Quote Originally Posted by Selexin
I'm getting even more puzzled. The opinions split among natives...
Well, consider the situation:
A: "We need to change the bulb in the sconce"
B: "I can't reach it, it hangs too high"
A: "Use books or something to stand on"
B: "Where are there any books?"
What do you think?
Selexin, there is something you need to remember about "American" native speakers and we have discussed this in other threads. Depending upon where you are from has a lot to do with how you speak and what you may or may not say. Someone raised in the North East, say in the Boston area, will speak very differently from someone in the South, say New Orleans, or as I have posted about North Carolina and the "Queen's English."
An example is "them there." While I would NEVER say that combination of words in a professional setting, I might joking around with my family and friends. "Where did you get them there spuds?" or a famous take on it is "There be gold in them thar hills!"

So, your question about "Where are there any books?" while yes, it COULD be said by some people, it is technically not correct and not used by MOST people. You would need to add/subtract something to the sentence to complete it and make YOU not sound like a foreigner, hillbilly, teen rapper or something. Unless of course, that is what you are going for

"Where are there books around here?"
"I don't see any books around here!"
"What are you talking about? Where are there any books [around] here?"

Does this help?