Education & Institutes Trivandrum

Book Stores in Trivandrum: A Guide for Every Reader

Book Stores in Trivandrum: A Guide for Every Reader

Trivandrum has bookshops for every kind of reader, from literature enthusiasts and students to competitive exam aspirants and bargain hunters. Whether you are searching for new releases, academic references or affordable pre owned titles, the book stores in Trivandrum offer plenty of options across the city.

Some specialise in Malayalam literature and imported books, while others focus on educational materials, professional publications and second-hand collections. Here are eight bookstores and two popular roadside book selling areas, along with their locations, specialities, operating hours and parking details.

Chandra Books Retail Store, Thampanoor

Situated on Manjalikulam Road near the Overbridge in Thampanoor, Chandra Books caters mainly to students and examination candidates. The store brings together school and college textbooks, professional course references, competitive examination rank files, syllabus guides and educational stationery.

Its collection covers entrance examination preparation and Kerala PSC materials, making it a useful stop for academic and government examination requirements. The store follows a regular retail model without old book exchange facilities and does not stock manga or graphic novels.

  • Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 8 PM. Closed Sundays.
  • Parking: Limited roadside parking along Manjalikulam Road. Four-wheeler parking is difficult, while short term two-wheeler parking is available.

Sukumar Book Stall, Thampanoor

Sukumar Book Stall is located on Manjalikulam Road near Hotel Highland and focuses strongly on competitive examination materials. Its collection includes Kerala PSC, SSC, Banking, IBPS, SBI, Railway recruitment, insurance and Central Government examination books, along with academic guides and law entrance resources.

The store is particularly suited to candidates looking for government recruitment and competitive examination preparation materials. Purchases are made through the regular retail model, with standard counter discounts on competitive examination books and no used book exchange facility. Manga and graphic novels are not part of its collection.

  • Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Closed Sundays.
  • Parking: Roadside two-wheeler parking is the main option along congested Manjalikulam Road, while car parking is difficult.

Modern Book Centre, Pulimoodu

Located on Gandhari Amman Kovil Road near GPO Junction, Modern Book Centre has books across fiction, non-fiction, academic subjects, international literature, self-help and children's reading. They keep steady stock of imported English manga, mainstream shonen/seinen titles, and graphic novels.

Its multi floor arrangement and helpful staff make it convenient to browse for specific titles. The collection also includes rare imports and academic references.

  • Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM. Closed Sundays.
  • Parking: Limited roadside parking for two wheelers and cars.

D C Books, Multiple Locations

D C Books brings together Malayalam literature, poetry, translated classics, English fiction, children's books and contemporary bestsellers. Its outlets also host book fairs and author interactions, with occasional promotional old book exchange drives. They also have selected collection of popular manga books as well.

They have branches on Statue Junction at Karimpanal Building, LuLu Mall and Sreekaryam.

  • Statue hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Closed Sundays.
  • LuLu Mall hours: Daily, 10 AM to 10 PM.
  • Parking: Limited at Statue Junction; paid parking complexes are nearby. The mall has extensive paid multi-level parking.

Crossword Bookstore, LuLu Mall

Crossword Bookstore features English fiction, bestsellers, biographies, lifestyle books, self-help titles, young adult literature and children's activity books. It also has a strong manga collection, along with dedicated graphic novel and pop-culture sections featuring popular ongoing series such as Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen.

Imported graphic novels, premium stationery and educational toys add to its selection. The store has a contemporary setting with dedicated browsing areas.

  • Hours: Daily, 10 AM to 10 PM.
  • Parking: Covered mall parking for cars and two wheelers, with automated guidance.

Saradha Book Center, Pazhavangadi

At Padmavilasam Road near Ganapathy Temple, Saradha Book Center caters to school and university students, professionals and exam aspirants.

Its inventory includes CBSE, ICSE and State Board textbooks, engineering and medical references, degree level materials, competitive exam rank files and previous question papers.

  • Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:30 AM to 8 PM.
  • Parking: On street parking along a narrow, busy road.

H&C Stores, Pulimoodu and Vanchiyoor

H&C Stores stocks school textbooks, syllabus guides, Kerala PSC and entrance exam preparation materials, Malayalam literature, children's books and stationery.

Its educational selection includes CBSE and State syllabus resources, NEET and JEE guides, making it useful for students preparing for examinations.

  • Branches: Pulimoodu, opposite Dhanya Remya Theatre Complex, and Vanchiyoor, near Holy Angels School on Convent Road.
  • Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:30 AM to 8 PM.
  • Parking: Limited roadside parking, with better two-wheeler access at Vanchiyoor.

Prabhus Books, MG Road

Situated at Prabhus Complex near Chettikulangara and Ayurveda College Junction, Prabhus Books specialises in legal publications, Bare Acts, legal reports, judicial examination preparation and professional references.

The store also carries classic literature and government exam guides.

  • Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:30 AM to 8 PM.
  • Parking: Very limited frontage; nearby paid parking around Overbridge and Ayurveda College Junction.

Sukumar Book Stall, Thampanoor

Near Hotel Highland on Manjalikulam Road, Sukumar Book Stall focuses on competitive exam preparation. Its range includes Kerala PSC, SSC, Banking, IBPS, SBI, Railway recruitment and Central Government exam materials, along with academic guides and law entrance resources.

  • Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
  • Parking: Primarily roadside two-wheeler parking due to congestion.

Worth Exploring: Roadside Book Stalls in Trivandrum

For readers interested in affordable finds, roadside sellers around the State Central Library perimeter on Nandavanam Road, Palayam, and Ayurveda College Junction on MG Road offer a rotating selection of used, vintage and out of print books. 

You can browse fiction, magazines, university textbooks, competitive exam guides and older reference titles. You can occasionally find pre-owned, second-hand manga volumes at very low prices. Bargaining is common, and some sellers accept returned books for partial refunds or trade credit.

  • Hours: Monday to Saturday, approximately 10 AM to 8 PM.
  • Parking: Brief roadside parking or nearby paid facilities around Palayam and MG Road.
  • Payment: Carry cash or keep UPI ready.

Tips for Buying from Roadside Book Sellers

  • Check for missing pages, damage and highlighting before paying.
  • Negotiate politely, particularly when purchasing several books.
  • Confirm return or buy back terms before completing the purchase.
  • Keep books protected from rain while browsing the open-air stalls.

Finding the Right Bookstore

From academic references and legal publications to new releases and pre owned collections, bookshops in Trivandrum serve a wide range of reading and learning needs. Students can explore specialised exam preparation stores, while literature enthusiasts can browse established retailers and roadside sellers.

For readers seeking second hand books in Trivandrum, Palayam and Ayurveda College Junction offer opportunities to discover affordable titles and exchange used copies. Choose a location based on your book requirements, check the listed operating hours and plan parking before visiting.

FAQs

1. Which book stores in Trivandrum sell second hand books?
Roadside book sellers around Palayam and Ayurveda College Junction offer used, vintage and out of print books, with some sellers also providing resale, exchange or trade credit arrangements.

2. Where can I buy Kerala PSC and competitive exam books in Trivandrum?
Sukumar Book Stall, Chandra Books, Saradha Book Center, H&C Stores, Prabhus Books and roadside book sellers carry materials for Kerala PSC and other competitive examinations.

3. Which bookstores in Trivandrum specialise in law books?
Prabhus Books near Ayurveda College Junction specialises in legal publications, Bare Acts, judicial examination preparation and professional reference materials. Sukumar Book Stall also carries law entrance preparation books.

4. Where can I find Malayalam literature and translated books in Trivandrum?
D C Books offers Malayalam literature, poetry, translated works and world classics, while Modern Book Centre also carries fiction, nonfiction and general literature.

5. Which bookshops in Trivandrum are open on Sundays?
D C Books at Lulu Mall and Crossword Bookstore at Lulu Mall operate daily from 10 AM to 10 PM.

6. Where can I buy academic and examination books in Thampanoor?
Chandra Books and Sukumar Book Stall on Manjalikulam Road in Thampanoor offer academic books and competitive examination materials. Both stores operate from Monday to Saturday.

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