The Bookshop on the Green (Bournville)
As the name suggests, The Bookshop on the Green is right in the heart of Bournville by the beautiful village green. It’s run by Bournville Community Hub and, aswell as stocking a great selection of fiction, non-fiction and local interest books, it hosts regular book launches and talks by well-known authors. As the owner is also the director of Bournville Book Fest, Birmingham’s only festival of children’s books, you won’t be surprised to hear they boast a particularly good children’s section.
Oxfam Book Shop (Moseley)
Charity shops are a great place to grab a bargain second-hand book or a unique gift, and Oxfam’s bookshop in Moseley is a real treasure trove. Staffed by lovely booksellers who are partial to a themed display, it’s ideal for picking up some new reads without breaking the bank. And there’s no guilt (despite that book-buying ban you’ve imposed on yourself) as all the money you spend goes to a great cause!
Second City Comics (Digbeth)
Nestled amongst a whole host of independent businesses in Digbeth’s Redbrick Market, Second City Comics is your one-stop shop for back issue comic books and pop culture merch. With an extensive range, comic fans can spend hours digging through the boxes of stock to complete their collections. The owners even provide kneeling pads so there’s no need to be uncomfortable!
IKON Bookshop (Oozells Square, City Centre)
Want to combine your book shopping with a bit of culture? Then IKON Gallery is the place for you! It’s a contemporary art gallery, educational charity, and has a shop stocking art and design books, gifts, stationery and magazines. Head over there in Spring to get the perfect Insta shot of the blossom trees and admire the architecture!
Astley Book Farm (Bedworth, Warwickshire)
This one’s a little bit more of a trek but if you’re after some second-hand bargains, it’s well worth a visit! Located in the beautiful Warwickshire countryside, this old farm building is an Aladdin’s cave with (quite literally) every nook and cranny packed with over 75,000 books. If you fancy a real dig for some bargains, check out the Ten Bob Barn where all books are 50p! And when you’ve tired yourself out, take a break in the coffee shop and yurt on site.
