Hi all, have had a few e-mail consultations about good place to buy English (& German, French, etc...) language books in Madrid and just thought I would start a thread on the supercool IBS (International Bookshop) on Calle Campoamanes n� 13 (Metro Santo Domingo or Opera).
The bookshop has been around for years and the owner, Jenny, a young "Americana" could not be cooler about running the place. It is a mellow and small but book-packed shop in the heart of Madrid and since it deals in mostly second hand discount books, it is one of a kind
I have known Jenny for years and have always recommended her shop to visitors and ex-pats alike. So, even if you do not need to buy any books, I am sure Jenny would love for you to drop in and say "hola".
The coolest thing about the shop is that Jenny is very generous in her dealing with people. For example, at the holiday times she lets charitys put up X-mas card stands to sell them even though she does not make a "eurocent" on it while most bookshops would either demand a margin of profit or just say no since they take up valuable retail space.
I love the international bookstore. Very cool staff. Unfortunately I dont know them personnally (yet). When I need good reading in English Im there. It is particularly great because they sell used books, so you can be sure on a great selection, not like other int'l bookshops are concerned...
TIP: After you have bought a couple of books head down that street towards �pera, on the right side of the st. there is a bomboneria (sp?) called La Oriental. THE BEST chocolate in Madrid. Truffles, chocolate covered almonds, etc, etc. Great prices, too.
Hey LA, I will have to introduce you to Jenny and gang one day at the IBS (International BookShop).
I have been on Calle Campoamanes hundreds of times on my way up to the INTERNATIONAL BOOKSHOP and, on the recommendation of Richard (our food expert), I have poped once or twice into "la Oriental" caf� . From the street you can not tell but there is a little sitting room in the back for having their AMAZING caf� and sweets.
Anyway, the owner "Teresa" was baking when her helper saw me with my camera. I asked (as I always do first) if I could take some photos for my message board and she was very nice and said it was fine...
I thanked her and as I headed towards the door she offered me and my friend a "bomb�n" ("chocolate candy") freshly made and I almost died You were right as usual, the chocolates are AMAZING.
Great Place!
Saludos, jer...
p.d. the next time I will be sitting down and having a caf� con leche.
Geez,I just got back from spending a bunch of cash on books to bring for my kiddo--and then I find THIS thread!! Aghhhh! Nonetheless, does she(Jenny) buy used english books as well? Clare will get through these books before she leaves and won't want to have to pack them home. She said she had looked at a couple bookstores but they only had travel, history and language books in english. She will be happy when I email her this address!
Posts: 232 | Location: Seattle, WA, USA | Registered: 03 June 2001
Hey ToniG, Jenny's shop sounds perfect for you gals
Jenny has a great place but suffers from the typical used bookshop syndrome of everyone wanting to sell her books. She does buy them but only if they are good and not for much. She usually prefers to give you a credit at her shop instead of cash in hand.
Clare was probably going to the big stores like "Casa del Libro" where they have mostly travel, history and lang books in English but not many novels.
Yeah, Jer I forwarded this to Clare. She loves used bookstores and is up for trading! I bought the most current novels so she should have good trading material!
Posts: 232 | Location: Seattle, WA, USA | Registered: 03 June 2001
Actually, the store I went to (Pasajes) does have novels, just not the ones I wanted... it has quite a good selection, it�s just that I have weird taste. The prices weren�t that bad either. But I�ll be taking a look at the used book store as well.
Posts: 3 | Location: Seattle, USA | Registered: 22 May 2002
... and it does have a good selection but is a bit expensive (due to its location on a high rent street), especially for book eaters like you and your mom who tend to go through them super fast
Let us know what you think of the International Bookshop Clare.
Just stopped by IBS, it�s a nice place. I got "Bluebeard" by Kurt Vonnegut. I was a little disapointed by the fact that there was more mystery than general fiction That�s not a problem. Still couldn�t find the books I want, but, like I said, I have odd taste. And, I got the pet the kitty, it was really sweet! I recommend the place, though, nice selection, good atmosphere!
Posts: 3 | Location: Seattle, USA | Registered: 22 May 2002
I went here yesterday. It was much bigger than I thought. I didn't buy anything because I didn't have a lot of time, but when I have a lot of time to look around, I plan on going back. The only thing that I didn't see that they had a lot of books on were art and design. They have a lot of fiction books though.
Posts: 65 | Location: Soto del Real | Registered: 10 February 2003
yeah, they really take advantage of their space well.
story is that for their first few years in business, the whole back part (the doorway you go thorugh after passing the cash register and all) was the owner's apartment.
they converted it into more space for the books a few years ago.
quote:
I didn't see that they had a lot of books on were art and design.
What lines are they on? This is my pet peeve, when people say its by blah blah stop but not the line. Drives me mad, takes me forever to find it on the metro map, particularly if its an out of the way one. Its a small thing, but never the less annoying.
Metro - Alonso Martinez (lines 4, 5, 10). Thank you
BTW 2 & 5 for Opera and Line 5 for Santo Domingo
formerly timhortonsman
Posts: 355 | Location: Tres Cantos | Registered: 29 June 2006
Does anyone know the phone number of IBS or Petras used books? I'm after a couple of books and it's way out of my way to go there. I'd rather let my fingers do the walking
thanks
edit numbers for used book stores.
The International Bookshop. Check out our wide variety of second-hand books in English, French, German and Spanish. c/Campomanes, 13 (Metro: Ópera lines 2&5). Call 91 541 72 91.
J&J Books and Coffee now open on Sundays. C/Espíritu Santo, 47, Metro: Noviciado line 2 . Call: 91 521 85 76.
formerly timhortonsman
Posts: 355 | Location: Tres Cantos | Registered: 29 June 2006
- rent or buy a cell phone from me for your stay in spain, more info at 
- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at 
That�s not a problem. Still couldn�t find the books I want, but, like I said, I have odd taste. And, I got the pet the kitty, it was really sweet! I recommend the place, though, nice selection, good atmosphere! 
