Books and Book Shops
A book is a great companion while traveling while a bookshop is a place to feel at home in a new, unfamiliar city.
“Books are a uniquely portable magic” ~ Stephen King
Diving into a good book is always a good idea but while traveling I feel like having a great book or two is key. Reading on the plane, train or bus makes time fly and you don’t need a signal. Taking a book to the beach or the forest is always excellent. After a long day of exploring, getting into bed and losing yourself in a delicious story is a great way to wind down before going to sleep.
I’ve always been a voracious reader. One of the most told stories about me as a child is that my crib was always full of books, even before I could actually read. I would spend hours happily looking at the pictures. As I grew up this passion only increased and if I was “missing” at my grandparent's house (where I spent much time) they could always be sure to find me in the garden in the summer, fall, or in my grandfather's personal room, as we called it, in the chilly New England springs or cold winters - always with one or two books at hand.
Seeking out bookstores during my travels is a top priority. I find them to be so comforting and I tend to meet delightful people to talk to and learn from while perusing the stacks. I prefer reading physical books rather than listening to audiobooks or reading on my iPad. I haven’t let my lack of suitcase space or the increased weight of my carry-on stop me from buying books while on the go. But I’ve enjoyed books in all ways (physical; audio; iPad), and everyone should enjoy how they lose themselves in stories best.
When I arrive in a city for either an extended period or not, I always seek out at least one bookstore. In places like Edinburgh, or London, I tend to research bookstores or shops with a book focus and map out how and when I will visit. While it seems I always need to edit my potential purchases while traveling [such as asking myself the second day in Edinburgh if I really needed to buy 4 books at the first store I visited] I never get tired of exploring the distinct personalities of a bookstore and its shopkeepers.
So, today I’ve compiled two lists for your enjoyment and consideration:
Books that I’ve read over the past 8 months or so, most enjoyed while traveling, and that I highly recommend for your reading pleasure.
2. My favorite bookstores in a few cities you might want to explore.
Books I very heartily recommend:
I am a Stephen King FAN (yes, in all caps). I have not read all of his work, not even close, but the books that I love, I LOVE. I have read a few that entertained me in the moment but were easily forgettable but most have stayed with me (if you haven’t read The Stand, then put all books aside including this list and remedy this immediately. It is a must book forever.) some more disturbing than others but Stephen King is so much more than “horror” and the horror itself can mine depths of emotion and trauma and incredibly complex characters. But he is more than what he’s most known for and….
Fairy Tale is so magic - magickal with a ‘K’. The driving theme of the story is simple and won my heart before I started the first page: a boys love for a dog.
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow - Gabrielle Zevin
This book was on almost every “best of 2022” end of the year list I read in December. I enjoyed it. I wasn’t as blown away as some but I will say that between this book and the show ‘The Last of Us’ I seriously thought about taking up gaming for the first time in my life.
This made it firmly on my personal list of favorite books of all time. Passionate and poetic and for everyone who loves epic storytelling of myths and monsters. I adore this book and feel like it is a MUST read.
Hell Bent - Leigh Bardugo (but first you must read ‘Ninth House’)
The second book in a trilogy by Leigh Bardugo. I had been breathlessly waiting for this book since devouring Ninth House in December 2019. The pandemic slowed the release and I finally got my hands on the thick volume in February while in Edinburgh. This story ticks all the boxes for me in this genre. When I finished, I took the hardback book back to Golden Hare Books and asked them to gift it to the next person who came in looking for it….but now I want to read it again. A trip to the bookstore is in order.
I love Sally Rooney. Late to the game but a full fan when I read ‘Beautiful World, Where Are You’ in Autumn of 2021, while exploring Bari, Italy. I quickly devoured her other books.
My recommended order:
Beautiful World, Where Are You?
Normal People
Conversations with Friends
Mysteries and Crime: Tana French
Tana French has many, many books and I have read almost all of them after a wine client of mine gave me ‘In the Woods’. I do enjoy her as a writer, very much. Mystery, crime and excellent character deep dives. These two are my favorites:
‘In the Woods’
‘Faithful Place’
Neil Gaiman - this man is such a wonderful writer. I also enjoy his voice very much. I took his masterclass on writing in 2020 during the pandemic and 14+ hours of tutorial and listening to him was an incredible opportunity to learn from a prolific storyteller, while also being extremely comforting.
‘The Ocean At The End Of The Lane’ is a favorite. ‘The Graveyard Book’ is one I return to again and again.
My #1 book of 2023 (so far): ‘I’m Glad My Mom Died’ by Jeannette Mc Curdy
A memoir that is so magnificent and well-written. I can’t tell you how much this book moved me in so many different ways. The title is completely appropriate.
Audiobooks: I really recommend listening to these two books because they are read by the authors and they are fantastic:
Yearbook - Seth Rogan - he is a DELIGHT and treasure (and I will fight anyone who says otherwise). This book is so hilarious. Also - lots of the folks featured in the stories voice their parts!
Stories I Only Tell My Friends - Rob Lowe - Rob Lowe is a master impressionist. His book is a must for all my fellow Gen-X folks.
Both are memoirs and vastly entertaining.
BOOKSTORES
LONDON: there are many awesome bookstores in London. These are just a handful I enjoy.
Hatchards - Oldest bookstore in London. Since 1797.
Primrose Hill Books - charm charm charm
Word on Water - Kings Cross Canal - books on a boat!
Maison Assouline - swanky book browsing with a bar and lovely food. Get a cocktail or espresso, grab a book, and soak it all up.
Daunt Books - several locations including Marleybone, Hampstead, and Cheapside of glorious books and shopkeepers who are deeply passionate about your experience.
PORTLAND: Powells City of Books - Downtown Portland
A full city block of books. I’ve been to many excellent book readings and discussions here as well as losing myself for hours on a rainy afternoon.
FLORENCE, ITALY: having spent the last two winters here I am so lucky to have a few favorites with good English sections.
Todo Modo is my favorite. There is a wonderful area, with a bar, with lots of seating and seems to draw many students doing their work.
La Feltrinelli has a big English section and is great for up-to-date popular releases. Also my go-to in Milan.
Brac - super charming cafe and books - a place to read, sip and people watch.
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK:
Ark Books - atmosphere and comfort and books
Book + Company - cozy hygge and books
VENICE, ITALY:
Librarie Acqua Alta - no English books that I know of but this is a bookshop that book lovers must visit for the experience of being there. Down a narrow alley from a popular campo, Acqua Alta has a sign that says ‘Welcome to the most beautiful bookshop in the world’ - I won’t be arguing. Be sure to make your way to the back of the shop for a surprise outside space.
A tip: the cat runs the show. IYKYK
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND:
There are bookshops for daysssss in Edinburgh. Even having spent a month there, I did not get to all the bookshops on my list. Luckily, my neighborhood of Stockbridge had two of my very favorites. Lots to explore here in the way of books and bookshop charms.
Golden Hare Books: this lovely little shop was literally a 4 minutes walk from my front door. I bought 4 books here in a month.
Rare Birds Books: specializes and sells books by women. I wasn’t able to make one of their gatherings but will make it a priority on my next visit. Book readings and discussions and a book focused “Galentines Day” event all caught my interest.
Armchair Books: quite famous and for good reason - “almost alphabetized chaos” look for your written treasure but be warned, you can lose a whole day here wandering the stacks. And, is it haunted? I like to think so.
Tills Bookshop: Books new & old, bought & sold. A delightful used bookshop with cozy fireplaces and chairs. A perfect place to hunker down and get lost in a story.
That wraps it up for this post. I could write for days and days about books. Maybe I should contribute to “book Tok”? I am not on Tik Tok but from all I’ve heard about Book Tok recently maybe I should be? What do you think?
Please do share! I would LOVE to know all of your favorite bookstores and book recommendations.
Cheers, my friends….