Reading Dnipropetrovsk. Where You Can Buy A Book And How Much It Will Cost?

As you know, the Soviet Union was one of the most reading countries in the world. But denouncing each other in “sovkovost” (illiteracy) we never have in mind, for example, the habit of reading at pedestrian crossings, for no one reads does that anymore. And six stations of Dnipropetrovsk subway an average citizen can also spend without a book in his hands.

And have you ever seen a line in a bookstore? Yet, there is a small but valuable book market in Dnepropetrovsk, and the number of new bookstores in supermarkets gradually grows.

Fiction from private owners

Information about reading Dnipropetrovsk can be most logically found on the book market, so go there immediately. But the brutal heat and impoverishing counters on the market can make you come back to the refined branch – the bookshop Knyzhka (Book) in Scorpion mall.

Several years ago, some sellers moved here from the book market. You can’t call it a shop in the full understanding: every seller occupied his small department and rightfully reigns there. And each one has its specificity and its unique portfolio. Over time, in addition to the book points in Knyzhka a bookshop Goblin appeared in the neighborhood, on Moskovska St. The specialization of the store Knyzhka is science fiction, fantasy, history, and modern literature. Such range was formed by the owners according to their own preferences.

“We met at a local club of fantasy fans of the second convocation. He appeared in 1993 and lasted for seven years – quite a lot for such organization. Every Sunday, there were meeting held – we discussed what we’ve, read out something. And it happened that, having started trading books, we took on the role of the fairway fiction. But fiction fans are not some narrow-minded people, so we have, for instance, some interesting novelties of modern prose”, says Arthur, the seller.

Despite the small parties, private owners like Arthur can keep prices at a good level: the books here are cheaper than in big supermarkets.

What can big bookstores offer is this great choice. Two major book networks are Empik and Book Supermarket, which dropped their stores in major shopping centers in Dnepropetrovsk. The range of books is similar (new products and bestsellers).

There are thousands of books at the shop, and finding the one supposedly should not be difficult. Actually, it is not so. Supermarkets perfectly meet the massive demand. If you saw a review of another novel by Cecilia Ahern in a magazine, undoubtedly, you’ll find it in the store. All volumes of Harry Potter and Twilight Saga will be found there, too. If you decide to find something on curriculum, it is also possible there. But try to find, for example, Salammbo by Flober, and you may not be so lucky.

Book supermarkets are definitely the most expensive points for buying books. Therefore, the visitors aren’t different here: true bibliophiles don’t often visit such stores, maybe only to look at neatly placed volumes in order to then buy them elsewhere. But it is always full of frustrated students with pieces of paper in their hands, looking plaintively or flirting with consultants in order to get some assistance in finding a book, “I don’t remember the author, but there must be something a catcher or wheat…” 🙂

The price of the book in hardcover here usually starts from 70 UAH, and the price for bestsellers always amounts to over a hundred. But if money is not a problem for you and you know exactly what you need, the supermarket is the most convenient place to buy some books.

Maybe something cheaper?

If you love books and want to buy them regularly though your finances are limited, it makes sense to search for more economical options.

Sale. The majority of book supermarkets have sale stands. Books on them are either damaged somehow or have been there for too long. Sometimes good finds can be found among the latter ones, especially if your tastes don’t exactly coincide with the massive demand.

Stocks. Book stocks in Dnepropetrovsk are still a rarity and an oddity. One of those can be found on the corner of Moscoska St. and Glinky St.: all books are sold for 20-25 UAH. The options, frankly speaking, aren’t impressive. Shopping there reminding seeking for clothes in second-hand shops: to find something worthwhile, you have to look through some garbage.

Sometimes you get lucky: once, for example, directors’ biographies with excellent Art House series were sold there for 20 UAH, while in twenty steps, in a usual bookstore, this book would cost 60 UAH.

Cheap shops. The most respected place among the Dnipropetrovsk readers is a bookstore on Frunze Street. Due to some shopkeeper’s business tricks, the books here are the cheapest in town. The only disadvantage is rather a chaotic assortment.

Second hand

In the heart of the book market, there are several outlets combined into one and packed with old, tattered volumes – the real second-hand is placed there.

“People often buy libraries, especially adventurous ones. Jules Verne, Jack London… I sell them cheaply. For example, I have 13 volumes of Jack London, and I give them away for just 10 UAH each, 130 UAH for all assemblies. Go to the store, and what will you buy there for 130 UAH? One book maybe”, says the bookseller Sergii.

Pre-owned books cost 10 to 20 UAH. There are sales a volume for five UAH. You can take a thick magazine for 5 UAH as well, such as Caravan Of Stories. Moreover, here you can bring old books from your own library though sellers are far from taking everything. For example, the Soviet classics like Gorkyi are less interesting for booksellers of Dnipropetrovsk – they aren’t now in demand. And Stendhal or Shakespeare will be certainly accepted.

So there is a choice and it is great. For those who are fond of reading, there is everything, you just need to search. WeloveUA team wishes you a nice book catch!