The Algarve Book Cellar in Carvoeiro is a bibliophile’s paradise, attracting book-loving locals and holidaymakers alike. Tracy Burton talked to its owner Ray Compton about how his lifelong love of reading led to the creation of this remarkable secondhand bookshop.
At a guess, Ray Compton thinks he has around half a million books for sale, although he doesn’t count or catalogue the titles that line the shelves, floors and shop counter. Instead, he relies on memory to keep track of the extensive inventory – a remarkable feat considering the eclectic nature of his stock.
This astonishing place is a veritable Aladdin’s cave, where you can pick up novels from your favourite authors or browse through non-fiction books on topics ranging from travel, art and history to wildlife and sport. From wall to ceiling, you will spot familiar names like Stephen King, Rosamund Pilcher, Lee Child, Kate Atkinson, Ben Elton, Robert Goddard, Philippa Gregory and Danielle Steel. You will also find children’s books and gems from lesser-known authors: I spotted copies of Another Day in Paradise by local author Karen Telling.
Astonishingly, other than being an avid reader – he favours American crime writers like Karen Slaughter, Michael Connelly and James Patterson – 81-year-old Londoner Ray had no literary credentials when he set up shop in 2002. His primary goal was to make reading affordable for everyone. “When I started this, you’d be paying €15 for a book here. I read three or four a week.
“I’ve always loved reading, he added. “It’s so important for children to read. It expands their minds. I’ve learned a lot from books.”
Opening the Carvoeiro bookshop was no spur-of-the-moment decision. Ray had been planning his new enterprise for over a year when he and wife Jennifer moved here in December 2001. Alongside the usual furniture and personal effects, the couple shipped 20,000 secondhand books from the UK. This unusual cargo formed the bookshop’s initial stock and, alongside Ray’s library-style exchange system, made The Algarve Book Cellar an instant success. Within months, customers and stock levels were soaring.
“Holidaymakers were leaving a lot of books in rental properties and the owners/agents were bringing them in every day. It worked very well and the business grew very quickly,” Ray explained.
Despite buying the adjacent shop and knocking through, Ray is running out of space. The Scandinavian pine shelving he built is overflowing, while most of the floor space – and the small kitchen – is given over to books. In the aisles, towering stacks of books defy gravity, not high enough to pose a danger but adding to the literary overload.
Ray credits much of his success with his generous credit system, whereby returned and donated books in good condition earn credits. For example, the return on a €5 book might be €2. This hybrid shop/library model attracts hundreds of regular customers. One is Steve Smith, an avid reader from Alcantarilha, who has been coming in for 17 years. “There aren’t many places you can get English books,” he said. “You can have a browse around here. I probably come here every three to four months, depending on how quickly I’m reading.”
English-language titles dominate the shelves, however there are books in German, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, French and Portuguese. DVDs, greetings cards, postcards and jigsaws are also sold.
Will there come a time when Ray simply can’t accept more books? “It’s difficult. If they are recent titles being offered, I’ll take them. If they are older ones, I don’t take them unless I need them badly.” He donates duplicate books to animal charities, a cause Ray cares deeply about (“I’ve only got four cats now”).
After years of dedication, Ray is now planning to sell up and retire. Interested buyers should contact him on +351 282 354 310 or at raymond.compton@gmail.com
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, from 9.30 am to 4 pm.
Shops 1–2 O Galeão building, Rua dos Pescadores, Carvoeiro
