7959 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, TX
Thirteen years ago when I lived in San Antonio, I used to visit Nine Lives when it was in its previous location. It was much bigger then, with a deeper selection of used titles to browse through, not to mention numerous bookshop cats darting around (hence the name), but now the name has another meaning, I suppose. The new shop is smaller, and less extensive in its literary offerings, and it seems to be starting over as a more multi-media shop. A new life, and hopefully not its last. From the value offered, one imagines it should find a unique niche in the local market.
Upon walking in I found an array of anime gaming cards, collectables, stickers, toys, and manga books. The shop also has sections dedicated to vinyl, DVS, VHS, cassettes, CDs, books on CD, comics, stickers, patches, small figurines, children’s toys, and bins of other assorted items. Behind the counter were more expensive collectable items, box sets, and assorted gifts. I’d say a solid half the shop covers these various mediums, with plenty of like-new offerings amongst hard-to-find items that vary in their careworn state.
The literary half ranged from clothbound hardcover books from the 1930s in glass cases to the kind of mass market romance, sci-fi, and westerns you’d find in library sales and flea markets, which isn’t a knock if you’re in the market for these. You’ll find them in abundance and cheap in this shop. The offerings also covered poetry, plays, thrillers, mysteries, horror, page-to-screen, a large children’s section, and mainstream literary fiction. Nonfiction included a large section for Christian books and bibles, some memoir, gardening, self-care, history, etc.
I didn’t grab anything on this trip. I just wanted to see how the new location looked. The selection isn’t as extensive as I remembered but there are plenty of deeply discounted titles and I can imagine someone walking out with an armload without breaking the bank. Drop in and check them out if you’re in the Oak Hills/Medical Center area.
Atmosphere — As much a multimedia shop as bookshop, with bins and displays full of gaming cards, manga, anime, stickers, toys, and more. The shop has an eclectic vibe and the deals are there for the taking if you’re willing to brose and search.
Quality — The books are used and skew toward mass markets, paperback, and thriller hardcover fare, and while a few looked far from their glory days, most were just fine and ready to roll.
Quantity — There aren’t as many as in the previous location. The store is one narrow room with nooks on either side running to the back, and I’d say the space is about 50% books, 50% everything else.
Diversity — This shop hits most of the usual categories, though some selections are small (horror, poetry, etc.) while others are larger (Christian, children’s, thriller).
Affordability — This is why you’ll come to this shop, with discounts as low as $1 per book, and most just a few dollars. If you’re looking for kids, romance, Christian, DVDs, or gaming cards, this might be the super affordable spot to get them.
Amenities — There are some stools scattered throughout, and within the same plaza you’ll find a bagel shop, a bar, a comic store, and other places to visit.
Location — I admit it was a little hard to find with no signage above like other stores in the same plaza, and we missed the turn into the plaza in the first place, but the easiest access seems to be right off Fredericksburg.
Customer Service — The woman behind the counter greeted us and said goodbye as we left and seemed pleasantly engaged in conversation with various customers.
Overall — This shop isn’t quite what I remembered but I can see it finding its own niche as a super deeply discounted used bookshop and gift store for those hard-to-find used DVDs, VHS, and physical audiobooks. The books are cheap, the owner was friendly, and you’ll find plenty more than books as you browse through.
