Shortly after arriving to live in Madrid I discovered J & J Books and Coffee, a English-language book store on Calle Espiritu Santo, 47, just off the Calle San Bernardo & near the Noviciado metro station. I was thrilled when I “found” this goldmine. Buying (and finding) English-language books in bookstores are both scarce and expensive. J & J’s has an immense collection of cheap secondhand English-language books for sale!
Not only do they offer free Wi-Fi internet to their guests/clients, but they also have a small bar and seating area to read books, have a coffee, or chat with friends. They sell a small selection of American goods like pancake syrup and pancake & muffin mix – when in stock. They probably even sell Budweiser beer – but I wouldn’t recommend ordering that at the bar. The bartenders and staff are all friendly and speak English and, for someone who may be new to Madrid, this can be a saving grace to get that “back home” feeling if you’re having trouble assimilating yourself into the Spanish culture.
The used books, most of which are paperback books, are shelved by the hundreds downstairs in an extensive basement. Really, it’s a BIG space! The books are mainly arranged by genre and then by author (if I remember correctly) and all books are roughly half-price their original retail price, but oftentimes they’re much cheaper. They even offer a store credit when customers bring books in for “exchange”. I have stacks of books I’ve brought from the USA, read, and ready to turn in – to get more books! Apparently, the even offer cash-for-books if they’re books they want to buy.
J& J Books and Coffee organizes parties, language exchanges, happy hours, and other events so take a look at their website if interested. The husband-and-wife owners, (Spaniard) Javi and (American) Jamie, opened the store together in 2003. I have to wonder how hard their establishment is taking the economic crisis. Oftentimes secondhand shops do very well in this environment as people search for cheaper alternatives to buying retail.
MadridMan gives J & J Books and Coffee a big THUMBS UP for a HUGE selection of used English books at great prices in downtown Madrid, Spain.
And by the way, MadridMan has not been compensated for this blog entry – nor did J & J know I was going to write it. I’m sure they don’t even know who I am! (can you believe that??) I like their bookshop and want to spread the word. Oftentimes such jems are hidden away, only learning about them by word-of-mouth.
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Thanks for this MM, just what I need. I love reading in Spanish (I’ve registered at the local library), but sometimes I really feel like treating myself and reading in English! I have loads of books in English that I have already read, so will take them there and swap them for new ones – I can’ wait now!!
Interesting. I had to sign in to word press and it showed up on the main page, click here to sign in to MadridMan.
Anyways, no idea why but the last few years I just haven’t been into reading books. The odd best seller, maybe, used to be I’d read several books a year, now I stick to newspapers (have a friend who passes on his IHT for me).
I’m downtown enough that I may actually stop by to see what’s new, maybe a book will catch my eye.
Hola MadridMan – Thank you for the article on the J & J Bookstore and Coffee place. I visited J & J’s during one my holidays in Madrid this year. J & J’s is an interesting store. The staff was pleasant and friendly. When I go into a business such as J & J’s one of the questions in my mind is how and why did the owners start this business. How did they develop this idea of an English bookstore and coffee? Your article and the J & J’s Bookstore and Coffee web-site answered my questions.
Thanks again MadridMan,
Jim Costello
New York City
Hi Jim! Thanks for your comment. I too think about such things upon entering such a store. I wonder who is their competition, how they can make a profit, and other such things. Seems J&J’s doesn’t have much competition and that’s very good for them. Plus, they have a kind of bohemian feel to them which is always positive in a bookstore.