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    Oxfam Books

    3.7 (7 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 5:30 pm

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    Oxfam books has a few small stores dotted about the city, there's one on Rosemary Street in the city centre that's a little bit larger than this. I've spoken before of a recent interest in rummaging around charity shops for that elusive item that someone has thought is value-less. Generally it's just a combination of bizarre clothing and other assorted nonsense but because this is a bookstore I was expecting to find something more fitting. There is a pretty solid range of books on offer, fiction and non-fiction. I didn't really have anything in mind that I was looking for, the only thing was a book by Daniel Dennett called Breaking the Spell which I read excerpts of online and thought it would be worth a look (I've already tackled Hitchens, Dawkins and Sam Harris' books on faith and thought perhaps moving to the more moderate approach would give me a different insight) I didn't find it although I did find a botanical study book by bearded wonder David Bellamy, which I purchased for a meagre £1.50. It covered the basics on evolutionary biology and the study of plants and organisms through the ages. Well worth a saunter in if you have a bit of time off.

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    Waterstones - Gift ideas for Father's Day

    Waterstones

    4.0(20 reviews)
    0.6 miCity Centre
    ££

    I'm actually in Waterstones a lot without every buying a book. You see Waterstones houses one of my…read morefavourite coffee shops in the city, Ground Espresso Bar. The bookshop itself is always busy but don't worry there's also plenty of staff although sometimes I find it hard to distinguish between staff and browsers as they don't appear to have a clear uniform. The shop displays are always excellent - they often have featured books highlighted on a table and then related works nearby. I really like this concept as it makes it a really easy shopping experience. Waterstones has a really nice relaxed feeling about it - you won't get told off for having a good rummage and likewise if you want to contemplate your next novel choice the upstairs coffee shop is the perfect place to do that. I know this review wasn't exactly a thriller but hopefully it's a good non-fiction.

    Waterstones does not strike me as 'mainstream' as Easons or WH Smith. There is more of a homely,…read moresort of old fashioned atmosphere at Waterstones which takes the shabby bookshop feel but invests lots of money and time into it to make it into a great store. It is a great mix of old and new. The shop gives you a feel of being a bit like going to your gran's house, but instead of old photo albums, you have the latest bestsellers dotted around instead. They have some great offers, particularly on children's books. I went in with a friend to buy books for primary school teaching and they had some great ones for very cheap. The shop also has some travel guides, a great section on irish history, and is a perfect stop if you need to get someone a Christmas present and you've already exhausted the CD and DVD route one too many times. The staff are really nice and smile and do everything you want from a bookshop member of staff. Remarkable how some shops not too far away have the most ignorant members of staff you can find, yet a quaint little bookshop has the most polite and pleasent people you will ever find. Although I don't like buying books and not ever getting round to reading them, I do like to browse bookshops and Waterstones is one of my favourite in all of Belfast.

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    Waterstones - Waterstones

    Waterstones

    Waterstones
    Waterstones - Autumn of sport- ALL MEN :(

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    Autumn of sport- ALL MEN :(

    No Alibis - No Alibis is an excellent place for Irish Literature and drama. Very helpful staff will help you find what you need!

    No Alibis

    4.2(24 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    ££

    I must admit, I don't usually go in to book stores, when I am going to buy a book I usually head…read morestraight to Amazon but today after having breakfast in the Botanic area I was walking back to my car and I thought I would call in to No Alibis to see if I could pick up a book I had been recommended by numerous colleagues. On entrance No Alibis seemed cluttered and I couldn't immediately locate the section I thought the book I was looking for would be in. It certainly wasn't as clear as the Amazon search results. Anyway I struggled on and eventually came across the 'business' section at the back of the store. After having a quick sift through the books it became clear that they didn't stock the title I was looking for. With that I was about to leave but then I thought I'd ask the lad working there if she had seen/heard of the book. It was then my experience took an amazing turn for the positive. The helpful lady immediately consulted her 'book database' on the computer and immediately found the book. Unfortunately she didn't have it in store but she was able to reserve it for me and have it ready to be collected on Monday - plus it was cheaper that it was on Amazon. What a result! It was look old meets new! If you're looking for a book for study or leisure definitely pop in here - even if they don't have it they can source it for you. I also noticed they sold some unique pieces of local art. Hopefully this main stay of Botanic will be around for years to come!

    I'm an English student so any bookstore is a good bookstore as far as I'm concerned. This one…read morehowever is independent of Queen's but has a very close relationship with the students and the staff. Despite there already being a bookshop owned by Queen's, many would recommend you try here first as if they don't have it, they will guarantee you it with their next delievery. It could be either that or the fact the people (whose names escape me yet again) are exceptionally friendly and have a real passion for their job. I have been in browsing before and soon i was sitting down with some friends having coffee and discussing books... pretentious possibly, but it's almost certainly the bookstore that makes me want to sit and drink coffee and talk about books. I dont even like coffee either. Very very very helpful, very friendly and a must for anyone who requires a good book

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    No Alibis - Great selection!

    Great selection!

    No Alibis - A crime not to go in..

    A crime not to go in..

    No Alibis - Courtesy of website

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    Courtesy of website

    Octopus's Garden - Wavey Garments

    Octopus's Garden

    5.0(2 reviews)
    0.5 miCity Centre
    ££

    I was cutting through Wellington Street on my way to Upper Queens Street yesterday when I stumbled…read moreacross Octopus's Garden. Belfast used to be a wash with Vintage stores but over the years these have slowly become extinct so it's always good to see a new one rise from the bottom of the ocean - much like an Octopus. Octopus's Garden has many strands or arms/tentacles (may as well continue down pun street). It sells vintage clothing for both males and females, old school vinyl and various other retro artifacts. The main thing I liked about Octopus Garden was that their was a varied choice - the rails were jam packed with everything from flannel shirts, band T's to leather jackets and potentially bum cheek exposing denim hot pants. The prices were reasonable too - you often find that vintage stores inflate the prices of their stock but it seems that Octopus Garden have made a concerted effort not to extort their clientele. I was only going in for a browse but I ended up walking out with a loud shirt that has already proved a controversial choice - but that's the beauty of buying vintage items - they always divide opinion and create a talking point. I recommend popping in here for a wee duke round - you never know you might come out with your (not everyone's) new favourite shirt.

    If I was trapped in the Garden of The Octo I would never have a time of misery or boredom. This is…read morethe slickest place so far and I would tell anyone who visits this city that loves music and old clothes to begin their journey here. I love this place!

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    Octopus's Garden - Shop exterior outside, shop window

    Shop exterior outside, shop window

    Octopus's Garden - Octopus's Garden

    Octopus's Garden

    Octopus's Garden - Really well priced

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    Really well priced

    Bookfinders - Bookfinders Cafe

    Bookfinders

    4.3(8 reviews)
    0.2 miQueen Quarter
    £

    Stepping into Bookfinders is like stepping back in time 30 years. It's a proper old fashioned,…read morebohemian book shop and café located in the Queen's Quarter of Belfast. I love it but it won't be to everyone's taste - it's definitely a place you'll either love or hate. Other reviewers have mentioned this and the vibe is definitely like stepping into a Harry Potter movie or an episode of Black Books. It's full of second hand books, plants, candles, ornaments and paintings. The floors are uneven, the walls are crammed with paintings, posters and newspaper cut outs and a lovely peaceful, charming atmosphere prevails. They serve sandwiches, toasties, soups, stews, pastas, salads, teas and coffees - I can vouch for the cheese and tomato toasty being extremely tasty. Queen's University English Society hold monthly poetry events in Bookfinders (Poetry and Pints) and drama groups meet here too. Bookfinders is open from 11am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday and later during the light evenings of the summer months. A big plus is there's free Wi-Fi and you can BYOB of wine for lunch, an afternoon meal or to an event. This little bookshop and cafe is the true definition of a hidden gem. I love it and would highly recommend a visit.

    I really adore this little place. It's old, the books tend to be tattered, the floor is a bit…read moreuneven and the place looks like it would be freezing in the winter. However, it is as traditional as a bookshop can ever get. It's like some old Victorian bookshop that you might see in the movies. I've had lunch here which is so cheap and quite nice but its the 'get-away-from-it-all' atmosphere which you cannot pay for. I've also had a few classes and meetings in here and its always really quiet so you feel a bit out of place making noise. It's like a library where you can have lunch. Combines my two favourite things... food and words. Perfect! Definately a must if you ever fancy a book and somewhere to read it undisturbed

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    Bookfinders - Bookfinders

    Bookfinders

    Bookfinders - Art in Bookfinders

    Art in Bookfinders

    Bookfinders - Bookfinders

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    Bookfinders

    Evangelical Bookshop

    Evangelical Bookshop

    3.5(2 reviews)
    0.6 miCity Centre
    ££

    Oh, you could just lose yourself in this place, amidst the huge piles of books stacked in the…read morenever-ending shelves...it's totally old school and most definitely what I would define as a proper bookshop. It's actually kinda like Like Hugh Grant's in Notting Hill. Mmm. The shop isn't that big, but it is bursting at the seams with apologetics, biographies, novels, an entire Puritan section, Bibles and tons more - everything you could think or dream of in terms of Christian literature. The Evangelical Bookshop isn't the most organised of bookshops, but you'll still easily find what you're looking for, and if there are any problems, the staff are on hand to help. Speaking of staff, the man with the booming American voice (I hope that's correct...I'm nearly certain it is) is just fab. He'll answer any of your questions and will happily converse with anyone and everyone who comes into the shop. For an extremely pleasant book-finding experience, the Evangelical Bookshop is a hard one to beat.

    Of all Belfast's illustrious independent bookshops this is not one I have visited often. Generally…read morethe offerings are fairly limited to one particular way of thinking, but then again it is clearly titled. I had a look around, simply curious as to what I would find. This was my second trip to a religious bookshop. The first was in east Belfast and that was to ask for directions. I was surprised to find a few books that had taken my fancy online. A rebuttal of Richard Dawkin's God Delusion best seller. I had to give it a go, and to be honest it proved an interesting read. Besides this there are a wide variety of bibles on offer as expected, religious novels and novellas along with guides on how to live a more fulfilling life with god. When I did pay for my book the staff couldn't have been friendlier, no negative points there. It's certainly worth a look regardless of your religious inclination.

    The Old Abbey Bookshop

    The Old Abbey Bookshop

    4.5(2 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    There are not many of these old fashioned, independent bookshops left anymore and so when I find…read moreone I like to spend a bit of time browsing around. I spent about twenty minutes in here the other day as the place is very small and quite intimate which made me feel I couldn't really use the place as a library. There is an extensive of first editions as well as a surprisingly large collection of old children's books - many of which I recognized from my own childhood such as Jemima Puddle duck and Thomas the tank engine. Because of the uniqueness of some of the books and the extraordinary condition they have been kept in some cost over £40. Obviously there are other books you can pick up for a fraction of the recommended retail price and I was able to find a book on painting on glass for a mere £6.00 - let my new hobby commence!

    An antiquarian/second hand book shop of the best sort with an interesting selection of books…read moreincluding first editions on history, literature, art and cookery. There's also a rich selection of children's titles from days gone by from old authors like GA Henty and Alison Uttley, as well as early editions of Enid Blyton and Biggles. The shop is small but well laid out, kept well and cosy. I could have spent ages in here looking at the fascinating titles as there were so many boosk that I'd like to read though it does also cater for the serious book collector/antiquarian enthusiast.

    Oxfam Books - thrift_stores - Updated May 2026

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