Our Favorite New and Used Book Stores

Here are our favorite new and used book stores where we like to buy our first edition books:

Mystery Book Stores

Founded in 1980. It is located at 2342 Bissonet. The store manager and owner is McKenna Jordan with David Thompson as assistant manager and marketing manager.

Both are extremely knowledgeable on mystery books. They always have signed books for us to consider when we visit. There are a large number of paperbacks for reading as well as new and used books to buy.

Many well-known authors stop at the store on their tours to sign their books. Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, Robert Crais and Robert Parker are just a few that have been recently or plan to visit.

Jim and I often drop by to leave our books to be signed.

David also owns Busted Flush Press which specializes in reprints and new short story mystery books.

Poisoned Pen Book Store

This store is located in Scottsdale, Arizona. It opened in 1989 and is owned by Barbara Peters. Her husband owns Poisoned Pen Press.

The store has mysteries and thrillers and also some literature and sci-fi books. They also have numerous famous mystery writers visit for signings.

You'll occasionally see their first editions listed on ABE.com as well as on their web site. Be sure to check out their book clubs!

Literature Book Stores

Lemuria Books is located in Jackson, Mississippi. It was founded in 1977. It has grown and moved since then. They have had a web site since 2000.

Lemuria's focus is on literature and has a first editions book club.

Many famous as well as up and coming authors make their way to Jackson to sign. They have many suggestions for the book collector. Check out their blogs.


Brazos Book Store
Brazos Book Store is located in Houston about a block east of Murder By The Book Bookstore at 2421 Bissonet.

It specializes in literature, non-fiction, art books, biographies and history.

Authors come to sign their books at the store on a regular basis.

Science Fiction Book Stores

Mysterious Galaxy Book Store is located in San Diego, California. It sells both science fiction and mystery books.

They pair these two genres together, I think, because science fiction is a smaller genre.

Since many authors live in California or on the west coast ... they get a steady stream of authors for signings and so always have a good number of signed first editions.

Used Book Stores

Half Price Books book stores are our favorite new and used book stores to visit. There are numerous locations in the larger cities in Texas.

There are three within a few miles of my home in Houston and several others a little further away.

The one in the picture is a new store on the south side of Houston. It opened up last year. Half Price Books has locations in 15 states mostly in the midwest and southwest.

The store in this next picture is in Dallas across the street from where the original Half Price Books store was.

Jim and I always end up visiting one or two when we get together.

Half Price Books has books that are used of course ... but also a few new remaindered books that have not been read. Some of the remaindered books will have remainder marks - black or red dots or lines on the top or bottom of the text block. But a good number will not have any marks and will often be fine/fine in condition.

Recycled Books, Records and CDs

This used or second hand book store has been around for many years. It is located in Denton, Texas ... about an hour north of Dallas ... at the corner of Locust and Hickory Streets. The building used to be an Opera House in the early part of the 20th century and is painted a light shade of purple.

This second hand book store is unique in that they are very selective about the books they buy. You'll find a large number of collectible first editions in fine or near fine condition.

We were there about three hours in early July. I spent much so much time in the mystery and literature and rare book areas ... that I didn't make it into the science fiction room!

The book store is highly recommended if you are in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

And check to make sure they are first edition. (one in the number line for most books)

We highly encourage you to visit the new and used book stores near you. Visiting a store and picking up and examining books will give a new book collector experience in ... identifying first editions and determining book condition.

Happy book hunting!

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