Hey bookwormies, I’m going to say it: London is THE city for bookworms. It’s the bookish capital of the world. I’m pretty sure someone already declared this but I also want to say it.

I haven’t been to a lot of places but it’s the most book-friendly city I’ve been to.

What made me say this? Here are my reasons:

• Every where I go I see people reading: park, bus, train (tube?), and cafe. There were always people reading on the train and bus.
• I saw almost all ages reading a book: children, teenagers, adults, senior citizens.
• There are free libraries (or are they called community bookshelves?) scattered around the London. I mostly saw them in the train stations. You can freely take a book. I left two books of mine and it was fun!
• Affordable books. It’s cheaper, well depends where you buy. For £1 or £2, you can buy a decent book in secondhand shops. Not bad, right?

Did you know that a book is cheaper than a bottle of water in London?

Well, not really, exactly true all the time. It also depends where you buy water. We bought a bottle of still water in a restaurant worth £2 and I bought a book worth £1 in an Oxfam shop. See what I mean?

In Manila, books are always more expensive than water. Even when you buy a used book, water is still cheaper.

As your fellow bookworm, I want to share my bookish experience in London. You’re probably going there soon or you’re there right now and I want to help you make the most out of it. I still hate myself a little for one thing I didn’t do and I don’t want it to happen to you.

So here it is: my book shopping tips in London for you based on my experience.

Book Shopping Tips in London

1. Use Google Maps

Before going to London, save the book shops you want to visit on Google Map. Google Maps is a huge thing in the United Kingdom. You can see how many minutes before the next bus or train arrives, how long is the travel time, and so on. It’s extremely helpful.

If you’re going to visit certain place, let’s say Covent Garden, see what book shops are there or near the area.

Don’t be like me. We visited The British Museum and when we got back to our accommodation, I found out the London Review Bookshop is just two minutes (walking distance) away from the museum! Tsk, tsk. All because I didn’t use Google Maps beforehand.

2. Buy books in secondhand shops first

One thing I love about London is people donate their books in secondhand shops.

If you like used books or you don’t mind them used or read before you, buy books in secondhand bookshops like Any Amount of Books, Southbank Book Market, Oxfam Bookshop.

Or you can buy secondhand books in charity shops like British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research, Mind Charity Shop. When you buy here, you also help raise funds for their charity or organization. Cool, right?

3. See if the books you want are available in Tesco before buying in chain bookstores

I don’t know why but books are more affordable in Tesco than in chain bookstores like Foyles and Waterstones.

For example, Sorrow and Bliss and Beautiful World, Where Are You. I bought both of them for £9 in Tesco. In Tesco, you can get two books for £9 if you have a Clubcard. So bring someone who has one.

If I bought them in Foyles or Waterstones, it would cost me £15+. Huge difference, right?

Note: there are different kinds of Tesco. I bought books from the biggest kind. There are more books in real life than the ones posted on their website.

4. Buy in popular chain book shops last

Again don’t be like me. I saw Ghosts by Dolly Alderton in a secondhand shop worth £2 and I bought it for £7+ in Waterstones!

This is why I advise you to buy from Foyles, Waterstones, or Daunt last because their price is less affordable. But this is just me. If you have money to spare, why not.

5. Bring a tote bag or shopping bag 

Like Google Maps, tote bags are huge in London. I suggest that you carry a tote bag with you when going book shopping. Or buy one or as many as you like in bookshops. Heck, you’re on vacation.

Paper bags cost I-don’t-know-how-many-pence but still they come with a price.

Every time I buy a book, the person at the till says, “Do you need a bag for that?” I say, “No.” They say, “Alright, I have a good one.”

They’re so friendly. I love it.

People in London are into saving the environment, so if you want to experience being a Londoner use totes.

6. Bring a book with you so you can leave it in the community bookshelves/libraries

Not really a book shopping tip but it’s fun to leave a book in a community bookshelf. I did it and it felt like I left a piece of me in London. It’s nice feeling.

And who knows, maybe you’ll see a book you like for free.

That’s it!

If you plan to read in a cafe, go to Pret and get a Cinnamon Danish. It’s the best!

I hope you found these book shopping tips in London helpful

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