Bookshops reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 149 Reddit reviews across 12 subreddits and 15 posts to rank the best Bookshops brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/london, r/Madrid, r/Edinburgh, r/houston, r/capetown. Top-rated brands include Desperate Literature (4.6/5), Oxfam (4.6/5), Skoob (4.2/5).
Stats
Reviews149
Subreddits12
Posts15
Brands100
Products0
149 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Desperate Literature
4.6
(7)
"Just to update - desperate literature was my favorite. Books I wanted just sitting out perfectly. Nice bar on the corner as well."
"Just to update: I went to desperate literature and spent the most money there. Loved it and the bar on the corner."
"I would recommend Desperate Literature!"
"Desperate Literature is AMAZING! they do a ton to support writers as well."
"I am not sure if they still do it but they had a shelf where if you bought one of the books they would give you a free shot of whiskey."
"I really like Desperate Literature but it’s expensive as hell. I buy things there sometimes anyway because the people are very nice and it’s better to buy from them than from some Amazon or Casa del Libro"
"Desperate Literature, in both English and Spanish, between Plaza Isabel II and Plaza Santo Domingo. It is tiny though."
#2
Oxfam
4.6
(7)
"I wonder if anyone mentioned Ofxam on Marylebone? It's really good."
"Honestly I have found every Oxfam Books I have been to are an absolute treasure trove."
"Oxfam Crouch End. Bunch of other charity shops in the area and all round nice place to visit."
"Oxfam Bookshop Herne Hill"
"Oxfam Bookshop in Stockbridge"
"Should you be near Westminster, there's an Oxfam bookshop on Strutton Ground by the market, then excellent book stalls (also old photos and maps) under Waterloo Bridge."
"Oxfam (or any other charity shop). I genuinely mean it, you can find some really good old/new books and you're helping a cause."
#3
Skoob
4.2
(5)
"+1 for Skoob. Its awesome."
"Skoob is best. But not for genre fiction"
"Skoob Book"
"Another vote for Skoob in Bloomsbury."
"Skoob Books Bloomsbury"
#4
Becker's Books
5.0
(3)
"Yep Becker's is amazing"
"I really like Becker Books on Westview in Spring Branch. Just wandering through the old house and shelves that go up to the ceiling is a fun adventure."
"Becker's Books is fantastic. It's in an old house and they have a great rare selection."
#5
Iliad
4.3
(3)
"The best used bookstore in the city is in NoHo -- Iliad Books, at the NE corner of Cahuenga and Chandler."
"Iliad is where it's at"
"Iliad is right in your neighborhood"
#6
Foster Books
4.3
(3)
"Foster Books in Chiswick. Rare and vintage books galore."
"Foster Books which is a gorgeous antique book shop."
"Fosters Books in Chiswick is a tiny, Dickensian second hand bookshop! Love going"
#7
Half Price Books
4.0
(3)
"I’ve seen a few people recommending the Pearland HPB."
"The HPB in Pearland is holding on and actually has a decent comic book section, too."
"Half Price Books is good! But sadly there are less than there use to be"
#8
Academic and General
4.0
(3)
"Academic and general in larnaca. Extremely big variety In reasonable prices unlike soloneion where prices are ridiculously high."
"Academic and General, Larnaca."
"Academy and General Bookshop in Larnaca +357 24628401."
#9
Walden Books
4.0
(3)
"Walden Books Camden"
"My two favourites are Walden and Archive, even if it has to be admitted that Skoob has the largest collection."
"Walden Books in Chalk Farm"
#10
Any Amount of Books
3.7
(3)
"For the second hand bookshop in person, any amount of books, skubb my favourite two."
"Any Amount of Books, Covent Garden"
"If you wanted a decent crawl, you could start at Leicester Square at Any Amount of Books, then a few stores up is Henry Pordes Books."
#11
Transreal Fiction
5.0
(2)
"Wow, Transreal Fiction looks brilliant"
"If you're into sf then Transreal Fiction on Candlemaker Row just off the east end of the Grassmarket is a good shout."
#12
Judd Books
5.0
(2)
"Love these two shops. Judd always surprises me with amazing titles. Great for history and politics."
"Judd Books on Judd Street is worth a visit and so is Skoob in Bloomsbury, you could also take in the London Review of Books shop as well. Those three are all very good."
#13
Boulder Bookstore
5.0
(2)
"Boulder Bookstore has an excellent curated/staff picks selection. Their loyalty program is pretty decent as well."
"Boulder Bookstore on Pearl St in Boulder in my view is the best bookstore in the state."
#14
Jem Books
5.0
(2)
"Jem Books in friendswood is awesome."
"Jem books in friendswood also"
#15
Houston Book Warehouse
5.0
(2)
"Houston Book Warehouse for sure. Great prices on both hardcovers and paperbacks, and a cozy little vibe."
"West Houston, there is Houston Book Warehouse, family owned book store. Great cheap books and she is updating the place constantly."
#16
Argonaut Books
5.0
(2)
"Argonaut Books in Leith."
"Argonaut Books and The Portobello Bookshop are two of my favourites for browsing"
#17
The Portobello Bookshop
5.0
(2)
"Argonaut Books and The Portobello Bookshop are two of my favourites for browsing"
"The Portobello Bookshop, Typewronger"
#18
Solonion
4.5
(2)
"Solonion is excellent! If they dont have a book they'll order it for you! They also have a cozy reading area."
"Solonion in Nicosia."
#19
Osterley Bookshop
4.5
(2)
"Osterley Bookshop! I could spend hours in there."
"There's also Osterley bookshop in the old train station."
#20
John Sandoe
4.5
(2)
"My favorite bookshop is John Sandoe Books, it's the cutest little bookstore tucked away on a tiny street in Sloane Square"
"John Sandoe, Chelsea"
#21
Books
4.0
(2)
"Books (yes, it’s just called Books) in Peckham!"
"I like BOOKS in Peckham for very cheap second hand books"
#22
Barnes & Noble
4.0
(2)
"Also Barnes & Noble in the Commons in Calabasas."
"Honestly, Barnes and Noble is pretty solid. They also do great custom hardcovers for some classics."
#23
Typewronger Books
4.0
(2)
"Typewronger Books on Haddington Place"
"The Portobello Bookshop, Typewronger"
#24
Hurlingham Books
4.0
(2)
"Hurlingham Books by Putney Bridge is lovely as a shop, and the people in there are nice."
"Hurlingham Books, just outside Putney Bridge. Can only be described as a big pile of books."
#25
Words On The Water
4.0
(2)
"Word on the Water, Regent’s Canal"
"Words On The Water near kings cross is kinda cool."
#26
J&J Books and Coffee
4.0
(2)
"J&js books and coffee is near noviciado, its like a coffee Shop book Shop and has a lot of English speakers going there and most books are in English. Really chill and social place"
"There's also J&J for mainstream English books. Calle Espíritu Santo. Much bigger and has coffee and beer. Mostly second hand I think."
#27
Mary Read
4.0
(2)
"Mary Read, if you are looking for LGBTQIA+/feminist/dissident books. They have drinks and a sitting area."
"Mary Read, off Calle Atocha is even more niche."
#28
Clarke's
4.0
(2)
"You may find some at Clarke's as well, but they sell mainly new books, from academic titles to fiction and poetry."
"Clarke's (also Long Street) is very good with local history, SA politics, and SA literature in general, and will have new books in these topics."
#29
Bookmongers
4.0
(2)
"Bookmongers Brixton"
"Bookmongers in Brixton is insanely cheap"
#30
Wall To Wall Books
5.0
(1)
"I really love wall to wall books in Camden market."
#31
Copperfield
5.0
(1)
"Copperfield and Deerbrook HPB are the best curated ones IMHO"
#32
The Book Attic
5.0
(1)
"The Book Attic in Tomball!"
#33
Good Books In The Woods
5.0
(1)
"Good Books In The Woods, Endless hallways of books galore, and a very cool vibe"
#34
Forgotten Lore
5.0
(1)
"Forgotten Lore is very cool little shop! Full of options. The owner is really nice too."
#35
Quarter Price Books
5.0
(1)
"1/4 price books has a fantastic collection if you’re interested in collecting rare books."
#36
Tills
5.0
(1)
"The owner of Tills is really nice too, and they have a great sci-fi selection."
#37
Golden Hare Books
5.0
(1)
"Definitely Golden Hare Books in Stockbridge"
#38
McNaughtan’s
5.0
(1)
"McNaughtan’s is the specialist in that area and is the only one with membership of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association."
#39
Topping and Company
5.0
(1)
"Topping and company on leith walk is a must visit."
#40
Wellcome Collection Museum Bookshop
5.0
(1)
"The Wellcome Collection has what I think is the best museum bookshop (and def one of the most book-heavy)."
#41
Libraria
5.0
(1)
"Libraria is excellent!"
#42
Brick Lane Books
5.0
(1)
"Brick Lane Books and Whitechapel Art Gallery Bookshop which is fantastic."
#43
Waterstones
5.0
(1)
"Waterstones on Gower Street in Bloomsbury (near Russell Square). I think it used to be independent, and it’s got a really big selection on absolutely loads of topics - when I want a new book I usually get it there. The staff are also really helpful and it’s got a nice café."
#44
The Printed Page
5.0
(1)
"The Printed Page on South Broadway is small but a gem."
#45
Librería Alzofora
5.0
(1)
"I go to Librería Alzofora in Alcorcón. It's an awesome place!"
#46
La Casa del Libro
5.0
(1)
"La casa del libro. Thats all u f need, really good you’ll find literally anything u search for, trust me, best choice."
#47
En Tipos Infames
5.0
(1)
"En Tipos Infames (c/San Joaquín 3- Tribunal) you can buy a book and drink a glass of wine."
#48
Berkana
5.0
(1)
"Berkana (LGBTQ+ books) or Mujeres y compañía (feminist-related books), so I will, they are two of my favorite bookstores in Madrid."
#49
Tik Books Used Books
5.0
(1)
"For second hand books I recommend 'Tik Books Used Books' - C/San Bernado just off Gran Via."
#50
Desnivel
5.0
(1)
"Desnivel for books about exploration, mountains, trekking etc. it’s great!!"
#51
Marcial Pons
5.0
(1)
"Marcial Pons for books about history, art, philosophy, etc"
#52
Librería Pasajes
5.0
(1)
"Librería Pasajes which has a very good selection of novels, essays, theatre, poetry, etc. all these bookshops have books in English and other languages!"
#53
Jambala
4.0
(1)
"Jambala in Bethnal Green is lovely."
#54
New Beacon Books
4.0
(1)
"New Beacon Books, Finsbury Park"
#55
Mind Shop
4.0
(1)
"I have bought lots of art books from them over the years."
#56
British Heart Foundation
4.0
(1)
"British Heart Foundation Books and Music Streatham"
#57
Books For Amnesty
4.0
(1)
"Books for Amnesty Hammersmith"
#58
Galveston Book Shop
4.0
(1)
"Galveston Book Shop in Galveston is super cute."
#59
Dymocks
4.0
(1)
"Obviously Dymocks"
#60
Robinsons
4.0
(1)
"I've heard Robinsons has been trending the last few days, must be pretty good"
#61
Shelter Bookshop
4.0
(1)
"Shelter Bookshop in Stockbridge"
#62
St Columba's Hospice Bookshop
4.0
(1)
"St Columba's Hospice Bookshop on Brandon Terrace"
#63
Lighthouse Bookshop
4.0
(1)
"Lighthouse Bookshop on Nicholson Street"
#64
Krema
4.0
(1)
"Make sure to pop into Krema for a cake"
#65
Logan Malloch
4.0
(1)
"Logan Malloch for something local too."
#66
Armchair Books
4.0
(1)
"Armchair Books on Westport."
#67
Rare Birds
4.0
(1)
"For something slightly different "rare birds" in Stockbridge has a focus on female authors."
#68
Stanford’s
4.0
(1)
"For maps and travel books, Stanford’s in Covent Garden."
#69
Foyles
4.0
(1)
"Staff at Foyles have quite a bit of specialist knowledge as well."
#70
Moufflon
4.0
(1)
"Moufflon used to be phenomenal but now they sell antique and more Cyprus and history specific books."
#71
Kyriakou
4.0
(1)
"Kyriakou in Paphos."
#72
Kyriakos Bookshop
4.0
(1)
"Kyriakos Bookshop Limassol."
#73
Los Pequeños Seres
4.0
(1)
"Los Pequeños Seres in El Rastro has a really nice ambience and literature selection."
#74
Libros para un Mundo Mejor
4.0
(1)
"Libros para un mundo mejor, in calle de espiritu santo, 13. They have a cat and a dog there."
#75
The Secret Kingdom
4.0
(1)
"The Secret Kingdom in barrio de las Letras has a nice place to sit with free drinks and cookies actually"
#76
Re-Read
4.0
(1)
"Re-Read for a great assortment of used books. Go for the great collection and prices. No place to sit and read though."
#77
Cuesta de Moyano
4.0
(1)
"If you like second han books check Cuesta de Moyano, near Retiro park. It's like 20 or 30 permanent wood stalls that sell books new and on the street, on a very nice location."
#78
La Central
4.0
(1)
"Looks like you are looking for "La Central", near Callao. It is a lovely spot."
#79
Traficante de Sueños
4.0
(1)
"My favorite, though, is Traficante de sueños, between La Latina and Tirso. It's a bookshop where you can find unconventional books."
#80
Obz Books
4.0
(1)
"If you like old comics, Obz books as very old bitterkomix, famous for mocking the racist depictions of Africans in the famous tintin books."
#81
Kalk Bay
4.0
(1)
"If you like classic South African literature, Kalk Bay has an excellent selection of old book stores."
#82
Collector’s Treasury
4.0
(1)
"Best place to visit for that would be in Johannesburg. Collector’s Treasury in Commissioner street."
#83
The Book Shoppe
4.0
(1)
"This shop always looks to have really great, interesting stuff coming through: https://www.facebook.com/TheBookShoppeCT/"
#84
CAFDA Book Shops
4.0
(1)
"Maybe try the CAFDA book shops (They are a charity shop). They have a branch in Sea Point and one in Claremont."
#85
Help The Rural Child Book Shop
4.0
(1)
"Otherwise try the Help the rural child book shop in Mowbray. They have a large selections of books including textbooks."
#86
The Book Lounge
4.0
(1)
"You should also check out The Book Lounge, for more general fiction, non-fiction etc.; they also are well stocked in South African published books, but lean more heavily towards fiction, non-fiction, poetry - more a literary bookstore."
#87
Select Books
4.0
(1)
"Select Books (for serious collectors) used to be in Long Street - I see they've moved to Claremont."
#88
Quagga Rare Books and Art
4.0
(1)
"There is a great antique bookshop in Kalk Bay. Quagga Rare Books and Art."
#89
The Newham Bookshop
4.0
(1)
"Have heard good things about The Newham Bookshop, on Barking rd."
#90
et al
4.0
(1)
"Try et al on mission street"
#91
Russian Hill Books
4.0
(1)
"Russian Hill Books"
#92
Waterloo Bridge Book Market
4.0
(1)
"Waterloo Bridge book market. It's under Waterloo Bridge on the South Bank. Great for browsing and just seeing what's there. Lots of variety."
#93
Kyobo
3.0
(1)
"Most people go to major stores including Kyobo, YP, and Bandi/Lunis."
#94
YP
3.0
(1)
"Most people go to major stores including Kyobo, YP, and Bandi/Lunis."
#95
Bandi/Lunis
3.0
(1)
"Most people go to major stores including Kyobo, YP, and Bandi/Lunis."
#96
Aladin
3.0
(1)
"Second-hand stores like Aladin and Yes24 could also work but they tend to have limited selection"
#97
Yes24
3.0
(1)
"Second-hand stores like Aladin and Yes24 could also work but they tend to have limited selection"
#98
CafeBreria
3.0
(1)
"Near where I live - CafeBreria - C/del Buen Suceso 14 (I think) It's a bit small so not too many books and no summer terrace, but I go there a lot"
#99
Bikini Beach Books
3.0
(1)
"Bikini Beach Books , in Gordon's Bay."
#100
South Bank Book Market
2.0
(1)
"South Bank: not worth it. Horrible selection and overpriced."
Discover your audience
GummySearch is an audience research toolkit for 130,000 unique communities on Reddit.
If you are looking for startup problems to solve, want to validate your idea or find your customers online, GummySearch is for you.
Sign up for free, get community insights in minutes.
Tell me more
Get started
