London's greatest literature
Naturally, my half-term break was going to include a certain amount of book-shopping. I couldn't leave London behind before exploring at least one eccentric bookshop, but what I didn't anticipate was being literally surrounded by different stores.
For your enjoyment, (or indifference, perhaps), I'll list below my top three favourite London stores, (so far), with a little bit about why they deserve such status.
3. Koening Books, Covent Garden
This independent store is a little different, as it specialises in art and photography books. As such, the shop could pass for a tiny, quirky little art gallery.
It consists of two floors, both of which are packed full of the most beautiful, illustrated, coffee-table style books you can find. In fact, this shop takes the saying 'Don't judge a book by its cover' to the extreme antithesis, by displaying books by their front covers, rather than their spines. The prices are reasonable, but the real lure of this shop is its draw towards art culture, with countless books about music, politics, society, and so on.
Whilst I did not buy anything in this shop, the art was beautiful to see, and definitely makes paying a visit worthwhile. This would be the perfect place to find a gift for an arty friend, or perhaps to invest in a book of your own, to grace your coffee table.
2. Quinto & Francis Edwards Bookshop, Covent Garden
This collector's haven specialises particularly in military history, with the entire first floor dedicated to rare, antique books and such alike. The place is renowned for its typical "musty" book smell, and rows of old, majestic hardback books can be held accountable for creating such an ambience.
However, if (like me), you're after a bargain more than anything else, this place is perfect as there's an entire basement full of second-hand books. Despite the bustle of tourists that frequently visit, the store maintains that beautiful silent serenity that you can only seem to find in reading environments.
With regularly replenished stocks of up to 50,000 books, this a store where you can browse to your heart's content and afford to take home a few paperbacks as well.
1. Daunt Books, Marylebone
This store deserves no less than the top-spot on my London literature hierarchy. On a purely visual level, the centre of the bookshop includes a beautiful corridor, lined on each side with rows of books, spanning three floors. At the far end stands a beautiful stained glass window, giving the whole building an airy, mystical feel.
Aside from that, browsing in this store feels a little like taking a voyage around the world. This is due to the fact that books are arranged by country, regardless of title. This allowed me, for example, to come across a compelling title named The Gospel According To Jesus Christ, which was translated from its original Portuguese. Few other stores can boast to have, literally, such a "worldly" understanding of Literature.
Of course, the organisation of the store in this way makes it perfect for travellers, with its specialisation in maps, travel guides, history books and more. You can come here to brush up on your knowledge of future locations you tend to explore, or in my case, spend some time here and simply feel as if you are exploring these different countries and cultures.
Chairs are set up throughout, either within the main corridor to take in the tranquil atmosphere, or deeper within the labyrinth of bookshelves to read undisturbed. All in all, this store makes for a wonderful visit, and an ideal place to purchase an international, multi-cultural range of books.
For your enjoyment, (or indifference, perhaps), I'll list below my top three favourite London stores, (so far), with a little bit about why they deserve such status.
3. Koening Books, Covent Garden
It consists of two floors, both of which are packed full of the most beautiful, illustrated, coffee-table style books you can find. In fact, this shop takes the saying 'Don't judge a book by its cover' to the extreme antithesis, by displaying books by their front covers, rather than their spines. The prices are reasonable, but the real lure of this shop is its draw towards art culture, with countless books about music, politics, society, and so on.
Whilst I did not buy anything in this shop, the art was beautiful to see, and definitely makes paying a visit worthwhile. This would be the perfect place to find a gift for an arty friend, or perhaps to invest in a book of your own, to grace your coffee table.
2. Quinto & Francis Edwards Bookshop, Covent Garden
However, if (like me), you're after a bargain more than anything else, this place is perfect as there's an entire basement full of second-hand books. Despite the bustle of tourists that frequently visit, the store maintains that beautiful silent serenity that you can only seem to find in reading environments.
With regularly replenished stocks of up to 50,000 books, this a store where you can browse to your heart's content and afford to take home a few paperbacks as well.
1. Daunt Books, Marylebone
Aside from that, browsing in this store feels a little like taking a voyage around the world. This is due to the fact that books are arranged by country, regardless of title. This allowed me, for example, to come across a compelling title named The Gospel According To Jesus Christ, which was translated from its original Portuguese. Few other stores can boast to have, literally, such a "worldly" understanding of Literature.
Of course, the organisation of the store in this way makes it perfect for travellers, with its specialisation in maps, travel guides, history books and more. You can come here to brush up on your knowledge of future locations you tend to explore, or in my case, spend some time here and simply feel as if you are exploring these different countries and cultures.
Chairs are set up throughout, either within the main corridor to take in the tranquil atmosphere, or deeper within the labyrinth of bookshelves to read undisturbed. All in all, this store makes for a wonderful visit, and an ideal place to purchase an international, multi-cultural range of books.
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