The Bookstore You’ve Been LONGING For
For readers who crave more—more connection, more comfort, more magic between the pages
If you’ve ever wished your town had a bookstore that felt like you—warm, welcoming, thoughtfully curated—you’re not alone.
Maybe you’ve wandered shelves of bestsellers that didn’t speak to you. Maybe your TBR is a mile long, but you’re still hunting for that next great read. Or maybe you’re just looking for a space to slow down and talk books with people who get it.
And that kind of place just didn’t really exist in the San Gabriel Valley.
meet Sara
Hairstylist, lifelong Glendora girl, book lover, and bookstore OWNER
In my salon chair, book talk was constant. My clients and girlfriends lit up when we chatted about what we were reading—thrillers, romances, spicy BookTok picks.
But as much as we loved those conversations, we didn’t have a local space to keep them going. We were constantly driving to LA or San Diego just to get that dreamy indie bookstore experience.
Then the perfect spot opened up in downtown San Dimas.
A former cake shop, right in the center of town. I mean… how much more small-town feel-good story can you get?
And I thought—
BUILT WITH INTENTION, curated with care
I built Judging By The Cover to be the bookstore I’d always wished existed—a cozy, curated independent bookstore in San Dimas where books meet community and everyone feels like they belong.
Yes, I’ll admit it: I often judge books by their covers.
But when it came to designing this space, I knew it had to go deeper.
Inclusivity had to be front and center—on our shelves, in our events, and in who we serve.
Representation matters—you’ll find stories by authors of color, queer voices, and women at the heart of our collection.
Small businesses supporting small businesses—we feature local makers, indie authors, and community collabs whenever we can.
We’re a woman- and Latina-owned small business grounded in
Curation over clutter
Every book is selected with care (and yes, sometimes for the cover).
Cozy, not cold
Soft lighting, warm corners, and that just-one-more-chapter kind of vibe.
Books without snobbery
Read what you love—we may judge covers, but we’ll never judge you.
Events with personality
From monthly book clubs to workshops and author chats, we’re building a calendar as dynamic as you are.
Rooted in community
We champion diverse voices, highlight local makers, and partner with small businesses that lead with heart.
We believe a bookstore should do more than sell books.
It should help you fall in love with reading again.
It should give you a place to unwind, reconnect, and feel inspired.
It should feel like your space—even if you’re just passing through.
That’s what we’re building.
One book, one event, one conversation at a time.
You belong here
Whether you're a thriller devourer, romance swooner, or audiobook lover—we saved you a seat.
Once upon a time in San DimaS, the NEIGHBORHOOD bookstore you were waiting for opened its doorS
If you're near San Dimas, Glendora, La Verne, or anywhere in the San Gabriel Valley, we hope you’ll stop in and stay awhile.
Not local? You can still support our small business by shopping online through Bookshop.org and Libro.fm—and feel good knowing your books are supporting an indie bookstore with real heart.