Don’t worry, this post is not some bookish rehash of that Christmas song about giving your true love turtle doves and other random things they wouldn’t want in copious numbers. No, it’s way better than that.
It’s a Top Ten Tuesday all about libraries and Bookshops I’d love to visit, which wasn’t too hard for me since I spend half my life trawling through Instagram admiring pretty book hubs.
1. Shakespeare and Company in Paris
Tucked into to the corner of Paris this homely bookshop is the oldest in Paris and still as quant and beautiful as when it was first built.
2. Aqua Alta in Venice
This library in Venice looks amazing. Complete with Gondola, there’s books stacked in every corner and towering up the walls, a dusty, cramped paradise for any book lover.
3. Starfield Library in South Korea
With floor to ceiling length shelves curving round the library, spotlit and organised, what’s not to love about this South Korean masterpiece.
4. Library@Orchard in Singapore
This library depicts a more modern theme with its white, neat shelves, curving round each other in elegant patterns over in Singapore. And yes, I’ve clearly watched too many home design shows.
5. Admont Abbey Library in Austria
Once a monastery, this beautiful building has been stacked high with books tucked between majestic columns, gold detail and all perched under its beautifully painted ceiling.
6. Carousel of Light in Bucharest
Pristine white columns, hard oak floors, a second story weaving it’s way round it’s hollowed out centre- a breathtaking book store in Bucharest that I’d love to visit.
7. Tropisms in Brussels
Having recently visited Brussels I can attest that the city is full of delicate charm and intricate design, so it’s no surprise that this palace like library found its home there.
8. Ler Devager in Portugal
Stacked high with books and sporting that upper floor balcony I’m really starting to appreciate in books shops, this well snapped shop is a real masterpiece.
9. The British Library in London
Just opposite Kings Cross this library must stock one of every book ever traditionally published in the UK. It’s massive, beautifully domed and majestically built in the heart of London. And a firm favourite with my book obsessed historian of a boyfriend.
10. Hachards in London
We’re getting a little less exotic now but I felt should mention this one. Having been in Piccadilly for two centuries this bookshop boasts being the oldest bookshop in the world. It’s bay windows and Square front have stood the test of time, showing just how popular reading is.
Lets Compare Notes
Have you been to any of these shops? Have I missed any key or magestic masterpieces that house books? Care to share your ttt list? Would love to hear from you in the comments!
The British Library would probably be pretty cool to go to. I haven’t been to any of them though. Although I have been to Venice twice… but not Libreria L’acua Alta.
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Aw I’d love to visit Venice!! The British Library is pretty cool, they did a Harry Potter exhibition a while ago which was cool too
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I would probably want to go to all of these, but I think right now I’d settle for any old bookstore since I dont have any close to me!
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Fair enough! Shame there aren’t any nearby to you 😦 do you live near a library? Where do you get your books?
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I buy them online. There is a library near me, but they dont usually carry anything I’m interested in and they have weird hours lol
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Ah fair enough, I don’t know if it’s the same but at my library I can request books, you could try that?
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I could certainly try that!
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Tell me if it works out!
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Hatchards nearly made my list – I wasn’t sure if it’s lost a little of its unique charm now that it’s owned by Waterstones
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I’m just glad it’s stayed in business tbh, it can be tough for book stores atm, especially independent ones
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These places all sound so great! Here is my Top Ten Tuesday
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Thank you!
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I just googled Starfield Library and it makes me want to weep. I visited Seoul very briefly and now I feel cheated out of visiting this majestic place.
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I’ve never visited Seoul, but reading peoples lists makes me feel I haven’t made the most of my holidays 😂 there are some great libraries out there!
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Same here. All those trips were squandered when I didn’t visit bookstores and libraries.
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Shaespeare & Company is definitely a bookstore I hope to make it to one of these days! The one in bucharest sounds amazing too, and I love that name!
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Ah one day! Yes they both sound amazing 😍😍
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These do sound like they’d be amazing places to visit!
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Thanks!
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I’m pretty much a B&N (or Amazon) book shopper. Not because I wouldn’t like to see cool bookstores, but rather because I don’t really have access to them. Still, someday it’s fun to dream about visiting some of these amazing places! Hope you get to see all of these places. 🙂
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Ahaha fair enough. Yeah me too, most of my books are from the library or Waterstones. Hope you do too! Which one would you most want to visit?
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Great list! I’d love to go to Venice, and I definitely want to check out Aqua Alta while I’m there.
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Ah me too! Maybe one day 😍
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I just visited Starfield Library in Seoul a few weeks ago! It’s really just as incredible as it looks in pictures. Actually, in pictures you usually only see one side of the library, so it was bigger than I expected it to be. Would highly recommend visiting it if you can!
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Ah thats so cool! I’m so jealous!! It does doesn’t it 😍 did you get any books out? Hopefully one day I can go!
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No, I didn’t! I did browse for quite a while though 😀
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Ah I do that all the time 😂 love a good browse
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Uhh, can’t believe i’ve been to piccadilly so many times and never noticed that bookshop! Actually googled it to be sure, and yeppp… never knew 😀
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Ahaha tbh I haven’t either, just googled it for this list 😂 will need to make a trip next time I’m in the area!
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So it seems like it’s time for us to do a bookshop tour of Europe no? I’d love to go to so many of these!
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Oh definitely! Yep me too!
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Right, better get planning then 🙂
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I’ll Google bus times!
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🙂
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Have you heard of Barter Books? A second hand bookstore in an old railway station in ALNWICK? Link to their “about” page on their website is below. An amazing place.
https://www.barterbooks.co.uk/html/About%20Us/The%20Bookshop.php
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Oh very cool! Alnwick England?
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