Book shopping in South Africa
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Book Lounge
Mervyn Sloman has been practically canonised by local booklovers for creating this heavenly bookshop that has become the hub of Cape Town’s literary scene, thanks to its great selection of titles, comfy chairs, simple café and program of events. There are up to three talks or book launches a week, generally with free drinks and nibbles, and readings for kids at the weekend.
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Clarke’s Books
Clarke’s stocks the best range of books on South Africa and the continent, and has a great secondhand section. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, it’s unlikely to be at the many other bookshops along Long St (although there’s no harm in browsing).
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A is for Apple
Visit Cape Town’s best children’s bookshop to buy locally focused children’s literature such as When Hippo Was Hairy and Rudyard Kipling’s charming Just So stories. It also has a cute café with outdoor deck and a play area. You’ll also find a branch at the Old Biscuit Mill.
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Boekehuis
A fantastic independent bookshop in an old house with polished wood floors, fireplaces, a garden coffee shop, oh, and a wide range of tomes on literature, politics, history and art including the largest selection of Afrikaans books in Jo’burg. It holds regular readings, book launches and discussions.
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Exclusive Books
This chain bookshop has a great selection of titles and comfy surroundings in which to browse before you buy, plus a café. There are also branches at Cavendish Square and Lifestyles on Kloof.
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Travellers Bookshop
Cape Town's only dedicated travel bookshop stocks all the practical reading material you might need for your travels in Africa and further afield. It also has a good range of general books on Cape Town and South Africa.
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Xarra Books
This excellent bookshop deals in books on African literature, history, politics and art and has an African music section. Book launches and readings are held on Thursday evening.
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Quagga Art & Books
It’s hard to pass this appealing bookshop by if you’re looking for old editions and antiquarian books, as well as local art, and tribal art and artefacts.
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Ike’s Books & Collectables
More like a museum than a bookshop, this antique-filled delight is chock-a-block with 1st editions and is everything an antiquarian bookshop should be.
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Readers Paradise
Longer-than-usual opening hours and a decent discount on prices make this reasonably stocked shop a favourite of Capetonian bibliophiles.
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Kalk Bay Books
Where the southern peninsula’s booklovers gather. Check their website for details of regular book launches and readings.
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Book Dealers of Melville
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Chapter 1 Books
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Exclusive Books
This chain bookshop has a great selection of titles and comfy surroundings in which to browse before you buy.
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Steve & Toni's
A labyrinthine bookshop selling secondhand books, and with an exchange service.
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Adam’s & Co
Good bookshop with a second outlet at the Musgrave Centre in Berea.
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Protea Book House
The Protea Book House also sells secondhand titles.
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Adams
Has a wide selection of books and maps.
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