The Paperback Exchange
The Paperback Exchange is one of the best bookstores in Reno. It was first opened in the early 1970s over on Vassar Street, and then moved to its present location, Vesta and Holcomb, sometime before the 1980s. It has been there ever since and has done very well for itself. It is probably the oldest independent bookstore in Reno, with the exception of Five Dog Books, owned by Manuel Simpson and the Book Gallery in Sparks, which has gone through several owners since it first opened as well as Sundance Bookstore.

I first started going to the Paperback Exchange back in the ’80s when I was a young lad. I had limited money but I had quite a few books so the Exchange was great for me. I read a swath through many sections, especially the Sci-Fi and Horror and I would always return the books and get new ones. For those with limited funds, the Exchange is great because you trade on the cover price of the books and pay the tax and handling for what you take. The price of a credit is 22.5¢ on the dollar, so a book that is $8 is 12 credits. There are many older books that are cheaper and really good deals if you want to read them. Besides that, most older paperbacks tend to have very cool and interesting cover art. You do have to pay 12¢ tax on each dollar, but that’s fine since that’s probably the best book and reading deal in town.

The main business at the Paperback Exchange is paperback fiction and romance novels. If you go there you’re bound to encounter people getting tubs full of romance, spy, war and mystery novels. I’ve read some of those, of course, but when I go there, I usually head for Horror, Sci-Fi and Literature. One of the best sections is the literature, in the back right side of the store, where you can find some real treasures from time to time. I found a copy of Antonin Artaud’s collected works there, traded 15 credits and a few dollars and I got it. I also found a very rare copy of Schwa there- a local artist and author named Bill Barker who created a whole universe about stick figures and aliens.

I’ve spent many hours wandering around the stacks in the Paperback Exchange and I’ve found lots of great books there. The people who work at the Exchange are very knowledgeable and friendly, they can steer you toward a book if you’re not sure what to read. I know each time I’ve walked in there, I’ve never left the place without a good read ahead of me.
So- check out the Paperback Exchange, bring some good paperbacks to trade I’ll guarantee you’ll find something new and interesting to read. The Paperback Exchange is located at 131 Vesta St in Reno. Their phone number is (775) 322-8822 and Lynn or one of the other friendly people there will be happy to take some of your old paperbacks that are in good condition to trade for some new to you reading.










