When I ventured through the door I was greeted by total chaos! There were books absolutely…read moreeverywhere, and it was hard to find the owner hidden away behind his counter. When I did find him he was very friendly and explained that although he buys and sells books he currently has so much stock that he is not buying at the moment. Although because of the piles of books everywhere it was hard to see what was in stock, I was able to browse through a selection of 1st editions and some local history books. The shop stocked quite a lot of O.S maps as well as text books and a range of fiction. I'd like to return when things are a little more organised, as it would be easier to see what stock was actually available.

Apparently they have over 30,000 books in stock at this shop, but unfortunately this seems to work…read moreagainst the place because it feels more like a store room than a book shop - with the owner seemingly off working on the internet (presumably trying to sell some of the stock!). If you can find your way to the shelves, though, the books here span all sorts of genres from fiction to local history, text books and specialist collectors' items such as first editions and limited editions. I've found the owner very helpful and informative, and willing to try to get titles in for you if you want something specific. Worth a look if you're passing, but don't make a special detour or you could be disappointed.

Just a mess of fun for a bibliophile!!! Small cram packed stall with lots and lots of books!!! Wish…read morethere was a chair to sit and peruse selections!!!!

I recently decided that it was about time my younger brother read Phillip Pullman's Dark Materials…read more I don't own the books myself, having read them at school, so I decided I'd buy them for him to read over the summer. The same week I decided this, I came across Northern Lights in a charity shop, along with The Amber Spyglass. No middle book, but I figured that by the time he'd read the first one, I'd have found The Subtle Knife in another charity shop. This was much, much harder than I thought it'd be. Being a huge book lover, I am in charity shops all the time hunting through the books and adding to my collection, but every shop I went into had the first and last book of the trilogy, but no Subtle Knife. I don't know what it is about this book, but I couldn't find it anywhere. Finally, after 2 months, I happened to be buying something else from this stall when I saw TWO copies inside. That's how great this stall is: it magically comes up with all the books you can never find in other second hand bookshops. I also love that the general fiction isn't arranged strictly in alphabetical order, because a) it makes browsing more fun, and b) it means you read every book title rather than just homing in on the areas where your favourite authors would be.

As an English literature graduate it's hardly surprising that any Waterstones practically feels…read morelike a second home to me, but this Cardiff branch in particular is really one of my favourites. As Laura mentioned it's big, though no way near as large as the recently defunct Borders, which was only a few doors down from this Waterstones. Whilst I liked Borders (particularly their excellent magazine selection), something didn't quite sit right with me and I became rather fiercely loyal to this Waterstones branch. I think this is perhaps due to the fact that despite being a chain store, Waterstones has an awfully British feel to it, which I rather like. We're rather lucky that this store is in the Welsh capital, as it attracts plenty of high profile authors (and John Barrowman) for book signings, which are quite frequent. When it comes to their book selection, it is in a word excellent. You're usually guaranteed to find any literature that you desire, and they also stock graphic novels and audio books (though I expect this might change with the rise of digital downloads). The staff are clearly book lovers, their always willing to make suggestions, and when I forget either the tile of a book or the author's name their usually able to work out what it is I'm looking for (incredibly spooky).

I went into this Waterstones to get a book for my course, which I couldn't find in either the…read morelibrary or the local Blackwells in the students' union. It was very easy to navigate my way around and I was impressed by the sheer size of it, meaning that there is a substantial range of books. There is a great children's section. That is my favourite section of the whole shop. There is a little play area, places to sit down and a whole range of books from those for tiny little children up to teenagers. I had great fun - and wasted quite a lot of time - finding all the books I knew when I was small. The service was also very good, friendly, smiley, helpful.

Lots to choose from, great variety of all different kinds of books, magazines and collectibles…read more Very overpriced though.

I've found some great books here and is my go-to second hand book shop. It's worth noting that they…read morealso sell comic books, and lots of them! The reason I havn't given 5 stars is that their email doesn't work and they havn't gotten back to me about some books I wanted to sell them.

Cardiff isn't the best city for second hand book shops, and there are only a couple in the city…read morecentre that are worth a look. Located in one of Cardiff's many lovely arcades, Capital Bookshop is one of them. It has the classic look of a second hand book shop, with a few 'bargain bin' crates leaning against the walls outside selling odd books they want to get rid of, and a window full of old leather-bound first editions, and rare and off-beat titles. It's a fairly laid-back shop to browse around, and there are plenty of good general books; those that are in a slightly shoddy condition have fair prices that reflect this, while the rarer titles and books in better condition obviously have a higher price tag. Some of the stock hasn't changed much for some time, though, which is a shame because it puts you off bothering to drop in regularly.

For anyone who is a fan of the Hay-on-Wye vibe (the town of books up in Herefordshire), this is the…read moreshop for you. Like Troutmark Books in another little arcade, this is a tucked away secondhand bookshop that is never forgotten once found. Although the quality of more modern books isn't quite as good as you might find in Troutmarks, there is an excellent selection of old tome and leather-bound volumes in this shop. In fact, the windows are full of them. And the sign outside on the main pedestrian street pointing you down into the arcade for the shop is full with pictures of them. This is the kind of shop that you imagine a grumpy old man to be sitting and smoking and hiding behind mounds of dusty volumes. If you run in there to hide from the bullies, you might just get given a book which transports you to a wonderful world of luck-dragons... This is an amazing treasure trove of secondhand books that is very well worth a rummage through.

It's a funny thing how niche bookshops have managed to stay alive in this day and age, sometimes…read morefar better than the ones that might sell everything and anything. Now, not being a massive fan of anything non-fiction, I felt a little cheated after walking in here. I'd followed the big blazing word 'BOOKSHOP', but hadn't paid any heed to the small print. So I found myself in a shop all about transport and trains, the navy and military aviation. Since then, I've heard quite a few people discussing this shop, so clearly it does something for the people at all interested in the areas it provides for. And apparently the staff are great; my experience shows that they're probably used to people walking in and looking around in bemusement. It's a nicely laid out shop and, most importantly, it had that bookshop smell. .

I welcome any and all book stores that choose to operate in this fair city - anything that staves…read moreoff the rise of the Kindle is received with open arms! Ian Allan Book Shop caters to more of a niche market, mainly those interested in the military and transport industries, with an expansive and well-designed layout that struck me as orderly and precise, much like the attributes you need to create the intricate models on display. Offering everything from Wargaming figures and aviation magazines to model train kits and history books, Ian Allan is undoubtedly Cardiff's transport and military hobbyist emporium. If you fancy a bit of socialising with like-minded aficionados, have a look at the bulletin board as you walk in, where you'll find a range of notices for clubs, presentations and conventions aimed at transport and military enthusiasts.

I wish Canton could get itself an independent local book shop like this one for Roath residents! I…read morethink every local shopping area needs a decent book shop, but sadly many of them don't have one, presumably because the big high street chains and online stores such as Amazon are squeezing the little ones out. Wellfield Bookshop seems to be going strong, though. Despite its compact size, it has a good (if rather crammed-in!) range of fiction and non fiction lining its shelves, as well as some Welsh language titles, children's books, and travel guides. Obviously it can't compete with the likes of Waterstones in terms of '3 for 2' offers or range of stock, but it does the best it can with the space it has - and they will order in titles if they don't have them in stock. This is the only shop selling new books in the area (there are a few charity shops selling a random range of second hand novels, but that's about it), and luckily they seem to get a fair amount of custom. When I last visited on a day in the middle of the week there were several other customers browsing the shop - let's hope it stays that way.

It is quite difficult to find independent bookshops these days, so I was quite excited when I went…read morefor an explore. It is quite a cosy little shop, long and thin and with childrens books at the back - as it should be! As an independent bookshop it has some wonderful idiosyncrasies. Firstly, what I would have normally classed as 'fiction' is titled 'general'. I quite like this. Obviously a section for books that you might actually read. You know, general books! There are specialist sections also, including health and education etc. My particular favourite was the religion section. I have never seen so many books about Angels. Earth Angels, Angel Tarot, Pet Angels etc. There was a fair few sets of tarot and bibles of magic etc. And then, just next the famous 'Power of Now', tucked down in a corner, was a couple of Bibles. This shop definitely has its own identity!

As a bibliophile and former Catholic school girl and, I'm familiar with shops like these on a scale…read morethat would frighten most people. Churches Together offers a range of Christian books for both children and adults, as well as worship CDs, gifts, Bibles, and greeting cards, but the items I found most intriguing were the selection of church supplies like clerical wear and altar bread - basically anything you'd need to conduct a Holy ritual (I guess those sorts of things were off-limits to us Catholic parishioners). The kind, moustachioed gentleman behind the counter was happy to let me wander, and as I did, a few interesting titles jumped out at me, namely "Do Nothing to Change Your Life" (Okay!) and a tiny volume of inspirational messages that sparked affectionate childhood memories of reading with my mum. Product offering aside, I found the Churches Together Bookshop to be a literal and figurative extension of the City Church itself - the unassuming shop located in the Church premises is both peaceful and welcoming. I know it's not for everyone, but for those in search of this kind of niche book store will be happily satisfied with the variety and quality of products the Churches Together Book store offers.

This is neat little shop in the Rhiwbina area where there is a small section of shops and cafes…read morethat are all squashed together near some houses within that area in Cardiff. Love the idea of eating and drinking right next to a neat little book shop? Then this is the place for you, particularly if you're a Christian. It was originally owned by a church in Rhiwbina, over twenty years ago and it has grown ever since and now has a cafe joint with the book shop. You can get Christian books; jewellery, stickers, stationary, book ends, book marks, window stickers, children books, bible study books and study journals for the use of your quiet times with God. Either as an individual or whilst being in a bible study group. I recommend it to all Christian's and possibly even to Catholics. They have friendly staff members working on the till and they have wheel chair access.

A coffee and book shop run by the local Baptist church using Fair trade products. The coffee shop…read moreis very popular serving wide range of hot and cold drinks as well as snacks, soups, sandwiches, jacket potatoes etc and cakes. The bookshop had a large range of Christian based literature,books and magazines as a small range of non religious literature including some Jane Austen books. The shop also had a stock of DVDs CDs and a large range of greeeting cards for every occasion as well as a range of resources for Sunday school/RE teachers.

Though the only actual title this corner shop outwardly goes by is a simple 'Newsagent' it doesn't…read morereally require any all-out advertising or branding campaigns, given there's a captive audience several times a day from the nearby high school. At lunchtimes that means you'll feel like a (hyper-low-level) VIP, thanks to their wise policy of not allowing light-fingered schoolkids inside the shop at such junctures, instead forcing them to buy their snacks from a counter/window that opens directly onto the street. Other customers can merely stroll in for their daily paper/milk/groceries and the like unobstructed by ankle-biters, able to pay at the separate interior counter. The kiosk-sized dimensions do mean there isn't a huge range beyond the bare essentials, although they do sell cigarettes, cheap alcohol (Special Brew included!) and magazines dominated by an unhealthy amount of top-shelf titles. Parking is easy and conveniently plentiful on the street outside, meanwhile.