Place: The Newtown Book and Record Exchange

Address: 102 S State St, Newtown, PA 18940. Just 13 minutes north of Cairn!

Cost: Most prices were half the price on the cover. Some were listed otherwise.

Hours: 10am-6pm all week days, till 8pm on Friday. 12-5pm on Sunday.

I have always been and always will be an ardent lover of used books. They seem to me rich with life—they have seen places, comforted many hearts, and filled many hands.

Despite having run out of places to store my collection, it is still worthwhile to find and meander through the stores that sell them. The Newtown Book and Record Exchange is just such a place.

Tucked away in Newtown, this book store offers a folksy and vintage vibe. Their music choice sets the mood from the moment you step through the door. Books line the entire left wall, a vibrant display of titles. The young adult section is well round, with titles by John Green, Scott Westerfield, and Hardy Boys. Of course, being a used book store, titles cycle in and out.

If you’re looking for sci-fi or romance, you’re assured a huge selection. The entire right back corner of the store is stacked with romance novels. However, the classic’s section was disappointing, with a mere two shelves. Many less popular genres have similarly slight selections, such as education, or women’s studies. Yet, despite a few sparse genres, the store is adequate to guarantee a book to suit your fancy.

Tables also showcase vintage records, along with some select contemporary ones. Oh yes, they still make them. I was quite surprised to find a brand-new record of Taylor Swift’s Reputation! But no worries, they sell CD’s too. Near the back of the store I found some audio books as well, if you like to listen but don’t always want melody.

The books are well organized, and once you locate the sections there is no great difficulty in looking for titles. The staff are eager to help and welcoming. One lady happily pointed me to sections that suited me, and searched the store when I asked about a certain author. It’s easy to see they appreciate their books and seek to ensure their guests find the same satisfaction among the stories. The Book and Record Exchange may not hold every book you could want, but it lends itself to moseying and exploration. If you’re heading out for an afternoon adventure, swing by Newtown and pop in. It’s worth it!