Used books’re both eco-friendly and inexpensive — unless you’re going for first editions, in which case they’re eco but sometimes more expensive. Anyway, after reading about Kulturas Books, a relatively new used bookstore in Santa Monica, I had to drop by, and did yesterday.

Kulturas nabbed a nice spacious spot, then filled it with a diverse collection ranging from cheapo fiction paperbacks to first-edition high art books. In the back’s even a mini vintage fashion boutique, complete with its obligatory used Prada pouch.

Avid readers could get lost in the place for hours, poking through the rows of books, organized enough to find specific authors but disorganized enough to invite unlimited browsing and loafing. There are books behind books, books under books, books under the books behind books –

Once established in Washington DC, Kulturas relocated to open in Santa Monica early this year. While their announced hours are 11 am - 6 pm, I got there at 6:45 pm and the place was wide open — apparently, the owners’ son — fiddling around on the store computer — had soccer practice, so the bibliophile parents decided to stick around the store until he had to go.

They do have plans to stay open until 9 or so from Thurs - Sat. If you plan on dropping by late, I’d try giving ‘em a call first.

Did I mention pre-loved books’re inexpensive? I got 5 novels for $20 and change. Not sure why I picked all by male authors — I was going for thin fiction classics, so as to aid the 30 in 30 goal.

Perhaps women write longer books (I rejected a couple Jane Austens for now). More likely, people who buy books by women authors aren’t willing to part with them and/or snatch them up too quickly from 2nd hand stores….

Kulturas Books. 1700 Ocean Park Blvd. Santa Monica. 310.450.8707.

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