B2 Hotel Zürich (Switzerland)

Though housed in a former brewery, B2 Hotel Zürich makes the most of its 130 years of history by presenting a polished blend of industrial design and modern comfort. And, most importantly for book lovers around the world, it has a beautiful library/restaurant/meeting space with over 30,000 volumes on the shelves lining the room.

With wooden tables and a charmingly eclectic mix of chairs, the impression the library gives is distinctive and elegant, but not stuffy, possibly thanks to the beer bottle chandelier keeping the atmosphere in check.

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Library Hotel (New York City, USA)

Snug between the New York Public Library and Grand Central Terminal, the Library Hotel is the place for bibliophiles to stay in New York City. Each floor is themed according to the Dewey Decimal System, and each room comes with artwork and dozens of books related to its floor’s specific topic.

Not only that, but guests get 24-hour access to a reading room stocked with refreshments and over 6,000 books, plus a rooftop bar with literary-themed cocktails and city views.

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‍Hakone Honbako (Japan)

Surrounded by nature, Hakone Honbako is a minimalist Japanese-style inn centered around the joy of reading. Rather than expend its energy and resources on luxuries or extensive amenities, this hotel focuses its heart and soul on its 12,000-strong library and on providing a peaceful space away from the noise of daily life for people to lose themselves in a good book.

Though most of the library collection is in Japanese, it contains a decent English-language section across multiple genres. That includes a few things about the local area, sure to be useful for travelers visiting Hakone for the first time.

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The Heathman Hotel (Portland, USA)

This historic boutique hotel opened in the Roaring ’20s, and from the outside, it looks more like an old-timey cinema than a hotel. However, that’s just part of its charm—the other part being its library, filled with almost 3,000 signed books. And yes, according to the hotel’s website, each and every one is signed by its author. Impressive, to say the least!

Though the building is older, the guest rooms underwent an upgrade back in 2018, so you can rest assured you’ll find every modern comfort needed during your stay.

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The Hotel Emma (San Antonio, USA)

You wouldn’t know it by looking at its grand, almost castle-like façade, but like B2 Hotel Zürich, the Hotel Emma is a former brewery, originally built in the late 19th century. Located in San Antonio, Texas, it has 146 rooms and authentic distillery machinery.

The hotel also boasts an elegant, two-story library (and former fermenting cellars), where guests are served complimentary margaritas. It’s perfect for those who like a little booze with their books, and also on-point theme honoring Hotel Emma’s roots.

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L’oscar London (UK)

If you’re tired of former breweries, try this former church for a change of pace. Built in opulent Baroque style, L’oscar London is a luxury boutique hotel showcasing high ceilings, ornate plasterwork, carved fireplaces, and lavish interiors.

Its restaurant is no exception to the extravagance, the walls are lined with bookcases filled with old tombs, adding a bit of literary charm to the decadence of plush sofas and delicious food.

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The Literary Man Óbidos Hotel (Portugal)

The Literary Man Óbidos Hotel truly lives up to its name, going all out by filling every corner with enough books to make even the finickiest of readers happy. Set in a 19th-century former convent near Óbidos Castle, you can settle into a reading lounge with one of the many volumes lining the shelves, or grab from a stack of texts right in your guest room.

Even its restaurant, Book & Cook, adds a bit of fun by having each menu item inspired by a different author. All in all, it makes for a charming stay in this medieval book town.

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Wine & Books Porto (Portugal)

Located in Porto’s historic UNESCO World Heritage center, Wine & Books Hotel offers spacious, elegant rooms and a unique wine & books club tailored for wine and book lovers alike. Those who join get access to a newsletter recommending a curated selection of local Portuguese authors translated into English and other languages, plus suggestions of fine wines found in Portugal.

Overall, the hotel offers an air of sophistication and comfort that’s well worth partaking in, whether you join its book club or not.

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NoMad London (UK)

Packed with a special blend of contemporary art and vintage furniture, NoMad London is a unique blend of past and present. Adding to the list of hotels in a former something-or-other, NoMad is a bit unique in that it used to be a police station and courthouse, though you wouldn’t know it from the marble bathrooms and plush beds.

Of note is the hotel’s library lounge, filled with rare texts and art books—a perfect place to relax in between sightseeing.

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Hotel 1928 (USA)

Set in Waco, Texas, Hotel 1928 is rich in local history, housed in the former Grand Karem Shrine Building. With a beautiful brick façade, this hotel offers three distinct restaurants, a rooftop terrace with city views, and a grand ballroom.

Most importantly, it has a gorgeous library, complete with a long, elegant staircase, cozy armchairs, a fireplace, and red Persian carpeting. Complete with rows of books, it’s a great space to while away the time in.

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Lamp Light Books Hotel Sapporo (Japan)

Lamp Light Books Hotel has multiple locations across Japan, each of which has a bookstore open to guests 24 hours a day, along with a book café. The latter is ideal for visitors who want to browse the collection at their leisure while enjoying a light meal and coffee. Guests who are staying at the hotel can even borrow a book to read in their room.

The Sapporo branch is notable for its clean, modern look in its guest rooms, contrasting with the old-world brick wall vibe in other areas of the hotel.

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Shiba Park Hotel (Japan)

What with being so close to Tokyo Tower and Shiba Park, this particular book-themed hotel has a lot to recommend it aside from offering a unique literary experience. Its occasional Zen sense of style also lends it a lot of charm, as it’s often a treat for the eyes.

That being said, Shiba Park Hotel will be of special interest to bibliophiles everywhere, thanks to its curated library spread throughout the guest rooms and common areas. It’s a great way to discover a new favorite title by pure happenstance.

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Hotel Not Hotel (Amsterdam)

Though this particular hotel is more art-focused than anything else, it still has a lot to offer book lovers (and mystery lovers in general), thanks to the rooms hidden behind bookshelves in its lobby library.

Hotel Not Hotel in Amsterdam touts itself as something of a combination of museum and hotel, and prides itself on its unique design throughout the buildings. Its individual guest rooms, especially, are like works of art, each with its own creative spin.

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The Ned NoMad NYC (USA)

Set in a beautifully restored Beaux-Arts building with decor inspired by the Roaring ’20s, the Ned NoMad in New York City is a luxury boutique hotel featuring a rooftop terrace and multiple restaurants sure to please any weary traveler.

For book lovers, it offers the additional bonus of a library bar in the back of one of the restaurants. With lush furniture, dark wooden shelving, and ambient lighting, it’s a great place to relax and escape the bustle of the city while still enjoying its creature comforts.

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La Réserve Paris (France)

Just off Paris’s famous Champs-Élysées stands La Réserve Paris, a meticulously restored mansion from the 1800s. Though not large, it makes the most of its space by decking out its 40 guest rooms and suites in silk, oak, and marble. The interior design is a loving mix of historic architecture and modern convenience, topped with stellar service.

The highlight is, of course, the Duc de Morny Library, a lounge lined with a curated selection of 3,000 books, including rare first editions. Here, guests can read, dine, or enjoy a quiet drink amidst rich woodwork and velvet furnishings.

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Maxwell Reserve Singapore, Autograph Collection (Singapore)

Talk about opulence, this century-old Colonial-style hotel makes some royal palaces look modest. This place is adorned with vintage rugs, velvet seating, mahogany furniture, and luscious Western bathrooms.

The hotel’s literary flavor comes in one of its restaurants, Cultivate Cafe, which specializes in plant-based, vegan food in an elegant setting. The mirrored ceiling reflecting the bookshelves and chic hanging lamps is also a very nice touch.

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L’Escape Hotel (South Korea)

If you’re hoping for a bit of Paris while in South Korea, you’re in luck with L’Escape Hotel. Designed by a French architect, this hotel offers a one-of-a-kind pocket of 19th-century France in the heart of Seoul (complete with modern amenities, of course.)

One of its most lovingly designed rooms is a French salon-style lounge where you’re surrounded by books in luxurious Belle Époque decor. With a grand piano and gilded chandeliers, you’ll feel like you’ve taken a step back in time to another country for a quick literary escape.

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Santo Mauro Hotel (Spain)

While not strictly speaking a literary hotel, this former ducal home in Madrid, Spain, boasts an impressive library-turned-restaurant, La Biblioteca. With tall bookcases and intricate detailing, it’s truly an elegant spot to eat while being surrounded by vintage, leather-bound volumes.

It’s also just an all-around beautiful hotel, with historically preserved architecture, gorgeous common areas with high ceilings, and a private garden featuring fountains and terraces.

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La Siesta Classic Hang Thung (Vietnam)

For an authentic taste of Vietnamese culture mixed in with literary flair, look no further than La Siesta Classic Hang Thung. This 12-story hotel has an interior that blends traditional Vietnamese design with modern elements, making for a space that’s both timeless and beautiful.

Fellow bookworms will be excited to visit the Library Lounge, the hotel’s very own book bar, which has a wall lined with books and contemporary art pieces that are sure to catch the eye.

Torel Palace Porto (Portugal)

Torel Palace Porto takes a bit of a different approach. This palace, built in 1861, commemorates Portugal’s literary culture by naming its 24 rooms and suites after famous local writers and poets. Each guest room is also decorated according to its assigned writer, often with a portrait in their honor.

In addition, Torel Palace has an on-site patisserie lined with books and knick-knacks. It has a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere sure to make any bookworm feel at home.

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La Siesta Classic Hang Thung

This luxury boutique hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter features a ton of elegantly decorated rooms, a rooftop restaurant, and (most notably for fellow bibliophiles out there) an on-site book bar called Library Lounge. With marble floors, trippy art pieces, and an entire wall lined with books, it promises a stay that is both soothing and extravagant.

The hotel as a whole, including the Library Lounge, offers a nice mix of both contemporary and Vietnamese inspiration in its design, so travelers can experience an authentic taste of the local culture while still enjoying the comfort of modern amenities.

Location: 21 Hang Thung St. Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Nhà sách Mão

Fellow avid readers will surely have heard the term “packed to the rafters” before, and Nhà sách Mão is one bookshop where the shelves are quite literally lined up to the rafters’ highest peak. Founded over 30 years ago, this was the first bookstore to open on Đinh Lễ Street, and can be found tucked away in an alley and up a set of stairs. The interior is two stories of books galore, with sea green bookshelves and a beautiful spiral staircase giving it a distinct flair.

While the book collection is entirely in Vietnamese, it’s still worth a visit to experience one of Hanoi’s oldest bookstores.

Location: 5 Đinh Lễ, Tràng Tiền, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

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The Bookshelf Hanoi

Nhà sách Mão might be Vietnamese-only, but just a few short blocks away, you can find English-language titles in spades at the Bookshelf Hanoi. This bookstore keeps a curated selection of new releases, classics, and a broad range of nonfiction topics such as business, travel, and Vietnamese culture.

The shop is praised for its friendly staff, who write book recommendations to help customers pick out the right title for them.

Location: 8 Nguyễn Chế Nghĩa, Hàng Bài Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

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Hanoi Library

Next stop is a public library with a sleek, modern design, offering over 480,000 documents and around 20,000 materials on Hanoi’s local history. Both inside and out, Hanoi Library features a quiet, airy space for reading, studying, and research. Its children’s section is particularly charming, with creatively designed bookcases and columns.

The library is also multicultural, including an entire room dedicated to Korean culture. You need to register for a reading and/or borrowing card to enter, but it starts very affordably at roughly US$1 per year.

Location: 54E Trần Hưng Đạo, Hàng Bài Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

The Wiselands Coffee

The Wiselands Coffee is a serene book café filled with lush greenery and thousands of free-to-read books. Many are in Vietnamese, but there’s also a decent selection of English titles to choose from. Colored in earthen tones and featuring an artistically asymmetric design, the space provides a peaceful escape for book lovers in Hanoi.

This book café has two locations, both of which are worth a visit. Each menu features a delightful range of herbal and fruity teas, frothy cappuccinos, light pastries, and desserts.

Location: 17 Ng Xóm Hạ Hồi, Trần Hưng Đạo, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

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National Library of Vietnam

At an impressive seven stories tall, the National Library of Vietnam strikes an imposing figure with its classical French architecture. Established in the early 1900s, it features arched windows, grand staircases, and an expansive garden. Its collection is huge, holding books, newspapers, and magazines in Vietnamese and several other languages.

Unlike most libraries, no one is particularly strict about keeping voices down, and with the building being so close to the road, some visitors say it can get noisy. Still, it hosts many exhibitions, conferences, and cultural programs, and plays an important role in spreading knowledge in Hanoi.

Location: 31 P. Tràng Thi, Trần Hưng Đạo, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

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Tranquil Books & Coffee

Coffee lovers might want to give Tranquil Books & Coffee a try. This book café boasts specialty Vietnamese coffee, an extensive book collection, and events at least twice a week, including movie showings, open mic nights, and live music performances.

As promised by its name, the café has a very calming, low-key vibe where extended stays are encouraged. The bookcases against the wall also make for a perfect backdrop for either relaxation or study.

Location: 5 Nguyen Quang Bích, Cua Dong, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

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Goethe Institut Hanoi

For a dash of Germany in Vietnam, head to the Goethe Institut Hanoi. This cultural institution is dedicated to fostering cultural exchange between Vietnam, Germany, and Europe in general. It organizes a wide range of cultural activities to present German culture in Asia, including German language courses and workshops. Its book collection includes both Vietnamese and German volumes.

The building itself is also quite beautiful, particularly its café and outdoor area, which are bursting with plant life. The café offers German cuisine, slightly adjusted to suit local tastes.

Location: 56-58-60 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Dien Bien, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam

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Bluebird’s Nest

Tucked in a quiet alley on Dang Dung Street, Bluebird’s Nest is a multi-level café filled with books, a leafy rooftop garden, cozy seating, and two resident cats. It’s especially popular with book lovers and remote workers, serving up both great coffee and reliable Wi-Fi.

The café is also known for its friendly staff, great coffee, and, of course, cats. The book collection offers a good mix of Vietnamese and English titles, mostly fiction, and is quite LGBTQ+ friendly.

Location: 27 Đặng Dung, đối diện ngõ 20 Đặng Dung, Ba Đình, Hanoi, Vietnam

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Bookworm Hanoi

Bookworm Hanoi has a broad offering of books in multiple languages, including English, French, and Vietnamese, covering a wide range of genres and topics. It has both new and secondhand volumes, some of which are quite old and rare. The store itself has a very authentic Vietnamese ambiance, with colorful, eclectic décor.

The bookshop also has a café inside, serving coffee and tea. It hosts various events throughout the year, including a workshop on making Vietnamese coffee.

Location: 44 P. Phạm Hồng Thái, Trúc Bạch, Ba Đình, Hanoi, Vietnam

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Vietnam Museum of Literature

This cultural landmark opened in 2015 and puts Vietnam’s rich literary heritage on display for the world to see. Featuring both indoor and outdoor exhibits, a tour through the museum will show you statues of literary figures, thousands of artifacts, and numerous displays highlighting famous poets, writers, and more from as early as the 10th century onward.

The museum is open every day of the week, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a 1.5-hour break at noon. While the displays are mainly in Vietnamese, a good chunk has English translations added.

Location: 275 Đ. Âu Cơ, Quảng An, Tây Hồ, Hanoi, Vietnam

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Nha Sach Fahasa (Aeon Mall Long Bien)

Curious to visit a Vietnamese bookstore chain? Nha Sach Fahasa just so happens to be one of the most popular in Hanoi, and its outlet in Aeon Mall Long Bien features a particularly dazzling design. With a sleek white walkway winding through the store, visitors can browse books in Vietnamese, English, and Japanese.

Aside from books, the store also offers stationery and educational materials that cater to all ages and interests.

Location: TTTM Aeon Mall, 27 Đ. Cổ Linh, Long Bien, Hanoi, Vietnam

East West Books Library Café

Owned by Dong Tay Culture Company, the East West Books Library Café is both large and beautiful, boasting a second level with a graceful, iron-wrought indoor balcony. It’s a popular go-to for students and remote workers, thanks to its abundance of outlets.

Its bookshelves hold thousands of books on topics like humanities and culture, available for patrons to read in between sips of coffee, smoothie, or other beverage of choice. The collection seems to be entirely in Vietnamese, including some Vietnamese translations of foreign novels.

Location: House N11A, Unit 3, Dich Vong, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam

National Economics University Library

Step into Vietnam’s most modern library at the National Economics University. Spanning 10,000 square meters, it features themed floors, digitized resources, and a café-style creative space. The design blends natural wood and whitespace for eye-catching results, peppered with subtle touches of postmodern flair for flavor.

The library houses tens of thousands of books, including many foreign economic titles, plus a heaping help of electronic resources. (Wouldn’t be modern if it didn’t!)

Location: 207 Đ. Giải Phóng, Đồng Tâm, Hai Bà Trưng, Hanoi, Vietnam

Biblio Book Cafe

Biblio Book Cafe is a chain of book cafés in Hanoi, blending traditional Vietnamese elements with modern design. The Thanh Xuan branch, for example, features both Western-style tables and chairs, but also a section with low tables and floor seating. It also has a spacious interior with lots of natural wooden furnishings that give it a grounded, natural atmosphere.

The book collection ranges from children’s books to fantasy novels to academic texts in Vietnamese. Meanwhile, the café menu offers a colorful array of snacks in addition to coffee.

Location: 79 P. Ngụy Như Kon Tum, Nhân Chính, Thanh Xuân, Hanoi, Vietnam

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VAC Library

Far away from Hanoi’s busy city center, you’ll find VAC Library, a unique outdoor library and urban farm built and designed by a company called Farming Architects. The library itself consists of a huge wooden cubic structure built to be a sort of geometric jungle gym for kids to climb and play on. Interspersed inside the structure are cube-like bookshelves filled with Vietnamese children’s books.

The library also features a climbable wooden structure housing books, a garden, a fish pond with Koi carp, and a chicken coop. All are connected through aquaponics and solar panels that power the whole system, a kind of living example of how resources can be effectively used, renewed, and recycled, even in an urban setting.

Location: XPHV+VH9, Ỷ La, Hà Đông, Hanoi, Vietnam

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Shakespeare and Sons

Though not spacious, Shakespeare and Sons is chock-full of character, with posters plastered on the walls and wine bottles lining shelves. Inside, you can find a wide range of English and French books, including fiction, nonfiction, classics, and local interest titles.

The shop is known for its homey, inviting atmosphere, complete with a comfy reading area made up of plush armchairs and a sofa arranged around a coffee table. It’s a great place to browse, relax, and simply enjoy the passage of time, surrounded by books.

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Globe Bookstore and Café

Founded in 1993, Globe Bookstore and Café is one of Prague’s biggest English-language bookstores, offering a curated selection of over 10,000 books for all ages and interests. With a café serving tasty coffee and American-style brunch, it has a casual, laid-back atmosphere, the perfect recipe for a casual hangout.

As an added bonus, this book café is the playing ground for loads of fun events, like themed brunches (most recently, an Easter brunch and an ABBA brunch), quiz nights, and book signings.

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Book Therapy

For peak modern design that’ll make you feel you’re floating on a cloud, head to Book Therapy. This zen space is best known for its curated selection of English books and magazines covering a bit of everything, but is best known for children’s books and topics on self-help and design. The store emphasizes quality over quantity, displaying each book face-forward for easy browsing in a minimalist white space.

Book Therapy got its name from its belief in using books as therapy, creating a relaxing atmosphere where they also serve coffee and tea.

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Academia Bookshop (Knihkupectví Academia)

This spacious, bi-level bookstore is renowned for its vast array of academic works, non-fiction, and Czech literature, including a lot of translations into English. Founded in 1953 by the Czech Academy of Sciences, it serves as both a major publisher and a cultural institution.

The shop features an upstairs café with a terrace serving desserts and coffee, making it a favorite spot for reading and relaxation.

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Palác knih Luxor

Standing as the largest bookstore in Prague, this bookshop spans four floors packed with books in multiple languages across all genres and topics, fiction and nonfiction alike. There are many titles in English, as well as Czech, French, and German. The store also offers a broad selection of stationery and other goods, like postcards and collectibles.

Once you’ve snagged your book (or let’s be real, books) of choice, you can kick back at the on-site café for a quiet respite.

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Univerzita Karlova – Knihkupectví Karolinum

Deep in Prague’s historic Old Town is Univerzita Karlova – Knihkupectví Karolinum, the official bookstore of Charles University. It specializes in academic and scholarly publications, including textbooks, research works, and literature from the university’s Karolinum Press, with selections available in both Czech and English.

The shop is housed in a beautiful historic building and serves students as well as the public. Its central location and broad academic focus make it a magnet for intellectuals and academics across the city.

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K-A-V-K-A

Artists will love this. K-A-V-K-A specializes in books and magazines on art, architecture, design, and photography with often unique and rare books. Most works are in Czech, but you can find a few titles in English, German, and Japanese.

The store has a calming, spacious interior, staffed by art enthusiasts proudly introduced on K-A-V-K-A’s website. Besides books, it also sells original works by Czech artists, mainly graphics, drawings, and occasionally paintings and sculptures. The store sometimes hosts exhibitions as well.

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Knihkupectví Megabooks

A popular bookstore chain in Prague, Knihkupectví Megabooks offers a huge selection of books, including children’s literature, fiction, and educational books, plus some games (both board games and computer games). They also offer books in multiple languages as well, including English and French. It’s an especially nice place for students, who can get discounts if they provide a valid student ID.

The location on Korunni, in particular, has a lot of great reviews about helpful staff and top-notch selections.

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Kant Antikvariat

This secondhand bookstore focuses on old, used, and out-of-print books, but also carries a decent assortment of vintage decorative prints, photographs, maps, and other collectibles. While most of the collection is in Czech, there are a few items in other languages here and there, though as can be expected of any secondhand store, the stock and availability fluctuate over time.

The shop is the kind that invites leisurely browsing, filled to the brim with fascinating curios. The owner is friendly and laid back, happy to answer any questions guests might have, and has a deep love of antiquarian literature.

Franz Kafka Bookstore

Not to be confused with the Franz Kafka Museum, the Franz Kafka Bookstore can be found in Prague’s Jewish Quarter. It has a curated selection of literature focused on (you guessed it) Kafka, along with works inspired by Kafka, plus Jewish heritage and art books. It offers multiple languages, primarily Czech and English, and also some nice prints and postcards.

Its black bookshelves are particularly striking, with a second level above and a ladder in between, used as a display for recommended books.

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1. Podzemní antikvariát (Underground Antique Store)

This isn’t just any antiquarian bookstore. Stepping inside feels like taking a step into the past, a feeling only intensified when you descend underground and walk across the store’s old stone floor. It has a unique ambiance that is honestly worth experiencing, even if you’ve never picked up a book in your life.

As for its collection, 1. Podzemní (yes, that number 1 is intentional) has a wealth of secondhand books, prints, Czech graphic art, and other treasures. It also hosts online auctions for some of its rarer finds.

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RYSE, Autograph Collection by Marriott

While Seoul doesn’t have a proper literary hotel, RYSE offers the next best thing: unique, contemporary design made for artists and the creatively inclined. The hotel is pure eye candy, with tasteful art displays and innovative design everywhere you turn: accommodations, event spaces, and even the lobby.

Of special note is RYSE’s Print Culture Lounge, located on the hotel’s third floor. At once luxuriant and off-beat, it holds a broad collection of books, magazines, and vinyl records free for guests to browse.

Location: 130 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

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Cafe Comma (Hapjeong)

One of South Korea’s biggest publishers, Munhak Dongne, also happens to own a book café chain, and that is Cafe Comma. One of its most popular branches is located in the Hapjeong neighborhood of Seoul. It’s emblematic of what makes the chain so popular: a comfortable, casual atmosphere; tall bookcases; and excellent coffee, tea, and desserts.

The Hapjeong branch has a modern yet subtly off-beat design that gives it a refreshing, hip vibe, perfect for the young and young at heart.

Location: 49 Poeun-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

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Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun

Kyobo Book Centre is South Korea’s largest bookstore chain, and its flagship location sits near Gwanghwamun Square, which lies at the historic (and literal) center of Seoul. This bookstore boasts an enormous collection of 2.3 million books and magazines in Korean, English, and other foreign languages.

It’s not just the collection that’s huge. The store itself is massive, divided into 11 sections for easy browsing. It also features cafés and cultural spaces for events and exhibitions.

Location: 1 Jong-ro, B1F, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

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Gyeongbokgung Palace Royal Library (Jibokjae)

The Gyeongbokgung Palace Royal Library, known as Jibokjae, was the private library and royal study of a past Korean king, King Gojong, originally built in 1891. It once housed 40,000 books, including many on Western science, which have since been relocated for safekeeping. Now, it displays historical and philosophical texts alongside records on the royal family.

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The royal library is currently open for a limited time, from April to June and September to October 2025. Admission to the palace, which includes access to the library, is, 3,000 Korean won (approximately US$2.11).

Location: 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

Cheongun Literature Library

Resting at the foot of Inwangsan Mountain lies Cheongun Literature Library, the first hanok-style (i.e., traditional Korean house-style) public library in Seoul. Despite its traditional design, it’s very new, having only opened in 2018. It features two floors: one modern and underground with a café and reading spaces; and the ground floor in hanok-style with handmade roof tiles and traditional on-the-floor seating.

The library dwells in perfect harmony with its natural surroundings, offering peaceful views of the mountain and a pond with a pavilion. It’s the best place in Seoul to read while surrounded by nature.

Location: 40 Jahamun-ro 36-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

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Yun Dong-ju Literature Museum

Not too far from Cheongun Literature Library stands Yun Dong-ju Literature Museum, dedicated to the beloved Korean poet Yun Dong-ju. Since it occupies a building that used to be a water pumping station, its outside is utilitarian and unimpressive. However, the choice of building is intentional, as much of the poet’s work mentions water wells.

Admission to the museum is free. It houses three exhibition halls with personal items, handwritten manuscripts, and photographs. Even if you don’t know much about Yun Dong-ju, this museum can give visitors a deep insight into Korean culture.

Location: 119 Changuimun-ro, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

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Itaewon Books

We’ve talked about Itaewon Books before, but there’s a reason for that. It is the oldest English-only secondhand bookstore in Seoul, established in 1973 and now designated as a Seoul Future Heritage site. You can expect to find a little bit of everything, piled high with a rough kind of organization.

As a family-run shop, it has a homey vibe, deep-set in the scent of paper and ink. For locals and travelers alike, it offers a welcome respite from overstimulating city life.

Location: 208, Noksapyeong-daero, Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea

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Graphic

While many might associate comics with children, Graphic is a bookstore with a café specializing in comics, graphic novels, and art books, open exclusively to adults. It is the practical definition of sleek, modern design. It measures three stories tall with walls that look like rugged stone on the outside, but appear nearly translucent at night.

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Admission costs 20,000 won (US$14), which includes unlimited coffee, tea, and juice, and access to nearly 5,000 titles in Korean and English. There’s also a bar on the third floor where you can order whisky and cocktails.

Location: 33 Hoenamu-ro 39-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea

Book Park Lounge at Blue Square

This high-end book café is located on the third floor of Blue Square, a popular cultural center in Seoul. Its standout feature is a five-story bookshelf woven into a staircase, but even without that, the unique, artsy design makes it an interesting spot for anyone to visit.

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The lounge is plush, with comfy seating, ambient lighting, and a café. You need to pay an entry fee of 9,900 won (approximately US$7), after which you get one free drink and access to over 3,000 books (mostly, if not all, in Korean).

Location: 294 Blue Square, 3rd floor, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea

National Library of Korea

For one of the most massive book collections in Seoul, head to the National Library of Korea. Established in 1945, it houses over 12.7 million items, including more than 1.5 million foreign-language books and rare national treasures. It preserves Korea’s literary and cultural heritage with extensive collections of books, old texts, documents, and digital archives.

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Aside from its literary and cultural knowledge, it also possesses many unique architectural design elements that make it a pleasant place to work, study, or simply stroll through.

Location: 201 Banpo-daero, Seocho District, Seoul, South Korea

Sojeonseolim (소전서림)

Sojeonseolim is a curated library and art salon that takes art in all forms very seriously. Even its name is poetic, with the meaning, “a forest of books surrounded by white bricks.” It’s a chic, upscale spot with over 30,000 carefully curated books on literature, art, philosophy, and the humanities, primarily in Korean.

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As upscale as it is, it requires both a reservation and an entry fee just to get your foot in the door. For more serious art and literature enthusiasts, you can join the book club that grants access to exclusive exhibitions, lectures, and performances.

Location: 131-8 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea

Starfield Library at COEX Mall

As what is quite possibly the most famous bookplace in all of South Korea, any visiting bibliophile has to see the Starfield Library at least once in their lifetime. Its towering bookcases create a striking and instantly recognizable image of Seoul’s literary culture.

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But don’t think that this library is just about some big ol’ bookshelves. Starfield’s ever-changing art installations and cultural events celebrating art, music, and literature always offer something new to locals and newcomers alike. It’s not just a flimsy tourist attraction, but a genuine community hub for the people of Seoul.

Location: 513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Songpa Book Museum

Designed to evoke the feeling of walking inside a giant bookshelf, Songpa Book Museum is a bibliophile’s dream come true. Opened in 2019, it is Korea’s first public book museum, offering permanent and special exhibitions on the history of books, particularly regarding their evolution in Korea.

The museum also houses multiple studios, including one for children and one focused on bookbinding, plus various workshops and cultural programs. While most of the collection is in Korean, its fascinating book-inspired art pieces and creative interior design make it a delight to visit even if you can’t speak the local language.

Location: 77 Songpa-daero 37-gil, Songpa District, Seoul, South Korea

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Arc N Book (Lotte World Mall)

Seated in Seoul’s Lotte World Mall, Arc N Book is a beautifully designed bookstore most famous for its eye-catching interior design. Of special note are the chic, asymmetric book tunnel with neon lighting and the name of the store itself, shown in thick, hipster font in front of an archway-shaped bookshelf.

Even without the fancy design, Arc N Book has plenty to offer in its varied collection of Korean books, stationery, and lifestyle goods. Complete with comfortable reading spaces and a café with a spectacular view of Seokchon Lake, this is a pleasant place to while away the time.

Location: 300 Olympic-ro, 4th floor, Songpa District, Seoul, South Korea

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Seoul Book Repository (Seoul Chaekbogo)

Interestingly, not too far from Arc N Book is another famous book tunnel—this one found within the Seoul Book Repository, AKA Seoul Chaekbogo. The repository is run by the local city government and is more like a mall than a traditional bookstore, sourcing 200,000 volumes from independent secondhand shops across Seoul.

The building is divided into sections, each devoted to a unique independent bookshop with its own character and individual design, making the repository a true melting pot of creativity.

Location: 1 Ogeum-ro, Sincheon-dong, Songpa District, Seoul, South Korea

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Hannae Forest of Wisdom

This community library and cultural center has an architectural design that truly stands out. It perfectly unifies the idea of a man-made space becoming one with nature, with intersecting gables outside, extensive wooden bookshelves inside, and large glass windows that both divide and bring the two together, letting in natural light.

The library has a café and also hosts community-centered programs, such as after-school programs. Hannae Forest of Wisdom also just so happens to have been one of the filming locations of a K-drama called Tempted.

Location: 86 Madeul-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul, South Korea

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Starfield Library Suwon

Though not located in Seoul, any book lover visiting South Korea’s capital will definitely want to consider the one-hour train ride to Suwon to see the library at Starfield Suwon Mall. Designed by the same company that built COEX and its library, this new version opened in January 2024 and spans four floors.

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Its bookshelves are 22 meters tall, almost twice the height of the behemoth bookcases in COEX. However, don’t mistake this for an oversized replica. It has its own unique, geometric design, melding into the surrounding walls so that numerous shops and cafés can peer directly through the windows of the shelves into the library itself.

Location: 175 Suseong-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi, South Korea

The post A Book Lover’s Guide to Seoul appeared first on Magazine.

El Ateneo Grand Splendid

If you’ve looked up any lists on the “best bookstores in Buenos Aires,” every single one will have El Ateneo right at the top. This list is no exception because El Ateneo Grand Splendid is a place everyone should visit – whether you love books, history, or beauty in general. The Guardian named it the second most beautiful bookstore in the world in 2008, and National Geographic one-upped it by placing El Ateneo at the very top of their list in 2019.

The bookstore is set inside a historic theatre, El Grand Splendid, originally opened in 1919, hosting ballets, operas, and recording spaces for singers. Once it became a bookstore in 2000, it made full use of the space to show off an impressive selection of books, all while preserving the architecture and beautiful ceiling fresco.

Kel Ediciones

It’s hard not to mention this bookstore chain on an English-speaking site, as it is the number one seller of English-language books in Argentina. It’s the store behind a walloping half of the country’s English books. As such, it has a huge selection of books, all in English – from fiction to academic texts, to non-fiction and children’s books. And if you don’t find what you’re looking for in-store, they offer online shopping from their website.

Kel Ediciones is a vital part of English language education in Argentina and regularly participates in the Buenos Aires International Book Fair that takes place every year.

Walrus Books

After Kel Ediciones, Walrus Books is the next best place to nab yourself an English book. It’s also almost certainly the best independent English bookshop in Buenos Aires. It’s best known not just for having a high-quality selection of books, but good prices. That’s partly because Walrus Books has a fair mix of new and secondhand books in its collection. But as a lover of well-loved reading materials, you certainly won’t hear me complain.

Eterna Cadencia

While quite a few bookshops are fond of hanging book displays, Eterna Cadencia has a unique spin on theirs. With the pages cut into precise shapes and glued wide open, this art installment creates an almost paper-lantern-like effect.

These book lanterns are located in (or perhaps I should say, above) the in-store café. Its white walls are a noted contrast to the rest of the bookstore, which is dominated by black bookshelves, a massive chandelier, and miles of books on countertops and shelves.

Dain Usina Cultural

Dain Usina Cultural is also fond of hanging art displays but with a decidedly modern art edge. This bookstore is known to change its featured display regularly, so you never know exactly what eye-popping installation it’ll have.

Its unique sense of style isn’t the only thing this shop has going for it. In addition to books, it sells coffee and makes for the perfect spot to read, whether indoors or out. Its terrace is comfortable, the vibe is relaxed, and the wifi makes a visit both fun and practical.

Dain Usina Cultural also hosts art classes and other events, such as book discussions and presentations. It’s a must-visit to understand Buenos Aires’s cultural scene.

Libros del Pasaje

Libros del Pasaje is a charming bookstore and café with an impressive range of books in its selections. On its shelves, you can find anything from Eastern philosophy to Argentinean literature. Upstairs, it even has a cozy nook with books on art.

This bookstore also plays host to various cultural events, including author lectures and gallery nights. Meanwhile, the café portion of the store has wall-to-wall windows that let in plenty of natural light while guests enjoy their drinks.

Librería de Ávila

Librería de Ávila is the oldest bookstore in Buenos Aires. This store was first established as La Botica in 1785, meaning it’s been around for longer than Argentina has been an independent country. It has changed many hands and names since then. In fact, you can still see its former name Librería de Colegio, or “College Bookstore,” written on the building above the storefront.

Its collection encompasses academic texts and literary works, both new and old – including some antiques that’ll catch any bibliophile’s eye.

Falena

Falena has a vibe both artsy and homey. Its vine-covered brick building paired with the fireplace and profusion of plants give it a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. Yet that same space is graced with elegant, modern furnishings selected with a clear eye for art. It creates a sort of refined serenity perfect for book browsing. It even offers wine and coffee for those hoping to while away a bit of time on the leather couch or outside on the patio.

La Libre

This bookstore specializes in contemporary titles, alternative themes, and independent publishers, making it the perfect hipster getaway. Despite that, its architecture is surprisingly classical, with elegant Ionic columns framing the doorways and ornate plasterwork on the ceiling.

Aside from its niche collection, La Libre is well-known for hosting a variety of cultural activities. Some of these include art exhibitions, book presentations, theatre productions, courses, and workshops. It sometimes houses small-scale events as well, such as book and art fairs and poetry festivals.

Malatesta Libros

Malatesta Libros may be the smallest bookshop on this list, it’s not one you want to miss. Locals adore this intimate hideaway, which offers a little bit of everything on its shelves, arranged in a neat and visually appealing style. While its collection might not be as big as other stores, both the curation and service are top-notch. It’s also probably the best bookstore in the Parque Chas neighborhood, so you definitely want to stop by if you’re in the area.

The post A Guide to the 10 Best Buenos Aires Bookstores appeared first on Magazine.

Boekhandel Scheltema

Don’t let this bookstore’s sleek, polished look fool you: it’s been around since 1853 and is one of the oldest bookshops in the Netherlands. That’s mostly because it moved to a new, five-story location in 2015, giving it a second title as one of the biggest bookstores in Europe. It’s not just for show, either, as it has a 125,000-strong book collection to match.

Its English selection isn’t huge, but it’s high-quality, and the store as a whole is wheelchair-friendly. You can also join in on author events, book launches, and more, making it a great place to get in touch with Amsterdam’s literary scene.

Boekhandel Van Rossum

Van Rossum is a surefire winner for the Instagram crowd. Its creative, whimsical design is sure to delight any book lover who wanders inside.

While mainly focused on Dutch volumes, including a great children’s section, it has a decent English selection of high-quality titles.

Van Rossum is also big on community, hosting writing classes and literary events to promote local authors.

Mendo

Mendo is a bookstore focusing on art, photography, fashion, and design. True to its specialization, its luxuriant interior gives off a modern art gallery vibe, with large coffee table books displayed for careful effect. It’s definitely on the high-end of bookstores, emphasizing limited-edition titles and collector’s items.

The space isn’t purely for show, either. It hosts literary and art events, from book signings to exhibitions, touting itself as a center for Dutch creativity.

Waterstones

Waterstones is part of a UK bookstore chain, but you wouldn’t know that just by looking at their Amsterdam branch. While its interior is what you’d expect of a modern bookstore, its exterior architecture is stunning, reminiscent of the Beaux Art style’s intricate detailing. With this four-story bookstore, it can be an adventure to find its hidden reading nooks. These offer elegant (if sometimes worn) seating and amazing views of the picturesque street.

Athenaeum Bookstore & News Center

This independent bookshop sits in the heart of Amsterdam and is filled with a surprising array of titles that are hard to find elsewhere, including out-of-print materials. It also has a fantastic selection of international magazines and newspapers so you can keep track of what’s going on around the globe.

Like the previous two shops, it has multiple floors, so there is a lot to see and tons of resources to look up.

The Book Exchange

The Book Exchange is a secondhand bookshop crammed from floor to ceiling with rows and stacks of books. It doesn’t have a lot of flash or style, but it promises a diverse collection of books of every stripe and shape.

Its biggest selling point is its trading system that allows customers to exchange their used books for store credit or a volume off the store’s shelves. It’s affordable and community-oriented, encouraging locals and tourists alike to mingle with one another’s interests and try new things.

Architectura & Natura

Interested in architecture for buildings and beyond? Here’s a specialty bookstore for you. As its name implies, Architectura & Natura centers around titles having to do with architecture, landscaping, gardening, and natural history. They don’t just deal in local architecture, either, but from around the world – in the US, Japan, Spain, Italy, and more.

The shop is relatively small, but it has English-speaking staff and a slew of English-language books. If you have any interest in architecture, it’s a must-visit.

The American Book Center (ABC)

This independent, family-run business has been around since 1972 selling English-language books. Don’t let its blunt, warehouse-style storefront fool you: its interior is full of fun and innovative twists in design thanks to a tree trunk shooting up from the ground floor. Surrounding the tree, you can easily find shelves stocked with the store’s expansive collection of titles both popular and obscure.

In addition, the American Book Center sponsors numerous literary events and activities throughout the year.

Pantheon Bookstore

Pantheon Bookstore is a great place to find a diverse selection of books, including literature, children’s books, cookbooks, local history, and non-fiction. It’s also notable for housing a specialized section for travel on the first floor. On the Pantheon website, it lists literary news and the latest events, such as children’s book week and prize announcements.

Amsterdam Book Market

Though not technically a bookstore, you can’t talk about literature in Amsterdam without mentioning the book market. Every Friday, around twenty stands of rare and secondhand booksellers pop up in Spui. Books are the main feature, but you can also find stalls selling art pieces, maps, and so on. Prices are an absolute steal, going as low as one euro. (Cash only!)

Even if you’re just swinging by, it’s a great experience to browse the wares and discover something new and unexpected.

The post 10 Beautiful Bookstores You Must Visit in Amsterdam appeared first on Magazine.

History of Public Libraries

Libraries have existed pretty much as long as the written word has, with the earliest known librarian being from 2000 B.C. However, the first public libraries as we know them today – ones funded by the public, free for all to use – started around the 19th century. Until then, access to libraries often came attached to a membership or tuition fee. In other words, it was often limited to the wealthy or those of high status.

After the Industrial Revolution and as society as a whole became wealthier, people began to see value in making information easily accessible to all. Thus, they created public libraries. Not only could anyone access the library collections, but libraries made an effort to preserve books and other materials. Doing so helps create a record for future generations.

That’s not to say libraries have been stagnating these past 150 years. On the contrary, they are constantly evolving, adapting new services and updated facilities as time moves forward.

Centers of High-Quality Knowledge

Nowadays, people have access to near-limitless information right in their pockets and might disregard libraries’ traditional role as centers of knowledge and education. However, the trouble with the internet is twofold. One, vetting for online articles is sadly lacking. Some websites do fantastic fact-checking while remaining objective, but not all – not by a long shot. It can be difficult to determine which ones contain false or misleading information.

Two, the information you get online isn’t decided based on quality or objectivity; just the opposite. Algorithms and their inherent biases dictate what turns up in even the most innocent online search. Online, getting caught in echo chambers has almost become the norm. It takes active awareness on the user’s part to seek out unbiased sources and weigh information carefully.

While libraries aren’t guaranteed to have 100% accurate information every single time, they have the benefit of curation. Discerning librarians or the community as a whole vet books, newspapers, and other materials. This process exponentially increases the quality of information you have access to.

Preservation for the Future

One also shouldn’t discount the importance of having physical books. It’s scary to think how easily digital materials can be lost or altered. Even with that aside, digital formats and the technologies used to view them are constantly changing. The chances we will be able to view the same documents and websites of today with tech 100 years from now are slim to none.

On the other hand, physical records – despite being vulnerable to fire and other disasters – can persevere for centuries, even millennia. We know about Sumerian and Egyptian society because of the physical writing they left behind.

Programs for Those Most in Need

Books aren’t the only benefit that modern libraries offer. No matter where you go, you’ll find they offer a myriad of programs and events based on that specific community’s needs. General literacy and reading programs are common fare, but libraries don’t only care about book-related matters. Areas with a high immigrant population might provide free ESL classes. Meanwhile, those with a lot of young families might have events geared towards children or first-time parents.

Some libraries might even offer free 1-hour sessions to talk with a lawyer. This is crucial in poorer neighborhoods. After all, when money is in short supply, anyone would feel nervous approaching a lawyer – even when dealing with a serious legal issue.

As for why a library would (and should!) go so far… When you strengthen the weakest links in a chain, the chain as a whole becomes stronger and less likely to break. Similarly, when you support the most vulnerable members of the community, society as a whole improves.

Public Services for a Stronger Community

Even if you never make use of a single library program, they still have tons of useful services. Not only have many libraries broadened their collections to include audio recordings, digital materials, DVDs, CDs, and more, but many also have computers and free internet access. While getting online was once a luxury, now it’s essential for things like job searches. Many employers, for example, won’t even consider job candidates who walk in without first emailing their resume.

A few more modern libraries even offer Creator spaces with audio and video recording equipment and software. These typically have to be rented for a fee, but it’s considerably cheaper than a private facility.

Finally, there’s the plainly obvious, but surprisingly easiest to overlook: the library building itself. While private businesses keep a city’s economy alive, they leave little room for people to roam without shelling out cash. Sure, there are public parks, but that won’t suit every need. (Especially if it’s raining.)

Public libraries are one of the few places you can go without having to pay. Inside, you can find quiet reading and study spaces. It’s a perfect place for students to meet up for projects, or even to study independently. Many libraries also rent out meeting rooms, halls, and even stages at low cost for school events, clubs, and so on.

The post Strengthening Communities: The Unique Power of Libraries appeared first on Magazine.

Rizzoli Bookstore

The inside of this bookstore could easily be mistaken for a Renaissance painting. From the austere black columns to the intricate, almost angelic wallpaper stretching above the dark wooden shelves, there’s a reason why they claim to be the most beautiful bookstore in New York City. Its aesthetic bent is appropriate, too, as its collection focuses mainly on the visual arts: art, architectural design, and photography. You can also expect to find a variety of international titles, such as European magazines and newspapers.

Albertine

You don’t need to be a 19th-century astronomer to appreciate Albertine’s interior decor – though it might help. Filled with leather seating, classic wooden paneling, and a ceiling painted like the night sky, complete with an astrological solar system, this bookstore is a delight for anyone who loves stars and the night sky. Albertine is also notable for having a huge collection of French-language books. English-only speakers don’t have to worry, though; aside from the beautiful decor, there is plenty of English literature as well to keep you happy.

The store is in the same building as the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, and you’ll know it immediately by the painstakingly sculpted marble lobby upon entering. The whole place is eminently photogenic and a must-visit whether you can speak French or not.

McNally Jackson Books

McNally Jackson Books has five stores open across the Big Apple, each with its own unique style that makes them both inviting and aesthetically appealing. Some have aged archways, others have off-beat art installations of books hanging from the ceiling. They’ve also been known to set up creative displays, such as a cardboard castle in the children’s section. Their stores have a hearty collection of fiction, non-fiction, and even art books.

One notable aspect is that McNally organizes its fiction by country of origin rather than more traditional methods. It’s a perfect arrangement for anyone curious to learn about other cultures and places in the world.

The Drama Book Shop

One of the first things that will catch your eye as you walk into the Drama Book Shop is its gravity-defying art display of books spiraling across the store. This shop is dedicated to all things theater and film, with scripts, plays, and cinema-related books. It was famously bought by award-winning songwriter and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda and his partners in 2020, so you know this place has a true lover of theater behind it.

The Drama Book Shop also has an in-store café for anyone looking to supplement their reading with a bite and a sip of aromatic coffee.

Greenlight Bookstore

Greenlight Bookstore is another independent shop with two locations – one in Fort Greene and another in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. It’s well-known not just as a bookseller, but as a center for various literary events such as book signings and readings, as well as discussions on current social issues. The main shop opened in 2009 and features a central white shelf that helps to brighten an already open and spacious interior.

Book Culture

Book Culture has two locations, and both embody a simple elegance. Expect an abundance of flowers placed just so atop beautifully crafted wooden furniture, side-by-side with carefully selected books.

The store keeps things fresh by selling crafts, stickers, and stationery alongside their books. Many reviewers praise the fun and unique layout, saying it’s a joy to wander through, looking for new books to enjoy.

Bauman Rare Books

Want a chic layout with bright, colorful art displays? Or perhaps the latest selection of bestsellers and popular, trendy titles? Well, sorry to disappoint, but Bauman is the polar opposite of most modern bookstores – and that’s exactly its appeal. (Joke’s on you! I happen to like both types of shops.)

Bauman Rare Books is a picture of classical elegance. If you want rare or old books (think 15th-century onward), this is the place to go.

Argosy Book Store

This shop is old school to the bone. Packed with vintage maps, pictures, prints, and books, Argosy is a veritable treasure trove of rare, out-of-print snapshots of history. Opened in the 1930s, this nearly century-old bookstore has a distinctive style. It’s almost masked by the rows of books and picture frames, but you can see it if you look closely at the intricate ceiling molds, the careful curation of lesser-known but solid literature, and the reading room that looks like it could have been modeled after a 19th-century explorer’s tent.

The Corner Bookstore

While not as glitz and glam as some of the other shops on this list, the Corner Bookstore has a simple, subtle elegance. Its charm attracts a fair share of customers – not with looks, but with a knowledgeable and friendly staff. It has a fantastic array of books, curated for high quality. Though small, this independent store hosts various book signings that make for an intimate but pleasant stay.

The Center for Fiction

The Center of Fiction isn’t just your average bookstore. The front of the house has a shop and café with floor-to-ceiling windows and an enormous bookcase. But behind the scenes (or in this case, upstairs) is a huge members-only space, complete with a working space, a no-tech reading room, and an outdoor patio. Whether you go for the membership or not, it’s a chic stop in downtown Brooklyn where you can pick up a new read.

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