Book Worm Paradise

Attention Springfield readers! If you’re a book worm like me, and you would rather spend your money on a new book than on something to eat, you may want to read what follows.

In the information age we live in, it seems like it’s getting more and more difficult to find the book you want that isn’t on an e-reader. Don’t get me wrong, e-readers are great if you travel a lot or if you move around and can’t take your books with you. However, I personally prefer the smell and feel of a real book in my hands. Something I can sit down with, take a pen or highlighter, and go to town, or in some cases, a far off land. Unfortunately, I’ve noticed whenever I walk into Barnes and Noble the books I want are nowhere to be found, and their Nook section takes up half the store. So, like many others, I have moved on to the used book stores around town. Luckily, because everyone else is switching to e-readers, there is a much higher selection than there used to be in these stores.

The first store I try to hit is Book Rack. It’s located at 311 W Central Street. There isn’t much organization here. In fact, it’s mostly floor to ceiling books you have to dig through. However, most of the time you can find a real treasure and you’re most likely only going to pay $.50 to $1.50 for it. I try to buy what I can find here, and then move on to other locations. There will be days I leave with close to 15 books and only spend about eight dollars.

Stop number two is usually Hooked on Books at 2756 S Campbell. The books are neatly organized and in much better condition than the previous store, and the prices range anywhere for about $1.50 to $3.00 per book. The best part about this store is their classics section. It takes up almost an entire aisle, and they have almost anything you might be looking for in this genre.

Stop number three is Half Price Books, located at 1950 S Glenstone, behind CD Warehouse. The price may be a little bit higher than the other two, but if none of the other places have what you’re looking for, Half Price can find it for you. Also, Half Price has a much larger selection of contemporary literature. The one thing you must check out why going here is their rare books sections. It’s not uncommon to find 200 year old books one the three or four shelves designated for these treasures. Even if you don’t intend to buy, you should at least look through them.

There are other used book stores in Springfield as well. For instance, ABC books at 2109 N Glenstone. The prices here are a little bit higher; however, they have a large selection of both Christian reads as well as a descent selection of poetry. But, expect to pay for what you’re getting. Also, there is Book Castle at 2252 S Campbell. Once again, the prices are a bit higher, and the selection is not as good as the other places. The books here are in like new condition though. Book Castle also sells T-shirts and posters along with their slight selection of reads.

This is just my system. I recommend checking all these places out and finding which one works for you. The hours of operation vary for each book store, so spend a couple weekends going around to where you want. I do recommend making up a list of books you want to buy though. This way, you don’t get aimlessly lost in all your options. You may end up with multiple copies of the same book. I speak from experience on this one.