We get through a few books a week in this family, and figure without life's usual distractions we will get a bit of reading done on this trip. Does anyone know where we can buy second hand books in English in Venice, Florence, Lucca, Rome or Tuscany?
Thanks
Robyn.

In Florence check out the Paperback Exchange This link has the address and phone number but the link (on the linked to page)doesn't seem to work. By Tuscany I assume you mean the countryside? If so I have never seen a used book place but that doesn't mean there isn't one. HTH and I am sure someone else will know where to go in Rome.

In Florence there is a huge book-shop full of second hand books right next to Feltrinelli international. Sorry I cannot remember the name of the street.

There is also a chain of book-shops which probably you can find a bit everywhere in Tuscany, it is called "Il libraccio": their specialty is second-hand books and music tapes, cds, etc.

In Pisa is beside Chiesa del Carmine, in Corso Italia

However, Feltrinelli and many other book shops have the Penguin editions: you will find very cheap new books.

In Rome try the English Bookshop, Via di Ripetta , 248 (Metro Flaminio) or the Economy Book and Video Center, Via Torino, 136 (Metro Repubblica).

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Originally posted by Gloria - Casina di Rosa:
There is also a chain of book-shops which probably you can find a bit everywhere in Tuscany, it is called "Il libraccio"

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unfortunately, the Pisa store is the only Libraccio store in whole Tuscany. Libraccio was born in Milano in the 1970s. It has several stores here in Milano, a few more in Alessandria, Bergamo, Brescia, Busto Arsizio, Como, Genova, Monza, Pisa, Torino and Varese. None outside these cities.

But does the Libraccio store and the one next to Feltrinelli have English books too?

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Originally posted by Cristina:
But does the Libraccio store and the one next to Feltrinelli have English books too?

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I don't know about the shop next to Feltrinelli in Florence, but I am pretty sure that the libraccio closer to my office (Milano, Vittorio Veneto, next to Porta Venezia) doesn't have any, although other shops may have some. Maybe the one on the Navigli has, but I am not sure...

Really Alice? Oh, wow, I thought it was very common!

In Pisa thye have English books, because there is a big faculty of foreign languages and many students resell their books after every exams. You might not find contemporary stuff, probably just classics.

But why buying second/hand when with 10 euros you can buy new paperback edition?

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Originally posted by Gloria - Casina di Rosa:
Really Alice? Oh, wow, I thought it was very common!

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It is very common here in Lombardy. Outside Lombardy... Well, there's the webite, you can check it out for yourself.

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But why buying second/hand when with 10 euros you can buy new paperback edition?

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because if you are a heavy reader, buying used paperback editions at 5 euro helps you save a LOT of money! ^_^

Robyn, I can't remember if you'll be staying in a vacation rental somewhere along the way or if you'll be staying in hotels. I seem to remember one of Pauline's rental reviews mentioning the rental property's book collection. I got the impression from Pauline's comments that it's not uncommon for a rental property to have a casual library, consisting of books that other travellers (and perhaps the owners too) have left behind. Perhaps people who have stayed in vacation rentals in Italy can comment on how common or uncommon it is for properties like that to have books in them. If it is indeed common for vacation rentals to be stocked with books, perhaps that's another factor in favour of rentals.

Interesting question Judy. I'm two for two - both properties had a selection of books with notes that said, feel free to leave some and feel free to take. I believe we left a couple behind this last trip.

>>If it is indeed common for vacation rentals to be stocked with books, perhaps that's another factor in favour of rentals<<

Some hotels also "maintain" an informal book exchange in their lobby....guests are encouraged to leave their finished books and can take some from the "library".

Hi Alice, I believed you! I was just surprised!

And you are right, it is expensive... I myself spend a lot of money in books... You have got a book shop, haven't you?

Luckily in Pisa I have access to the Scuola Normale's library which is always well up to date even with the last publications. Although, I admit that I have very little time to read books besides the ones that I HAVE TO read.
Where is your book shop?

As for the idea of creating a library, I think it is really nice! I will have to implement it in my house! I only have a "scenic drives book" now, and it would be nice to have some more!

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Originally posted by Gloria - Casina di Rosa:
Where is your book shop?

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It's Luca's bookshop, in a town between Pistoia and Prato named Quarrata: with Piombino the ugliest town in Tuscany! They say so themselves!!

To Dean or anyone else who has stayed in Il Carmine --- by chance, is there a public area on premises that functions as a "library" where guests leave books?

When we travel, I usually leave behind my finished books for the next person to enjoy. It is great to "take one/leave one". 10 euro is more than $16 to us. It adds up pretty quick! We love to fossic in second hand book shops here, we still buy new books too, but at $20 plus for a paperback, $29 for the larger size, it is an expensive exercise.
The place in Pisa sounds great as we pick up a car and a friend there and then have our week long relax in the countryside. Lazing by the pool, book in hand, hmmm...................