There are some smells which it is tough not to notice –
The first raindrops on hot earth, Sampige flowers wafting from the tree while on your morning walk, mango blossoms around February/march, boiled kadlekai on a rainy evening, roasted corn just before winter, early morning mist in November/December.
And all around the year, the crisp smell of all those wonderful words -smell of print on paper in bookshops. Heavenly!
Second hand bookshops do not have the same smell as Nagasri or Premier but they have a different kind of attraction. A kind of excitement as with a treasure hunt – you actually do not know what you may find that day. It could turn out to be your lucky day and you may actually find a book you have been searching for ages or a controversial book that you were forbidden to read in your youth or the by laws of a secret society with complete description of the rituals involved.

Sometimes a signed first edition or something owned by a famous person. Even if you find nothing, the experience is still worth it, just being in the presence of all those books lovingly purchased and owned by a book lover of another time, sometimes from a far away land.
I have sometimes found touching cards, some handwritten notes which make you wonder about the previous owner of the book. One such thank you card actually led me to an early owner half way across the globe and she actually wrote back to me when I wrote about it in one of my posts!
Some may look down on those who shop at second hand bookshops but I think they are missing out on a great experience. Sometimes a lesser known author whom you may pick out of curiosity may turn out to be a great find. Additionally these shops are a great place to find books that are currently out of print. They are affordable and you can indulge in some books like popular fiction which you may just want to read on a journey and give away and not really want for your book shelf forever. Since they come at a much reduced price tag it does not hurt you and you can spread the pleasure of reading further by giving away such books.
Here is a list of some of the second hand bookshops I know of. Please add to the list if you know more. It would be really nice if we could have a list of such places with the addresses and phone numbers.
1. Select Book Shop, 71, Brigade Road (cross) Ph: 25580770.

2. Blossom (House of Used Books)
#84/6, Opp. Ameoba, Church Street,
E-mail: blossombookhouse @rediffmail.com
Ph: 080-25320400 church street

3. Bookworm, 32, Basement, Near Select Bookshop, Brigade Road. Call 98450-76757 for details. You can also log on to www.bookwormindia.com.

4. East West Books Link, Basavanagudi

5. Book Sale, Off 8th Cross, Malleswaram

Additionally I know this place in Jayanagar 4th block next to Hotel Pavithra , opposite Anand Sweets which has hordes of books for kids and some good finds for grown ups too. And finally of course there is good old Balepet, though it isn’t the same that it used to be.
Please go, take a look and come back and tell me what you found. But be warned, once you start, it could become addictive – and what a delightful addiction!