For a student bookworm, finding books on a college budget can be a difficult endeavor. The typical chain bookstores can be expensive, and the books at thrift stores are sometimes as gently used as a motel mattress. However, living in Springfield means there are some great local secondhand bookstores with good-looking books at better-looking prices.

Bookmarx

Bookmarx is the Chanel of Springfield’s secondhand bookstores. It is cute, cozy and extremely comforting. The shop is owned by a kind man, and his cats are often bathing in the sunlight amongst the stacks of books. The selection of books offered there isn’t the largest, but it has a lot of unique finds that you might not find at traditional stores or even other secondhand shops. Some that stood out were the old, leather-bound books of classics that looked like they could have come straight from a Victorian study. The price for the books was also reasonable. I bought two books, both in great condition, at $4 and $6 each. While I was checking out, the owner talked about my purchases with me and even recommended books by the same authors. Overall, I absolutely loved my experience there, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone (except those with cat allergies). Bookmarx is located in Downtown Springfield at 325 E Walnut St. 

Pagination

Pagination is another downtown bookstore located on Walnut Street. It’s right across from Rama Thai and is set up in an adorable house. Let me tell you, the vibes here were immaculate. As soon as you walk in, it feels as though you’ve entered the home of a lovely, little grandmother who just happens to have books for sale. The books are organized in a way that’s fairly easy to follow as each room of the house has a different genre in it. However, the selection here was not as diverse as other stores, and I paid $8 for one book. Although, it was a volume of three stories in one book, so I am unsure if that played into the higher price. Ultimately though, I was very happy with Pagination, and I would encourage people to give it a visit. It is located at 1150 E Walnut St.

Hooked on Books

I am not going to lie, Hooked on Books is a little strange. It has a very different interior from the other stores mentioned so far. It has high wooden shelves, carpet and fluorescent lighting, and it reminds me more of an office than a bookstore. It also has a seating section in the back, but instead of comfy couches, it has outdoor furniture without cushions. However, despite the odd decor, it definitely has the most diverse and cheapest selection so far. The amount of books here is insane. They have whole aisles dedicated to different genres, and they often have several copies of each book. They even had a little section dedicated to soapmaking. I am not sure how they attained enough books on soapmaking to give the topic its own little shelf, but it’s a feat that impressed me. The prices here were also very good. I didn’t end up buying a book from here, but most books were only $2-$4. Hooked on Books is not the place to go if you’re looking to take aesthetic bookstore photos, but if you’re looking for a lot of books for a cheap price, this is the place to go. It’s located at 2756 S Campbell Ave.

Half-Price Books

This is a classic shop, known to locals from way back in the day. I remember going here as a kid to get cheap books with my mother. The owners are actually working toward retirement, and the shop will be closing at the end of October. They have all sorts of books–from philosophy and geology, to classic sci-fi and general fiction. Since they are closing down, all used books are FREE until Oct. 20. That’s right, they’re literally giving away books to those of us who love them for nothing. I went in with a friend, and each of us filled a large tote bag. We paid nothing, and had polite conversation with the owners. It has the vibe of a secondhand shop, but they’ve also told me they’re willing to sell shelving to those who might be interested in it. The pickings here will be getting scarce, so make sure you check this one out in the next few days. Half-Price Books is located at 1950 S Glenstone Ave. 

Written by Cheynne Heavener and Samantha Ellis