I’m really drilling down here, to just walking distance around Jayanagar 4th Block, Bangalore...since the rest of Bangalore is already here.

1. Sankar’s at Kalmane Coffee - 27th cross
2. Nagasri Books - opposite the bus stand.
2. Prism Books - behind the complex
4. Sapna Book house - 27th cross, near Pizza Hut
5. Books Paradise (in a little lane behind 9th main)

Sankar’s is the newest, and probably the best ambience, you can sit down and look at the books with a cup of good Chickmagalore coffee. Ask the bookstore manager Murli for reccommendations (warning: he won’t ’’encourage you to buy pulp fiction’’) . I always miss the entrance and go off a couple of feet before coming back, its upstairs, and the only signboards I can see are on the narrow steps leading to them.

Nagasri has been around for ages, and the proprieter, a portly man will signal his approval by smiling ever so slightly if he likes what you’re buying. There’s usually a couple of regulars discussing the book trade and the latest releases with him, making for an interesting overhear if the books don’t hold your attention. It is a tiny store, though, so the best time is weekdays or mornings on weekends, before the aunties with tots buying comics fill the place.

I’’m never sure if I should tell people about Prism - the place has quirky hours, and is often closed unexpectedly, and especially when you just want to duck in to get out of the rain . It closes early in the evening. Has some interesting books, though, and is almost never crowded, which is a great recommendation to me.

Sapna is much bigger, couple of floors, which means it probably has the book you are looking for. More browsing space too, although its astonishing what diverse stuff bookstores have taken to lately stocking their shelves with - fashion jewelry now joins the stationery and gifts.

Books Paradise is one of those places that seem to sell mostly textbooks and dusty books about India that the National Book House puts out. Not browser-friendly, and unlikely to find any fine reading here. If I find one another store, Book Paradise is out of this list.