Loved this shop and could have stayed for hours!! As it was I went there two or three times and…read morebought several books. It's a well lit and beautiful shop with everything neatly arranged in clearly marked categories, so it was easy to find what you were looking for. A good range of maps, guide books and books on Scotland; novels, biographies, a great children's section too and much more besides. Best of all, the lady at the counter was extremely nice. I'll be going back there the next time I'm in the town!

Why has this place not been reviewed yet? It's so resourceful!…read more It's tucked away off the main street but seriously, swerve left before you hit Tattie Mac's, take a wee right and you're there! And you won't be disappointed. Like a better organised Voltaire and Rousseau or a more reasonably priced Caledonia Books, this place has a large collection of lit crit for the uni student, a ton of sheet music past and present, and a plethora of fiction and non-fiction, all organised into appropriate sections. The guys who own it are really friendly, always eager to ask if you need assistance and will find you what you need in a second flat. Great selection, the books are pleasantly priced and in good nick. I bought A Clockwork Orange today (bit of light reading, ha) and not only was it only four quid but it looks like new! The owners are always very knowledgable of their craft and banter is free. Very useful for uni students but also accessible if you just fancy a new read. Thistle Books are a service to the local literati community!

As much as I appreciate playing a game of potentially life threatening over-sized Jenga with the…read morebooks of Voltaire and Rousseau is part of the shop's appeal, sometimes all you want is a little bit of order. On those occasions, pay a visit to this little gem, which is situated in the lane adjacent to V+R. Like its neighbouring competitor, Thistle is a second hand book mecca, stocking virtually every genre you could imagine at extremely reasonable prices. Unlike V+R, it is set out neatly and something resembling orderly, meaning you actually have a chance of finding a specific title. Don't get me wrong, Thistle is no Waterstones. It retains the tattered, rough around the edges appeal of all second hand book shops in this neck of the woods and, most importantly, offers ample opportunity to uncover hidden gems at a fantastic price. The staff are also very welcoming and content to let you spend the day browsing and reading. Hell, they'd probably even make you up a bed for the night if you wanted to stay.

A small but well stocked second hand bookshop. I visited it several times recently and bought…read moreseveral books - good, clean, paperbacks at low prices (one was 75p, another £1). There are, of course, many hard-backs for sale as well, plus magazines and videos. Everything is laid out neatly on shelves which are clearly marked so it's easy to find what you're looking for. Helpful staff too.

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?

As good a bookstore as you can get considering it is part of Britain's premier chain of bookstores…read more(Not as bad as you'd think). You might almost think you were in an independent bookshop and the staff are so friendly. I was helped around the kids books by the most enthusiastic member of staff you could ever find who had loads of ideas to entertain my sisters girls. There is a endless range of books, with the locals and travelers more than well catered for with the best selection of books on Scotland that i have ever seen (I've been in the UK for 10 years so far a have traveled around a lot). The children's area is well presented and you'd be happy to leave the kids there while you go for a look around. There are lots of quirky signs around the shop with a special bookcase 'For the Wee Ones' my particular favorite. There is also an engrossing amount of fiction to choose from and i never realized just how many great writers Scotland has. I left with Robin Jenkins and George MacKay Brown, and they wer both amazing. If this isn't one of the best bookstores in the UK then i'll be very surprised. I spent a couple of hours and found far more than i even knew i wanted. It's a delight.

I called from Canada to purchase a gift voucher for a dear Friend in Bishopbriggs for her…read moreChristmas. I spoke with a lovely Lady named Cathy who couldn't have been more helpful. She even offered to deliver her books to her if need be. So kind ! I look forward to visiting this shop next time I am in Scotland & I know my Friend will enjoy having a wee browse in it. Donna H Ontario, Canada

This place is really nice, the staff are super nice and when they don't have the book that you want…read morethen they ask if you want it ordered. They are super cool! The book selection is really big and really good. I would recommend!!!

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-).

Are these guys the last of the big bookstores left? With Borders gone, I think this bookstore is…read morethe last of the literary dinosaurs. This is the mall version of the bookselling giant. Which means, popular books dominate with a good representation of the major sections. Crime, Fantasy, Cookery, Travel and Fiction all have their individual sections with a Children's bit at the back. Don't expect specialist sections, you won't find a large choice here. You could order them at the counter but I don't see the point when online book ordering is pretty well available to everyone. I nick in here to have a quick scan of what is new and available in books. Occasionally I will even buy it here, simply so that I don't need to wait. This store does not excite me like other bookstores (Foyles in London or the Borders at Buchanan). This is not an amazing little bistro where you made find something amazing, more like a Tesco Express where the familiar is readily available.

I'm not a massive fan of the Barehead Centre as a whole but end up here after most visits to Ikea…read more The reason for our visit to Waterstones was to refuel as I know that their cafes stock Martha's food and I wanted something tasty and reasonably healthy for puff and I. The cafe is right at the front of the store, and due to wrangling a toddler who was seriously impressed with Waterstones using real chocolate bunnies in their easter displays I missed the fact that all the empty tables were dirty. We waited ages to be served, it seemed like staff were having to serve book shop customers and cafe customers and it was a less than slick operation. I ordered and then realised the manky table situation, having to clear a table for myself isn't the best start to lunch but needs must as the staff certainly weren't doing it. When the waiter arrived with our soup, I asked if he could bring a cloth to clean the high chair as it was absolutely filthy he was downright rude and had I not been juggling with puff and trying to prevent her wearing a bowl of roasting hot soup I would have ripped him a new one. As it was I think he managed to get the message from my gritted teeth response and death stare. Our leek and potato soup and roll combo was lovely, piping hot a generous bowl of soup and a really tasty chipotle chicken roll and my flat white was good but I'm not sure it was worth the close to 15 minute wait or having to clear a table and watch as all the tables remained covered in dirty dishes for the duration of our stay. I've generously awarded two stars as the bookshop is lovely, far deeper than it would appear from the shop front and as good as you would expect Waterstones to be. Go to the bookshop just don't stop for coffee or lunch!

It was late one Thursday evening and I had missed the late night shopping due to a rehearsal I was…read moreat. I needed to kill some time and also was still in thinking mode about some Christmas present ideas. I stopped outside Waterstones and though 'ach I'll hiv a wee nosey' so I came across some audio books and a staff member pointed me in the direction to more. I explained I was looking for something my dad and she suggested a couple for me. Well he absolutely loves them. Yay! I just want to thank the kind girl who helped me out. I was struggling for ideas and just didn't know where to begin as there's just sooo many titles. I also asked on the off chance to see if they had the Yo! Sushi cookbook at a cheaper price rather than purchasing it from Yo! Sushi themselves. Unfortunately they didn't have it in stock but the Sauchiehall Street branch did but it was about 9.30ish and it wasn't on my route to the restaurant I was heading to. It was the same price too so was best just to nip round the corner and get it out the restaurant. The staff were very helpful and took their time to help me even though it was near to closing time. Athough not as well stocked as Sauchiehall Street it catered my unexpected needs.

You have to hand it to Waterstones (and also book publishers); in the era of the e-book/Amazon they…read morehave managed to re-invent the book shop experience. I used to love book shops when I was a child and teenager then as I became a young adult I began to favour the music/record shop instead, but it wasn't down to just me being more into music than books it was down to the whole shopping experience. I found music shops exciting and book shops then a bit dull and staid. When the 1st e-books & mighty Amazon/online book shops came on the scene the poor high street book shops had to either re-invent themselves or suffer like the many record shops sadly did with the increase of mp3's/online music. Waterstones were one of the big players in the book shop scene and thankfully they chose to up their game. This particular shop has been very successfully re-invented & I wouldn't have even known had I not decided to pop in one day just out of interest (and admittedly to kill some time before my bus!) I remember it being a bit boring a few years ago when I came in but now it's so much better. It's split over 3 levels and the ground floor now has a really great gift and stationary section. I found some super cute washi tape and wrapping paper that was ideal for some home wall designs I had in mind. Also they had many other lovely greetings cards and gifts of all sorts including Scottish themed bits & bobs for the tourists and your family members or friends who live outside of Scotland. The book displays themselves make you want to engage with the books and touch them; something that I think is SO important when shopping. I hate shops where I feel as though I am browsing a museum with products that have a invisible 'Do not touch' sign in front of them. Bah. Hell no. I'm a tactile person (hello!) when it comes to shopping so I like to FEEL everything and books feel (and smell!) really good. The covers, the embossed/raised fonts, the flick of the pages, the shiny and matte coverings...I know the old saying is 'You shouldn't judge a book by its cover' but damn! A great book cover can make or break a book in my opinion! Another touch I like here is that the staff members have their own tags they can use to put on books they particularly like with a mini review. I know Borders used to do this & I always really liked it. The staff here (and all the other Waterstones too) are also really lovely & friendly. Whenever I've had any questions they've always been super helpful and informative & they've never acted as though I am a nuisance or asking a ridiculous question. They also have a cafe here serving Matthew Algie coffee and they're open most nights until 7pm making this a perfect wee place to stop off after work for a wee swatch at some books, a coffee and wee read too before you head home. They also have book signings and a monthly book group too. You can also order books online if they maybe don't have them in stock and earn some points if you sign up to their card at the same time. If you chose to pick the books up yourself from a store it's free so no p&p to pay. Nice one! Nice work Waterstones, you've made book shopping a truly fun experience again.