Today is an exciting day in the bookselling and bookshop world, as they are FINALLY able to re-open in Wales! I know how much I have missed visiting bookshops and I am so happy that we finally get to do what we do best – buy more books! But I know not everyone will be able to visit or go on bookish travels, so I thought it would be fun to imagine the fictional bookshops I’d love to visit. That way, we can all go!
The Shop Around The Corner, You've Got Mail
Kathleen Kelly’s children’s bookshop in You’ve Got Mail is the absolute dream. Rammed full of books, gorgeous displays, loads of nooks and crannies, plus story hour! If this had existed when I was younger, I would have been in my element. Actually, who am I kidding? I’d love it now!
What I’d buy: Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfield
The Travel Book Co., Notting Hill
I don’t often feel the need to go to a bookshop dedicated to travel books, but if I did I’d want it to be here. Preferably if the booksellers were as quintessentially English and floppy-haired as a young Hugh Grant. But apart from that, Notting Hill is the perfect setting for browsing books and feeling inspired to travel.
What I’d buy: One More Croissant for the Road by Felicity Cloake
Stars Hollow Books, Gilmore Girls
If it’s good enough for Rory, it’s good enough for me. She is one of the OGs of book-loving on-screen characters, so we just know that this place was a regular haunt for her. A small-town, quiet bookshop and with great coffee just down the road, it’s the perfect set up.
What I’d buy: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
The Old House Bookshop, The Bookshop
If you’ve seen this film, let’s ignore the ending and focus on how incredible this bookshop is! Look at those shelves outside. And that window display! I’d be in there in a heartbeat.
What I’d buy: Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Flourish and Blotts, Harry Potter
It’s a bookshop full of MAGIC books. I mean, I could probably stop right there but also, who doesn’t love the higgledy-piggledy vibes and stacks of books everywhere you turn? You’d be lost in there for hours.
What I’d buy: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander or Curses and Counter-curses (Bewitch Your Friends and Befuddle Your Enemies with the Latest Revenges: Hair Loss, Jelly-Legs, Tongue-Tying, and Much, Much More) by Professor Vindictus Viridian. Naturally.
These are just some of my favourites, there are so many fictional bookshops to choose from! And don’t even get me started on libraries too…
Which fictional bookshops would you add to the list? Drop me a comment and let me know!
Happy reading,
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4 Comments
I’m thinking the bookshop featured in Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón would be a good place to visit, if only because it gives me an excuse to visit Barcelona again!
Oh yes that’s an excellent choice!
I don’t know Star Hollow Books, but the others are great choices – I might go with a Ray Bradbury though from The Old House Bookshop!
I’m very late to the party here (hi!👋), but a visit to Mr Penumbra’s 24 Hour Bookstore would be immense….😊