out a book for you or for a friend, the staff is friendly and ready to help.

Customers can sign up for free accounts on Diesel’s website and order books from the comfort of their own computers. Other locations in Malibu and Oakland. View upcoming events at all locations and see what author event most intrigues your literary side. Follow the Diesel blog for author interviews, anecdotes, book suggestions, literary trivia, news, events and more.

HelloMetro Tip: After you’ve chosen a thrilling new read at Diesel, grab a bite to eat in the adjacent food court and start your book immediately. The delicious food smells waft into Diesel and urge customers to stay for a taco, burrito or chicken sandwich.

- by Jessica Bates, Santa Monica Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Jessica Bates

Jessica is a freelance journalist residing in lovely southern California. She holds a bachelor's degree in English and journalism. She writes for a green living publication, which she thoroughly enjoys. Once upon a time she was an editorial board member for Steel Toe Books choosing poetry manuscripts for publication.