Dead Souls Bookshop

Monday10:00 am – 4:30 pm.

Tuesday10:00 am – 4:30 pm.

Wednesday10:00 am – 4:30 pm.

Thursday10:00 am – 4:30 pm.

Friday10:00 am – 4:30 pm.

Saturday10:00 am – 4:30 pm.

SundayClosed.

393 Princes Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin

0210 270 8540

Dead Souls Bookshop is a central city emporium for quality second-hand books. With around 20,000 titles in store, this bookshop has titles in almost every genre, from almost every era and at most price points.

Organised by genre, you’ll find that there’s no shortage of pages to flip, pictures to look at and topics to investigate. Robust and notable sections include NZ history, Māori culture, Literature and Philosophy, Natural History and Children’s Literature.  Also nestled among the shelves are old book presses, letterpress cabinets and artefacts from days gone by.

Owner Dean started Dead Souls Bookshop about four years ago. He has spent a lot of time reading himself but these days, as he put it, some of his regular clients are far more serious readers. Regardless of how much time you spend buried in the pages of a book, Dead Souls offers every visitor a bit of that magic that only the best bookstores have. It’s the kind of place where you could spend hours browsing, but feel that only a few minutes have passed.

Dean sources the titles found at Dead Souls from various places and often buys entire collections. When he’s not adding to the variety, he designs and handcrafts bookmarks for the bookshop and publishes small press publications, by hand, under the imprint Kilmog Press.

Look up and you’ll notice vintage cover pages adorn the ceilings. Dean hung those himself and they add to the feeling of being completely enveloped in the world of books. Head in for a specific title, a rare find or simply for a new read.

Words by Olivia Sisson & Photography by Nancy Zhou

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

393 Princes Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin

Nearby Places

Prohibition Smokehouse

Bar and kitchen area at Prohibition Smokehouse, Dunedin.
Place Dunedin
Restaurants key icon.

Prohibition Smokehouse in Dunedin has earned a reputation as the pièce de résistance for some of the best steak in the city.

Dunedin Public Art Gallery

A featured exhibition in the foyer.
Place Dunedin
Galleries and museum key icon.

The jewel in Dunedin's crown.

Moiety

A chef working in the kitchen.
Place Dunedin Editor's Pick
Restaurants key icon.

Moiety wows with a tasting menu that is refined and approachable all at once.

Commons Eatery

Outside view of Commons Eatery.
Place Dunedin
Cafes key icon. Restaurants key icon.

It’s a wonderful thing to meet an eatery you love – even better when that place welcomes you morning, noon, and night.

Similar Places

Gallery De Novo

Inside the gallery with art on the walls.
Place Dunedin
Galleries and museum key icon.

Fine art can be intimidating but here it’s light, exciting and even fun.

The Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery

Animal skulls.
Place Dunedin Editor's Pick
Galleries and museum key icon.

A museum unlike any other, this is local artist Bruce Mahalski’s greatest work.

Estelle Flowers

A hand reaching for flowers.
Place Dunedin

Adding a touch of colourful botany to Moray Place, Estelle is a Parisian-style florist.

Princes St Butcher

Jars of pasta sauce and honey on display.
Place Dunedin

A complete foodie destination.