This is a fab original little bookshop fighting against the likes of Waterstones and Blackwells. I…read moremean, it's not actually fighting those giants, but you know what I mean. If you've seen You've Got Mail you know what I mean. This is a proper bookshop. Books are crammed onto rickety-looking shelves and span all kinds of categories. They buy as well as sell books, so you can get yourself a good swop-shop thing going on if you're savvy enough. Obviously, you've got to have some spare time on your hands to browse through everything, but it's well worth it as this is one of the few remaining old fashioned book stores in the city centre, and you can find some real gems. Also worth a look from an academic point of view - being near the university campuses means you can get some bargains as far as uni reading goes.

It's good because it sells a lot of books cheaply but my enthusiasm for little quaint second hand…read morebookshops has worn a little thin mainly because the owners al seem to be sociopaths or misanthropes. Too harsh? Maybe, it could just be the case that put end to end and the hours sat alone with only books for company probably add up to years, either that or books give off some sort of toxic fumes that effect the central nervous system. Still there are lots of books here so if books are what you're after then why not take a few minutes to see if there's anything amongst the second hand stock - and therefore tick your little green eco box for the day to boot - and you may just come across some thing you'd never thought of picking up .

If you are anywhere near the Empire Theatre with some time to spare, this small rare and second…read morehand book shop is a treat to visit. Just look out for the big clock. There a books packed on shelves from floor to the high ceiling for the depth of the shop. Outside there is a 10p bookcase with some interesting titles. The sign above the door reads "Books purchased from Single Items to the Largest Library. All Subjects, All periods, 16th Century to Modern Paperbacks." They also purchase classical and jazz LPs and CDs but the first floor department is not open yet. There are all manor of books to browse from specialist subjects to old annuals. They have recently been refurbished but the bookshop has an real old fashioned feeling.

Henry Bohn is a mini second hand book shop that has surprisingly and most recently attracted my…read moreattention. It is a mystery that I bothered to walk in after so many years I've passed this shop. Outside the entrance currently has a collection of books on sale for as cheap as 10p each. I don't know anywhere else where you can buy books for 10p! Most of these books are in adequate condition and of course readable. Inside is a different story. There are stacks full of books that feature many genres such as classics like Shakespeare and plenty of other literature including poetry. Plus, if that's not enough to tempt you, then they have a variety of music CD's. For example, jazz, classical, blues and LP's too. All of these items are affordable and if you have any unwanted items, you can trade in for cash depending on the type of book and condition. This is what's great about the shop as both sides can benefit. In terms of the layout, it is rather narrow and the lighting is a bit dull. Other than that, you can't really argue much about the items they sell. There is something for everyone here and it could be your lucky day if you come across a valuable read.

For its size the Blucoat Books and Arts store crams a hell of a lot into its small store which is…read morebasically a space under the stairs leading to the rest of the stores in the Gostins Building. Their selection of books is really very good especially in the arts, films and music sections. Taking an interest in the cinema section I was pleased to see many titles that you would struggle to find even in the new Waterstones - which for all its size isn't as extensive as you would expect, maybe they should concentrate on the books instead of the coffee to go with them. Added to this they only have an arts and crafts space that would give Rennie's a run for their money. It is not a one stop kind of place for all your artistic needs - that would be a bit too much to ask considering the lack of floor space - but with an extensive range of paints, cards and paper the enthusiast will find enough to keep them busy.

When I think of the bookshops in Liverpool, this one never seems to spring to mind first, but it…read morereally should. Tucked away in a little cluster of shops off Hanover Street, Bluecoat Books is a good little store for the budding artist, crammed with Art and Design books on specific artists and architecture as well as the usual A-Z of fiction. They have an art materials workshop with a rainbow of paints, brushes and canvases on sale and also a surprising amount of childrens books which took me back to the days when I was much happier reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar than Austen! I also noticed there was a whole section on travel guide to...'s and they had some out-of-date ones out at 50p each! Also it was £5 for 3 of the second-hand hardback books so I'm stock up for a while now! I won't be forgetting this place in a hurry!

This is very unique book store full of unusual books but also has first edition books from medicine…read moreto children's novel. Over 5 floors, which allegedly the building was built in the late 1800s. I personally love the unusual book store, where love thy neighbours vaule/ trust in each other still stands. This is a rarity in itself, which I love so much . They even have diy tea area where you help yourself to tea/coffee for a very small nominal fee.

Really good selection and great service in the children's section. You can get stuff cheaper on…read moreAmazon, but if you want to support the brick and mortar economy this is a good option.

The kids books section is awesome! It has not only books and toys, bit also a yellow submarine that…read moretoddlers can play in. It has a cafe upstairs, as well a pretty good inventory. Recommended.

Linghams Heswall is the original of the two Wirral based independent bookshops, and indeed the…read morebest! There is a great intellectual atmosphere within this bookshop, one unrivalled by larger chain stores such as Borders and Waterstones. It's as though all the staff have been vetted for their intelligence and knowledge before being allowed on the shop floor, rather than just handed a job because they're prepared to work for minimum wage. Linghams has been in Heswall over 20 years and continues to thrive as the local community support the store! They have a great little cafe serving homemade delicacies towards the back of the store, and they can order any book with an ISBN number. The only problem is, you'll probably find any book that they sell much cheaper on the internet. I guess that's why even the bigger bookshops are in decline. Long live Linghams! They have all the sections you'd expect to see in a huge book store!

I love this little book shop company. I've been in the one in West Kirby as well. The staff seem…read morevery attentive and friendly. It reminds me of the movie You've Got Mail. This particular Linghams has a very nice café in the back. I was really impressed by the layout and style of the café. It looks very homey, yet posh with dark wood round tables and a long bar, behind which are arranged all sorts of yummy looking teas, coffees, and even some potted jams for sale if I remember correctly. There is a great children's area which includes some small toys and plushies for sale as well as books, and I really like the local books section, as well as the poetry section as you will find some local authors in both including poetry chapbooks. Great shop.

Bold Street is a real mixed bag of shops. It has the top end high street chains like Karen Millen…read moreand Kookai and then it has the lovely vintage boutiques like Raiders. Bold Street is lovely with its cobbled stones and eclectic mix of people walking about. It's right in the heart of the city and has a mix of shops from American style diners to international food shops to discount clothing stores. It has a very good fruit and vegetable shop that is cheaper than the supermarket.

Bold Street used to be the high end shopping area of Liverpool in the 1800s/1900s, but since then…read moreit has become more of a mismatch of all sorts of shops. Some honourable mentions include - The Bold Street Produce Market - cheap fruit and veg - Qwaff's - pancake house! nice food and coffee -Mattas - lots of international food, spices, rice, grains and pulses. - Utility - there are 2 utility, one specialising in furniture, one in gifts. Both are very trendy and modern. - Voodou - 2 hair salons, one for men, one for women. Specialise in colouring hair. - Eddie Rockets - 50s style diner - Resurrection - vintage and new clothing.

This Oxfam is one of the best secondhand bookshops in the city. Occupying a large corner shop on…read moreBold Street, it has about a dozen bookcases stuffed with everything from fiction, film, music and biographies to local history and geography books. Admittedly, prices aren't as cheap as they used to be - you're talking about £2.99 for a recent novel or anthology - but given that new paperbacks are usually £7.99 - £9.99 now this doesn't seem unreasonable. When I popped in recently, I managed to find almost new copies of Zoe Heller's Believers, Marilynne Robinson's Home and Chris Cleave's The Other Hand. Budding photographers and film directors should also note that they stock a great selection of vintage cameras, super-8 cameras and select albums and 12"s on vinyl. The staff are friendly too and they usually have great psychedelic pop or 60s rock on the stereo.

Oxfam is one of my favourite charity shops. It is also the most well known with all proceeds going…read moreto serious and useful causes. The branch in Bold Street is one of the largest selling a variety of random goods; these are all in good condition and no one should be put off by the fact that every item is second hand. The attractiveness I like about second hand shops is just being able to browse freely amongst previously owned items, once in a while coming across an object that catches my eye. At the end of the day, it's all by accident if I buy a product here. Not many people shop at Oxfam with a target. It all begins with a small browse! Moreover, you will be guaranteed a bargain for your efforts.

What a gem. On a high street of hit-or-miss stores and a lot of charity shops, it was wonderful to…read morefind Browsers. Their recent nomination in the Welsh Independent Retail Awards is well deserved and I hope they win. Be sure to stop in for a book or a map (great selection of regional maps) when you're in Porthmadog.

Top place. I love Browsers! They have a great range of books and are always willing to help you…read morefind what you are looking for. Even if you want a book about. and don't have a title or author they will search the computers for something suitable, order it in for you and phone to let you know it has arrived. The art department at th back is similarly helpful, with a huge range of paints, paper, card making, face painting and other art supplies. They have a loyalty card, where you get a stamp every time you spend £10, and once you ahve 6 stamps you get £5 (or possibly £10 I don't remember) off your next purchase.