Lonely Planet has released its list of “the world’s greatest bookshops,” which appears in its edition of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2011. Here are their picks:
1. City Lights Books (San Francisco, CA)
2. Librería El Ateneo Grand Splendid (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
3. Livraria Lello (Porto, Portugal)
4. Shakespeare & Company (Paris, France)
5. Daunt Books (London, England)
6. Another Country (Berlin, Germany)
7. The Bookworm (Beijing, China)
8. Selexyz Dominicanen (Maastricht, Netherlands)
9. Bookabar (Rome, Italy)
10. Atlantis Books (Santorini, Greece)
Okay — I’ve been to exactly none of these. But I do seek out bookstores whenever I travel and have my own short list of favorites: Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi; BookPeople in Austin, Texas; and Strand Books in New York. To me a great bookstore isn’t about cappuccino or easy chairs (though I’ll definitely take those amenities): It’s more about browsing, about having a great collection of titles to leaf through. It’s also nice when there’s a knowledgeable staff, people who read and love books, who can advise and make recommendations. I do buy books online (and I have an e-reader), but for me, nothing can replace the experience of a great bookstore.
How about the rest of you? What’s your favorite bookstore (of the bricks-and-mortar variety)?
What about Powell’s in Portland, OR?
I was shocked this wasn’t the one for America. Talk about selection and knowledgeable staff? It’s the best.
I totally thought it was going to be on the list. LOL I guess I haven’t been to any of the world’s best bookstores, then.
Agreed!! I spent an entire day there when I visited Portland.
Thank you!! that was my first thought. How could you not list Powells?
I’ve never been to Portland—but I’ve always wanted to go, primarily because of everything I’ve heard about Powell’s.
I prefer Half Priced Books. I’m cheap.
I love Half-Price Books too, but when I moved to the East Coast, I discovered that HPB has no interest in opening up stores here. I buy LOTS of books, so their loss, I guess.
I live a few blocks from Powell’s and i assure it is pretty great.
the Book Barn in Niantic, CT. 3 locations to contain all the books. They’re all books that need re-homing.
Agreed. I love that you can sell books and then turn around and buy books between $1 – $4. I have picked up some classics in fantastic condition. Plus, Niantic is a beautiful place to visit.
Powells is PHENOMENAL! I always say I could spend a whole day in a good bookstore; I could spend a week in Powell’s.
Another great store is Politics & Prose in Washington DC. Not nearly as large as Powell’s but amazing selection and constant readings and book signings.
As a fellow Portlander, I too am disappointed. I cannot imagine any bookstore in the world is as weird and wonderful as Powell’s.
The best thing about Powells is that it’s always busy. It’s wonderful to be around so many people who love the printed word.
I’ve been to City Lights in San Francisco, but I would definitely add Strand Books in NYC, and Rizzoli there also. Book Soup in Los Angeles and Hennessey and Ingalls in Santa Monica, and San Diego has a little gem in Warwicks which is in La Jolla. Other than that, I don’t get out much.
Been to Daunt in London and Bookabar in Rome, but neither compare to the reading room at the British Museum.
Yes Why! Powells is AMAZING!!
Tattered Cover in Denver, CO is simply wonderful. And yes, BookPeople in ATX is pretty great, but Tattered gets more love from me.
I lOVE Tattered Cover. I used to live in Denver and I would visit it everyone Saturday. I miss it so.
yes, yes, yes–I was going to mention this!
Check out Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington, KY. Excellence in an independent book store.
Isn’t Joseph-Beth going out of business? I thought I’d read that somewhere and was very sad. I hope I am remembering incorrectly.
The parent company filed for bankruptcy protection, but the Lexington store, their best by far, will remain open!
Joseph Beth Bookseller in Lexington, Kentucky is an amazing book store, though a bit off the beaten path!
I’m on the board, so I can’t be considered an objective observer, but my favorite bookstores in the world are the Seminary Co-op Bookstores in Hyde Park, Chicago. The Seminary Co-op itself is an incredibly well-stocked academic and literary bookstore, and its sister, 57th Street Books, is exactly what I want in a neighborhood store: smartly stocked and staffed with knowledgable, friendly people. It’s a joy to get to spend lunch hours browsing there.
Any list that doesn’t include Powell’s in Portland is without merit. A ridiculous omission
Yes, of course. There couldn’t possibly be 10 better bookstores IN THE WORLD. Geez.
How about Fox Books NYC?
Any time I get to NY, I always go to Strand Books. Fantastic place, and you can spend literally hours in there and not cover everything they have.
Yes, I have actually been to one of these, in fact been to Shakespeare & Company twice, althoug I don´t live anywhere near France. But it is well worth it as the store is fantastic…
City Lights and Bookabar are exactly as excellent as advertised.
Green Apple in San Francisco!
I’ll throw in a vote for the Strand as well, and for a place called the Book Barn out in Niantic, CT. Fantastic selection built into an old house and it’s out buildings. Old creaking floors, play areas for children, animals wandering around. Super cute.
Animals are well and good for people who aren’t allergic, but bookstore and library cats are disaster for those who are.
Book People in Austin is my favorite bookstore also! I love their selection and that the staff contributes recommendations and reviews for most of the books. Very similar to I Luv Video!