Bookstores in Reading
If you judge a town by its bookshops, Reading, Berkshire gives you 109 to judge by. That's 109 bookshops mapped around Reading, each with its own shelves and specialties. The used sections are where the real bargains hide. Staff picks shelves are the fastest way to read a shop's personality.
This guide covers every bookstore we could verify in and around Reading (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include Chapter 2 and Waterstones, plus Waterstones. If a bookshop's missing from Reading's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet.
The Reading bookstore lineup
109 mapped within about 40 km — showing 60:
Chapter 2
Bookstore
Chapter 2 — Bookstore.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 71-73 High Street in Guildford. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
71-73 High Street, Guildford, GU1 3ES
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1483 536366
Oxfam Bookshop
Bookstore
Oxfam Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 220 High Street in Guildford. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-17:30; Su 12:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
220 High Street, Guildford, GU1 3JD
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-17:30; Su 12:00-16:00
Blackwell's
Bookstore
Blackwell's — Bookstore, found on 48-51 Broad Street in Oxford. Also worth knowing about Blackwell's: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
48-51 Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BQ
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Pemberley Books
Bookstore
Pemberley Books — Bookstore.
Blackwell's Sci-Fi and Manga
BookstoreRun by Blackwell's
Run by Blackwell's, Blackwell's Sci-Fi and Manga is Bookstore, found on 27 Broad Street in Oxford. Also worth knowing about Blackwell's Sci-Fi and Manga: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 11:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
27 Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BS
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1865 333 641
between the lines
Bookstore
between the lines — Bookstore, found on The Borough in Farnham.
The Borough, Farnham
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore on 36 High Street, High Wycombe. WHSmith also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
36 High Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2AR
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1494 525011
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 20-21 Queen Street in Oxford. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00; Su 11:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
20-21 Queen Street, Oxford, OX1 1EP
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1865 790212
Oxfam: Books & Music
Bookstore
Oxfam: Books & Music — Bookstore, found on 14 Duke Street in Henley-on-Thames. Also worth knowing about Oxfam: Books & Music: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
14 Duke Street, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1UP
Phone: +44 1491 577410
The Book House
Bookstore
The Book House — Bookstore.
TGJones
Bookstore
TGJones is Bookstore. TGJones also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00.
GU14 6YA
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on Wolsey Walk in Woking. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
Wolsey Walk, Woking, GU21 6GH
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-18:00; Th 09:30-20:00; Su 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-18:00; Th 09:30-20:00; Su 11:00-17:00
St Philip's Books
Used bookstore
St Philip's Books — Used bookstore, found on 82 St Aldate's in Oxford. Also worth knowing about St Philip's Books: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
82 St Aldate's, Oxford, OX1 1RA
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1865 202182
TGJones
Bookstore
TGJones is Bookstore on 22 Cornmarket Street, Oxford. TGJones also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 08:30-18:30; Su 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
22 Cornmarket Street, Oxford
Hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-18:30; Su 11:00-17:00
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on High Street in Feltham. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
High Street, Feltham
The Bell Bookshop
Bookstore
The Bell Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 52 Bell Street in Henley-on-Thames. Also worth knowing about The Bell Bookshop: it has a website with more detail.
52 Bell Street, Henley-on-Thames
Canaan Books
Bookstore
Canaan Books is Bookstore. Canaan Books also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
Phone: +44 1784 457194
Barnard's Bookshop
Bookstore
Barnard's Bookshop is Bookstore.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
Weighbridge Second-hand Bookshop
Used bookstore
Weighbridge Second-hand Bookshop is Used bookstore.
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore.
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore. WHSmith also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 05:00-23:00.
Hours: Mo-Su 05:00-23:00
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:30-16:30; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:30-16:30
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Th 09:00-18:00; Fr 10:30-16:30; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su closed; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
High Wycombe, HP11 2BQ
Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-18:00; Fr 10:30-16:30; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su closed
Phone: +44 1494 449318
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore, found on 11 Newlands Meadow in High Wycombe. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
11 Newlands Meadow, High Wycombe, HP11 2BZ
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1494 838760
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Chorleywood Bookshop
Bookstore
Chorleywood Bookshop is Bookstore on 7 New Parade.
7 New Parade
Bookshop at Hughenden
Bookstore
Bookshop at Hughenden is Bookstore. Bookshop at Hughenden also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Learning Centre & Bookshop
Bookstore
Learning Centre & Bookshop is Bookstore. Learning Centre & Bookshop also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Grayfriars Christian Bookshop
Bookstore
Grayfriars Christian Bookshop is Bookstore. Grayfriars Christian Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00, Sa 10:00-13:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00, Sa 10:00-13:00
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
Oxfam Bookshop
Bookstore
Oxfam Bookshop — Bookstore, found on 18-19 The Borough in Farnham. Also worth knowing about Oxfam Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:30-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
18-19 The Borough, Farnham, GU9 7NF
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:30-16:00
Phone: +44 1252 714739
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
Wallingford Bookshop
Bookstore
Wallingford Bookshop is Bookstore. Wallingford Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-16:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-16:00
TGJones
Bookstore
TGJones is Bookstore on 13-14 Bury Street, Abingdon. TGJones also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
13-14 Bury Street, Abingdon, OX14 3QX
The bookstore
Bookstore
The bookstore is Bookstore on 15 Bury Street, Abingdon. The bookstore also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
15 Bury Street, Abingdon
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore. WHSmith also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Last Bookshop
Bookstore
Last Bookshop — Bookstore.
Blackwell's Oxford
BookstoreRun by Blackwell's
Blackwell's Oxford is Bookstore run by Blackwell's. Blackwell's Oxford also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 11:00-17:00.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: it has a website with more detail.
The Book Nook
Bookstore
The Book Nook is Bookstore.
Woking & Sam Beare Bookshop
Bookstore
Woking & Sam Beare Bookshop is Bookstore on 55 High Street, Egham. Woking & Sam Beare Bookshop also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
55 High Street, Egham, TW20 9EX
Phone: +44 1784 431832
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:30-16:30; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:30-16:30
The Book Shed
Bookstore
The Book Shed — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Book Shed: the map lists its hours as Th-Mo 11:00-17:00; SH Mo-Fr 11:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Th-Mo 11:00-17:00; SH Mo-Fr 11:00-17:00
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore.
Waterstones
Bookstore
Waterstones — Bookstore on 11 Lion and Lamb Yard. Also worth knowing about Waterstones: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
11 Lion and Lamb Yard, GU9 7LL
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-17:00
Phone: +44 1252 724 666
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore, found on Wellington Centre in Aldershot. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Wellington Centre, Aldershot, GU11 1DB
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +44 1252 336583
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore on 6 Station Road, Hayes. WHSmith also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
6 Station Road, Hayes, UB3 4DA
WHSmith
Bookstore
WHSmith is Bookstore.
Gerrards Cross Bookshop
Bookstore
Gerrards Cross Bookshop — Bookstore.
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about The Works: it has a website with more detail.
Bad Girl Books
Bookstore
Bad Girl Books is Bookstore on 29 Walton Street, Oxford. Bad Girl Books also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 12:00-19:00; Sa-Su 10:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
29 Walton Street, Oxford
Hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-19:00; Sa-Su 10:00-17:00
The Works
Bookstore
The Works — Bookstore on 20 Princes Mead. Also worth knowing about The Works: the map lists its hours as Su-Mo 10:00-16:00; Tu-Sa 09:00-17:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
20 Princes Mead, GU14 6YA
Hours: Su-Mo 10:00-16:00; Tu-Sa 09:00-17:30
Phone: +441252512726
Zainab Bookshop
Bookstore
Zainab Bookshop — Bookstore.
What the map tells us about bookstores in Reading
41 of the 109 list their opening hours on the map, which is genuinely useful — bookshops keep civilised hours, so the listed ones are usually reliable.
76 have websites listed. Worth a look for events — readings and signings get announced there first.
There's a cluster: 2 of them sit on 24 High Street, so you can string those into one walk and drive between the rest.
2 of the shops are tagged as selling used books — the second-hand shelves are where out-of-print gems and first editions turn up for pocket change.
The Reading bookstore crawl
The efficient Reading bookstore crawl strings these together: Chapter 2, Waterstones, Waterstones on 71-73 High Street, Oxfam Bookshop on 220 High Street, Blackwell's on 48-51 Broad Street, Pemberley Books, Blackwell's Sci-Fi and Manga on 27 Broad Street, and between the lines on The Borough — 109 stops, one logical order. 101 more are listed below.
Bookstore tips for Reading
The regulars' playbook for Reading's bookshops:
- Ask the booksellers at Chapter 2. A good bookseller lives for the question 'what should I read next?' Give them three books you loved and watch them work.
- Ask about the book club discount at Waterstones. Many shops discount book-club orders. If your club buys local, everyone wins.
- Learn your editions. A first edition, first printing is the collectible one. Booksellers will show you how to check the copyright page.
- Check for a café corner. A bookshop with coffee is a trap in the best way. Plan accordingly; you won't be leaving soon.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around Reading — that covers the town itself plus the surrounding communities you'd reasonably drive to. Listings come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by local volunteers, so a brand-new bookstore in Reading can take a while to appear. If you spot one of the 109 that's closed, or a great bookstore we missed, the fix is to update the map itself — that's where this guide reads from.
We don't list prices — they change constantly and vary by edition. What we list is the where: real shops, verified by real mappers, in alphabetical order with no favourites.
If you run one of the 109 listed here and something's wrong — a closure, a move, new hours — the fix is the same: update the shop on OpenStreetMap and the correction flows through to this page on the next daily refresh.
Bookstore listings for Reading: 109 mapped from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Photos from Wikimedia Commons contributors; individual photo credits appear in captions. Listing data was last refreshed automatically — verify hours before visiting.