Czechia's secondhand book boom: How to score cheap reads and join a local club

A surge in the popularity of second-hand books across Europe and worldwide is being driven by affordability, sustainability, and the desire to escape the digital age.

According to a survey by the British company Persistence from February last year, interest in buying second-hand books online is growing across Europe. By 2033, the market for previously loved tomes should reach a value of USD 9.76 billion dollars (almost CZK 230).

Czech Television reports that Knihobot, Reknihy, and Trh Knih have all seen strong sales increases in recent years.

“Three years ago, we sold almost half a million books, and last year, it was almost 2 million,” said Barbora Votavová, Knihobot’s brand manager. The company, which expanded into Austria in 2023, now aims to sell up to 3 million books this year.

Reknihy also confirmed significant growth, with marketing manager Veronika Kučerová reporting that the company had 51,000 orders last year, over 80,000 more than the previous year. The company expects the total number of orders to increase by half compared to last year.

The primary factors driving this trend? Not jus sustainability but lower prices. "Most new books today cost over CZK 300, so they are not exactly cheap. Customers can buy more books from us for the same money, which they appreciate," said Kučerová. 

From February, Knihobot has expanded its presence across Czechia by transforming three branches of the Levné Knihy book chain in Prague’s Anděl, Olomouc, and Brno’s Královo Pole Shopping Center. These locations will now function as hybrid stores where customers can sell, buy, and pick up second-hand books without a shipping fee while still accessing Levné Knihy’s full range of products.

The pilot project will run for three months, with both companies expecting it to attract new customers and streamline book circulation.

Driven by BookTok and other social media trends, Eventbrite reported an 82 percent jump in book club activity in the U.S. in 2024. Book clubs have also been gaining traction throughout Czechia. 

Czech Television, which contacted dozens of clubs across the country, reported that the number of reading clubs nationwide has increased over the past few years, not only in large cities but also in smaller towns.

Czechs are coming together to meet at cafes, libraries, or virtually, discussing a range of genres, from science fiction to historical literature, and even having themed evenings.

Adéla Lepová, founder of a Prague book club, says, “Every month, we try a new cafe so that in addition to books, we can also get to know different places. We choose them based on the atmosphere and the noise. We go where there is enough space, and we can hear each other.”

For newcomers to the Czech capital, joining a book club is a great way to meet friends while spending time reading a great book. Long-running book clubs have also helped foster community among expats.

One of the Czech capital’s longest-running English-friendly book clubs is the Prague Book Club/Reading Group, nearly 800 members strong on Facebook, which meets every other Thursday at the Globe Bookstore and Cafe.

Women-focused book groups include Sisters in Books, a welcoming community for book lovers who enjoy thoughtful discussions and shared literary experiences, and A Novel Bunch. The smaller Prague Bookclub (200+ members on Facebook) meets monthly .

Those located in Brno can check out the Expat Centre's tips for booklovers in Czechia’s second-city.