Books Inc. brings to Palo Alto "The West's Oldest Independent Bookseller." Its history, according to the bookseller, can be traced back to 1851, when Anton Roman struck it rich during the Gold Rush and opened up a bookstore. After a series of monumental events (including the store being bought, sold, burned, and rebuilt), the store became Books Inc. There are now several locations, including the one in Palo Alto. The bookseller features fiction, non-fiction, magazines, and children's books. Book club meetings and book signings are also held in stores.