Andy’s Book Exchange

I’m fond of bookshops, and I’m particularly fond of this little one. Not a book shop in the traditional conception, but a book exchange, the tiny premises are often packed.
Probably because it’s a brilliant idea — instead of letting your old stories gather dust on your shelves (or, in the case of Manly’s huge transient population, occupy valuable space in the backpack), why not pass it on and grab another?
It’s not a completely free swap, but you either trade in a few books and get a new one, or pay much less than a premium on that new romance you spy in the window.
In an age of mindless consumerism, Andy’s Book Shop is a timely reminder of the value in being thrifty, reusing, reducing and recycling!

Book exchanges seem to do well in Manly — probably because of the large number of visitors passing through.
I guess because the margins aren’t huge, they tend not to be in the high profile places — rather hidden down back alleys and side streets. I stumbled on Andy’s taking a shortcut through an arcade back to my car. Handily I had a book in my bag that’ I’d just finished and was drawn to one in the window that I’d wanted to read — it wasn’t a free exchange, but I got the new (secondhand) one at considerably less than I would have paid elsewhere.
I’ll be back when I ever get around to sorting out my bookshelves.

When in Manly you’re mind can’t help but linger on all things leisure, and for me that includes wolfing down books (if you can wolf down a book…) so I was thrilled to come across Andy’s Book Exchange.
This wee corner shop is an Aladdins cave of books, stacked floor to ceiling with them. For the casual browser they’re helpfully arranged by genre so I was able to swoop in on the pink corner dedicated to chic-​lit. What? Can’t a girl indulge in some trash on the beach?!
It’s run by a couple of hobbit lookalikes which may or may not be off-​putting for you, but they’re friendly and helpful enough, if a little judgmental over your choice in books!
The best thing about this shop is that it buys and sells so you can bring in old copies and get a good price, pick up used ones for a good price or even bring back one that you’ve bought there and get a few dollars back. It gives incentive to recycling! All the prices are clearly marked on the back including how much you’d get if you brought the book back, so it’s as simple as can be (AND gives you an excuse to go back to Manly).