Thistle Books

I love this place. It’s very well hidden. This is where I get some of my drama books. Not as good as Caledonia books, but still a great place. More expensive than Caledonia books. I have had many a great finds in here. Inc the movie script work for the Marx brothers, duck soup:) I love these old places. I was introduced to this place by an ex who was an English Grammar teacher. And they really know the best places, as they have been students at some point in their life. You will find antique out of print books here for sure.

I hadn’t noticed this place until I came across these reviews and decided to check it out for myself. I didn’t believe in love at first sight until I saw this place! It has the exact charm I love about second hand books stores. It is rough around the edges enough to make you feel like you are on for a good rummage and a bargain but is organized enough to not make you want to kill yourself!
I personally wasn’t looking for anything in particular when I visited Thistle Books, just a spot of second hand fiction, but I reckon if you had something specific in mind then the very friendly staff could definitely help you out. I got chatting to one guy who works here about books in general and I said that I love Jane Austin’s novels which resulted in him immediately tracking me down a copy of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights for £3.50! He said if I like a bit of Austin I’d love a bit of Bronte and he was so right!

As much as I appreciate playing a game of potentially life threatening over-​sized Jenga with the books 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.

Why has this place not been reviewed yet? It’s so resourceful!
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!