A rainy afternoon browsing through eclectic piles of old books.
The particular bouquet - must, dry dust, fading ink, a touch of mold- of long unthumbed chapters, a grand old theater crumbling in the background, and street life buzzing all around you. It's all a little Lantin Quarter but in fact its high-street Maradana(the theatre is the Elphinstone) and arguably the best street in this rather unloved part of town- the edge of DR Wijewardene Mawatha where for over 60 years half a dozen or so vendors of second hand books have run their distinctive, decaying tome piled stores. Just stacks upon stacks of inexpensive second-hand books donated or bought (for a small fee) from those who no longer have any need of them. So the detritus of Colombo's bookshelves largely 50's era children's books Hardy Boys, Famous Five, 70's Cold war thrillers and lots and lots of text books. But hidden amongst all the trash between the pulp and frayed 90s Newsweeks there is real treasure. A good smattering of classics, and real antique gems. Children's books with circa 1950 illustrations and various treatises on old Ceylon that people seem to throw out after the demise of their grandfathers. They also tend to have copies of the latest in popular fiction-( 50 shades of Grey anyone?) and chic-lit in abundance.
Its a bit of a lucky a dip but sift through the dusty collections for long enough ask the enthusiastic vendors enough questions and after 30 mins scouring you're sure to find something you'd like to buy. Most of what's on offer is priced at between Rs 100-400. However be prepared to bargain hard and push for bulk discounts - 1 book for 200, two for 300 etc.
Browsing and haggling maybe with an odd break for tea at the kadai next door is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon and given that we are living through the dawn of the ebook era it's nice to be able to walk away from an afternoons shopping clutching a little hoard of books bought for than a 1000 rs. Its satisfyingly anachronistic and also makes you think. Books(the written word on paper/papyrus/ola leaves) have been the primary means of distributing knowledge, creativity and thought since the demise of stone tablets 5000 years ago. But it looks like these crucial and much beloved stepping stones on the winding path of human development are on their way out and soon all book shops will be second hand book shops.
What exactly that will mean for Maradana's little clutch of vendors is hard to say(perhaps they'll thrive) but I recommend you go now before they start trying flog you 2nd hand kindles....
TIP
Head for the Maradana end of Dr Wijewardene Mawatha
in the vincity of St Joseph's college.
Though they are all rather similar Premadasas is a clasic.
Visit them all though and baragain hard.
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Bimal
Love this place.
It also pays to visit all shops and compare prices. I saw the same book in the same condition advertised for 200, 275 and 350 in three different shops. Although I was able to bargain with the two higher prices, they never really dropped it to match the 200.
minipe
Hi, i am from isa. How can i buy sinhala used books from sri lanka.
zuhuriyamulaffaryahoocom
i need the phone numbers, please
hafileen
for books call 0722150250
hafileen
Books ……Hard to find ,rare & out of prints mail deen_d_bookman @ yahoo.com
Phone 0722150250
Mike
Hi
I'm looking for a book call by way of deception can any one help me on this…
Shayan
im looking for a adexel maths text book…what I need is "I am looking for the IGCSE Mathematics A, students book 2 for Adexel International… Pieresons publication. Authours are : Turner, Potter, Waity and D.V Hony"… contact me on 077236649 if you got it… tks
manazir
I have the edexcel mathematics book 1 and 2 contact 0773378996 manazir
irshad_ahmed
i need criminal and contract law books for London LLB
please contact me as soon as possible 0777074271
sugathpriyantha
need Admiralty manual of seamanship vol i & ii (used books) please send message or call me sugathpriyantha14205@gmail.com -0759642025 thanks ……………….sugath
harsha amarasinghe
need to buy pronunciation dictionary by Danie Jones.
I just want to know weather it is available?
then the price.
thank you.
zainab
Hello . I'm looking for Edexcel IAS C12 txt book…can I knw weathr it's available
risly
if some one have the book "The symbiotic universe" please let me know 0713597661
adharnaa28
Hey!
I have some books with me, please drop a mail to neve93a@gmail.com if anyone needs any of the following,
1. General Certificate English - Fourth edition - Alan Etherton
2.Business Accounting- Pearson- Frank woods
3.Edexcel - Longman Business studies for IGCSE- Ian Chambers, Linda Hall, Susan
4.Edexcel- Longman ICT for IGCSE- Roger Crawford, Roland Birbal, and Joseph Blair
5.New Oxford english 2
6. GSCE edition- New english fourth- Rhodri Jones
7. Encore Tricolore 4
8. Edexcel - diploma in ICT part 2
9. ATLAS - World Map
10. Angel & Demons - Dan Brown
11. Pride & Prejudice- Jane Austen
12. Once in a lifetime- Danielle steel
13. Harry Potter & the prisoner of azkaban- J.k.Rowling
Or else let me know where i can sell them.
Hafsa Hameed
er is the offer still there??? or am i unlucky??
Zaakir Zaheem
Can I sell international school text books?
Edexcel Pearsons book.
rohanafernando
i want edexel PEASON MATHEMATICS STAGE 1 BOOK, please reply
damikool
Does anyone know if i can get the edexcel C3, C4 and M1 books here? or if anyone knows where i can get them from…
Nasif
If any ones having had first java please let me know.urgent……
0768691787
us priyantha
Inchon landing author - Michael Laugley please send massage this book
Musthak
Hi I am looking for "Electric Machinery Fundamentals" and "Electrical Machinery and Power System Fundamentals" by Stephen J. Chapman. Please contact me if you have.
ayesha perera
do you have PITMAN's typing book ? for me to buy
Sithy
Yes I have PITMAN typing book .contact me at this phone number 1514 462 6174 or faizadeen@yahoo.ca. Thanks
Capt.maurisdean
You mean,Pitman's short hand ? Pl.contact.Capt.Mauridean…maurisdean@gmail.com
jaleen
Do you have Psychology for Cambridge International AS and A Level (International a Level)
by Craig Roberts
pls call 0773130344
chandrawansa
Can anyone please help me to find a book named "Benji" by Alison Thomas?
Rance
I Have grade 6 busy ants maths books oxford English grade 6 and french books for sale. if anyone needs please send me a mail
Imasha
A charity organisation looking for slightly used sinhala books, A/L, O/L books to donate to a underprivileged school in Badulla. If anyone is interested in donating or know someone willing to donate please let me know.
Call 0772138112
Sithy
I am interested to buy some old science tamil text books for G.C.E O/L year 1970s.
பெளதிகவியல் க.பொ.த சாதாரண. Physics
உயிரியல் க.பொ.த சாதாரண Biology
நவீன இராசாயணவியல் க.பொ.த சாதாரண Chemistry
நவீன கேத்திர கணிதம் க.பொ.த சாதாரண Geometry
எண் கணிதம் க.பொ.த சாதாரண Arithmetic
Algebra text books in tamil. க.பொ.த சாதாரணம்
இந்த புத்தகங்கள் இருந்தால் நல்ல விலை தரப்படும்.
அழைக்க வேண்டிய இலக்கம் 514 462 6174. Thanks
Sithy
If someone have 1970's tamil medium science text books? For G.C.E O/L.
Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Maths ( Geometry, Algebra, Arithmetic. All three separate books. )
If anybody have I'll pay a good price. Thanks. Please contact faizadeen@yahoo.ca ASAP.
bandara
please how find Collins Cobuild English Grammar
by John Sinclair
Hansika
I have the AS nuffield book and the pearson AS student book…please drop an email if anyone needs it…i want to sell it…itz urgent…no damages
smj
the international law on foreign investment by m somarajah is it available
CP
Has anyone got Beatrix Potter books that i can buy
ziana natheer
My son wants 'Throne of Fire' by Rick Riordan… Can I buy it from anyone for a lessened price?
Jude Rohana De Silva
it is really a place to be by book-lovers.I prequented the place all the time in my teenage and early 20s.after 30 year absense I visited the last month.now it is run by second generation by most.but book stores are same.its knowledge bank is too same.visit it at ease is my advice.
samanediri
Has some one got "Edexcel International GCSE and Certificate French (Edexcel Igcse & Certificate)" book?
Manam
Hi, I have a few 'American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute' textbooks,various subjects.Used for Hospitality course at Aquinas Collage.Please call or SMS for details if interested.0773781240 / manamps@gmail.com Manam
Channa
Hi, I have some encyclopedias printed in 1926 if any one interest please call 0772853160
ananda indrasiri
I am looking for a book by the name "kawdame1" written in sinhala by gunadasa liyanage. Can anybody help me .my mobile no is 0718114647.thanks.
lalith2005
Anybody interested in exchanging sinhala fiction, literature, music books please email lalith2005@gmail.com
sanjeewa.agri
I'm looking for a book by the name "Nisala Wasanthaya" it is a translation of "Silent spring" by Rachel Carson published in 1962. If any one can help pls contact me. FB https://www.facebook.com/lahiru.sanjeewa.7
melani
if you have lit past papers pls email to melani@tropicalceylon.com
Sarath Books
Hi,
Please contact us for your all Book inquiries.
Contact Sarath Books on 0714285954
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http://sarathbooks.lk/
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Rohana Fernando
I need Edexcel Mathematics- Pearson Stage 1 book. please contact this number 0710764262
Sarath Books
Please contact us for your all Book inquiries.
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nadishaj
I have some Cambridge AS and AL books to give away. If anyone interested, please mail me at nadishajongin@yahoo.com
1. Cambridge International AS and A Level Accounting - Ian Harrison
2. Cambridge International AS and A Level Business - Peter Stimpson, Alistair Farquharson
3. Cambridge International AS and A Level Economics - Colin Bamford, Susan Grant
4. Redspot AS and AL Business 2005-2014
5. Redspot AS and AL Economics 2004-2014
6. Redspot AS and AL Accounting 2005-2014
Sarath Books
Hi Nadiha,
Please contact us for your all Book inquiries.
Contact Sarath Books on 0714285954
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http://sarathbooks.lk/
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Gayathma
I have some O level textbooks and revision guides for anyone doing their Pearson Edexcel O level examinations. Please call me on 0777892222 if anyone needs the following:
1. Edexcel International GCSE Physics Student Book with CD by Brian Arnold, Steve Woolley and Penny Johnson ISBN 9780435966904.
2. Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry Student Book with CD by Jim Clark ISBN 9780435966898.
3. Edexcel IGCSE Human Biology Student Book by Phil Bradfield and Steve Potter ISBN 9780435044138.
4. Edexcel IGCSE Further Pure Mathematics Student Book by Greg Attwood, K.Pledger, D.Wilkins, A.Macpherson, B.Moran, J.Petran and G.Staley ISBN 9780435044145.
5. Mathematics for Edexcel IGCSE (Oxford) with CD ISBN 9780199152629. (I OWN TWO OF THIS BOOK).
6. Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry Revison Guide by Cliff Curtis ISBN 9780435046729.
7. Edexcel International GCSE Biology Revison Guide by Ann Fullick ISBN 9780435046767
8. Edexcel International GCSE Physics Revison Guide by Steve Woolley ISBN 9780435046736
Sarath Books
Hi Gayathma,
Please contact us for all your Book inquiries.
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http://sarathbooks.lk/
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Avishka
I have Cambridge o/l books for least price with past papers if wanted plz contact me 0714260361
all the science subjects with all the relevant past papers and experimental books. and litriture books available need quick recovery to sell these books out any lucky person there plz contact
my email- avishkanuwan608@gmail.com
Avishka
Im having Cambridge o/l science syllabus books with literature also for a very low price if wanted call me and if u need past papers too i have
any luck person there to buy for least price please call me or email me
p num- 0714260361
email- avishkanuwan608@gmail.com
i need quick recovery to sell these books so plz contact me quick if wanted
THANK YOU
Sarath Books
Hi Avishka,
Please contact us if you are still willing to talk to somebody about your books.
Contact Sarath Books on 0714285954
Visit us
http://sarathbooks.lk/
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Raj
Is there a contact number where I can call?
I need Lyceum grade 7 science books.
Science for kids book 7 - Biology
Science for kids book 7 - Chemistry
Science for kids book 7 - Physics
Biology now 11- 14
Chemistry now 11- 14
Physics now 11- 14
Sarath Books
Hi Raj,
Contact Sarath Books on 0714285954
Visit us
http://sarathbooks.lk/
https://www.facebook.com/SarathBooks/
Amilamr86
I Have BNF Books. Please Contact Me : 071 927 94 72
Sarath Books
Contact Sarath Books on 0714285954
Visit us
http://sarathbooks.lk/
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kapila
I need CAMPBELL 10 th edition book ,please help me.
Sarath Books
Contact Sarath Books on 0714285954
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http://sarathbooks.lk/
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sandeep kanswa
i want to purchase grade 8,gateway college old books,if any body have please contact me on sandeep.kanswa73@gmail.com or [Phone number removed. Only registered users can post phone numbers]
shanie
Does anyone have hospitality management books or Frontoffice/Housekeeping/Restaurant & Bar or Cookery books
Capt.Maurisdean
Can you more specific on " Hospitality Management " ? I have books (used) on Hotel trade, Cookery ,Fashion trade,Chess books(beginners)+Russian/ English dictionary, Medical books,Transistor for beginners, & Stamp albums etc. Thanks……Pl.contact. Capt.Mauris Dean(email.-maurisdean@gmail.com.
Wajira
Do you have "Rendering Unto Caesar: A Fascinating Story of One Man's Tenure under Nine Prime Ministers and Presidents of Sri Lanka by Mr. Bradman Weerakoon"