Secondhand Books: Hidden Stories and Literary Treasures

What makes secondhand books so irresistible? Kate and Laura celebrate the joy of used bookshops, their favourite places to shop, literary finds and the thrill of unexpected discoveries. There's also an interview with W. B. Gooderham, author of Dedicated To, a book that explores the touching, funny and sometimes heartbreaking messages that can be found in the handwritten dedications tucked inside secondhand books. Whether you're a devoted secondhand book hunter or simply love hearing readers talk about books, this episode is a celebration of literary serendipity, book collecting, and the enduring pleasure of finding exactly the right book when you least expect it.

Book list and links

Bookshopaholics: The Paperhound • Episode #139

‘Owner of Vancouver's eclectic MacLeod’s Books marks 50 years of serving bibliophiles’,John Mackie for the Vancouver Sun

The Second Shelf bookshop (now in online form)

Aphrodisiacs in your Garden by Charles Connell

The Transitive Vampire by Karen Elizabeth Gordon

The Complete Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby

Things I Learned on the 6.28 by Stig Abell

Griffin Bay Bookstore, San Juan island

Episode #51: Barnabees Bookshop

Skoob books

Dedicated to, compiled by W.G. Gooderham

The Diary of a Nobody by George and Wheedon Grossmith

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole and The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole by Sue Townsend

Wise Children by Angela Carter

Arabella by Georgette Heyer

House of Niccolo and