1. Shanghai Foreign Languages Bookstore

This Fuzhou Lu book paradise has English fiction and study guides at ground level, and more English books on the top floor.

390 Fuzhou Lu, near Fujian Lu

2. Shanghai Booktraders Used Bookstore

This hidden gem has some great finds if you’re prepared to dig around.

36 Shanxi Lu, near Fuzhou Lu

3. Foreign Language Press

It’s a hike if it’s out of your way, but the bookshop attached to the Foreign Language Press up in Hongkou sells some great, cheap English books.

Dalian Xi Lu, next to the Foreign Studies University

4. Garden Books

Books, study guides, notebooks, and a coffee shop and gelateria too. Perfect.

325 Changle Lu, near Shaanxi Lu

5. Shanghai Book City

This behemoth of a store has English books on the top floor.

465 Fuzhou Lu, near Fujian Lu

6. Confucius Temple Market

Rise with the lark and get your hands on some second-hand bargains at the Confucius Temple book market every Sunday between 7.30am and 3pm.

215 Wenmiao Lu, near Zhonghua Lu

7. Can Books

Take home a souvenir next time you visit the galleries of M50. Can Books sells some great coffee-table tomes.

Building 3, M50, 50 Moganshan Lu, near Suzhou Xi Lu

8. Old China Hand Reading Room

Run by local photographer Deke Erh and historian Tess Johnston, this atmospheric café also sells some decent books.

27 Shaoxing Lu, near Shaanxi Nan Lu

9. Chaterhouse

Tucked into a corner of the Shanghai Centre, Chaterhouse is right next door to Starbucks, so you can take your new purchases for a spin over a coffee. They sell mainly English books – fiction, local interest, history, biography, and kids’ stuff.

Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Xikang Lu

10. Arbre du Voyageur

Whether you’re actually French, or just enjoy posing with a dog-eared copy of Les Fleurs du Mal, this shop is the place for you. It operates on a card system, so you have to buy credit to make purchases.

4/F, 155 Wuyi Lu, near Yan’an Xi Lu