Second-hand bookshops in São Paulo, save money with culture

Second-hand bookstores, as bookstores that buy, sell and exchange used books are called, have been a great option for saving money and/or finding books that are sometimes difficult to find in conventional bookstores.

Although the sale of used books had been carried out in Europe for a long time, it was in Brazil that the term “sebo” emerged and there are many theories for the name, the most popular being due to the dirt accumulated by handling books in the past.

Things have changed a lot over the years. Conventional bookstores became popular, then virtual ones appeared and, more recently, digital books, the so-called e-books.

However, second-hand bookstores remain sacred spaces for book lovers. Whether for books sold at lower prices or for titles that are difficult to find for sale normally, the demand for second-hand bookstores is still very high.

These spaces also provide a very different experience from large bookstores, as they have more diverse collections, which aim precisely at uniqueness and not generic search.

São Paulo is perhaps the city in the country with the largest number of second-hand bookstores, with the largest collections. For those looking for rare, autographed editions and special covers, for example, the second-hand bookstores in the capital of São Paulo are the right choice.

It is also possible to find a greater variety of old authors and books that are often almost forgotten, but are still considered literary gems.

They are also great places for students to find academic books from a variety of fields such as medicine, law, economics, architecture , philosophy, history, social sciences and psychology, which in some cases are classics no longer published by publishers.

Often, it is only in second-hand bookstores that you can find books without new editions, but which are still important for academic research or even just for reading purposes.

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In addition, second-hand bookstores are also an option for those who have a book and want to sell it. This situation can be common for people moving , and it can be an option for extra income!

Great Places to Buy Vinyl Records

Another great attraction of second-hand bookstores is that you can find magazines, comics, mangas , CDs, DVDs and vinyl records, which are, in addition to books, one of the most sought-after items.

Vinyl appeared in the 1940s. After that came cassette tapes, Compact Discs (CDs) and digital music. But anyone who thinks that records are no longer listened to is mistaken.

Even today, there is a large audience that enjoys listening to music on vinyl records. Many say that the sound is incomparable. The truth is that, because it is so relevant, nowadays many artists release versions of their albums on vinyl.

And if in the era of digital music services, streaming, it is not so common to find CD stores, for example, it is also not common to come across places that sell vinyl.

This point is another advantage of second-hand bookstores, as most of these establishments have large collections of records, which attract many lovers of this media format.

Among the most sought-after genres are rock, jazz and classics of Brazilian music. The possibility of finding rare recordings, such as from music festivals, arouses the interest of many.

The price of many of these records is also an attraction for acquiring a historical cultural item at a generally affordable price. In the case of rare recordings, prices increase due to high demand.

Still, for fans, it's an opportunity to find material that's often almost impossible to find otherwise.

Options for second-hand bookshops in São Paulo

The capital of São Paulo has a large number of second-hand bookshops with large and varied collections. After all, each bookshop has its own peculiarities and can provide a different experience.

Calil Antiques Bookstore

Livraria Calil Antiquaria, for example, is the oldest second-hand bookstore in São Paulo, having been in business for over 70 years. Located on the 9th floor of Galeria Prédio Ita, in the city center , it brings together almost 450 thousand titles in the humanities area.

In addition to books, the establishment buys and sells documents, maps, engravings, postcards and old photographs that may be of interest to scholars and collectors.

Messiah's Tallow

Another example is Sebo do Messias, considered the largest and most popular in São Paulo, which has been selling used books, comics, CDs and DVDs for over 50 years.

Located at Praça Dr. João Mendes, 140, the establishment has a large collection. Most of the works are in Portuguese, but the establishment also has works in French, German, Dutch, Japanese, Chinese and Russian.

José de Alencar Tallow

Another place that stands out is the José de Alencar second-hand bookstore, which has over 20 years of history and brings together over 60 thousand works. It has books at a good price and also rare books.

In addition to books, you can also buy and/or sell books, CDs, DVDs and other items. All at Rua Quintino Bocaiúva, 261.

Sorry about the dust

Another popular second-hand bookstore is Desculpe a Poeira, owned by journalist Ricardo Lombardi, which went from being a blog with reading suggestions to a bookstore installed in a garage at Rua Sebastião Velho, 28A, in Pinheiros.

Due to limited space, Desculpe a Poeira offers something different: the books there are carefully selected by the owner.

Another positive point not only for this but also for other second-hand bookshops, since in many it is common for there to be a kind of curation of the collection, providing a difference from one to another, that is, a unique experience for customers.

Freedom Sebo

Sebo Liberdade is also an option for those who want to find good and cheap books and even rare works at a fair price. The establishment has been around for over 15 years and is located at Praça Carlos Gomes, 124 - Liberdade.

Sao Paulo Tallow

 

The São Paulo second-hand bookstore stands out not only for its collection of books, but also for its offering of CDs and DVDs, with a good variety of these products, especially in the MPB and heavy metal genres. The establishment is located at Rua Taquari, 35 A - Mooca.

Bookshop Beach

At Sebo Praia dos Livros, located at Rua Alceu Wamosy, 34 - Metrô Ana Rosa, it is not just the collection of books, CDs and records that attract attention. The decor is another great attraction of the establishment.

Cozy, the place invites visitors to relax and do some research, read, perhaps have a coffee or try something at the snack bar that operates there.

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