For the bookworm: In you

If a penny was saved each time someone mentioned the phrase “cuddle up with a good book” or “cozy up with a good book”, there would be far too many pounds collected to count.

Although the words ‘good’ and ‘book’ always go hand in hand, it’s not really an essential requirement.

For, depending on what you like to read, isn’t it granted that all books are good?

While most books are tasked with the responsibility of sharing knowledge and imparting wisdom, some go a step further. Some take it upon themselves to divert your attention to mysterious, far off lands. Others will teach you how to bake the perfect red velvet cake. There are books whose pages take you to the past, there are those which fast forward to a future on Mars.

Books that teach colloquial Mandarin are quite different from books that teach the art of Feng Shui. While interior decorators might grab a book on antiques, fashion designers may opt for one about fabric textures.

Joke books make you laugh, classics have the potential to make you shed a tear or two. Thrillers will have you grabbing the edge of your seat, gardening manuals will have you grabbing a pair of gloves.

But rest assured, whatever your choice, there is one store in Cardiff that has it all.

Thrillers

Humour

Crime

Classics

Troutmark which specialises in selling second hand books, first editions, comics, annuals magazines and other rare specimens, is conveniently located in the Castle Arcade.

At first, Troutmark may seem like an unusual name for a bookshop but read it in context with their slogan ‘just one visit and you’re hooked’ and bingo, it starts to make sense.

Explore Troutmark’s extensive collection:

Molly Ernestine tweeted after a recent purchase of an autobiography: “The best find this afternoon from Troutmark Books –  a treasure trove of second hand books, comics and records.”

What’s truly special about this store is that not only are they book-sellers, they are also book buyers and will willingly purchase books off you.

Prices start from as low as a pound for some of the books on offer.

“Read a thousand books, and your words will flow like a river.” – Lisa See, Snow River and the Secret Fan