Independent Bookstores Opinion Article

Brilliant Bookstores Around the World

Opinion by cressida posted over a year ago

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To take a break from recommending books, this soapobox article is about brilliant bookstores around the world: bookstores sometimes even more interesting than the books they sell. Per usual, I will only report on the bookstores I have personally been to, as opposed to ones I have only heard about.

Paul's Books; photo by Zane Williams

Paul's Books in Madison, Wisconsin
Wedged between Walgreen's and another nameless store on the main street of University of Wisconsin-Madison, Paul's Books is a breathe of fresh independently-owned air. This is a true used bookstore: music chosen by the sole employee of the day fills the shop; new customers flip through the vintage and just plain old postcards box; if you turn a bookshelf corner too fast you're likely to stumble on another patron perched on a footstool, reading a book. It is tranquility itself. To not be confused with Paul's Club, a bar at the other end of State Street, though a great presence itself.

Booked For Murder in Madison, Wisconsin
A bookstore for mystery- and murder-reading lovers! Not much more is needed to describe Booked For Murder beyond that it is an independent bookstore specializing in new, used, rare, and collectible mystery books. Also hosts many mystery author readings & signings.
http://www.bookedformurder.com/

Derby Square Bookstore; photo by Joe Mason

Derby Square Bookstore in Salem, Massachusetts
I was in awe of this bookstore when I set foot in it. Though only a medium-ish sized room, it holds hundreds upon hundreds of books only because books were stacked onto each other, forming willy-nilly pillars of literature. Bookshelves did organize the occasional section (childrens, cooking, etc) but otherwise it was a free-for-fall for discovery. So although it was not surgically separated like a Borders or Watersons, Derby Square Bookstore encourages prolonged visits and makes every search seem like a treasure hunt. Located in the heart of witchy Salem square.

Renaissance Books in General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
To the great relief of all persons dropping off or picking up airport passangers at General Mitchell Airport, Renaissance Bookstore is located before airport security so all visitors can frequent it. It is believed to be the first used bookstore in an airport in the world and holds about 60,000 volumes, with sections from general fiction to rare finds.

A necessary map to get to What the Book?

What the Book in Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea
Though there are English sections in every major bookstore in Seoul, expat-owned What the Book is one of the few English-only bookstores with choices beyond the Harry Potters and Tuesdays with Morrie. Located in Itaewon, the section of Seoul where foreigners head to see other foreigners. What the Book also distinguishes itself to its English audience with free shipping throughout Korea and "buy back" policy.
http://www.whatthebook.com/

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Soapbox article by Cressida Hanson
Photos by Zane Williams (Paul's Books) and Joe Mason (Derby Square Bookstore)

10 comments

	DrDevience said: There used to be a fantastic bookstore in Omaha, Nebraska, of all places, called The Antiquarian. It was downtown near the Old Market district... and it was fantastic. I spent many hours there during my teens researching various pagan religions. The place was a virtual treasure trove of information and rare finds. posted over a year ago.

	Snerkie said: oh my gosh, Derby Square Bookstore looks like an accident waiting to happen if you want the book from th bottom of the stack, lol. posted over a year ago.

	cressida said: Sounds great, DrDevience! And Snerkie, yes it does. But doesn't that seem to add to the charm? That being said, I probably wouldn't bring boisterous 10-year-old boy into the store. posted over a year ago.

	cliff said: Awesome article! There are a few independent bookstores in the Bay area, but I guess they aren't tip-top. posted over a year ago.

	papa said: Powell's City of Books in Portland Oregon. That place is out of control: http://www.powells.com/info/briefhistorry.html posted over a year ago.

	tessajanuary said: Yes, I agree with papa. Powell's is amazing! It's the largest independently-owned bookstore in the world and I love it. You can literally get lost in the stacks of books for hours or even days :) posted over a year ago.

	cressida said: Cool. Whenever I visited Portland (haven't been there yet), I'll have to go! posted over a year ago.

	waterlilybarb said: Great article. While there are still a few independent bookstores where I live, my favourite is John K.King Used & Rare Books, in Detroit, Michigan. I could pitch a tent and spend days there. If you're ever in Detroit, check it out. http://www.rarebooklink.com/cgi-bin/kinngbooks/index.html posted over a year ago.

	cressida said: In relation to this article, there is an Independent Bookstores Spot now on fanpop. posted over a year ago.

	DrDevience said: I found the best place in Sweden to buy books written in English: Science Fiction Bokhandeln. I started ordering them from their website, then they opened a brick-n-mortar in Malmö so I ran down there. Wall to wall fantastic books and 90% of their inventory is in English. YAY! Storgatan 41 is their address in Malmö, at the corner of Davidhallsgatan-Storgatan near the Centrum area. Well hey, there are a ton of expats living in Sweden... maybe this will help one of my commrades ;> posted over a year ago.