James Ellroy or David Peace? Hunter S. Thompson or William…read moreS. Burroughs? Banana Yoshimoto or Haruki Murakami? Carson McCullers or William Faulkner? Whatever authors you're into, City Books is a brilliant independent bookshop that's head and shoulders above Borders, Waterstones and other chains in the city. It's so small a coach party would have to visit in groups of ten but they manage to pack a lot of great fiction into that wee space. There's a lot of new releases, classic and cult fiction, crime, sci-fi, horror and womens fiction as well as a small selection of childrens books, cookbooks, travel books and art and design tomes downstairs. They also sell a fantastic range of greetings cards and Moleskin notebooks. The staff are all genuine book lovers so if you want something recommending, just ask. In summer, they often have a table outside offering reduced paperbacks and throughout the year they run a series of author events and readings at The Old Market - two minutes down the road. Nick Cave read from his recent novel here a few weeks ago and they have lots of authors lined up between now and Christmas. Speaking of Santa, I could probably do all my Christmas shopping here....

Books aren't for schmucks! I have written about both of Brighton and Hove's main libraries and how…read morebooks are a fantastic way to beat the credit crunch: "Libraries are a great way to be entertained and educated in times of economic hardship. Although the credit crunch sounds like a really boring breakfast cereal, it may have actually affected the way you spend money." Yeah I just quoted myself, what of it? I am going to contradict myself somewhat by now reviewing a bookshop and describing it as a great way to beat the credit crunch when I previously stated that the BEST way to do this is to get the same books from the library for free. However, you can't get all books from the library. There are some books that are too niche or just not there, so it is therefore necessary to hunt them down elsewhere. The internet is great for this, but a) the internet isn't a place in Brighton, and b) sometimes it is nicer to go out, see real people and support local businesses. Books and records are fantastically physical. It's not the same buying downloaded books, or music: it might be quicker and easier but it is ebbing away the physical way we consume. Books are records can be kept, shared, or sold on. They also give a home a real personal quality and show others what sort of person you are. City Books is a great example of a local business that we should be supporting. Not only does it give you the chance to buy books that you might not be able to get elsewhere and keep up the great tradition of reading, but they also offer an interactive experience with regular readings and book launches by established authors. It is inexpensive, educational and inspiring.

The Steyning Bookshop wouldn't be out of place in Brighton. It's not the small town bookshop you…read moremight expect, but a room of unexpected treasures. The selection encompasses a lovely small literature section, extensive travel and art selection and an excellent children's section. The owner and manager, Sara, specialises in thought provoking children's picture books, and it's a great destination if you want a beautifully illustrated picture book as a present, or just to take a little kid and let them be inspired. The service is lovely and personal whether you're young or old, and there's no rushing, or hovering at shoulders - you'll be more than welcome to sit and flick through books in here for hours, and I have done before now. The biography/autobiography section is strong as well, with a small but thoughtful selection of historical figures, contemporary politicians and prominent figures, musicians, artists, writers and scientists all represented. There's even a selection of handmade wrapping paper and cards, so if you're present shopping (and this place is superb for that) all the ingredients are there. The shop is also something of a social hub, with old dears popping in for a chat and schoolchildren coming in on their lunch break (unusual perhaps, but the selection caters to them as well.) The manager is the brains behind many of the town's arts events, and tickets are sold over the counter here for the film society, music events and town fairs and festivals. Come here for a chat, a reel of local knowledge and a book you've never heard of but will love - you won't be disappointed.

When I was little, we used to go and stay with our friends in Steyning and my most favourite treat…read moreof the whole holiday was to go to the Steyning bookshop and pick out a book for myself. ( And sometimes if we stayed long enough and I was extra lucky, to go back to get another!) The shop itself looks like a white fronted house and inside while the shop isn't that big, the kids section is wonderful. In the middle is a train with book racks over it and then the drivers compartment where you can sit and read books. There's pretty much every single childs book you could think of here all placed in this beautiful colourful room. Many a time I've found different books here, some that might not always be found in other more mainstream bookshops but the shop also stocks the more popular titles that people may be hunting for. The staff are really lovely and polite always up for a chat and the prices are reasonable, nothing expensive but no real bargains either. Then when you've finished you get to carry off your purchases in a lovely brown bag. This shop is really a character and worth a visit.

Colin Page's is a very cool bookshop in the Lanes, selling antiques as well as a couple of second…read morehand classics and the like. It's not that great for fiction, theatre or modern art books (9/10ths of my bookshelf), so I don't come here very often, but it's the sort of place I can imagine liking more as I age and the books I like start to grace its shelves. It's not young, it's certainly not hip or cool, but it is impressive to behold, and a great place to find hidden gems. What I have looked for, and enjoyed the selection of, is non-fiction here. There are a huge variety of old classics here, especially in the psychology section: all of the classics are here, and in ample quantities. I suppose this is the kind of shop to look for strange old books over looking for modern and exciting pieces, but since that really isn't me... I'd recommend it if it's you though.

This ia a bookshop above bookshops and certainly the kind of place you don't see so often these…read moredays. Don't expect trendy music, a in store coffee bar or the latest fiction or Jordan biography. What you can expect are shelves well stocked with leather bound tomes and grimoires covering most fiction and non fiction genres. I am a bit of a collector of random metaphysical texts and such like and can spend hours in here searching through the shelves for something out of the ordinary. Usually, anything I come across is in my price range also, which is always nice. The gentlemen running the store are also very nice and always patient to indulge a heavy browser like myself. Sadly, I rarely walk in here with a clear title I am hunting for, but I get the impression that if this was the case they would be very helpful in sourcing a copy for me. If you are more into your contemporary paperback, they also have a selection of reasonably priced title out the front of the store and I have picked up a few bargains here by sorting through the fruit boxes. If you are in the city and after a title, you would do well to keep this place in mind.

Savory Antiques and Books is yet another gem in the Fiveways crown, with a truly extensive stock…read more The pavement outside is a maze of packing cases brimful of paperbacks, and inside the shelves are well organised into sections, with a very good modern fiction section including an array of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, both the brilliant Donna Tartt book and the slight let-down, in several covers, a bit of Amy Tan and a proliferance of Vikram Seth. The classics are well represented also, and the non-fiction section worked out well for me. I'm not certain where the 'antiques' came in, unless it were the antiquarian books, of which there were many. The collector's items obviously go for a bit more, but your average paperback will be about £3, a hardback £4 or £5. It's a surprisingly light, airy bookshop that almost feels like it's not second hand - everything apart from the real antiques is clean and in excellent repair. There are no dogs or cats curled up in dusky corners, and that smell of dusty mildew is significantly absent. This was a disappointment to me, but probably an advantage to those of us without my unusual olfactory tastes. This would definitely be an excellent visit if you were looking for something specific or out of print, as the owners have a nigh-on encyclopaedic stock knowledge, not all of which is available to the browser's eye. A certain good bet for your day of Fiveways browsing.

There are so many second-hand books here that they have them in boxes outside on trestle tables,…read morepiled up on the floor, floor to ceiling inside and pretty much covering the counter. I have found so many brilliant books here- their fiction collection is incredible- the mother and daughter owners have impeccable taste and pick out a great mix of classics, future classics and fun reads. They have a great crime section, cookery section, children's section and, more unusually, they have excellent small drama, history, and political theory sections. The prices are great- paperbacks for a few pounds, hardback art books for five or less, some best-sellers on offer for a pound! Great for you and for gifts. They also buy secondhand books in good condition.

I love Rainbow Books for the simple reason I picked up a copy of one of my favourite books here for…read more60p. Yes, that's 60p not £6.00! As the crazy window displays indicate, Rainbow Books is a second-hand bookshop that's literally packed floor to ceiling with books. New books, old books, dusty books and books that are falling apart. There's fiction, non-fiction, biographies, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, crime, true crime and strangely, quite a large selection of humour books. If you don't mind getting your hands dirty, you could probably spend an hour or two in here and emerge with a bag of books you'd like to read. In keeping with the community feel, there's a coffee machine where you can buy cheap cups of coffee and a table and chairs where you can sit and flick through potential purchases. Oh and did I mention, the books are insanely cheap? The book I bought? Ray Shell's ICED.

When you walk into this shop and see the stacks of books piled everywhere you almost expect the…read morecast of Black Books to appear from amongst the shelves. The room is literally filled with ceiling high bookshelves and books on every surface- I've been in lots of times and have never looked through the books on the floor- does anyone look at those?! There are some good second hand books here if you search through the shelves and the owner/shopkeeper seems to strangely know what stock they have despite it looking like a bookbomb exploded in there. I do wish they would maybe dust or clear some books out of there sometimes- it can be off putting if you're not in the right mood.

I just love to browse book shops. Oxfam seem to do it very well. The shop doesn't smell aweful like…read moresome I can mention. So, no damp book smells here! The books are all filed into categories. The prices can be more than one would expect from a charity shop. Oxfam seems to be the most expensive charity outlet going! But if one is studying then some old classics can be found here. Also some good fireside fiction is available. For the traveller there are some good guides. Some travel books by the most respected writers can be found here. It was a rare occasion because I didn't buy a book. Mind you I have a good mountain of books to read at home already. I suggest exploring this shop if one is an avid reader.

I've never been much of a library person. They tended to serve more of a purpose when I HAD to read…read morea book so the deadline would act as an incentive. However, buying books new is not a cheap hobby. That is why this book shop is a wonderful source to keep my bookshelves full. I like buying books in charity shops. They are normally in a decent condition and you get that lovely good feeling when you buy something from a charity shop. It's quite a small shop, the one in the North Laines is bigger and has a wider range but the Hove location is dandy enough. I've got some good treats there by Nick Hornby and Jane Austen for less than £3 each. When I'm done with them I will most likely donate them back. Then buy more.

On lazy Sundays, there's nothing I like better than going for a long walk along the beach then…read morepicking up a couple of paperbacks from the West Pier bookstall. Last time I found a copy of J. Robert Lennon's hilarious novel about an obsessive compulsive mailman and this morning, I managed to scoop two recent Walter Mosley novels. Situated by the West Pier, the bookstall is open every weekend throughout spring, summer and autumn - unless there's heavy rain - and specialises in great quality, secondhand books. All the stock is in crates and there's usually a great mix of paperback and hardback fiction, poetry, biographies, true and literary crime and local interest books. The owner is clearly a bookworm himself and is happy to recommend titles if you're looking for something new and compelling.

I used to live near the West Pier on Montpeiler road and would regularly use the beach as my back…read moregarden on sunny days. This was also a good excuse to have a snoop around the crates of the West Pier Bookstall and pick up a second hand read whilst I enjoyed the sun. There is a good range of fiction and a selection of biographies that have just dropped off the current flavour of the moment. The prices are reasonable as is the quality of the books (nothing worse than a tattered paperback disintergrating from a gust of sea wind!) The propieter is an amicable chap and will try and open execpt in really adveerse weather conditions. I haven't directly been to check out his wares in a while, but noted that he was still going strong as I passed him last weekend. being a little out of the way, you also find that his prices are a littlle more reasonable than similar establishments in the North Laine.

Discount bookstore selling discounted books, stationery and art and craft materials. Set over two…read morefloors, art and craft section and stationery are upstairs, with books downstairs. The selection of books can be a bit hit-and-miss, but there's a good children's section and it is always worth a browse as the stock changes reasonably frequently. At Christmas they have a selection of calendars. Over the years I've got some good bargains here, including DVDs and books. Friendly staff.

Ross M.'s idea, that this store is just a dumping ground for the rejected stock of other bookshops…read morekinda hits the nail on the head i think! Though, perhaps not, as apparently there's a Works Outlet store down at the Brighton Marina! Despite the junkiness of some, well most of its stock, I am quite fond of the Works. It brings back fond childhood memories of my Dad ushering me and my sisters in to the Bristol store with (in heavy Bristolian) 'come on girls we need stationary! the works is the place to go!'. Though even then the stock seemed pretty naff! I did find cheap kids books though. As an adult, I really wouldn't bother going there for the books, or the gifts. But for cheap stationary - cheaper than W. H. Smiths - it's worth a visit.