Resources and tips for the self-published author.

The World’s Most Beautiful Bookshops

by Samantha Knoerzer •  October 21, 2016  •   Follow SamanthaKnoerze

Published in Publishing Tips  •  One comment

 

Book lovers don’t agree on everything, but one thing we do agree on—our love of bookstores.

They are our haven, our home, our escape, and we find every excuse to be in them. We love all bookstores, but the only thing better than a regular one is an absolutely beautiful one. Preferably with a Starbucks and the ability to live in them possibly forever, however I think that last request may be a little difficult. Regardless, we have gathered some of our most beautiful, dream—desired bookstores in this post for you all to dream about.

 

  1. 100 year old theater bookstore Buenos Aires, Argentina

1

This is an actual bookstore made from a theater. With a stage room, and a lobby room in the front, there are literally rows and rows of books within the most beautiful scenery. With rows for days, who couldn’t be absolutely in love with this bookstore?

  1. The Church bookstore Maastricht in the Netherlands

2

This is not just a church. It consists of rows upon rows of books next to gorgeous columns and long, grand staircases. What’s not to love? A bookstore with no sounds, but echoes of readers among a backdrop of beautiful wall artwork; I’m sold.

  1. The telephone booth bookstore Westbury-sub-Mendip’s Britain

3

Okay, so this one isn’t grand and beautiful in the normal sense. But it’s beautiful in its idea. And, actually, it’s a beautiful little phone booth. Imagine having these all over streets—portable, adorable looking bookshops to take your pick of a book wherever you go. Another amazing thing—its open 24 hours! I don’t know about you, but to me that is beautiful.

  1. Livraria Lello e Irmao, Porto, Portugal

4

This bookstore is already well know. If you don’t recognize it, it’s the bookstore from the Harry Potter Films. That’s already enough convincing, but I will delve further. Between the neo-gothic style, and a stained-glass ceiling, how could you not feel like you are in book heaven every time you enter this bookshop? Sit and relax next to an ornamented pillar while reading some fiction classics. Or, you know, Harry Potter.

  1. *Plural Bookshop, Bratislava, Slovakia

5

This one isn’t as large as many of the other mentioned, but it’s innovative and accommodating. The entire floor climbs upward with shelves on either side, making the floor the perfect seats for readers and buyers. The floors structure also makes it great for events. And, to make it a proper bookshop, there is a coffee shop at the top of the floor. Compared to the others on this list so far, this bookstore found beauty in a modern design.

  1. Cook & Book, Brussels, Belgium

6

What is the one thing better than a bookstore? It’s a bookstore/restaurant. Good food and good books together off the main line of the metro in Brussels. What can be more beautiful than that?

  1. Le Bal Des Ardents, Lyon, France

7

This bookstores main part of beauty is actually on the outside, as opposed to the usually expected inside. Its unforgettable arch entrance lined with gorgeous stacks of books is something to always be remembered as one of the most beautiful entrances to a world of books. Aside from its beauty, this store is known for its commitment to defending unknown authors, lesser known pub houses, and indie themes. This stores beauty is in its design, as well as its purpose.

  1. English-language bookstore in Bookworm, Beijing, China

8

The candles from the ceiling here are enough to make any book lover swoon. Imagine curling up here in a little nook overlooking the city sky. It’s beautiful, relaxing, and definitely somewhere a reader wants to be.

  1. The Last Bookstore, Los Angeles, CA

9

This bookstore almost looks like a political office with is regal wall columns and wide open spaces. Though the store obviously loves books, it’s ironically called The Last Bookstore with a slogan that states, “What are you waiting for? We won’t be here forever.” Though this is not true as bookstores are coming back, it is a funny marketing twist for such a huge, beautiful bookstore.

 

 

These bookstores are beautiful, but remember every bookstore is beautiful. They contain books after all!

 

About Samantha Knoerzer

I am the Social Media Coordinator and Author Relations Manager for BiblioCrunch. And I love to read, OF COURSE! From the classics to YA and children's, you can find me reading it all. I have a masters in publishing from NYU's Print and Digital Media Studies masters program, and have undergraduate degrees in music, marketing, and english. I have a passion for reading, music, and travel. My goal is to travel to as many places around the world as possible. If you need to find me, you can catch me traveling all around the world at any chance I get – always with a book in hand!