Written By: Sophia Ciraldo
I believe bookstores are magical places. You walk through the door and that wonderful book smell hits you. There are endless stories to peruse and coffee to buy. There’s truly nothing better. This is my list of seven bookstores worth the visit!
Local:
Book Barn- Niantic, CT
Book Barn is an ethereal place for all your bookish needs. It’s been around for 36 years and there are three locations within a mile of each other. You could spend all day getting lost at The Main Barn. It has different sheds and houses dedicated to certain genres. There are gardens and cats that you can spot around the property. All the books are used and sold at an affordable price. When I say they have everything, they have EVERYTHING.
River Bend Bookshop- Glastonbury & West Hartford, CT
This is a shameless plug because I’ve worked at River Bend for quite some time, but they’re a fantastic place to get your next read. They offer a wonderfully curated selection of new books as well as nifty gifties! They do many events including book clubs, school book fairs, literary festivals, story times, etc. They even have a bookmobile– think ice cream truck, but instead, books!
High Five Books- Florence, MA
I had the pleasure of going to this bookstore after a bookseller conference. Their shop is small but mighty. They have LGBT+ friendly titles and an art space in the back for workshops. Author Aaron Becker and other writers frequent their store making it an amazing literary hub.
Brattle Book Shop- Boston, MA
Brattle Book Shop is the oldest bookstore in Boston and half of its inventory is stored outside in a cute little nook. It’s so aesthetically pleasing, I just don’t know how they plan for unpredictable weather. The shop has been featured on Antiques Roadshow and the rom-com movie Sleepless in Seattle.
Overseas:
Liberia Aqua Alta- Venice, Italy
This bookstore has found a way around rising sea levels. Their books are stored in tubs and traditional gondolas to keep them dry. There’s even a photo-op in the back where you can climb stairs made of books. It’s a crowded tourist hot spot, but still an incredible place to visit.
Notting Hill Bookshop- London, UK
Also a busy bookstore due to its fame in the Notting Hill movie, this location is no longer just a home for travel books. Now they sell a wide range of genres and lots of cute Notting Hill merch. “I’m just a girl [writing a blog, asking you to go here].”
Hay-on-Wye, UK
This area in Wales is the Motherload. It’s the world’s first book town with over 17 bookstores to choose from. It’s a wonderful place filled with bookish charm, just don’t be surprised when you shop till you drop. It’s dangerous for the bank account!
Other Bookstores on the Bucket List:
An Unlikely Story- Plainville, MA, Run by Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney!
Sweet Pickle Books- NYC, Donate books and receive a free jar of pickles!