Under the Volcano Books — Local services in Mexico City

Grant took me off guard when he told me to take my stuff off of his couch so I didn't mess up the leather. I had just walked in on a rainy afternoon as the store was about to close and wasn't really paying much attention. I was a little taken aback then he asked me what he could help me with. I told him I really am more of the non-fiction type and he politely showed me where I should look.

Grant quickly warmed up as we engaged in a friendly conversation about living in CDMX, how smartphones was destroying the tradition human social structure, and politics in the US, although it was clear him and I voted differently. It was really refreshing to actually have a peaceful conversation with a fellow American who was polite and respectful about the before-mentioned subject (due to the fact I was looking at some books about the history of the US). He also gave me some good input about the American Legion downstairs after he found out I was a Veteran and invited me to an event his was having the following week.

The store itself is quaint and small, but welcoming and in a great part of Condesa. It's hard to find a good used book store, let along one in English in Mexico City. I walked out with 3 books for 330 MXN, which 2 of them are classics: "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Greene and "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman. Thanks for your help and I...

This is a wonderful bookshop in a beautiful area of CDMX and housed in a sublimely unique location. It is one of those shops that seems to be from another time or place.

It's unique in that one must enter an American Legion (and restaurant!), go up a flight of stairs in the back, and here you'll find the small well-curated shop. It punches well above its weight.

It has a broad and surprisingly deep selection of used books with lots of unique titles. I think ALL but a very few are in English too! I've been in used bookstores 10x as large that lacked the overall quality of titles I found on the shelves here. The owner is a friendly and knowledgeable book lover too. It's a relaxing and chill shop

It's very close to Parque Mexico which is also a unique and wonderful place. Nothing better than a walk in the park and a used bookstore to fill a morning or afternoon. And if you're hungry don't forget there's a restaurant and bar on...

The owner was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and polite. There was a surprising amount of titles for such a small space! Getting there can be a bit confusing because it's inside the same building as a restaurant on the second floor, but it's a quaint little place, and if you have a couple of hours to kill properly looking through every title it's worth it to make a visit. You will find books you didn't even know existed, it's grand.

The prices are closer to a regular bookstore's rather than a secondhand one's, but it's understandable considering it's not a franchise, plus it's an exclusively foreign-language bookstore in the middle of Mexico. Cash only, so come prepared! The owner also mentioned that he will buy English titles if you have any to sell. I will absolutely be recommending this...