The Best Used Bookstores in Central Louisiana

Back in my poor college days, I started a habit which has continued well into the present (much to the consternation of my wife). Buying used books was initially the only viable method I had if I wanted to purchase books. To those who ask the obvious question about libraries, well......I have a tendency to return them too late because they look so good upon my now overburdened shelves. Of course, buying new is always going to be a part of the mix since it is difficult to find a copy of The Brothers Karamazov in a used store on demand. There are treasures to be found if someone knows where to look. While there are more places in the area than is included in the following list, I have used a few criteria to select the best. That criteria includes such things as time in business, selection, pricing, staff knowledge, and buy back policies. These buy policies are critical to ensuring a constant stream of new material into the bookstore. Central Louisiana is a large area that actually includes a number of cities that can be deemed socially interconnected. A person in Alexandria doesn't usually gawk at the idea of driving to Pineville to buy something and vice versa. This should be kept in mind as you read through the list. Even driving ninety miles can save a person a great deal of money depending upon their purchasing habits. So, here goes.

1. Book Inn - on Masonic near the mall - This converted home has been there as long as I can remember. The vertically read sign has probably been read by so many people that it wouldn't be noticed until it was gone. It's quite a bit of a used book heaven. The first thing one notices when walking through the door (the place, by the way, is only open on weekdays) is the huge amount of books that are stacked in seemingly haphazard fashion. Worry not, the rooms of this former home are all themed, from sci-fi and horror at the front to romances and westerns in other rooms. There are a fair amount of hardback books available and this is where the knowledgeable employees really come in handy. They actually know what they have! Pricing is reasonable as its usually half of the cover price depending on condition. The only drawback here is a definitive lack of selection in non-fiction. I guess many people are like myself and don't like to let go of those.

2. The Book Merchant - Front Street in Natchitoches- Well, this one had to be mentioned if on the atmosphere alone. Set on the oldest street in the state and perhaps west of the Mississippi, the store offers an eclectic mix of new and used. It has an atmosphere similar to a coffee shop and the selections are a bit more organized than many stores. If you're searching for a hard to find title, this college town store may be a good bet. It's certainly worth the visit anyway.

3. Louisiana College Bookstore - Pineville- I'm going to get mail on this one, but hear me out. This is one of the best places for used books anywhere! It's not simply because it is a college and has an impressive new bookstore, but because of the quality of the books required at the college in the first place. At LC, it is not uncommon for a course to require three to five books. Only one of these is a textbook. Wait for the students to get their selections and there is still an impressive amount left. The selection obviously changes quite frequently also. Some of the books I've acquired there are titles by Elie Wiesel, M. Scott Peck, and Aristotle. Did I mention that they were used? Before you show up, be sure to check their requirements for visiting. If you're a student, then you need to go now. The only downside here is that there aren't thousands of used books and little to no science fiction. However, the servings that are there are usually top notch.

4. Books-A-Million - Why one of the largest new book retailers on the list you ask? Because of the used books, of course. This store has a tendency to be a clearinghouse for many public libraries. Recently, there was an impressive selection of popular fiction by such authors as Stephen King and Tom Clancy. There is also a good share of non-fiction. While these books usually still have their library tags on them, those are easily removed. The books are also all hardback, perhaps the largest used hardback collection on Cenla. The atmosphere is also rather intimate for such a large box that is also served by an in-house coffee shop called Joe Muggs. It may not be a Barnes & Noble, but it's rather close and is willing to stoop to the level of selling those used books.

5. Waldenbooks - It is perhaps a testament to the areas need for more bookstores that I mention another chain that is more known for its new books. Like most Waldenbooks, this one resides in the Alexandria Mall and seems little larger than a sizeable closet. However, there are instances in which the store either has a decent selection of used books or clearance items that are actually cheaper than used. That's why we buy used anyway, is it not? The selection is surprisingly varied with a good deal of high quality books. For a mall location, Waldenbooks is rather quiet with a moderately good atmosphere. The staff is also one of the more helpful in the area.

Central Louisiana could actually use more used bookstores, but if one looks, they'll find a few gems. The stores vary from the Book Inn, a traditional used bookstore to a college bookstore that probably wants to be known for more than its excellent selection of high end used books. There they are. If you're reading this, you're more than likely living in the area. Think about opening up your own and offer a unique atmosphere that people will yearn to go to.