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17 Bookstores That Will Literally Change Your Life
1. City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco
Book appeal: City Lights was founded by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, so it makes sense that its entire second floor is a dedicated poetry space. But throughout the store there are chairs strategically placed so customers can not only enjoy the natural light, but take their time in choosing a title to bring home.
2. Word on the Water in London
Book appeal: This bookstore is on a barge, for starters. You can hop aboard to browse through its selection (and mingle with the owner’s cats), or stay on the mainland to see their poetry readings and live music, which happen on the roof of the barge.
3. Boekhandel Dominicanen in Maastricht, Netherlands
Book appeal: Browsing books in a 700-year-old church is an experience you’ll only have at Boekhandel Dominicanen. There’s a mix of Gothic architecture and modern furniture to enjoy, along with all of the titles, of course.
4. The Livraria Cultura in Săo Paulo, Brazil
Book appeal: Not only is this the largest bookstore in Brazil, but it’s also a borderline playground for kids. There are massive dragon statues to play on, areas to lounge, and four stories of pure book-filled aisles to wander through.
5. Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice, Italy
Book appeal: This bookstore is easily one of the most memorable and quirky places in Venice. The shop itself is small, and filled with books that fall out of gondolas, bathtubs, and small boats. You can dip your feet in the canal as you read, or climb a set of steps entirely made of old books.
6. Librería El Ateneo in Buenos Aires
Book appeal: This former theater turned bookstore is filled with all sorts of stunning architectural details, like Italian ceiling frescoes, rich red curtains, and ornate sculptures. Plus, there’s live piano music playing in the background while you browse each section.
7. Cook & Book in Brussels
Book appeal: Cook & Book is part bookstore, part café, and totally worth the visit. The shop is divided into nine rooms, and each room contains a different section (think music, fiction, children’s, travel, graphic novels, etc.). But best of all is that each section has its own special design and looks totally unique from the other rooms. There’s even an English room that looks a bit like a pub.
8. Brattle Book Shop in Boston
Book appeal: Founded in 1825, the Brattle Book Shop is one of the largest antiquarian book shops in the country. There are unique outdoor bookstalls, as well as three levels of titles to browse through.
9. Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal
Book appeal: If you blink you’d miss the unassuming exterior of Livraria Lello. But inside, it’s filled with rich dark wood and a sweeping staircase that leads to a second floor of stained glass and floor to ceiling bookshelves. This is one of Portugal’s oldest bookstores and completely worth the visit.
10. Librairie Ptyx in Brussels
Book appeal: Even before you walk through the doors, it’s not hard to see that the Librairie Ptyx is a monument to all things art. Inside, titles are carefully curated, and the homages to famous writers covers the walls.
Source: http://www.buzzfeed.com/erinlarosa/b...ange-your-life
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