Join Griffin Shea of downtown bookshop Bridge Books for a guided walk through the inner-city’s literary culture, tracing Joburg’s informal book trade and its rich reading culture.  The walk starts at the African Book Trust office at the pop-up arcade at 97 Commissioner Street, before a literary walk through the city. 

The route includes stops at a religious bookseller, the original Central News Agency building, and James Findlay Collectables at the Rand Club (note that the club might be closed for private events). The journey also takes you to booksellers in street markets, a spaza shop, a Nigerian importer, and you'll see the beautifully renovated exterior of the Johannesburg City Library, although it's currently closed for roof repairs. During the visit, you'll learn about how books circulate through the informal economy and explore the history of bookselling in Johannesburg which includes the first black-run library in the era of censorship and book burning and the innovative ways modern readers discover books.

It is advisable to bring some small notes in cash to buy books on the way. There is secure parking available in front of the Rand Club.