There was a post awhile back asking about favorite bookstores anywhere in the world. I was enjoying the thread but it has since been deleted. I would love to know from the community, where in the world are your favorite bookstores and which stores are overrated?
I’ve lived in several cities in different countries so here is my list in different places:
Favorite Bookstores:
Donlon Books (London): this is my absolute favorite bookstore anywhere in the world. The curation is on point and the staff is stellar. One of my favorite books I purchased there was a small photography book on Sun Ra Arkestra that one of the staff members took the pictures for the book at the show in London. She told me about the event and I was able to attend. Really cool full circle moment.
Magalleria (Bath, England): top notch curation and unusual finds. Really cool owner and staff.
Persephone Books (Bath, England): this shop reprints neglected fiction and non-fiction, mostly by women writers and mostly dating from the mid-twentieth century.
Bricklane Books (London): great for books on London and travel.
Word on the Water (London): books on a boat. Enough said.
Malik Books (Los Angeles): African American bookstore. Broad and unique selection.
Skylight Books (Los Angeles): great curation of independent artists/authors.
Booksoup (Los Angeles): large selection and biggest selection of anthologies I’ve ever come across.
Left Bank Books (Seattle): alternative reading, great curation.
Overrated Bookstores:
Foyles (London): while Foyles is nice to browse, every book I have purchased from them has turned yellow. I don’t know where they source their books from, but for their price point I found that to be disappointing. I also think London is one of the top cities for bookstores so if you are visiting check out one of the many smaller shops including the shops on the same high street.
The Strand (NYC): overpriced and treat workers poorly.
The Last Bookstore (Los Angeles): it’s fun to walk around this shop but it’s in a terrible part of downtown, there is no parking and the selection is lackluster for the sheer size of the building.
Extremely controversial: Powell’s (Portland). Huge selection but almost too many books so it’s overwhelming. Their price point is also high, especially for their secondhand books.
Finally, RIP Acres of Books (Long Beach): I found a first edition Roald Dahl there.
by tieplomet