Circus of Books is a triumph of filmmaking in the way it covers such a range of topics so seamlessly: LGBTQ history, pornography, religion, obscenity law, media, AIDS, coming out, parenthood, and more.

| May 29, 2020

Circus of Books is the story of an American family who wandered into the eye of history, and a virtuoso example of how to make a movie both very big and very small at once.

| Apr 29, 2020

A worthy homage to the Los Angeles-area landmark of LGBTQ+ culture.

| Apr 29, 2020

You come to see through [director Rachel Mason] telling the story how she came to see her parents as people.

| Apr 24, 2020

This is a great little L.A. story. It's a great slice of life into a very specific community.

| Apr 24, 2020

The sense of closure is satisfying, but it's missing a charge.

| Apr 24, 2020

Both Circus of Books locations have since closed, but this documentary is a necessary, if incomplete, homage to their influence.

| Apr 24, 2020

People can indeed live at war with themselves and not know it. Here's a case of great things happening once peace is declared.

| Apr 24, 2020

These members of the community reflect on a bygone era with wit and warmth, and the film supports their memories with golden-lit archival footage of the neighborhood in the 1980s.

Full Review | Apr 23, 2020

It's a truly fascinating film, a slice of history and deeply personal.

| Apr 23, 2020

If you're thirsting for something saucy, funny, and heart-warming, you'll love Circus of Books.

| Apr 22, 2020

The film consistently subverts our expectations by revealing new layers about its subjects that deepen their humanity, causing us to challenge our own preconceptions.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Apr 22, 2020

Rachel Mason performs a nice bit of misdirection with the film, starting with humorous juxtapositions of this nice, elderly Jewish couple running a gay porn shop and then moving toward a poignant story of acceptance.

| Apr 22, 2020

The ending is upbeat and, whatever your views on porn, will make you want to give Karen a really big hug.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 21, 2020

There is enormous humour and tenderness here.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 17, 2020

"Circus of Books" is an affectionate look at one of the most unusual mom and pop businesses in America, directed by the person who knew Mom and Pop best.

| Jul 24, 2019

For those wishing to understand a slice of LGBTQ culture and history, Mason's poignant film is a high-priority watch.

| Original Score: 3/4 | May 6, 2019

Circus of Books is chock full of entertaining characters, but Karen ultimately emerges as the film's complicated and fascinating heroine.

| Original Score: A | May 2, 2019

[A] very funny, very moving documentary.

| Apr 29, 2019