With a population of just under 8.5 million people, New York offers a library for every taste, from historic landmarks to niche inventories. These are the top NYC libraries to add to your list.

Morgan Library & Museum

The Morgan Library & Museum, the former library of famed banker J.P. Morgan, contains an outstanding selection of historical manuscripts, early printed books, and other significant works. Constructed between 1902 and 1906, it was constructed within a Renaissance-era palazzo, with three rooms covered with frescoes, imposing bookcases, and prized written materials on display.

This being a cross between a research library and a museum means that you’ll need to buy entry tickets to access the facility. At the time of writing this article, the passes are priced at $25, but visitors are allowed to enter the café and shop for free.

Address: 225 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday: Closed
– Tuesday to Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10:30AM – 5PM
– Friday: 10:30AM – 8PM

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Jefferson Market Library

Back in the day, the Jefferson Market Library was just a courthouse in Greenwich Village, but nowadays, it’s one of New York’s most popular libraries. Following a unique Victorian Gothic style, it serves as both a literary gem and an architectural marvel with detailed arched brick spaces, stained glass windows, and grand sculptures.

Jefferson Market Library’s collection is as varied as can be, with a few particular standouts that book lovers will appreciate. Some of these include rare texts covering New York City’s history and old images related to the Jefferson Market Library and the courthouse that was once here.

Address: 425 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Thursday: 10AM – 8PM
– Friday and Saturday: 10AM – 5PM
– Sunday: 1PM – 5PM

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New York Public Library – Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Out of all the New York Public Library’s areas, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is among the most impressive. Between the marvelous ceiling frescoes in the Rose Main Reading Room and the warm vintage feel you experience as soon as you enter the Vartan Gregorian Research Center, it’s a must for every bibliophile coming to NYC.

This location, situated beside Bryant Park, is celebrated for its historical written materials, with rows of bookcases holding endless rare texts, manuscripts, and some incredible works of art.

Address: 476 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday, Thursday to Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
– Tuesday and Wednesday: 10AM – 8PM
– Sunday: 1PM – 5PM

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Brooklyn Public Library – Brooklyn Heights Branch

Brooklyn Public Library’s Brooklyn Heights Branch has been a massive hit in the community ever since its opening in 2022. With selected meeting rooms, reading zones, and plenty of literature for visitors to enjoy, it’s no wonder it’s so popular.

Unlike a lot of libraries in NYC that have a historic element to them, the Brooklyn Heights Branch is quite the opposite. The space is flooded with light, featuring pristine white bookcases along the floor, while overhead lighting showcases the collections in contemporary fashion.

Address: 286 Cadman Plz W, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 10AM – 6PM
– Tuesday: 1PM – 8PM
– Thursday: 10AM – 8PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 5PM
– Sunday: 1PM – 5PM

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The New York Society Library

Known for being the city’s oldest library, the New York Society Library was established in 1754. For such a long-standing location, it has managed to retain the old-world charm of its days as a townhouse, with timeless decor, while incorporating modern additions, such as plush reading rooms.

Across the New York Society Library, you’ll be treated to a vast inventory of approximately 300,000 volumes. Pretty much every topic is covered here, including history, art, travel, fiction, social science, and some insightful reads regarding New York City.

Address: 53 E 79th St, New York, NY 10075, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Thursday: 9AM – 8PM
– Friday: 9AM – 5PM
– Saturday and Sunday: 11AM – 5PM

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Poets House

Everyone should swing by the Poets House on the Hudson River to go through its archive of roughly 70,000 poetry-related materials. Whether you want to get your hands on a book, journal, or something from a special collection, as long as it’s something to do with poetry, you’ll likely come across it at the Poets House.

This national poetry library has ensured that all of its offerings are either written in English or, if they’re in another language, they’ve been translated. While there are plenty of different poetry styles on display, they place a particular emphasis on contemporary American publications.

Address: 10 River Ter., New York, NY 10282, United States
Opening hours:
– Sunday and Monday: Closed
– Tuesday to Friday: 11AM – 7PM
– Saturday: 11AM – 6PM

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The Morbid Anatomy Library and Gift Shop

The Morbid Anatomy Library and Gift Shop is certainly a place that will attract a very particular type of reader. Its focus is on the study of mortality, exploring a topic that many people fear through literature, images, and art. Their goal is to help visitors understand the subject rather than be afraid of it, and what better way to do so than through a library?

As you delve deeper into the Morbid Anatomy Library’s holdings, you’ll encounter books on some very niche topics, such as sexology, anatomical art, and, of course, death and culture. Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop as well; it’s full of quirky items, such as Mexican masks and tarot cards.

Address: 254 36th St 2nd floor, C248, Brooklyn, NY 11232, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: Closed
– Saturday and Sunday:  12PM – 5PM

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Bloomingdale Library

A short stroll from Central Park, the Bloomingdale Library is a two-floor facility that serves the wider Manhattan area. On level one, visitors have a general reference collection, as well as a selection for lending on topics of interest to adults, such as the latest bestsellers. The second level has been laid out for younger people, with a catalogue of children’s books.

The Bloomingdale Library has a traditional community atmosphere, attracting many locals to its spacious building, with low bookcases and plenty of seating for reading and studying.

Address: 150 W 100th St, New York, NY 10025, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday and Tuesday: 10AM – 7PM
– Wednesday and Thursday: 11AM – 7PM
– Friday and Saturday: 10AM – 5PM
– Sunday: Closed

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New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is a specialty library tucked away on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Much of the material is centered around theater, music, and film, earning itself a considerable reputation as one of the NYPL’s most respected research institutions.

Across the NYPL for the Performing Arts complex, there are numerous interesting areas, including the Harvey Fierstein Theater Lab, a space designed for theater makers and artists. It was set up to teach people curious about the industry while providing them with a workspace to improve their creative projects.

Address: 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday and Thursday: 10:30AM – 8PM
– Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: 10:30AM – 6PM
– Sunday: Closed

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Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

If you happen to be in Harlem, be sure to set aside some time to visit the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. An inspiring library dedicated to literature connected to African American and African Diaspora experiences, it boasts an extensive array of over 11 million works for visitors to browse.

Besides written texts, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture plays host to many exhibitions. Currently, they’re showcasing the ‘100: A Century of Collections, Community, and Creativity,’ which takes people through the legacy of the library’s holdings.

Address: 515 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10037, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 5:45PM
– Sunday: Closed

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Webster Library (NYPL)

Another one of New York’s historical libraries is the Webster Library, which has a legacy dating back to 1893. Bearing the name of Charles B. Webster, who gifted the original building, the library was hugely popular with Czech immigrants for some time, but now caters to people of all backgrounds in the city.

Spanning three floors, the Webster Library has a few different sections of curated works for people of all ages, including adults, children, and teenagers, so no matter how old you are, there’s something here for you.

Address: 1465 York Ave, New York, NY 10075, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Thursday: 11AM – 7PM
– Friday and Saturday: 10AM – 5PM
– Sunday: Closed

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New York Academy of Medicine Library

Housing one of the world’s most significant medical libraries, the New York Academy of Medicine Library highlights materials that reveal how historical techniques and modern advancements have merged to form today’s medical knowledge.

Since opening its doors in 1878, the New York Academy of Medicine Library has shifted its focus to medical history, steadily building a huge repository of books that now occupy its shelves.

Address: 1216 5th Ave, New York, NY 10029, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 9AM – 5PM
– Saturday and Sunday: Closed

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That’s why it helps to shake things up once in a while. Reading, after all, is not just about consumption but about discovery, connection, and delight. Here are ten ways to keep your reading life fresh. These are little rituals and adventures every book lover should try at least once a year.

Step Into a New Genre or Author

We all have comfort zones. Maybe you’re happiest wandering through historical fiction, or you can’t resist a twisty, fast-paced crime thriller. But once in a while, reach for something unexpected. A sci-fi novel might sharpen your imagination, a memoir might give you insight into a life unlike your own, and a poetry collection might slow you down to savor language in a way you’ve forgotten. The first few pages may feel strange, but that’s often how discovery begins.

Join a Book Club

Reading is intimate, but it doesn’t have to be lonely. A book club offers the chance to share insights, argue about plot twists, and laugh over characters’ questionable decisions. You might walk in for the books, but you’ll often stay for the community. Some readers say they enjoy a novel twice: once while reading, and again while discussing it with others.

Work as a Bookseller

Few jobs allow you to be surrounded by books all day, recommending stories and helping people discover their next great read. Even if just for a short while, working as a bookseller offers a behind-the-scenes look at the world of bookselling and publishing. 

It’s more than stacking shelves. It’s also listening to customers’ tastes, finding the perfect book for them, and sharing in their excitement when they light up at your recommendation. For a true book lover, it’s a chance to live inside the magic and community of books, not just as a reader, but as a guide for others.

Attend a Literary Event

There’s something unforgettable about watching words leap off the page and into the air. At a festival, a poetry night, or an author Q&A, stories feel alive in a way that’s different from solitary reading. You hear the cadence, the pauses, the emphasis, and the parts that mattered most to the writer. And in the mingling of readers and writers, you realize that literature is also about community, about people gathering to celebrate the written word.

Get Your Books Signed by Your Favorite Author

There’s something deeply personal about meeting the mind behind a story that moved you. A signed copy turns a book into a treasured keepsake, a reminder that the author’s journey and yours intersected, if only for a moment. 

Whether it’s a bustling book festival or a quiet signing at an independent shop, having your favourite author inscribe their name adds another layer of meaning to your reading experience. Every time you open that book, the signature feels like a whisper from the creator themselves: this story was for you, too.

Revisit an Old Favorite

Books change as we do. A novel that comforted you at sixteen might challenge you at thirty. A story that once felt romantic might now seem bittersweet. Re-reading is like meeting an old friend: familiar, yet layered with new meaning. It shows you how much you’ve grown, or sometimes how much you’ve stayed the same.

Create a Reading Nook

Every reader deserves a sanctuary. It doesn’t have to be elaborate; a chair by the window, a blanket draped just so, a lamp that casts the right kind of glow. The point is to create a space where your body relaxes and your mind opens. In that nook, reading isn’t just an activity; it’s a ritual, something you step into fully.

Gift a Book to Someone

There’s something magical about placing a book in another person’s hands—not just any book, but one that has touched you in a special way. Books carry pieces of us: the ideas that moved us, the stories that stayed with us, the characters who felt like friends. Gifting a book is like saying, “this story meant something to me, and I think it might mean something to you, too.”

It can be as simple as surprising a friend with a novel you think they’ll enjoy, or passing on a book that once changed your perspective. The best part of it all is that every time they flip through the pages, they will think of you, the person who was thoughtful enough to share a story.

Browse a Local Bookstore That’s Not Your Own

Every bookstore has its own soul. The lighting, the scent of paper and coffee, and the way the shelves lean under the weight of old favourites and hidden gems. It all creates an atmosphere that’s never quite the same from one shop to another. Venturing into a bookstore that isn’t your usual haunt feels like entering a secret world waiting to be explored. 

You might stumble upon an author you’ve never heard of, a quirky staff recommendation tucked on a display, or even a conversation with a fellow browser that turns into a friendship. Sometimes, the best adventures begin when you wander into unfamiliar aisles.

Set a Reading Goal

Some readers shy away from numbers, but goals can be gentle companions. Maybe it’s twelve books in twelve months, or maybe it’s a bingo card of prompts like “a book set in another century” or “a debut novel.” These challenges give your reading year shape and keep you turning pages even when life gets busy. And the satisfaction of looking back at what you’ve read is a gift in itself.

The post 10 Things Every Book Lover Should Try At Least Once a Year appeared first on Magazine.

School used to survive on paper. Everything that was done had a tangible paper copy, but now, things are a little different. It is arguably more ecological; there is certainly not as much printing as there was before. However, there is one important fact that we ought to consider when discussing this technological shift: children learn better using paper than using screens. 

Screens and Learning Loss: What the Pandemic Taught Us

The world is truly at our fingertips. We have information, and misinformation, at the click of a button. You would think this would be like a second enlightenment, a thirst for further knowledge and a flourishing of intellectual capacity. The reality is somewhat different. The COVID-19 pandemic shut down in-person learning and restricted the American scholarly scene to online learning.

Students became less attentive, their reading levels dropped, and many did not feel the need to show up and participate. Following the reopening of the world, and of schools, absenteeism remained high amongst students. All the information was online, so many felt as if being physically present was an option, not a requirement.

This data is not only found in America, nor did the problem only arise following the pandemic. There has been a constant decline in English and mathematics proficiency. The technological revolution may have led to a plethora of new advancements but it also gave students devices infected with distraction. Training your brain to stay focused and attentive takes time and constant effort, usually reinforced at an early age through school.

However, with the reliance on technology, the need for longer attention spans is lessening and lessening. Kids can no longer easily push for their intellectual potential because their learning is mainly conducted on online spaces that are not optimal for comprehension and concentration.

The Dopamine Trap: How Devices Distract Young Minds

One of the biggest and most popular technological advances was the smartphone, and now, it is like a dopamine machine. Even our laptops give access to various social media platforms, full of short-form videos that can keep you entertained for hours on end. Of course, with such easily achieved dopamine, our brains no longer have to work as hard to achieve feelings of contentment and reward.

Contrary to what students may say, writing assignments or reading paper books can give us a feeling of hard-earned reward. Humans are wired to want to learn and achieve. Our superpower is our brain, and it needs to be worked on. A study from the University of Valencia found that reading print is six to eight times more effective at building comprehension skills than reading on screen.

This phenomenon is so prominent in studies that it has been named the ‘Screen Inferiority Effect’ and describes how reading on a technological device leads to a lower level of understanding and information retention. 

Adapting to the Future: Technology, AI, and Education

Although this all sounds a little pessimistic, the future isn’t all full of grey clouds. Like all technology before us, we learn to adapt. It is frightening at first, but like in schools, it is unlikely that things will go back to exactly how they were. Teachers will learn to adapt; students will need to learn the impact of AI and work harder on skills like reading and deeper topic knowledge.

Maybe ChatGPT and other AI platforms will one day provide useful tools for students, rather than simply replacing the thought and research process. The problem we face now is that, unlike many other technological advancements, the development of AI is going at lightning speed, and we are constantly running to keep up. 

Why Students Still Crave Books and a Pen on Paper

In the meantime, encouraging students to spend more time putting pen to paper and to picking up real, physical books can actively fight against the negative impacts of technology and screen-based learning. Children and adolescents can also be their own biggest influencers. The success of BookTok on TikTok, as well as media trends like ‘Dark Academia’ which romanticize a life of academics and writing, suggest that there is reason to have hope. 

The Path Forward: Blending Tradition with Innovation

The studies that have arisen around levels of subject comprehension leave much to be desired, but maybe these results are just in need of a bit of framing. Data is needed in order to inform action and to move forward with the best path possible. These results, whilst a reality check, can allow us to improve the education system rather than enable it to continue on its downward spiral.

If students learn better on paper, then we need to learn how to implement this into their lives rather than live in pessimism and yearning for simpler times. Data like this demands action. The younger generation is the one that will likely predict the rest of our futures – shouldn’t we want to give them the best chance at success?

The post Why Reading on Paper Helps Kids Learn More Than Screens appeared first on Magazine.

The Last Bookstore

Welcome to The Last Bookstore, California’s largest new and used book and record store, ranked the tenth most beautiful bookstore by the 1000 Libraries community. It has four locations, but its flagship is located in downtown Los Angeles. It’s housed in a former bank and is Instagram famous for its whimsical book tunnel and massive marble pillars.

It offers over 500,000 books and a hefty collection of vinyl records. The labyrinthine space features a nice helping of hidden nooks, regularly hosting various author events.

Address: 453 S Spring St Ground Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 11AM – 8PM

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Stories Books & Cafe

This independent bookstore makes its mark with its distinctive, haunted-house-esque choice of framed paintings and the offbeat wall mural of its outdoor café.

On the literary side of things, it offers a wide array of books, from classics to new releases. Meanwhile, the café brews up a mean cup of coffee alongside tasty pastries and free Wi-Fi. It also regularly hosts readings, book releases, and fun activities like drawing or comedy nights.

Address: 1716 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Opening hours:
– Sunday to Friday: 9AM – 9PM
– Saturday: 9AM – 10PM

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Skylight Books

Founded in 1996, Skylight Books is known for its welcoming atmosphere, ficus tree centerpiece, and curated selections. It specializes in literary fiction, Los Angeles history, arts, and esoteric subjects, hosting frequent author events and supporting local writers.

It’s a beautiful space, from its uniquely modern take on a barrel vaulted ceiling crosshatched with wooden beams to the zigzagging lines that make its storefront exterior pop.

Address: 1818 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 10PM

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Barnes & Noble (The Grove)

For many, Barnes & Noble is a comforting and nostalgic bookstore chain, and this particular branch adds a bit of flair with a grand, sweeping entryway showing off three levels of a beautiful and elegant bookshop design.

As might be expected of a Barnes & Noble, you can find a wide selection of books, magazines, gifts, and children’s toys, plus a Starbucks-sponsored in-house café. The location itself is extremely popular for its regular events and seasonal displays, so it’s definitely a must-visit if you’re in the area.

Address: 189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 10PM

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Duranno Bookstore

In a city often celebrated for its diversity of culture and lifestyles, you might be surprised to hear that it has a popular Korean Christian bookstore. Duranno Bookstore was established in 1986, focusing its stock on Christian books, Bibles, devotionals, and church supplies in both Korean and English. It also carries a nice selection of gifts, stationery, and Sunday school materials.

Its interior is stylish without being extravagant, creating a peaceful atmosphere with a simple, organized layout interspersed with house plants and multilingual decorative elements.

Address: 3130 Wilshire Blvd #100, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 9:30AM – 5PM
– Saturday & Sunday: Closed

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The Iliad Bookshop

With over 150,000 books specializing in literature and the arts, the Iliad Bookshop has been rocking the used bookstore scene in Los Angeles since 1987. It’s probably most famous for its creative book displays. And when we say “book displays,” we mean the massive book spines jutting out from the storefront’s walls alongside gorgeously intricate Greek-inspired murals.

Really, with as eye-popping as it is, it’s little wonder this bookshop makes so many appearances in film and TV productions.

Address: 5400 Cahuenga Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601
Opening hours:
– Tuesday to Saturday: 11AM – 7PM
– Monday & Sunday: Closed

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The Book Jewel

For an intimate and cozy atmosphere, look no further than the Book Jewel. This shop is filled with plush seating areas, warm wooden floors and shelves, and even a grand fireplace (though not lit—book safety first!).

To make things even cozier, this shop has a resident cat. Alongside its broad collection of books of all genres and subjects, you can find a nice section with candles and merchandise, including shirts with the resident cat printed on them.

Address: 6259 W. 87th St, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Opening hours:
– Tuesday to Thursday & Sunday: 10AM – 6PM
– Friday: 10AM – 7PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 8PM
– Monday: Closed

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The Artbook @ Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles Bookstore

Art lovers will definitely want to check out the Artbook @ Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles. Half bookshop and half art gallery, this former flour mill has since been converted into a cultural hub with a grunge vibe, specializing in contemporary and 20th-century art books. Some notable standouts in its collection are its rare catalogues, indie press books, and children’s books.

Spotlight displays change regularly to reflect current exhibitions and themes, and the store hosts events, signings, and talks by artists, curators, and critics.

Address: 917 East 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Opening hours:
– Tuesday to Sunday: 11AM – 6PM
– Monday: Closed

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Chevalier’s Books

Opened in 1940, Chevalier’s Books is Los Angeles’s oldest independent bookstore. This place is a cornerstone of the neighborhood, bringing literary culture to life through engaging events, personalized recommendations, and a beloved children’s section.

It began as a lending library and expanded to a general bookstore, surviving changes in ownership and location but always remaining on Larchmont Boulevard. With a friendly atmosphere and lovingly decorated walls, it’s a great place to pick up a new read.

Address: 133 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 6PM

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Small World Books

Established in 1969 and relocated to Venice Beach’s boardwalk in 1976, Small World Books is a cherished independent bookstore beloved for its eclectic selection, knowledgeable staff, and true neighborhood spirit. Its book collection includes literary fiction, poetry, history, philosophy, and children’s books, and is big on supporting small presses.

Like a couple of other spots on this list, this bookstore has some live-in cats that add a touch of coziness to the simple but welcoming decor. It’s also connected to a café next door for anyone who wants to take a quick reading break on their travels.

Address: 1407 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 8PM

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Sideshow Books

Got the collector’s itch? You might just be able to satisfy it at Sideshow Books, an offbeat shop specializing in used and rare books. Its selection crams the shelves to the spilling point, with a little bit of everything but favoring alternative genres: pulp, art, cinema, music, beat literature, and even comics.

Visitors may be offered free espresso, and the cozy, overflowing store has a classic secondhand bookstore vibe, complete with offerings like records, vintage posters, and other trinkets.

Address: 1639 La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035
Opening hours:
– Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday: 12PM – 6PM
– Friday: 12PM – 5:30PM
– Monday: Closed

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Hennessey + Ingalls

Hennessey + Ingalls stands out as the largest art, architecture, and design bookstore on the West Coast, both in terms of the breadth of its collection and its physical space. This is the place to go to find titles on pretty much any visual art—from architecture and landscaping to photography and graphic design.

This place is a favorite of architects, designers, museums, collectors, students, and film professionals, as well as everyday readers, wrapped in a beautiful, modern space.

Address: 300 S Santa Fe Ave M, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 11AM – 7PM

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Secret Headquarters

This boutique comic book store is known for its warm, wood-paneled interior and curated selection of mainstream, indie, and small-press comics, zines, and graphic novels. This is where you go if you want the best of the lesser-known and underappreciated titles, including a bunch of featured local artists.

Once in a blue moon, Secret Headquarters hosts book launches for said local artists, but most of its focus is on promoting comic book culture in LA. It even buys comic books in good condition for those who have something to sell.

Address: 3137 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 11AM – 7PM

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Kinokuniya Bookstore LA

Though Kinokuniya Bookstore originally began in Japan, this bookstore chain now has locations all over the world—including in Los Angeles. Nowadays, it’s a crucial part of Little Tokyo’s Weller Court Mall, beloved for its in-depth selection of Japanese and English books, manga, graphic novels, art titles, stationery, and Studio Ghibli goods.

As part of the Japanese Kinokuniya chain, its LA branch connects readers with Japanese pop culture, literature, and gifts, serving locals, tourists, and anime fans alike.

Address: 2F The Bloc, 700 W 7th St g, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 11AM – 8PM

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Lost Books, Plants & Vinyl

As an added bonus, though not technically in LA, you can get lost in a jungle of books at Lost Books, Plants & Vinyl. It’s exactly what it sounds like from its name: a whimsical independent bookstore filled with lush plant life, an expertly curated vinyl selection, and an abundance of new and used books.

Known for its mossy ceiling, sunlit nooks, and living plant tunnel, this shop offers a dreamy atmosphere and a quiet retreat from the bustle of the city. It also offers an array of tropical plants for sale.

Address: 1F Montrose Plaza Executive Office, 2233 Honolulu Ave, Montrose, CA 91020
Opening hours:
– Monday to Thursday: 10AM – 6PM
– Friday & Saturday: 10AM – 9PM
– Sunday: 10AM – 7PM

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Who is Nobuo Okano?

Nobuo Okano is no overnight hero. He has spent 30 years mastering the craft of book restoration. That’s three decades of preserving ink smudges, threadbare spines, dog-eared corners, and fragile maps tucked in old dictionaries. When you do something for that long, you start seeing books not simply as objects, but as stories and art combined into a physical form.

His story began with a particularly challenging project: a 1,000-page English–Japanese dictionary, which had been used years ago by its owner, then passed down through time, picked up again in a moment of nostalgia, and finally given to Okano for restoration.

What Kind of Damage Are We Talking About?

The types of books Okano takes on aren’t just a little used or dirty. We’re talking major wear and tear, things that you’d think are beyond saving. Think pages with torn or folded corners, maps inside that are discoloured, brittle, or creased.

He takes on spines where the glue has deteriorated, edges with wear or aging, and covers that have faded, sometimes even losing the title completely. Some of the books look like they’ve already lived several lifetimes.

The Restoration Process: It’s Like Surgery

Okano’s work is painstaking. It’s not “glue it back, done.” No, it’s much more delicate, much more precise. Here are some of the steps and tools that blew the internet away.

1. Removing old glue from the spine: Okano shaves off or carefully removes deteriorated glue without damaging the backbone of the book. It’s risky. If he slips or snips too much, he’ll jeopardize the integrity of the pages; on the flip side, if he leaves too much, it won’t hold well in the long term.
2. Fixing maps and inserts: Maps are often on thinner paper, and Okano often receives them heavily creased. But he doesn’t just flatten them; he glues them onto new sheets, reinforcing weak spots so that they don’t tear any further. Sometimes, he has to accept that the color won’t match perfectly. Part of restoration isn’t making things look brand new, but making them stable and beautiful enough to appreciate.
3. Straightening out the corners: This reportedly is one of the most monotonous parts (but also one of the most satisfying). Every page’s corners are unfolded with tweezers, wet slightly, and then ironed flat. Yes, it’s done with a tiny iron. It’s slow work, one page at a time.
4. Edge trimming and edge coloring: The edges of many pages have color stains, fading, or unevenness. To fix this, Okano uses a heavy-duty paper cutter to make clean edge cuts and sometimes reapply a faint color or simply clean them. It doesn’t always match exactly, but the key is durability and preventing further damage.
5. Restoring or replacing the cover: The front and back covers are often far gone. They bare the bulk of exposure, after all. Okano may preserve whatever can be saved: the title, any original lettering, and decorative elements. If those are too damaged, part of the job is to make a cover that respects the original look and feel, while being robust enough to protect what’s inside.

Why Okano’s Work Matters

Okano’s work helps us hold onto heritage and memories. A book carries more than just text. It carries history. Each page is a memory of who held it, who read it, where it’s been, and what’s marked in the margins. Restoring it isn’t just honoring the words, but the lives that they’ve enriched.

Not only that, but preserving and renewing the books also shows that there’s dignity in decay. Everything ages, pages yellow, glue fails, and binding loosens. But that doesn’t mean the book is worth any less. It’s still just as useful and important as the day it was printed.

The process Okano goes through focuses a lot on the small details. The fold of a corner, the fading of the maps, the wear on the spine. It’s not huge, it’s not flashy. It’s steady, careful, and precise. It’s a refreshing change in a fast-paced and results-focused world. Okano’s work doesn’t just remind us how important our books and memories are, but how useful it can be to just slow down.

Likewise, the work he does takes an incredible amount of patience and skill. Using a tiny tweezer and iron to straighten corners? That’s not a fast job. We could all take a moment to learn as much patience as Okano has.

But it’s more than any of that. We live in a world of disposability: many things are made to be cheap, to be replaced. Books themselves are more often digital or mass-printed, sometimes with little thought toward what happens when they deteriorate. Craftspeople like Okano remind us that objects matter, that wear has value, and that restoration is its own kind of storytelling. They help anchor us in a sense of continuity.

The post Meet the Japanese Craftsman Who Brings Broken Books Back to Life appeared first on Magazine.

Snow by Orhan Pamuk

Pamuk is almost synonymous with Istanbul, but Snow takes you further, out to Kars, a remote, cold city in eastern Turkey. It blends politics, religion, personal crisis, isolation, and the harsh weather so well that you’ll feel the snowdrifts and the tension.

If you like your travel books with philosophical underpinnings, border towns, and a bit of political mystery, this is a great one.

The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak

Shafak’s novel is set in Istanbul (and partly in the US) and centres a lot on family, secrets, memory, identity, especially Armenian history and how that past echoes into the present.

It gives a vivid portrait of modern Istanbul life, its cosmopolitan hustling, its layers of tradition and change, and tensions between different cultural identities, all seen through compelling personal relationships. If you’re the king of travelers who really likes to see the real destination, then The Bastard of Istanbul is the book for you.

Memed, My Hawk by Yaşar Kemal

Rustic, lyrical, powerful. This is something like an Anatolian “Robin Hood” story: oppressed peasants, cruel landlords (also known as aghas), rugged landscapes, and at the core of it all, rebellion.

If you want Turkey’s rural soul, its landscapes, its folklore, and the resilience of people in hard circumstances, this one’s a gem. It’s less about Istanbul urbanity, more about Anatolia’s hills, fields, frustrations, and beauties.

Human Landscapes from My Country by Nazım Hikmet

Poetic, experimental, in verse, but also a panorama of 20th-century Turkey. Hikmet shifts scenes across geography (from prison to cities to countryside), across social classes, and through political upheavals.

This gives a very broad sense of Turkey, not just one place or one time, but many lives and many landscapes, many voices. For immersiveness and emotional breadth, this one is hard to beat. Even if you were really in the country, you’d be hard-pressed to see this much of it in one trip.

The Flea Palace by Elif Shafak

This is a vibrant, modern portrait of Istanbul life through the lens of a crumbling apartment building, once luxurious but now a little shabby and full of character. Known as Bonbon Palace, the building houses a colorful cast of residents: students, dreamers, misfits, and families, each with their own quirks, secrets, and ambitions.

The novel’s brilliance lies in how these stories intertwine, with gossip, misunderstandings, and small acts of kindness flowing through the hallways, stairwells, and thin walls. Shafak captures the rhythm of urban life with a humor and playfulness that make it an easy read.

Ayşe’s Trail by Atulya K. Bingham

This novel takes you along Turkey’s famous Lycian Way, a long-distance coastal hiking trail that winds past turquoise bays, mountain villages, and ancient ruins. It follows Ayşe, a woman walking the route while piecing her life back together. Along the way, you get descriptions of Mediterranean landscapes, encounters with locals, and the blend of history and modern rural life that makes Turkey’s south coast so magnetic.

It’s light, uplifting, and full of holiday atmosphere. It is the perfect read if you want a book that feels like sunshine on your shoulders and sea breeze in your hair.

My Name Is Red by Orhan Pamuk

This award-winning novel drops you straight into 16th-century Istanbul, at the height of the Ottoman Empire, where art, religion, love, and murder collide. It’s part mystery, part historical epic, and part philosophical discussion on the meaning of art. Each chapter is narrated by a different voice. Even objects and colors get a say, creating a kaleidoscopic feel that mirrors the city’s own richness.

If you want to feel the texture of Ottoman Istanbul, its workshops, its palaces, its bustling streets, then pick this one up. It is a vivid, immersive ride.

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak

This Booker Prize–shortlisted novel begins with the final moments in the mind of Tequila Leila, a sex worker in Istanbul whose life story unravels in flashes. Through her memories and the friendships she forged, you see the city’s margins, its tea houses, its backstreets, its communities beyond the tourist gloss. Everything is laid bare, the nitty-gritty, the secrecy, the true Turkey.

The post These 8 Books Will Transport You to Turkey appeared first on Magazine.

This is the story of Helen Fagin, a young woman who used a smuggled copy of Gone with the Wind to keep the flame of imagination alive for a group of Jewish children, at a time when survival itself seemed impossible.

A Classroom in the Shadows

Helen was just 21 when she and her family were forced into the Warsaw Ghetto. Education was forbidden, books tightly controlled, and being caught with the wrong text could mean brutal punishment or worse.

Still, Helen believed the children around her deserved more than silence and fear. So she created a secret school, hidden away from Nazi eyes. At first, she taught the basics: Mathematics, Latin, and whatever scraps of knowledge she could safely share. But soon she realized something deeper was missing. She realized they didn’t only need lessons but hope, the kind that only stories could give.

Smuggling a Dream

Through an underground network, a few trusted families managed to pass books hand to hand under the cover of night. Each reader had only one evening with a book before it had to move on, reducing the risk of discovery.

One night, Helen got her turn with Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind. She devoured it from dusk till dawn, swept up in the loves and betrayals of Rhett Butler, Scarlett O’Hara, Ashley, and Melanie.

The next day, when one of her students whispered, “Please, tell us a book,” Helen knew exactly what to do.

For that one forbidden hour, she retold the story from memory. In that cramped secret room, Scarlett’s sharp tongue and Melanie’s quiet grace came alive. The children’s faces glowed, their fear momentarily replaced with wonder. They weren’t starving, hunted teenagers in a ghetto anymore.

They were travelers in another world, a world with parties, manners, and hope. As they slipped away afterward, one green-eyed girl turned back with tears in her eyes: “Thank you for this journey into another world. Could we please do it again soon?”

Loss and Survival

The ghetto tightened its grip. Raids grew more violent. One by one, many of Helen’s pupils were lost to the Nazi machinery of death. Of the 22 children who once gathered in that hidden classroom, only four would survive the war.

But the green-eyed girl who had clung to Scarlett and Melanie’s story was among them. Years later, in New York, Helen found her again. Grown, married, alive against all odds, she introduced Helen to her husband with words that have stayed with her ever since: “This is the woman who gave me hope and dreams when I had none.”

A Legacy of Reading

Helen Fagin went on to escape Europe, build a new life in America, earn her doctorate, and teach literature for decades. She became a fierce guardian of memory, helping to establish the Holocaust Memorial in Washington, D.C., and sharing her testimony so that the world would not forget.

Even into her nineties and beyond, she remained a voracious reader — moving seamlessly from Whitman to Camus, always hungry for the kind of truths that only stories can give.

Her letter about that secret classroom eventually appeared in A Velocity of Being: Letters to a Young Reader, alongside contributions from Jane Goodall, Neil Gaiman, Judy Blume, and other luminaries.

But perhaps no letter in that collection carried the same weight of lived truth as Helen’s. Because Helen knew, better than most, that a story can do more than entertain or educate. It can preserve humanity itself.

The post How Books Saved the Life of a 100-Year-Old Holocaust Survivor appeared first on Magazine.

We could spend all day listing them one by one, but this group of libraries in South America offers the most to book lovers in terms of beauty and literature.

Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading (Rio de Janeiro)

Come and witness the biggest collection of Portuguese written material outside the country at the Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading in Rio de Janeiro, crowned as the 8th most beautiful library in the world. Containing an estimated 350,000 volumes, as well as autograph manuscripts and letters from famed writers, die-hard readers will be in their element here.

Entry to the Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading is free, although we recommend paying the small fee to take one of the tours offered, as it’s well worth it to hear about the history. You’ll be taken past three magnificent tiers of shelving, all under a stained-glass dome that enchants every visitor.

Address: R. Luís de Camões, 30 – Centro, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 20051-020, Brazil
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10AM – 5PM
– Saturday and Sunday: Closed

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Biblioteca Nacional do Brasil (Rio de Janeiro)

By Cinelândia Square in central Rio de Janeiro, you’ll find the biggest library in all of Latin America, Biblioteca Nacional do Brasil. Housing around nine million texts, including some rare books and manuscripts, visitors who are lucky enough to have the opportunity will be in awe of this place’s literary offerings.

The architecture of the Biblioteca Nacional do Brasil reflects the Greek Revival style with monumental staircases connecting multiple floors of bookcases. While finer details such as intricate wall paneling and fresh lighting tie the entire layout together, making it one of the most beautiful libraries in South America.

Address: Av. Rio Branco, 219 – Centro, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 20040-008, Brazil
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10AM – 4:30PM
– Saturday and Sunday: Closed

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Victor Civita Latin American Library (São Paulo)

A standout among Brazil’s libraries is the Victor Civita Latin American Library in São Paulo. Belonging to the city’s Latin America Memorial, the collection here is focused on all content related to the continent, whether that be political texts or economic works.

Developed by Oscar Niemeyer, the Victor Civita Latin American Library has a crafty cylinder-shaped design with an airy interior where shelving floods the central area, along with a few tables that visitors can use for reading.

Address: Av. Mário de Andrade, 664 – Barra Funda, São Paulo – SP, 01156-001, Brazil
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10AM – 5PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 3PM
– Sunday: Closed

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San Francisco Monastery Library (Lima)

Lima’s San Francisco Monastery Library is a historic gem established by a group of Franciscan friars who brought with them an assortment of spiritual books they believed would aid local monks. Known as one of Lima’s most prominent landmarks, the complex is built in Baroque style, where more than 25,000 publications can be found beyond its walls.

Lined with open texts and winding staircases, the San Francisco Monastery Library invites visitors to climb to the upper floors to marvel at its extended inventory. Attention is brought to the central space by ambient lighting from above, with wooden elements and lavish tiling on full display for everyone to relish.

Address: XX3F+V59, Jr. Lampa, Lima 15001, Peru
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 9AM – 6PM

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National Library of Peru (Lima)

A tribute to the nation’s bookish heritage, the National Library of Peru in Lima attracts enthusiastic local and foreign readers to its location in the San Borja District. Set up in 1821, its inventory has grown to include an impressive number of periodicals, manuscripts, films, photographs, and more. One of its most prized possessions is the very first book ever printed on the continent, dating back to 1584.

The facility is divided into different sections that visitors can enjoy, including the library itself, as well as an exhibition hall, study room, and newspaper archive. At certain times of the year, the National Library of Peru also hosts several events. Women-led expos and presentations on the Candelaria Festival have all been featured in the past.

Address: Av. De La Poesía 160, San Borja 15034, Peru
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 8:30AM – 8PM
– Sunday: Closed

Legislative Library of Uruguay (Montevideo)

The Legislative Library of Uruguay in the capital Montevideo contains a wealth of written works related to legislation and parliamentary purposes, readily available for viewing for anyone interested. Serving as the link between parliament and the public, its holdings include 250,000 monographic works, 155,000 magazines, 700,000 newspapers from 1835 until now, and much more.

A multi-tiered library where intricate wooden details take center stage, the Legislative Library of Uruguay is undeniably a work of visual brilliance, guaranteed to leave any visitor in awe. The manner in which the high-reaching cabinets, brimming with timeworn volumes, intertwine with sculptures and freestanding wooden ladders creates an unforgettable sight to experience firsthand.

Address: 4R57+G35, Av. de las Leyes, 11800 Montevideo, Departamento de Montevideo, Uruguay
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 8AM – 8PM
– Saturday and Sunday: Closed

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National Library of Teachers (Buenos Aires)

Buenos Aires has many wonderful libraries, but none are quite like the National Library of Teachers. Holding a total of 220,000 items, you’ll come across endless books and magazines here, as well as an eclectic mix related to sciences and pedagogy, along with a children’s library.

Across the National Library of Teachers, you’re welcome to explore the reading room, which is centered around science and humanities with around 70,000 texts. The American Room is another notable stop, mainly for researchers, and is packed with certain inventories belonging to the likes of Mabel Manacorda de Rosetti. For those who are fans of rare texts, the Treasure Room contains a fascinating collection dating back to before 1810.

Address: Pje. Pizzurno 953, C1017 Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 9AM – 8PM
– Saturday: 9AM – 5PM

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Biblioteca Esteban Echeverría (Buenos Aires)

One of Buenos Aires’ best-kept secrets is the Biblioteca Esteban Echeverría. Situated inside the Legislative Palace, this structure was designed by the architect Héctor Ayerza, and the layout speaks for itself. From the ornate bronze chandeliers to rolling ladders, and not to forget the artwork by celebrated painters like Román Rivera, it’s a truly awe-inspiring library.

The literature within the Library of the City Legislature is predominantly oriented toward law, social sciences, history, and politics. This is comprised of newspapers, magazines, periodicals, and books that are visible upon entry.

Address: Perú 130, C1067AAD Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10AM – 6PM
– Saturday and Sunday: Closed

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The post 8 Must-Visit Libraries in South America appeared first on Magazine.

But for some kids, that love can become a target for cruelty. Kids are mean, after all. Such was the experience of 13-year-old Callum Manning, who got bullied in real life for something most people see as harmless, even heroic: reading. What happened next, though, how people rallied around him, shows both how painful it is to be singled out, and how much power there is in, especially via the internet.

The Innocent Beginning: A Kid Who Loved Books

Callum started an Instagram account simply to share what he was reading. He posted about books like The Shining (yes, horror!), Frankenstein, 1984, Pride and Prejudice, A Game of Thrones, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

He wasn’t doing it to “seem cool” or to chase fame. He just liked books. He was discovering stories, and he was excited to put thoughts down, share what was moving him, and talk how much he enjoyed each book. For many of us, that’s completely fair enough! Most of us use Goodreads or Storygraph, or even BookTok and BookTube to do the same. Unfortunately, for the kids at Callum’s new school, it was weird.

When “Weird” Turns Mean

As often happens, kids with different interests attract unwanted attention. Callum’s schoolmates weren’t just disinterested. They didn’t just ignore his Instagram; they actually mocked it. They made a group chat, teased him behind his back, called him names, and then even invited him into the group. They let him see everything that they’d said about him, and criticized him to his face, and then kicked him out.

Understandably, it stung. When asked about how he felt about the situation, poor Callum said, “It was the first time in a while I’ve actually cried.”

When we saw this, it broke our hearts. Reading, for many, is an escape. It’s a sanctuary. It’s supposed to be a safe, quiet place. Instead, for Callum, it became fuel for a fire he’d never expected. And getting bullied over something you love? That can make you feel isolated, embarrassed, and small.

A Sister’s Tweet That Sparked Something Big

This is where Callum’s older sister, Ellis Landreth, comes in. Just like any older sister, Ellis was not about to let this slide quietly. Instead, she tweeted about what had happened. Her words were simple, but urgent: her brother had made a book account, kids at his school saw it and made fun of him, added him to a nasty group chat to insult him, etc.

Her hopes were that a few of her friends would give him a few likes, follow him, or drop a kind comment. She expected maybe a handful of people to show support. What she got was overwhelming.

The tweet went viral. Over 180,000 likes. Suddenly, people from all over were engaging with it, and with Callum.

There were readers, authors, strangers, all sending positive messages, offering book gifts, and making sure he knew he wasn’t alone.

A bookstore near Callum offered him a book on the house, and he gained thousands of new Instagram followers. He even had famous authors like Neil Gaiman praising him, saying, “All the interesting people I know were once considered weird kids with books.”

It was more than just a handful of pity. It was a movement. People were stepping in, sharing Callum’s passion and reminding him that loving books is not shameful.

What Came Next

Things very quickly got intense. Callum said he was “absolutely overwhelmed.” After all, at 13, he was hardly equipped to dig through thousands of DMs. But he did also say that he felt seen. The kindness that had been shown to him meant more than the followers and the rest of it. He’d gone from being bullied to being told by hundreds and thousands of people that what he loved was valid and that he belonged.

His mother, when asked, said that she knows how things like what these boys said about Callum can stick forever. She said that each and every positive message mattered, that they counteracted these effects, even the small kindnesses.

Where Did This Support Come From?

Why did so many people relate to Callum? Where did the love come from?

Well, realistically, most of us know what it feels like to be judged for something we love. It might not be reading, but maybe art, music, television or film. Especially in the world we live in, where social media can be used to amplify cruelty.

But Ellis, Callum’s sister, flipped that on its head. She used social media for good, standing up and finding support for her brother so that he could heal. Through the love she found online, Callum got a much-needed reminder that books are powerful, and there is no shame in loving them.

After all, we all do! Books open up worlds, they provide comfort, they teach us empathy, and they get our adrenaline pumping. So why wouldn’t we love them?

The post Young Booklover Bullied in Person but Loved Online appeared first on Magazine.

A booklover, for example, has a kind of relationship to their love of reading. It must be nurtured. And what better way to cultivate such a love than by learning how to speak its language? Here is our bookish guide to romanticizing your reading life through the five languages of love.

Quality Time: Making More Time to Read Books You Love

Time is the most precious of resources because one day, it runs out. Therefore, how we choose to spend our time is our largest luxury. Reading is not only good for the mind, but for the soul. It slows us down and prioritizes deeper connection rather than shallow grabs of attention.

While reading can be a solitary activity and a chance to bond with our inner selves, it can also become a great social activity. Despite what the media will tell you, there are still people interested in reading. Many libraries and bookstores will host reading clubs or nights, full of stimulating discussion and deeper, more intentional conversation.

You can start smaller, even just meeting with your friends for a picnic and a read in the park, or share books that you really love. Whilst focusing on your professional career is important, taking time for your own leisure and comfort is essential for your own health and happiness.

If you love reading, set time aside for yourself to do it. Find a new coffee shop and bring that new book along. How you choose to spend your life is a decision you make; shouldn’t you spend it doing something you love?

Physical Touch: The Sensory Joy of Holding a Book

The sensory experience of reading is part of its pleasure. Data actually suggests that this sensory aspect is part of the reason that e-books have not completely taken over the reading world. The feel of a weathered page between your fingers, or the blissful bibliosmia (the smell of old books), cannot be replicated by a screen.

Enhancing the physical experience of reading can be as simple as being present, remembering how the book feels in your hands, or creating a cozy environment perfect for the next time you get lost in the world of literature. For others, reading can become a ritual. Setting a scented candle, brewing a cup of milky English Breakfast tea, or just putting the effort in to enhance and romanticize the love we get from the act of reading.

Acts of Service: Decluttering and Caring for Your Bookshelf

Clutter is generally negative for your mental health; it is linked to higher levels of stress and lower levels of well-being. Even when time is scarce, putting aside a moment in a day to declutter and tidy up our lives is essential for our happiness. It can be difficult to let things go, including books we have read and since put aside, but there is beauty in learning how to say goodbye.

Donating books to your local second-hand store, or to friends or family, can give new life to literature we have since brushed aside. Some booklovers even give themselves strict rules – only allowing themselves to buy a book if they have donated one that they have already finished. Obviously, this isn’t advising anyone to give away their entire collection, but just ensuring that your bookshelf is filled with works that truly bring you joy and meaning.

Receiving Gifts: Treating Yourself to New Books

We know ourselves more deeply than anyone else does. The things we like and dislike, the themes that captivate us, the ideas that have begun growing roots in our minds. People say that we have a version of ourselves that we show to the outer world, and that this is the person that we are perceived to be.

Inside, however, there is the true version of ourselves that only we really know. So who better to entrust with gift-giving than ourselves? Take yourself to a bookshop and pick a book on a subject you’ve been wanting to learn more about, or wander into a second-hand thrift store and find an older book in need of some gentle care and attention.

The beauty of gift-giving is that it doesn’t have to be based on money – you can even give yourself the gift of time. Reorganizing your bookshelf, or even subscribing to literature-loving accounts on writing platforms like Substack, can feel like a genuine and worthwhile gift to the booklover in you.

Words of Affirmation: Journaling and Celebrating Your Reading Journey

As booklovers, words are our lifeblood. There are sentences and passages that move us to our very core, that alight our skin with goosebumps and imprint themselves upon our hearts and minds. Sometimes, the best language of love is language itself – using words to further enhance our experience of reading.

You could write down a list of ‘to-reads’ that you’ve been recommended or that you have wanted to finish for a long time. Many readers also find solace and joy in writing; some keep a journal purely for their latest reads. Remind yourself what you loved about a book, or what you didn’t, as a way to keep the memory bright and alive and relay the thoughts to your future self.    

Whatever language of love you speak, we all recognize that love is an act of purpose and attention. As booklovers, our relationship to reading is one that begins at a young age and spans almost our whole lives, so it is one that needs plenty of nurturing. Romanticizing your life with reading means knowing how to speak these five languages of love. The question is: Will you listen?

The post The Booklover’s Guide to the 5 Love Languages appeared first on Magazine.