Get Your Nose Into a Book!

Despite AI and the internet, real books aren’t going away any time soon. Plenty of holidaymakers, love to lose themselves in a good book, and residents also ensure that the printed page is in demand.

Every book lover knows that browsing in a shop or stall can be a much more rewarding experience than shopping online. Out there in the real world, the only algorithm guiding your choices is your own curiosity, and you’ll often find interesting books that you never knew existed.

You won’t find anything like the range of new books available in a British High Street bookshop on Lanzarote – import costs and VAT limit them mainly to bestsellers or local interest titles -but if you don’t mind pre-loved books, there’s plenty of choice.

There’s a social aspect to real-life shopping that is you don’t get on the internet, as well. Places that sell books on Lanzarote can also be a valuable source of information, local knowledge and even friendships. The Bookswops in Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca, for example, have long been an institution among visitors and residents, serving a social purpose far beyond selling books.

Lanzarote’s lively charity scene also offers several options to buy and donate books, while plenty of local tourist-oriented businesses in the resorts have found that bookshelves attract customers.

This is a list of some of the places you can pick up books in English and other languages on Lanzarote. Don’t forget that new books are subject to VAT in Spain, meaning they’re not always cheap. Books sold by charities are usually cheap, while dedicated bookshops usually charge a little more for used books. Don’t complain, support them – these folks have to make a living.

Bookshops

The two mainstays of English-language books on Lanzarote are the Bookswops in Puerto del Carmen (CC Costa Luz, opposite the Hotel San Antonio) and Playa Blanca (C/Corvina 4), both of which stock the largest selections of new and second-hand titles on the island.

Worth a detour is La Madriguera in the Bulevar Spínola in Arrecife, a great little shop with a couple of cases of used English and other language titles. The Librería Guacimeta on C/Mayor in Playa Honda also has plenty of used books in several languages and is one of the best-stocked newsagents on the island.

You may find a few English language titles in resort supermarkets or Spanish language bookshops at Deiland or Arrecife, and there’s always a selection at the newsagents at the airport. but the choice isn’t great.

We’ve been informed that second-hand books can be bought at the PCan petrol station in Arrieta.If you’re a bookworm crossing the water to Corralejo, head for the Books, Cards & Things shop on C/Acorazado España, which has an impressive stock of titles.

Charity

If you’re in Arrecife, visit El Trastero del Baifo (C/Santander 6), a charity shop that raises money for the Casa de las Estrellas animal shelter. It’s also worth looking in the Cáritas shop at Plaza de las Palmas, where there’s a couple of shelves of English, German and other titles.

In Playa Blanca, El Ático, on the Virginia Oasis complex, offers a wide range of books at low prices.

You can always find books for sale at the Original Pals car boot sale at Lanzarote A Caballo on Sunday mornings, as well as the SARA Shed in Tahiche. Brendon’s Pool Bar at Playa Bastián in Costa Teguise also has a selection of books and regular book sale events, all in aid of SARA.

Book exchange

Many hotels have a bookcase where guests (or chambermaids) put books to be given away free. It’s good manners to leave one of your books before taking one. You’ll find bookshelves with similar schemes operating at the reception area of Arrecife’s Hospital, Terminal 2 at the airport and the lower floor of the Biosfera Shopping Centre in Puerto del Carmen.

The same applies to several establishments in the resorts. Threads, on the upper floor of the Matagorda shopping centre, is one such shop. Bring books to donate, take ones you like and give a donation to SARA. Highlander Too downstairs at the Montaña Tropical Centre also has a good selection, while the Café La Plaza in Puerto Calero is also worth visiting for a browse (and a cuppa).

In Costa Teguise, Monica’s Bar offers free book exchange.