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The 20 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World

By Emily Temple on
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There’s magic in the air at this English-language bookstore in Beijing. Bookworm, Beijing, China

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Olivia Justo 5 pts

Great places, great selection! I must say that Lello in Porto is really divine :) Find out more about Lello bookshop on my blog dedicated to the city of Porto, hope you like it! http://www.portosweethome.com/

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Abdekunkus 5 pts

Great selection! Let me recommend you the most beautiful bookshop in Madrid. Built and designed by the famous architec Miguel Fisac in 1950, the Librería Científica del CSIC is a must-see for all book-lover's who visit Spain.

 

http://editorial.csic.es/publicaciones/portal/la-editorial/libreria-csic/1f02ef40-3327-4a37-a5d5-e67417846b6e

 

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simonboyd 5 pts

That's my dream.. to lost my self in far away libraries..

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gbkines 5 pts

Shakespeare's in Paris - I was a tour guide, in Paris with a busload of Aussies and Canadians, and with a couple of rare hours off, slipped into this wonderful bookshop I had heard and read about. I walked about a dozen steps into the store and felt an urge to simply wrap the whole place around me like a blanket, or a long-lost friend. Some of the architectural stores are wonderful, but that warm photo of Shakespeare's evoked that memory I had tucked away and gladly pulled out into the light. Thank you.

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MafaldaLisa 5 pts

Libreria Quarto Stato in Italy www.libreriaquartostato@libero.it 

Libreria Quarto Stato Channel on youtube

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joey899244 7 pts

it is a rare find and a wonderful place to sit..  http://www.hqew.net   

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GenProofreads 5 pts

Such beautiful bookstores! I remember an article you guys wrote a while back that showcased home libraries. How do you find such gems? genproofreads.com

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JuneViendalmare 5 pts

https://www.facebook.com/atlantisbooks

Atlantis Books in Oia Santorini should appear in you list! It's amazing, cosy, "wordy", magic, inspiring place!

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Debacis 7 pts

Such beautiful libraries. Katey, Los Angeles Car Accident Attorney

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Marianthy 5 pts

Truly a wonderful article. It is so pleasing to see other book lovers out there. The bookstores you have shown us are beautiful! So sad that there is not one bookstore in my town that compares to these.

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CristinaCorbellani 5 pts

Both shops of "Puro Verso" bookstore in Montevideo, Uruguay are beautiful in their own way http://www.libreriapuroverso.com/servlets/inicio

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JuditSinka 5 pts

Fantastic photos of beautiful bookstores. Let me add my favourite in Budapest, Hungary: Alexandra Bookstore in Andrássy street:

https://plus.google.com/114579145937536765320/photos?hl=hu

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jlschurk 5 pts

Sort of can not believe that the Elliott Bay Book Co. is not on this list!

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macgyver51 5 pts

Going to be honest, most of these look like they were more concerned with being cute than carrying books. I want to see a large selection, a picture of one of Powell's long shelves is more what I'm looking for.

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Wow! I have new motivation to travel. Thanks for putting this wonderful photographic display together. I do though agree with the comment on libraries. Please include the library beauties with any new editions.

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 Like ElenaBroscaru

This one definitely should be added: https://www.google.com/search?q=livraria+cultura+conjunto+nacional&hl=en&safe=off&tbo=u&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=1V-dUJuBBpOu8AS9loDoCQ&ved=0CFUQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=587 it's is located in the heart of São Paulo, in a building at the famous Avenida Paulista.

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I am unaccountably moved to tears, not only by the beauty and/or originality of these bookstores, but by the readers' comments, which tell me I am not alone: there are still many of us out there who love books as real things: to handle them, smell them, turn their pages, and lovingly absorb their contents. Sadly, I will probably never visit any of these gems, but it's wonderful to know that they still exist.

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 Like ElenaBroscaru

He tenido el placer de estar ahi

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i really love the design~~~~and the stars look very comfortable. once you sit down, you can finish one book at one time~~~~

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Such beautiful libraries. Katey, Los Angeles Car Accident Attorney

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That first library looks amazing, but I bet it's hard to keep things quiet in what is obviously a big old church type building.

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WOW!!! Can't imagine books stores can be so beautiful. Reading is made more heavenly in stores like these. Wish I can be there.

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 Like ElenaBroscaru

A wonderful article and photos. Many thanks! I would have to add a personal favourite: CapLan & Co bookshop, cafe, and bar in Guimaec, Brittany. http://www.caplanandco.fr. Alone on an isolated cove on the breathtaking Breton coast, it is a rare find and a wonderful place to sit, read, drink, and look at the sea... .

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I loved the neo-gothic bookstore in Portuagal. It reminded me not of a bookstore but a library I used to take a bus to study in called the Grosvenor in donwtown Buffalo. Unfortunately, it no longer exists - too difficult to maintain because of its age - fond memories. What a vast variety of bookstores. Powell's, in Portland, OR, while not very architecturally interesting has a lot of out of print books for sale; I found the size (two stories and a city block square a bit overwhelming. Thanks for the beautiful photos.

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 Like ElenaBroscaru

+1 for Elliot Bay (Seattle).

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Great photos! How 'bout a story on quaint bookstores or bookstores where the owner knows every book they have! My Mom and her bookstore " Just Wright Books " in Walla walla WA. would vmake that last list! Sh's 79 and knows EVERY where every book isin her store!

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DU HAST so glaub ich -DIE BUCHHANDLUNG MOSER (mit COFFEE SHOP )-IN GRAZ übersehen ! FINDE ICH _ FINDE DU !

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Dear friends, dont forget the most beautiful book shop in Argentina Eterna Cadencia http://www.eternacadencia.com/home.asp Thank you Coni

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 Like ElenaBroscaru GabrielCaprav
GabrielCaprav 5 pts

¡Que buena recomendación! No entiendo como no conocía esa librería. Definitivamente voy a pasar a visitarla un día de estos...

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Waterstones in Bradford, England is beautiful. Such a contrast to the rest of the stores in the City. http://tinyurl.com/7et98xu

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Why would you not count the one in Downtown Orlando? I would have to give it the number 18 spot. Central Florida OB/GYN

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One you missed in Paris, along the Seine - the Book Stalls. Here: http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/France/Ile_de_France/Paris-99080/Local_Customs-Paris-Les_Bouquinistes_book_stalls_along_the_Seine-BR-1.html Beutiful? No. But browsing them is still a Paris pastime after a hundred years ...

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 Like ElenaBroscaru

In Paris I much prefer Librairie Galignani, the oldest English language bookshop on the continent. http://www.galignani.com/en/galignani.php

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Gorgeous!May I suggest another wonderful bookshop? It's called "Asilo del libro" and it is at the heart of Valencia, Spain, take a look to its windows: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/34356228 A haven for book lovers!

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Corso Como 10, a trendy bar, one of the best place to take wonderful picture for a usless benchmark.

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Absolutely gorgeous!

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misi4sta 5 pts

I totally agree with the calendar idea!!! I want to go meander these, climb into a nook and snooze in Paris! I am so going to use that place in a book! Thanking for this collection!

http://www.misiasty.pl

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I work at this bookstore in The Netherlands: http://www.riemer-walinga.nl/web/onzewinkel.htm | It might not be as grand as some of the shops in this article, but it really is one of those few 'real' bookshops and worth a visit when in Holland (Ermelo). A customer once desrcribed visiting our store in our guestbook: "The squeaking of the wooden floor, towards what wants to be read, it's as if you come home, and, for a moment, forget about time.

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Absolutely awe-inspiring! For a bibliophile like me, this is book-love epitomized.

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I totally agree with the calendar idea!!! I want to go meander these, climb into a nook and snooze in Paris! I am so going to use that place in a book! Thanking for this collection!

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Wow I'd love to go to every single one of these! Must visit Bart's Books the next time I'm in California.

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 Like ElenaBroscaru

Our favorite, which competes with all of these, is Liberia Palazzo Roberti in Bassano del Grappa (Italy).

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Thank you so very much for your post - A "bookie" myself I fully appreciated your article!

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this photo just makes me happy

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There is nothing here as far as architecture, beauty, and design is concerned, but if you want a cozy place, with great, knowledgeable staff, CHOCK FULL of books - this is one of my favorite places EVER! I either borrower from the library or buy my books here! If you find yourself in Connecticut, USA, please visit: http://www.bookbarnniantic.com/About.htm You won't regret it! :-)

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I love bookstores! Thank you for this post. I'm going to Porto, Portugal soon so will be sure to check that one out. I have a couple I could ad. Sadly where I live the only thing left is Half Price Books and a Barnes and Nobel. Book Passage in San Francisco if wonderful ,,,not sure about beautiful,,,haven't been to the ferry building location only to the Corte Madera location.

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