Reimagine Old Stories in Houston’s Top 10 Secondhand Bookstores
I find a unique happiness in reading old or pre-loved books, especially from secondhand bookstores. Aside from the history that comes with them, they carry the whispered secrets of previous readers.
These books, with their folded or ripped corners, can invite us to explore stories that have traveled through generations. Luckily, secondhand bookstores in Houston provide a home for these stories to find new homes and new hearts.
So come with me as I go around Houston to find these lost stories, and breathe new life into every page.
1. Kaboom Books
Media credit: @kaboombooks
Website: https://kaboombooks.com/
Address: 3116 Houston Ave #6736, Houston, TX 77009
Contact Details: 713-869-7600
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
For over 30 years, Kaboom Books has provided access to secondhand books to Houston bookworms. What’s great about Kaboom Books is that they don’t just have tables filled with old books—they have towers of shelves, filling an entire library!
Here, you can also find hard-to-find titles—even those unavailable online.
Don’t let several books overwhelm you, Kaboom Books is pretty organized, allowing you to browse each section based on the subject.
And if you still can’t find the book you’re looking for, the staff from Kaboom Books will gladly assist you.
You can also opt to be seated in their lounge area, allowing you to browse through the initial pages before you check out a specific book.
Pro tip:
Horror novels are quite limited in Kaboom Books. So if you’re looking for spine-chilling novels, it’s best to call them first to check their selection or confirm availability.
2. Murder By The Book
Media credit: @murderbooks
Website: http://www.murderbooks.com/
Address: 2342 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005, United States
Contact Details: +1 713-524-8597
Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
For Stephen King and thriller novel fans, Murder By The Book is the secondhand bookshop for you.
Once inside Murder By The Book, you’ll instantly appreciate the natural light during the day. You can just select a cozy corner and read your chosen novels.
And if you want to read in a moody setting, you can choose to visit during the later part of the day. Imagine reading a scary chapter while the dim lights are up, creating a more spooky experience.
Crime fiction authors such as Don Winslow and Ruth Ware grace the store to promote their novels. So if you’re in the area, you can catch promotional events like this one too.
You can also buy some merchandise from Murder By The Book. Here, you can buy coffee mugs and shirts showing famous lines from your favorite thrilling novels.
Pro tip:
Consider signing up for Murder By The Book’s subscription business. This will allow you to access staff-selected titles and signed copies from various author appearances.
These books will be delivered straight to your home.
3. Becker’s Books
Media credit: @beckersbooks
Website: http://www.beckersbooks.com/
Address: 7405 Westview Dr, Houston, TX 77055, United States
Contact Details: +1 713-957-8088
Operating Hours: Thursday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Since 1988, Becker’s Books has been showcasing secondhand novels and rare books in Houston. Founders, Dan and Ann Becker, have been filling their home-based bookstore with their massive personal book collection.
At Becker’s Books, you can find old books from 1584, or even antiphonals which the monks used from the 9th century. They also offer old books in various genres, allowing you to take more from their collection.
For those of you who don’t have time to visit their secondhand bookstore, you can enjoy browsing their online catalog to check if they carry the book you’re looking for.
Though the store is airconditioned, some areas inside Becker’s Books are a little warm, so it’s best to secure a cooler corner if you prefer to read your books here.
Pro tip:
Check out the books’ inside jackets or pockets for surprises such as author’s notes or signatures.
4. Brazos Bookstore
Media credit: @brazosbookstore
Website: http://www.brazosbookstore.com/
Address: 2421 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005, United States
Contact Details: +1 713-523-0701
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM;
- Friday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM;
- Sunday: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
For over 50 years, Brazos Bookstore has been a go-to secondhand bookstore in Houston. Aside from old books, you can also find new books here, making them a great one-stop shop for bookworms in Houston.
What’s great about Brazos Bookstore is that they offer classic literature, non-fiction, art, and architecture monographs. You can also find children’s novels here, targeting readers of all ages.
If you’re in search of a secondhand bookstore that hosts various events, Brazos Bookstore hosts literary events to support both writers and readers.
In fact, this secondhand bookstore has multiple partnerships with known institutions such as Rice University, Houston Public Library, and the Annual Poet and Writer’s Ball, allowing them to expand their resources.
And if you’re lucky, you can even catch their interactive events showcasing both new and established authors, complete with free book-signing events.
Pro tip:
Consider staying after the book signing event. At times, authors stick around for some informal chit-chats, allowing you to know the authors a little further.
5. Quarter Price Books
Media credit: @quarter_price_books
Address: 3820 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77098, United States
Contact Details: +1 713-520-5009
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Upon entering, you’ll be instantly greeted by Quarter Price Books’ staff. He will then lead you to their index card-labeled bookshelves, allowing you to browse per section.
Since their shelves are quite full, just be ready to diligently check each shelf to find what you’re looking for.
To add to that old-school ambiance, classical music is being played in the background. Make the most of Quarter Price Books’ warm ambiance, sit on one of their benches, or lie down in their narrow aisles while reading a book.
Here, you can find classical medical books, anthologies, history, and even coming-of-age.
Book collectors will also enjoy browsing Quarter Price Books’s large collection of out-of-print hard copies. Even better, they also have new publications, allowing you to have a one-stop shop for old and latest novels.
Pro tip:
Quarter Price Books offers rotating weekly specials on specific genres or authors. Consider asking the staff about it before going around the bookstore to secure availability.
6. The Book Attic
Media credit: @thebookatticofficial
Website: http://www.thebookattic.info/
Address: 15222 Farm to Market 2920, Tomball, TX 77377, United States
Contact Details: +1 281-255-6050
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
If you’re searching for pre-owned children’s books, old adult novels, as well as rare book collections, you can head to The Book Attic in Houston. You can find various categories such as politics, history, cooking, romance, and even DIY books!
What’s great about The Book Attic is that their books are sorted well, allowing you to easily locate the book you’re looking for.
And if you don’t have enough time to browse, the staff at The Book Attic knows exactly where the books are, letting you find the book in an instant.
Pro tips:
- The Book Attic often has some stocks that are shelved, while some aren’t even listed online. Consider asking their staff for specific titles you’re looking for so they can check from their internal database.
- Don’t miss out on The Book Attic’s dedicated section for local authors. This will let you explore and support the talents in your city.
7. Books Abound
Media credit: @bookingsince1898
Address: 11600 Jones Rd # 111, Houston, TX 77070, United States
Contact Details: +1 281-807-5505
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
If you don’t mind being welcomed by a big fluffy dog to a secondhand bookshop then you can add Books Abound to your must-visit list.
Books Abound, a family-owned and dog-friendly bookstore, is also celebrated as an old-school bookstore in the heart of the city.
What sets Books Abound apart is that they create a welcoming and personalized experience for their customers.
The owner and their staff constantly initiate conversations with their clients, which is reminiscent of classic bookshops where conversations about literature are always encouraged.
While their younger adult section is quite limited, you can still enjoy other book genres and categories at Books Adult.
And if you have old books that you wish to sell, Books About allows you to trade your old books to some of their collection.
Pro tip:
Don’t forget to bring cash as Books Abound doesn’t accept cards at the moment. While there’s a gas station with an ATM along the way, it’s still a few minutes’ drive away so be sure to come in prepared.
8. Blue Willow Bookshop
Media credit: @bluewillowbooks
Website: http://www.bluewillowbookshop.com/
Address: 14532 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079, United States
Contact Details: +1 281-497-8675
Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
What’s great about Blue Willow Bookshop is that the staff provides personalized recommendations, letting customers appreciate other collections that aren’t on their usual list.
The staff will start a conversation with you, allowing you to share your usual go-to novels. From there, they will bring out a stack of books they recommend.
Once you set foot inside Blue Willow Bookshop, you’ll instantly notice the various signatures on their signing wall. This wall reflects the secondhand bookshop’s deep involvement with the community and other book clubs.
You can also catch various book events and even children’s storytimes at Blue Willow Bookshop, allowing you to meet your fellow book enthusiasts.
You can check their social media pages as they announce future events ahead of time.
Pro tip:
Blue Willow Bookshop has an audiobook section. Don’t hesitate to inquire with their staff about digital downloads of your favorite reads.
9. Katy Budget Books
Media credit: @katybudgetbooks
Website: http://www.katybooks.com/
Address: 870 S Mason Rd #101, Katy, TX 77450, United States
Contact Details: +1 281-578-7770
Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
One of the largest secondhand bookshops in Houston that you can pay a visit to is Katy Budget Books. If you want to expand your book collection without breaking the bank, Katy Budget Books is here for you.
Before you head to the other parts of the bookstore, you can check the storefront first for their staff book recommendations.
Browsing through their shelves is relatively easy as they organize the shelves by author.
You can also avail of Katy Budget Books’ book credit program. Just book an appointment online, bring your books during your schedule, and wait for them to process the credit.
After that, you can already purchase books and use the credits on your tab. And if you can’t make it during your appointment, you can easily request it to be rescheduled.
Pro tip:
Aside from books, you can buy a gift from Katy Budget Books’ bookish items. Here, you can purchase bookmarks, book totes, and even literary candles.
10. Copperfield’s Book Shop
Media credit: @copperfieldsbookstx
Website: http://www.copperfieldsbooks.net/
Address: 8220 Louetta Rd #106, Spring, TX 77379, United States
Contact Details: +1 832-761-5559
Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
For over 30 years, Houstonians have been going to Copperfield’s Book Shop to purchase pre-owned hardcover and paperback titles.
Buying at Copperfield’s Book Shop also lets you earn points every time you purchase, allowing you to come back and claim your accumulated reward.
What’s also great about Copperfield’s Book Shop is that they keep a record of your book purchases. Knowing your reading history lets them help you find your next read.
This also prevents you from buying the same books, especially if you already have an extensive library at home.
Pro tip:
Not quite sure about your friend’s reading history? Gift certificates are being offered at Copperfield’s Book Shop, allowing your friend to choose his or her novel instead.
