Oxfam Bookshop

Maybe I am spoiled when it comes to second hand books, maybe I am greedy. Who knows! But the Oxfam Bookshop really didn’t do it for me.
It is a small enough shop so you would have to come back often and check it our with regularity.
My first complaint would be the kind of books you would find here: the second hand market seems to be flooded with what I call «housewife literature». You know, pastel cover, soppy lovestory, mass produced. Oxfam, like most other charity shops, is full of these because they get donated a lot!
The second downfall for me would be prices: You will not find anything that is below 3 – 4 € which often is half price but the condition of these books isn’t to rad either…
I saw some treasures I would have taken home for about 2 € and I know it’s for charity but… I dunno.
If you are looking for a particular book which was on the bestseller list but don’t want to full price, heck yeah give oxfam a shot!
To just thrift around, this is a pass for me.

During the Celtic Tiger boom, so many secondhand bookshops closed their doors around Dublin city centre. It’s great to see them reappearing over the last few years. One of my favourites is the Oxfam shop, there’s always a random selection of the popular and the obscure. Prices are good too as the books are mostly donations. They’ve got records and CDs too, as well as back issues of magazines like the NY Book Review. A little gem.

This single thought has been circulating in my head for sometime: I really don’t want to write a review about this shop, I won’t write a review about this shop. I’m a complete greedy guts when it comes to books. If I find a good book store I will basically sit on it and tell no one. This is not me being malicious, this is me nursing a very bad case of book fetishism.
I decided today that I would be an extremely bad Unilocaler/​book lover, if I didn’t share a review and spread the good news. What can I say about this shop? Basically whoever is providing this bookstore with novels e.t.c has one of the finest tastes in literature I’ve ever seen. Obviously no one person is hauling in boxes full of books, but I harbour a secret desire that one single person is keeping this store stocked, and I really don’t want to smash that dream into smithereens. This dream is nearly as ridiculous as wanting to buy this bookstore; I digress!
What I love about this Oxfam is that when I part with money, I know I’m getting a great book for nothing. Books cost five euro at most, which can lead to guilty thoughts such as, «I should give them an extra two euro; I’m robbing Oxfam blind here!». Aside from the wide ranging selection of books there are some other perks…
The book clerks are extremely polite and they do not hover around you trying to ensure that you don’t rob the shop; the atmosphere is relaxed; they have a nice selection of LPs and it’s situated on a beautiful street with plenty of cafes to enjoy an hour or two reading.
Overall it’s just paradise, and I actually prefer it far more than Easons or Chapters because you’re getting quality stuff every time. That and all the money is going to a great cause. Huge fan.

There’s very little of the «used books» feel in this excellent used book shop –I really think it’s down to pride. Only book lovers would take the sale of donated titles as seriously as a first-​run store would!
The selection is diverse (and well priced) with a smart layout and neat shelving of books by genre — much better than the usual hodge podge usually seen in charity shop book racks! And there’s even been consideration made for children as well, with a thriving YA and under offering that makes an easy weekend treat for those kiddies accompanying you on City Centre shopping.
Once my «have-​read» bag is full I’ll trot it down here for donation, they’ll be in good hands!

This charity book shop rivals any other indie book shop. There are some really great finds in here. Their Irish fiction has all the top contemporary writers. I saw a bunch of titles from Roddy Doyle, Anne Enright and Frank O’ Conner.
It also stocks used copies of Lonely Planet for popular destinations like Australia, Canada and capital European cities. Next time I’m planning a trip, I’m definitely coming here for the guide book because Oxfam charges you a fraction of the price.
It also sells cookery, lifestyle, crime and non-​fiction books. Most of them only cost a fiver. There’s a small section of DVDs and records that are worth your attention too.

I love the older man that works in here, he is just the granddad I always wanted! As my motto goes, why visit a library when you can chat to an old person… Which get’s complicated when that old person works in a bookstore.
But, the beauty of that is the man knows his stuff and is great with the recommendations, and he’s just so nice!
They have a good selection of classical science fiction titles.

The Oxfam in Rathfarnham Village has a three for two offer on all books, cds, dvds and videos at the moment! They have a great selection and a few good box sets as well! Excellent bargains to be had!

Another of Oxfam’s stand alone bookshops, again this doesn’t feel like a charity shop and its great for browsing.
This one is centrally located on Parliament street. As well a good quality books, they also have CD’s, DVD’s & Vinyl (thats records to you under 25’s)
As with the Rathmines shop this is a great place to get high standard second hand stuff, with everything well presented and friendly staff.

Not always the cheapest, but bookwise it’s the best-​stocked charity shop in Dublin — difficult to come away empty-​handed.
Unusually, everything is well categorised, and the fiction and history sections often yield good results. Take a look at the bargain basket in front of the couch too.
The CDs usually offer a decent selection of midprice rock, pop and alternative. Sometimes there’s good vinyl to be had. Staff are very nice too.

I love going in here to find something to read — whether it’s hoping to stumble upon a book I’ve been looking for in a regular bookstore at a cheaper price, or just to pick up something I’ve never heard of before. It’s a small little place but the shelves are well organised so it’s quite easy to browse. They also stock some CDs and records. There are of course a lot of dodgy one-​hit wonders in the bunch but you can be lucky and stumble upon something really good. Books are generally around 4 or 5 euro (sometimes slightly more, sometimes less). It’s worth popping in and having a look!