Alexander Book Company on Second Street, between Stevenson and Mission Street, is a noble independent David among the Goliaths of the bookstore trade. Occupying three floors on Second Street in the SOMA district, Alexander serves the Academy of Art students for their textbooks throughout the lower level, so books of various artists, movements, epochs and art theories are amply housed on these shelves. What is most eye catching of all is not only the quantity of books this little store holds, but the individualized reviews taped under a great majority of the books. Small, index-sized white pieces of paper, individually cut and handwritten by the reviewer, include both a 1-10 star rating system and a short paragraph synopsis or commentary. If not a review, there are also newspaper articles or other such supplemental information. It's amazing how many pieces of paper like these line the shelves. They are wonderful touches of intimacy and testaments to the pride the owners have for this store.

-- Monique Willms

(*Image: Alexander Book Company, photo courtesy of Alexander Book Company, www.alexanderbook.booksense.com)