Copperfield’s Books is much more than a place to purchase a new book or magazine. It’s where national authors meet their readers in an intimate setting to discuss literature and ideas. It’s where passionate thinkers are hired as booksellers.

Eight Copperfield’s stores are flourishing locally in Sonoma and Napa counties, serving as vibrant gathering places. The shops offer cozy surroundings for finding stimulating books or informally meeting neighbors to talk about a bestseller.

Barney Brown and Paul Jaffe launched Copperfield’s in a small storefront in downtown Sebastopol in 1981. The town needed a full-service bookstore and Brown and Jaffe embraced the chance to share what they loved – books – with the public.

In an era driven by full-throttle information available 24/7 on the internet, Copperfield’s stores are designed to encourage browsing. Each store is stocked with a broad selection of books and periodicals as well as unusual merchandise like gifts, cards, and music.

Copperfield’s differentiates itself from impersonal mega-stores where customers get in, get what they want, and get out quickly. It’s okay to linger at Copperfield’s, perched on a stool in your favorite section of the store perusing books.

A first-time author from the community has a chance to speak to an audience at Copperfield’s in a non-threatening environment. It’s also a place for notable authors to share wisdom, writing techniques and anecdotes with a crowd of devoted readers.

As independent booksellers, Copperfield’s is thriving in Sebastopol, Santa Rosa, Calistoga, Napa, Healdsburg, and Petaluma.

Copperfield’s CEO Tom Montan, who joined the company as a bookseller in 1986, describes why he’s passionate about his job:

It’s so vital to have a personal connection with many of today’s great writers. An important part of our mission is to bring today’s great writers into our stores to meet readers. That personal connection is so meaningful. It’s enlightening to discover that authors write about core values, feelings and experiences we all can relate to. Sharing this is a great community builder and truly makes us a community center.