About The Book Catapult

The Book Catapult is an independently-owned book store in South Park with a well-curated selection and helpful staff. Bookstores are a lost beauty in this world and it is always nice to peruse titles in a place that knows what they are doing. The Book Catapult has a section on local San Diego history and many sections dedicated to nonfiction books about the natural world. They have a large kids section in the back with tables to sit and read the books before purchasing.

A walk through The Book Catapult will make you feel literary and erudite within minutes. Buy a couple books that you may or may not ever read. But at least you will look smart having them on your shelves.

Best Parts

• Supporting small business
• Keeping it low key and intellectual
• Learning history

Behind The Counter

The Book Catapult is owned by Seth Marko and his wife Jennifer Powell, local San Diegans and avid bookworms. Seth had a blog where he made comments and insights on books he was reading and this eventually inspired him to open a brick and mortar bookstore where he could offer up books that he thought would be interesting to others. The Book Catapult is so locally loved that when Seth had to undergo open heart surgery in 2019 rival bookstore workers and local book nerds volunteered to keep the place running while he was out sick. Read more here.