Now, the Kindle is a marvelous invention, there's no denying that. How else could you carry all…read morethose books around with such ease! But, of course, nothing can take away from the warm feeling of a crisp, worn, second-hand book. In this sense, Stirling Books is the anti-Kindle. Not in a pretentious way, not in the least. More in a 'Hey, I'll still be here if you need me,' tipping its cap at you as you go by, kind of way. Second-hand books are thrilling. - Reading the heartfelt messages inscribed in the books given as gifts, imagining why they were given up or even just picturing the previous owner. It's all exciting stuff and in here, you never know what you might find! - There's literally book after book after book. My favourites are the old lived-in books and there's lots of those to be found here. There's also a large academic section in the back which is great if you're working your way through your reading list, thrifty students! It's also worth mentioning that there's a very enviable Shakespeare collection. Shakespeare fans rejoice! I love the arrangement of the shop. It's very relaxed and just a little bit hectic without being messy and unorganised. It just feels like you've wandered into someone's very large book collection with shelf after shelf to explore and the addition of helpfully divided sections. Staff are really friendly and I'm sure you can even even grab a coffee or tea whilst you browse. If you were looking for something in particular, I've no doubt that there would be someone more than happy to help! There's also some other crafty bits and bobs and ornaments to have a look at whilst you're in. So, whilst I don't urge you to drop the Kindle forever, I urge you to drop it only momentarily to make your way down this set of stairs on Maxwell Place. - A proper independent bookstore like this is, not only a rarity today, but a pleasure to browse!

Delightful, with many standard works at amazingly low prices and also rare treasures. The staff are…read moreinteresting and knowledgeable folk, friendly and helpful. I am an inveterate browser of second-hand bookshops throughout Britain and Europe and I can thoroughly recommend this one. Not only should you go there for a good, inexpensive cup of coffee (or good tea) where you can sit in comfort reading some of your prospective purchase, but you should also recommend Stirling Books to your friends. It is a light of civilisation (and a blessed relief from the shopping traipse-).

Ahhhh LOVED this bookstore. As an avid reader, I was drawn to literature like any woman who lives…read morein Booktok would be. The store is cute, cramped and smells like old books. It was perfect. I even overheard a women say the first edition Hobbit was £925!!! We weren't greeted, but who is when you walk into a quiet, moody bookshop. I for one, don't want anyone talking to me when I am browsing. The books were an array of prices- ranging from high to low.

I completely forgot to review this place! It's one of the nicest used books store I've seen in my…read morelife. Edinburgh is filled with all these lovely stores and shops I just can't. This little book store is what I imagine other used bookstores wish they could be. I don't even want to buy a book there because then it would disturb the order of things. It's small but perfect for a bookworm to read a book in the corner and enjoy being surrounded by books.

Edinburgh was our first stop for spending two months in the UK. We showed up with very limited…read morebooks and games because of limited packing space. We always intended to replenish our books and games while we were here, but Blackwell's made it fun and easy. It seems like Blackwell's is just a great bookstore all-around, but it's particularly notable for the fact that the basement is devoted entirely to kids books and games. They had basically every board game you could as for and were willing to help us think about how to pick them out. We wound up getting a copy of Carcassonne (which we have at home) and Cascadia (which I'm excited to try). We also got a few new kids picture books and a book of short stories and poems which will make for good bedtime reading. My wife also picked up a few fantasy novels.

I've been a huge fan of this bookshop for many many years, and would make the effort to visit it…read moreany time I was in the vicinity to feed my reading addiction. Since the advent of the Kindle, I don't visit as often and that makes me rather sad, because Blackwell's is a great bookstore and a cool place just to browse around soaking up the literary vibes. I love the labyrinth of different rooms and secret corners where you can find the most surprising things from board games to desk toys, DVD's, maps, children's books and even a Caffe Nero at the back. Upstairs they have a vast selection of academic books, and it is this connection with the nearby University that probably keeps this bookshop alive in face of the competition from Amazon and e-books. I still love visiting here even though I'm less often inclined to buy a fiction book (most of my fiction is on Kindle these days), as they still have some interesting finds to discover that you won't find elsewhere. I love their selection of stocking-filler type gifts, their eclectic CD and DVD offerings, their board games (Carcassonne, anyone?), and of course the Caffe Nero.

What a great experience. I consider myself to be an experienced antiquarian book collector from…read morethe US and Caledonia Books of Glasgow did not disappoint. Proprietors Martin and his sister (my apologies for not remembering her name) were just great. Once I explained what I was looking for they were extremely helpful. Nice selection of both contemporary and antique books. Definitely one of the top antiquarian shops in Scotland.

I love second hand book stores, and Caledonia Books is probably the first one you'll meet in this…read morearea since the rest are tucked away doon lanes. It's been here for years and has been the first thing that's met my eye at the bottom of Belmont Street since I was a tot. Thus, I would be distraught if anything ever happened to this store, which has looked the same all my life. I used to go here with my mum who loves reading, but started properly utilising it when I studied English Lit at university. I'll get the negatives out the way first since I don't want to bring the tone down, but it is fairly pricey and the staff study you as you walk in. Unlike Thistle books, where you can engage in a long, lively conversation with the shop owner about the book of your choice (seriously, he knows all when it comes to books) or the erratic, nutty professor approach at Voltaire and Rousseau (which has become treasured by the population of Glasgow for these outstanding qualities), there's a cold breeze that blows through Caledonia. And that cold breeze seems wafted from the general direction of the shop owners. I've felt quite uneasy in here at times, like the shop owners don't think I belonged there. It was like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, but with books and baggy jeans instead of hookers and girls who belonged in magazines. My 18 year old self left with tail between legs, head drooped, but now that attitude just makes me indignant. The guys in here aren't unbearable, but they come across as a bit cold to say the least. It's also quite expensive for books. But there is light at the end of this review, and I'll end it with the glass being three quarters full. The books are in very good condition, they are well ordered, there are loads of different categories, loads of interesting books about art that I want to dive into at every opportunity, and it's a Godsend to lit students. I also enjoy their music category - they always seem to acquire some interesting rock biographies and anthologies. So the attitude of the staff is a bit stuffy, but their book shop is great. So, who cares?

Kesley's is a wonderful little gem, which is very lucky not to have any competition nearby from the…read morelikes of Waterstones and WHSmith. And the Tesco in Haddington doesn't sell books and stationery, so Kesley's is the place to come if you are looking for that sort of stuff. The shop is divided up by the counter, and on the left side there is fiction books, and a selection of gifts and stationery, while on the right lies the non fiction section. The books that they sell are very good and the last time I was here I managed to get my hands on a limited edition copy of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - and at a price that was much cheaper than what you would pay in Waterstones. The staff here are very nice and take the time to chat to you about which books you are picking. And they are ever so helpful too. I enquired about a paperback edition of a book once and the man went through the back and found one! There is a lovely coffee shop through the back which is worthy of its own review. I'm really glad that I have found a new favourite bookshop. Move over Waterstones, because Kesley's will be the king of bookstores soon!

great shop. i love it. There are so many things, books, crystals, etc. When you visit, you will…read morealways want to visit again and again. I always meet a lady at the cashier in the store who recommends things to me if I have a hard time choosing, and she helps me with great warmth and a good aura.

Authenticity of Samantha, excellent selection, traditional preservation and educationread more

Located in a refurbished, modern, 3 level watermill in the small rural town of Aberfeldy, The…read moreWatermill is a coffee shop, book shop and gallery - 3 in 1! The book shop, split over 2 levels is really quite extensive for such a quirky place, with popular fiction, non fiction (including lots of local reading material), a childrens' room and an interesting travel section in the coffee shop area. The coffee shop is by far the best in Perthshire that I have found, boasting a small but delicious menu of homemade cakes (try their granola bars) and soup. In 2002 Aberfeldy became Scotland's 1st 'fair trade' town and this is reflected in the list of coffee that is available. Seating is available outside on the terrace in the warmer months and the wood buner glows in the coffee shop when it's chilly. The gallery showcases well-respected artists and is usually of a contemporary nature. Plenty of parking nearby, clearly signposted, helpful, friendly staff and above all a very relaxing place to sit with a newspaper in one hand and a latte in the other.

This is a great place to stop for a snack or lunch if you're in the area. There's not a huge choice…read more(perhaps a few more options would be good, including more vegetarian dishes) but what we chose was excellent, freshly made and delicious. The staff were very helpful and happy to alter a couple of things on the menu (I wanted to have cheese instead of ham and extra salad instead of bread). My husband loved the soup and the coffees were gorgeous too. If we'd had more time on our trip the other day we'd have tried some of the cakes on offer but that will have to be on our next visit!! The bookshop and gift area are nice to browse as well and the whole place is laid out most attractively. I'm sure we'll go straight there when we're in Aberfeldy again during the next month or two.

Sometimes, just sometimes, shops in Stirling don't cut it. They're smaller and have poor stock…read morelevels and less variety in comparison to branches in larger cities. Sometimes, it's just easier to get the train to Glasgow or Edinburgh and browse there, in shops with better availability. I've never once felt this way about Waterstones Stirling and I love browsing this store just as much as stores anywhere else. It's not big enough to merit a coffee shop so, unsurprisingly, there isn't one. But it's a very good size with an upstairs, comparable to the Argyle Street store. It's a great place to spend a half hour and always seems tidy and well-organized. I do love a good book browse and this ticks all the boxes!

The staff in here are VERY knowledgeable about books…read more There is a good range of e-readers, bestsellers, literary fiction, non-fiction, cookbooks, and some quirky things here. Go in for a browse, even if you're not normally a reader - you might be surprised by what appeals to you once you're in. This really is a bookshop that caters to all tastes.