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20 STUNNING bookstores of the world
Internet being the medium of Gen-Y, reading in recent times has taken a backseat. Hence, bookstores across the world have started revamping fast to draw readers.
We present here 20 stunning stores that stand out not only for their collection of books, magazines and journals but also for their interior decoration.
Take a look.
1. Selexyz Bookstore, Maastricht, Holland
The bookstore is installed in an old Dominican church.
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20 STUNNING bookstores of the world
2. The Bookabar Bookshop, Rome
The Bookabar Bookshop is located in the Palazzo delle Esposizioni, the largest inter-disciplinary exhibition area in central Rome: over 10,000 square metres on three floors.
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20 STUNNING bookstores of the world
3. Plural Bookshop, Bratislava, Slovakia
The formed vokruk wooden staircase allows one to double the area of informal audience.
These short wooden steps provide a place for those who like to browse books.
During the conferences and cultural events, stage can be filled with rows of spectators.
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20 STUNNING bookstores of the world
4. Livraria Lello, Porto, Portugal
This neo-gothic bookstore was opened in 1906.
Designed by Xavier Esteves, the bookstore's architecture and interior design are stunning.
There is the curvaceous red stairway connecting the two levels (inspired on the Parisian Galleries Lafayette).
The walls and ceilings are heavily decorated and the stained-glass skylight has Lello's motto vecus in labore.
The pillars are ornamented with bronze bas-reliefs of Portuguese literature figures.
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20 STUNNING bookstores of the world
5. Cook & Book, Brussels, Belgium
This restaurant-coffee shop-cum bookstore is definitely worth a visit.
In an interesting decor, the books are suspended from the ceiling.
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20 STUNNING bookstores of the world
6. Bookworm, Beijing
This sleek lending library and bookshop has the best selection of English language books and magazines in town.
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20 STUNNING bookstores of the world
7. Libreria El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires, Argentina
This bookstore evolved out of a 1920s movie palace.
Theatre boxes are used for reading rooms.
It draws thousands of tourists every year.
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20 STUNNING bookstores of the world
8. Poplar Kid's Republic, Beijing
The store aims to provide children and parents with a great collection of children's books as well as a relaxing reading environment.
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20 STUNNING bookstores of the world
9. Livraria da Vila, Sao Paulo, Brazil
This is a bookstore that seems to be made almost entirely out of books -- down to its dramatic front doors.
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20 STUNNING bookstores of the world
10. Cafebreria El Pendulo, Mexico City
It is a must-see for those who like their green spaces (and coffee shops) to invade their bookstores Leading Mexican singer-songwriters play at this cafe-bookstore.
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20 STUNNING bookstores of the world
11. Shakespeare & Company, Paris
Shakespeare and Company is the name of two independent bookstores on Paris's Left Bank.
It is meant for browsers not as impressed by architecture as they are by the beauty of books upon books upon books in narrow hallways.
The bookstore also has a place to nap.
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20 STUNNING bookstores of the world
12. The Last Bookstore, Los Angeles
The huge space, high ceilings and stately pillars make for a lovely reading experience.
Here, one can buy, trade, and sell used and new books.
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20 STUNNING bookstores of the world
13. Atlantis Books, Santorini, Greece
Atlantis Books was started by Craig Walzer and Oliver Wise, two 25-year-old Americans, who were vacationing on Santorini in 2002.
Craig and Oliver became intoxicated by Santorini's savage beauty and decided to open a shop modelled on Shakespeare & Company, the English-language bookstore in Paris.
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20 STUNNING bookstores of the world
14. Bart's Books, Ojai, California
This is the biggest outdoor bookstore in the world.
It was founded by Richard Bartinsdale in 1964.
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20 STUNNING bookstores of the world
15. Corso Como Bookshop, Milan, Italy
Founded in 1990 by gallerist and publisher Carla Sozzani, Corso Como is dedicated to art, fashion and design.
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20 STUNNING bookstores of the world
16. Barter Books
It is located in a listed Victorian railway station within 5 minutes' walk of the town centre.
It is one of the largest secondhand bookshops in Britain.
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20 STUNNING bookstores of the world
17. The American Book Center, Amsterdam
This beautifully designed space has surprising shapes, cleverly constructed nooks and crannies and even a tree or two.
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20 STUNNING bookstores of the world
18. VVG Something, Taipei, Taiwan
Almost utilitarian but filled with simple old-world grace, this store is a little like what we might imagine our ideal ship's main cabin to look like.
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20 STUNNING bookstores of the world
19. Ler Devagar, Lisbon
This store has a flying bike and books to the ceiling.
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20 STUNNING bookstores of the world
20. Daikanyama T-Site, Tokyo
This slick, super-modern store benefits from clean design and charming flourishes of light and mirrors.