In today’s society, it is easy to assume that bookstores are a dying trade. With chain bookstores and sites such as Amazon and Book Depository, it seems only natural that book lovers would search for their books in these cheaper retails environments rather than in independent stores. However, there is a quiet revival of independent bookstores happening. The American Booksellers Associations tells us that the number of independent bookstores has increased more than 20% since 2009, whilst at the same time large stores such as Borders are going bankrupt.
Whilst big stores and online retailers try to sell a lot of books for a cheap price, they are missing the reason why buyers go into independent bookstores- they want a small selection. They want an inspiring environment, and to feel that they are in a place where only true book lovers go- something that chain stores cannot offer them. Whilst they have a big selection, they are not offering an intimate experience to the reader. Book buyers to not want to go into a store and see only new books, with all old books being put in a bargain bin. They want to search through the shelves looking for the forgotten classics and the hidden gems, the dusty old books at the back that look used and loved.
Books can now be downloaded straight to your phone, your Kindle, your iPad- but with the sale of books in independent stores having gone up 8% this year- which surpasses the amount the sale of books in general rose- it is joyous to see that although we could all sit in our homes and download our books, we don’t. We still want the brick-and-mortar booksellers, and we still want to hold a book and feel it in our hands. Bookstores are full of culture, they are sanctuaries and they can open up whole universes to us. To celebrate the humble bookstore, Living 360 has compiled a list of our favorite bookstores in the world.
Europe
Shakespeare and Company
Where? Paris Who? Shakespeare and Company What? This cultural phenomenon opened it’s doors in 1951. The bookstore looks like it could be in a Hemingway book- and indeed it is. Although is the not the first Shakespeare and Company, it is the successor, as the original closed down in 1941 and the name was given to this store in 1958. Shakespeare and Company is part of Hemingway’s memoir ‘A Moveable Feast’, and from day one this bookstore has invited writers to take on residences, allowing four writers to stay from up to one night to a month.
Shakespeare and Company Bookstore | 37 rue de la Bucherie Latin Quarter, 75005 Paris France
Assouline Venezia
Where? Venice Who? Assouline Venezia What? This bookstore, located on the ground floor of the Bauer Hotel was opened by luxury publisher Assouline in 2014. The interior design is beautiful, and the store stocks some of the most expensive books the label offers, books that are handcrafted and delve into fashion, travel and lifestyle, and range from $500-$7000. Assouline Venezia, Bauer Hotel, San Marco, Venice, Italy; +39 041 240 6876;
Acqua Alta
Where? Venice Who? Acqua Alta What? This truly is a unique store, with boats, gondolas and canoes forming the shelves for the new and used books. The mix of second-hand and brand new books climb every surface of the wall, and even become part of the furniture, including a staircase of ancient encyclopedias that allows you to look over the canal. When the shop is eventually flooded, the books will all be saved as they float away in their boats. Sestiere Castello, 5176/B, 30122 Venezia, Italy
Livraria Lello
Where? Portugal Who? Livraria Lello What? This beautiful bookstore dates all the way back to 1906, with the incredible neo-Gothic structure with sweeping staircase, plaster ceiling and stained glass windows designed by engineer Xavier Esteves. Known was the world’s most beautiful bookstore, it has become so popular with tourists that in July of this year the store has started charging entrance fees. Livraria Lello & Irmao | Rua das Carmelitas 144 Vitória, Porto 4050-161 Portugal
Bookabar Bookshop
Where? Rome Who? Bookabar Bookshop What? This large bookshop was designed by architect Firouz Galdo, and spans over three large rooms and 450 square metres. Of the three rooms, two are for books, the other is for merchandise. The books are mainly concerned with architecture and design, and this is reflected in the beauty of this large and minimalistic space. Bookabar Bookshop | Via Milano 15/17, Rome, Italy
Boekhandel Dominicanen
Where? Maastricht, Netherlands Who? Boekhandel Dominicanen What? This is a bookstore with a difference. The store was built in the 13th century, and is a 1,100 square meter former Dominican Church. Before being converted into a bookstore in 2006, the space had been used for varying purposes- carnivals, Orchestra and even sheep slaughtering. Now, the bookstore holds over 40,000 books, sells delicious coffee and hosts over 140 events each year. Boekhandel Selexyz Dominicanen | 1 Dominikanerkerk Street, 6211 Maastricht The Netherlands
Foyles. PIC: CNN Traveler
Where? London Who? Foyles What? Foyles is a century old London bookseller, and in 2014 moved to a new building that is the size of 13 tennis courts. The bookstore is the former Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, and has held students such as Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney. The building holds even more history, as the Foyle’s children’s department was once the stage where the Sex Pistols played their very first gig in 1975. The store is modern in design, using in-store digital book search maps- the first in the country. Foyles Bookshop | 113 – 119 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0EB England
Stanfords
Where? London Who? Stanfords What? Located in the cultural Covent Garden area of London is one of the world’s best travel book shops. Stanfords has guide books and street maps for every place in the world- if you are going there, Stanfords stocks the materials you need. The shop also stocks obscure travel writing texts. Stanfords | 12-14 Long Acre, London WC2E 9LP England
Mr B’s Emporium of Readin
Where? Bath Who? Mr B’s Emporium of Readin
What? This indie bookstore is not just a bookstore- it is a place to relax and unwind. Decorated with cozy armchair and comfortable surroundings, the store also offers services such as bibliotherapy and reading spas. Engage in one of these spas and the staff will sit you with one-on-one while you discuss your favorite books with them over coffee, then they will bring you a selection of books to dive into. 14-15 John St, Bath, Avon BA1 2JL, United Kingdom
Word on the Water
Where? London Canals Who? Word on the Water What? A traveling bookstore! Word on the Water is a floating bookstore owned by Paddy Screech, and it travels around London’s canals. The interior contains a large collection of books, cats and music, and if you see if floating by it is sure to have something to brighten up your day.
United States of America
The Last Bookstore
Where? Los Angeles Who? The Last Bookstore What? A huge, ware-house like store filled with new and old books, graphic novels and record stores home to over 200,000 books. The store is extremely popular, and has even been used as a backdrop for a fashion shoot for ‘Esquire’. The space of originally a bank, and the vaults are still on both the floors- but now containing books! 453 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013, United States
Borderlands Books
Where? San Francisco Who? Borderlands Books What? Borderlands is a niche bookstore, and it is heaven for anyone who loves Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery and Horror. Stocking only these books, the collection of these genres is incredible, and you can sit around in one of the comfy chairs and read from each book until you have decided what you want to take home with you. 866 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States
John K. King Used & Rare Books
Where? Detroit Who? John K. King Used & Rare Books What? Another bookstore with an interesting venue- and old glove factory- this store has more than 900 categories and more than one million books! The store opened in 1975, and has an impressive collection, with the First Edition of the Book of Mormon- priced at $100,000, and the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas, dating back to 1482! The store is so big, that the website quotes ‘We buy books and libraries!’. John K. King Books | 901 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
Strand Bookstore
Where? New York Who? Strand What? ‘Book Row’ was the name given to six blocks of Manhattan’s Fourth Avenue back in the 1920s, as it was home to 48 bookstores. Strand is the only of these stores left. It has now moved to Broadway and 12th street, and has an amazing 2.5 million books- new, used and rare. The rare room is simply amazing, and for $45,000 you could get their copy of James Joyce’s ‘Ulysses’ illustrated by Henri Matisse. The Strand Bookstore | 828 Broadway, New York City, NY
Powell’s City of Books
Where? Portland Who? Powell’s City of Books What? An iconic Portland landmark, you need a few days to explore. The multi-story house is usually crowded inside, as people scower the shelves for new and used editions. Authors stop by here for signing and readings, and if in the USA they will always stop here whilst on tour. Powell’s City of Books | 1005 W Burnside, Portland, OR
Wild Rumpus Bookstore. PIC: Flickr
Where? Minneapolis Who? Wild Rumpus What? This store is not famous for the books, but for what else resides within. Wild Rumpus is filled with books and animals! Two little rats named Tilly and Pip live under the floorboards in a glass cage so that you can watch them running around, and you can also come and visit the ferrets Doodle and Ferdinand, the three cats, two doves, three cockatiels, chinchillas Amelia and Mr Skeeter, two chickens, Spike the lizard and Thomas Jefferson the tarantula! 2720 W 43rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410, United States
El Ateneo
South and Central America Where? Buenos Aires Who? El Ateneo What? A former cinema, the majestic building has kept is ornate architecture as a bookstore. The new store opened in the early 2000s, yet is so in touch with the building’s history that the stage and theater boxes have been kept and converted into reading spaces. El Ateneo Grand Splendid | Av Santa Fe 1860 Barrio Recoleta, Buenos Aires Argentina
Cafebreria El Pendulo
Where? Mexico City Who? Cafebreria El Pendulo What? A bookstore and a café, you can have your breakfast on the weekend whilst enjoying live classical music. The store is twenty-two years old, and you will feel relaxed and nourished as you eat some of the best food, reading a great book and listening to beautiful music. El Pendulo | Alejandro Dumas 81, Polanco, Mexico City 11560 Mexico
Australasia
1200 Bookshop Guangzhou. PIC: CNN
Where? Guangzhou, China Who? 1200 Bookshop What? This bookstore was inspired by the first one on our list- Shakespeare and company. The store holds midnight seminars in store, sells books, coffee, and let’s backpackers stay for free in a private room on the premises. The store is open 24 hour. 1200 Bookshop, 27 East Tiyu ST, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; +86 20 8526 0827
Books for Cooks Melbourne
Where? Melbourne, Australia Who? Books for Cooks What? As the name tells us- this store sells books for cooks! The 150-year old building is a former speakeasy, in the coolest areas of Melbourne, and is the only shop in Australia that specializes in cookbooks. Home to over 40,000 books, including 18th-century culinary text books, chefs, foodies and gourmet enthusiasts flock here for their literary needs. Books for Cooks | 129-131 Therry St Queen Victoria Market, Fitzroy, Yarra, Victoria 3000 Australia
Eslite Dunnan Store
Where? Taiwan Who? Eslite Dunnan Store What? Another 24 bookstore, this shop in Taipei opened in 1999. The store is 17,000 square meters, and is so successful that two more branches have opened in the city. Eslite BookstoreTunnan | 2F, No.245 Tunhua South Road, Section 1, Taipei Taiwan
Librairie Avant-Garde
Where? Nanjing, China Who? Librairie Avant-Garde What? This 4000 square meter store is a beautiful bookstore inside an underground parking lot once used as a bomb shelter. The store has over 300 reading chairs, and unusual features- such as a checkout counter made from thousands of old books, large crosses, and a copy of Rodin’s ‘The Thinker’. Librairie Avant-Garde | No.173 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing China