Affordable used books
Secondhand books are repeatedly described as reasonably priced, with bargains available when you take time to search.
Book World Trading (Used and New Books)
Al Satwa
Book World Trading is a used-and-new bookstore in Al Satwa, centred on English second-hand books, with magazines and comics also available to buy or rent. Visitors come to browse a wide, sometimes unexpected selection of classics, children’s books, academic titles and manga.
Reputation Score
4.3
★★★★☆
158 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Return credit
Some purchases can be returned within a month for 50% credit, giving the shop a library-like feel for regular readers.
Kids section
There is a substantial children’s selection, including storybooks and books bought for children aged nine and six.
Helpful staff
Reviews describe staff as kind and accommodating, including help locating books by particular authors.
Good condition
Many used books are reported to be in good condition; one medical title was described as almost brand new.
Tips for a Better Visit
Allow time. Set aside a couple of hours if you want to browse properly; one visitor spent two hours without noticing the time.
Plan parking. Allow extra time for parking, since street-side spaces are paid and one visitor reported wasting time looking for a spot.
Ask discounts. Ask staff whether a title can be discounted or negotiated; reviews say this is possible in some cases.
Check credit. Before buying, ask about the return-for-credit arrangement: some books can bring 50% credit when returned within a month.
Mind the aisles. If visiting with children, expect tighter browsing conditions and allow extra patience in the congested space.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Shop # 5 and 6 10/4 (333-1020) Al Bada
Al Satwa, Dubai
| Mon | 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Tue | 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Wed | 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Thu | 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Fri | 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Sat | 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Sun | 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
Popular Mentions
IKIGAI
A customer reserved the last copy of IKIGAI and found it in very good condition with an affordable price.
Harry Potter
The shop is mentioned as a possible place to sell or trade a complete Harry Potter set.
wimpy kid
A customer also asked about selling or trading a sizeable collection of Wimpy Kid books.
mangas
Manga appears among the genres and formats one reviewer found while browsing the shelves.
physics and math relative books
One visitor found physics and maths-related books, showing the collection can include study material as well as leisure reading.
Common Concerns
Tight space
The shop can feel congested, and browsing with children may be difficult in the compact aisles.
Parking hassle
Finding parking can take time, with one visitor saying the search wasted the visit; street-side parking is paid.
Hard to navigate
Books are not always properly arranged, so finding a specific title can require patience and searching.
Limited languages
One review found the collection mostly English and Arabic but specifically noted that regional-language books were unavailable.
Prices vary
A customer felt prices could be lower for books that are not original company copies, despite the generally affordable reputation.
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The Bottom Line
Book World Trading is a used-and-new bookstore in Al Satwa where the main activity is browsing: you can spend hours searching through secondhand fiction, classics, children’s books, academic titles, comics and some manga. The selection is broad enough to produce unexpected finds, from a clinicopathology book to an affordable hardback copy of IKIGAI. Used books are the draw, with many customers describing them as budget-friendly and often in good condition.
The shop also has plenty of children’s storybooks, while readers looking for young-adult novels, Arabic books, IELTS material or older medical titles may find worthwhile shelves. New books are reported to be less cheap than pre-loved ones. A useful feature is the return-credit system: several reviews say books returned within a month can earn 50% credit, giving regular readers a library-like way to keep changing their selection.
Ask about this before buying, as well as possible discounts or negotiation. The trade-off is a compact, sometimes congested shop where books may not be perfectly arranged, so specific titles can take effort to locate. Parking is another caution: street-side parking is paid, and one visitor said finding a space wasted the trip.
Families should expect tighter aisles, but staff are often described as kind and helpful.