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Last week I returned to Seattle after an epic journey from London → Budapest → Prague → Istanbul. No one will be surprised to know that my priorities while traveling are eating, urban exploration and bookshop browsing. I love the big and the sprawling as well as the quirky and the niche. I think the presence and personality of a city’s bookstores can say a lot about it.
Because I don’t have any other social media I’m sharing a sampling of the very special spots I came across during this journey here as I’m assuming that rolling ladder readers will enjoy a peek into these glorious, bookish spaces.
In case you missed it, my first bookshop post is here:
Fly, walk or imagine your way to these bookshops of Europe.
LIBRERIA
65 Hanbury St, London
A serene space where the mirrored ceiling created the illusion of a book cave, this shop charmed me with its little reading nooks and section titles.
Books were organized to “maximise serendipity” so were sorted into categories like:
the witching hour: hauntings, reveries, gloom and doom
first person: pay homage to individuals from all walks of life
rising star: stellar books for 9 -12 year olds
identity: a celebration of diverse people and cultures
verse: all of life’s sensations can be found here
There were a few shelves that were ‘guest curated’ by authors and the shop had a range of events, a subscription service and a podcast. Homey and intellectual.
LONDON REVIEW BOOKSHOP
14-16 Bury Pl, London
Around the corner from the British Museum1 is this lovely shop, the store version of The London Review of Books. It felt studious, sleek and seemed to have a lovely outdoor cafe space but I see now that it has closed. :(
BRICK LANE BOOKSHOP
166 Brick Lane, London
Naturally located on Brick Lane amongst vintage shops and artsy markets, this small, narrow space had an energetic, youthful rebellious vibe which tracks with its history. It also has a subscription service, podcast2 and short story prize.
HATCHARD’S
187 Piccadilly, London
I think I lost count on how many floors this Piccadilly shop3 had. Six? Seven!? Sprawling and sumptuous, this felt lavish and posh with its soft carpet and winding staircases. I loved seeing the sections dedicated to Agatha Christie, P.G.Wodehouse and other quintessential British writers. Truly a spot to spend an entire afternoon.
MASSOLIT BOOKS and CAFE
Budapest, Nagy Diófa u. 30
This quaint, textured store and cafe4 is nestled inside Budapest’s Jewish Quarter. Filled with new and secondhand books, most or many are in English, this spot is charmingly haphazard and filled with personality. Thanks to my sister C for sharing it with me!
ISBN+
1085 Budapest, Baross u. 42.
This is a gallery space filled with extremely niche and eccentric art books, zines and journals. The inventory feels very anti-establishment and focused on all sorts of creative expressions5 while the space plays host to events, exhibitions and talks. I’m still kicking myself that I didn’t buy the one I had my eye on, a funky watercolor board book with cutouts about people’s ‘after work’ selves.6
SHAKESPEARE a Synové s.r.o.
U Lužického semináře 10, Prague
Overflowing with new and used titles scattered over two floors, this layered space felt filled with hidden gems and had loads of English titles. The atmosphere felt worn and comfortable, the way a well handled book is.
FRANKESTAYN
Luleci Hendek Street No. 16/A, 34425 Beyoglu, Istanbul
I simply could not get over how adorable this logo was. The little Frankenstein’s monster head! As a book! This was such a happy space, with two floors of books and a cafe/outdoor garden space where I ate a delectable spinach borek. They had a queer section and a fair amount of English titles.
I wanted these stickers made by a local artist but alas! they were sold out!
MINOA PERA
Evliya Çelebi, Meşrutiyet Cd. No: 99, İstanbul
Truly one of the most enchantingly beautiful bookshops I’ve ever seen.7 This was three floors of perfectly lit golden shelves framed by draping porthos plants and had multiple areas for eating, drinking, reading and meeting. I browsed mouth agape, feeling as if I had been whisked into paradise. A large selection of English books are on the bottom floor while the top has a delightful children’s section and Turkish titles.
The following are not bookshops but are book focused spaces that I adored.
COLUMN OF KNOWLEDGE
Vestibule of the Central Library at Mariánské Square, Prague
BOOK CARTS
Various squares around Budapest
Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library
Budapest, Szabó Ervin tér 1
This is an old palace converted into a library and event space.8 A small fee is required to explore inside, but it is worth paying to explore this luxurious library filled with people that at least look very studious.
MODA PIER LIBRARY
On the Asian side of Istanbul, at the very end of a pier in the Kadikoy neighborhood is a ferry building converted into a library and cafe. Surrounded by rollicking waves, the inside is warm, quiet and sacred as local students use it for studying. Weather permitting, step out on the balcony for an incredible view.
Now, behold my plunder!9
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have you visited any of these? do you look for bookshops and libraries on your travels too?
or as their website says: “a Rosetta Stone’s throw from the British Museum”
i edit these! any other bookshops wanna start a podcast??
apparently it is “ London’s oldest bookshop, having been established in 1797 by John Hatchard, publisher and anti-slavery campaigner”
with outdoor garden!
one entire book was simply full pages of various shades of white
mom! will you get it for me if you go by there again??
thanks again c for this rec!
good find mom!
about all my backpack could fit!
🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲 so charming