Comb through classic novels, unusual titles and groundbreaking fiction inside these independent bookshops.
Any bibliophile who loves to spend the afternoon rummaging through bookshelves in their local bookshops will love this list of local places. Every one of them has character, which is, after all, part of what people appreciate about independent bookshops. (Featured image: @feltpresenceghostlyhumming)
1. Voltaire and Rousseau, Hillhead
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Voltaire and Rosseau stocks everything from everywhere, at any point in history. If you’ve come to Voltaire and Rousseau then you’re in it for the long haul. There’s no quick browsing here, but there are tons of amazing books. There’s also a cat who lives here, named BB — always a bonus! Find it at 12–14 Otago Lane, G12 8PB.
2. Aye-Aye, Central
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If you’re looking for books and magazines on art and photography then Aye-Aye is a great place to start. They also stock books on architecture, plus fiction and poetry — and the shop is located within The Centre for Contemporary Arts, which is a brilliant place to explore. Find it at 350 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3JD.
3. Caledonia Books, Hillhead
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Caledonia Books specialise in rare books and books that are out of print. If you are looking for something and they don’t have it, the owners are really helpful and will do their best to find a copy. The highlight of the bookshop is downstairs, where there is a big collection of beautiful folio books. Find it at 483 Great Western Road, G12 8HL.
4. Hyndland Books, Hyndland
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Owned by two former librarians, this bookshop is small but still very interesting. They have a huge collection of DVDs here so if you’re a film-fanatic then this is perfect for a quick peruse. A black labrador also lives there, so you can comb the shelves whilst cuddling the dog. Find it at 143 Hyndland Road, G12 9JA.
5. Young’s Interesting Books, Shawlands
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They’ve named themselves Young’s Interesting Books and so you might be expecting some interesting books. You won’t be disappointed because, amongst the more conventional and well-known titles, you will find some unusual and often niche ones. It’s definitely worth visiting, even if just for the entertainment of picking out a book with a title such as ‘The Strange Story of Fales Teeth’. Find it at 18 Skirving Street, Shawlands, G41 3AB.
6. Thistle Books, Hillhead
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This cosy book shop specialises in Scottish history and Scottish literature. All of the books are second hand and some of them are quite rare, so it’s the perfect place to find something that has been tucked away in the annals of history for too long. Find it at 55 Otago Street, G12 8PQ.
7. Calton Books, Calton
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Calton Books is a left-wing, radical and independent bookshop. They stock books from many different genres but this is an excellent place to visit if you are looking for literature on philosophy and history. Find it on 159 London Road, G1 5BX.
8. Cooper Hay Rare Books
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This might just be the fanciest-looking bookshop in all of Glasgow, and they specialise in antiquarian books. It’s an absolutely fascinating place, due to the incredible wealth of the very old books available here. Find it at 185A Bath Street, G2 4HU.