About The Guide

Hello! We are Sonja and Ivan. And this is our Bookstore Guide - an amateur guide to book shopping throughout Europe. We hope this Guide will help you find the book(stores) you are looking for. Unfortunately, the bookstores are no longer uploaded and may be out of date

Dussmann das KulturKaufhaus, Berlin

Dussmann das KulturKaufhaus logo
Where? Berlin, Germany


Recommended by Bianca Krömer

Bianca said: "The store, Dussmann das KulturKaufhaus, offers probably Germany's largest selection of books in English!I think that is worth a contribution in bookstoreguide.org, don't you?"

We certainly do think so for any contribution to the guide is more than welcome and appreciated. Spreading across five floors on almost 7.000 square meters, KulturKaufhaus (translating to the Cultural Shopping House) is a multi functional bookstore which also sells CDs, DVDs, audio books, games and more - their slogan being "All the media under one roof". Dussmann, as you have probably guessed by its name, is not an English language specialized bookstore, but English titles occupy most of the third floor of this huge store. Almost six thousand books in the English department make this place one of the most stocked bookstores in Berlin covering a wide range of topics from both fiction and non-fiction. Novels, children's books, literary classics but also comics and titles on history or politics can be found here.

Of course, Dussmann with its five floors is a completely different experience than the mostly space-limited cozy bookstores which form a vast majority of the listings in our guide. On the other hand, there are other factors that come into play, which eventually convinced us to include Dussmann. Besides its convenient position in the very center of Berlin on the well known Friedrichstrasse, it's offer of English titles is really extensive especially for non-specialized bookstores. The opening hours can also prove to be very useful especially if you find yourself in a desperate need of a book late at night. Comfortable armchairs are at disposal for the tired customers, adding a bit of a personal feel to the atmosphere.

Dussmann das KultruKaufhaus interiorDussmann das KulturKaufhausAddress:
Friedrichstraße 90
10117 Berlin
Dussmann das kulturkaufhaus berlin









Website: http://kulturkaufhaus.shop-asp.de/

Phone and Email:
+49-(0)30-20 25 11 11
kulturkaufhaus@dussmann.de

Working Hours:
Mon - Fri 9-24
Sat 9-23:30

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Top 5: Central Europe


This category of our Top 5s is probably even more subjective than the rest, therefore even before revealing our rankings, we would like to clarify some things. For the purpose of our Top 5, we've considered four countries belonging to the Central European region - the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary, which all share a common historical experience with communism that was only terminated in 1989. English books and English language itself were practically ordered out of these countries during the communist period. Since 1989, the situation has changed considerably and we thought it would be interesting to make you familiar with some of the results. Also, we've visited all the bookstores mentioned in this Top 5 personally (for further reading check out our Reports section) and the selection reflects our personal feel and other criteria, which you may find less relevant, so let us know if you have a different opinion. One more practical issue - our internal rule was to include at least one bookstore from each of the four countries that fell into consideration.

Red Bus Bookstore, Budapest, HUN

red bus bookstore windowAs we've stated earlier, compiling this Top 5 hasn't been easy, but surprisingly enough, we had no doubts about the undisputed Nr. 1 (only the famous Massolit bookstore was an option we were considering for some time, but in the end we had to be true to ourselves...). This is not the most beautiful bookstore on this list, it doesn't have the biggest stock, there's nothing impressive about the interior and there's no cafe or any other in special feature. In fact there is nothing special about the Red Bus Bookstore, and yet it is a very special bookstore. Here are the arguments that support our Nr. 1 pick: We've never left this bookstore disappointed. We've never left this bookstore without a book. Sometimes, we actually had problems to leave at all... While browsing in Red Bus, you don't really need to look at the prices, since all the books range from 3 to 5 Euro, you like it, you buyred bus bookstore budapest it, it's that simple. The stock changes at a fast pace, so even if you visit on regular basis, there's always that thrill of browsing through books that haven't been there last month. There store is neither too big, neither too small, which contributes to the overall relaxed and friendly atmosphere. And last but not least, it is one of the first bookstores to appear on Bookstore Guide and as you have surely noticed, we're emotionally attached to it. As they say - beauty lies in simplicity, and that's exactly what the Red Bus Bookstore is, an honest second hand bookstore which are very rare these days.


Massolit, Krakow, POL

massolit bookstore interiormassolit bookshop krakowOne of the most notable English language bookstores in Europe found its place at our spot number two - after having fought a vicious battle with our first discovered love at the top position. Converted from two apartments in a quiet part of Krakow and just a brisk 10 minute walk from the very town center, Massolit, is definitely both a heaven and a haven for all bookworms - it is a place known for its reputation of "sucking in" its customers and making them not want to leave for hours and hours upon their arrival, which is exactly what happened to your two humble narrators. Upon entering, one is advised to take a look at the map of the store in order to orientate oneself - several rooms, all of which are furnished with classy looking top-to-bottom bookcases filled with books on almost any subject matter you can imagine. Massolit is a temporary home for over 25,000 titles (new and second-hand) at more than accessible prices, organized by subjects ranging from classic fiction to academic titles. They take a special pride in their selections of Women's, Jewish, Polish and Asian Studies and Central and East European literature. To make your bookbrowsing even more pleasurable, you can snuggle yourself in the comfortable armchairs and sofas, enjoy a cup of tea accompanied by fresh bagels and/or other home-made American goods. For closer feel check out the virtual tour on their website.


Next Apache, Bratislava, SVK

next apache bookstore cafeSpot Nr. 3 of our list is occupied by the only exclusively English second hand bookstore in Bratislava - Next Apache. And let us state very clearly that this bookstore would definitely not get lost even in a much tougher competition in Prague or Budapest. The combination of a bookstore with a cafe is not that unique anymore as you can see for yourself while browsing in our Guide. However, it's not so common to find a working example of this combination, where both of the elements are in balance and harmony. Next Apache has found its regulars who come there to enjoy the benefits of the bar, those who come and head straight to the shelves full of books and those who have a habit of doing both. And you feel absolutely comfortable in any of these three cases. The first room of Next Apache with the dominant bar has the feel of a real cozy pub, while the second room with the comfortable red sofa looks like a nicely furnished living room full of books. And that's not it, there's a courtyard where you can sit and enjoy your drinks and books in the summer and another building where more English books are kept. We also like the name of the bookstore and especially the story behind it (check out our post to find out more), so Nech sa páči - your Nr. 3 of our Top 5.


Shakespeare and Sons, Prague, CZE

Although we visited only one of the two Prague locations Shakespeare and Sons managed to push its way through the rest of the bookstores and settled into position number four. The store - the one tucked away in the small street of Krymska, just a bit farther away from the old center of Prague - is divided into two parts: the front being the cafe and the back room which stocks various new and second hand books. The whole rustic feeling with high ceilings, old shelves, squeaky floors and timeworn armchairs contributes to the atmosphere of this bookstore which bears the name of the most famous British playwright. Needless to say, Prague is an expensive city so it is not a surprise that the price range in this bookstore is a bit higher than one would exshakespeare and sons bookstore barpect in other Central European cities. However, when compared to the rest of the city, this bookstore is indeed one of the most accessible price-wise. All in all, Shakespeare and Sons is not a place you'll be leaving with several titles tucked under each arm (at least it wasn't our case), but we still think that the charming atmosphere and the interesting selection are well worth a visit.



Bookstation, Budapest, HUN

Having covered all four countries in the previous positions, one spot was left and it was tough to make a call. Then why did we choose to single out Bookstation? Simply because it is unbelievably stocked - with books in English, French, German, Spanish - it's a bookstore which definitely deserves more attention than it is receiving (perhaps due to being a bit remote from the very city center of Budapest, but, on the other hand, being located near the most busy train station - hence the name - Keleti Pályaudvar). Perhaps the only drawback of this bookstore is the lack of labeling intobookstation bookshop interior categories but still, it doesn't make your browsing any less interesting. You almost have a feeling that you are in a room of a mischievous teenager who refus on shelves, near the shelves and even behind the shelves. Be careful though, because you'des to tidy up his or her room on the mother's in vain requests: books lying on the floor, stacked probably be using a ladder to reach the ones on the top shelves. Oh, and needless to mention, the prices in this bookstore are more than friendly to your wallets.



So, if you're planning on visiting Central Europe this year and you already have a fully planned itinerary, with not so much time to spare on bookbrowsing, but it is yet something that you utterly enjoy doing, we hope we narrowed down your selection by just a notch and thus saved you some time. Still, this does not, by any means, mean that you shouldn't go check out the other bookstores in these four countries - they are all special and unique in their own ways - and you can always disagree with our selection. If you do, don't hesitate to drop us a line.

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Check out our other Top5s:

Top 5: Travel Bookstores

Top 5: Oldest Bookstores on the Continent
(with an Additional Reader's Pick)

Top 5: Impressive Appearance

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Back to the list of all Top5 categories

City Books, Brighton & Hove

city books brighton and hove logo

Where?
Brighton & Hove, UK



Recommended by: Alex Gammage

Alex said: "This local bookshop is full of ramshackle charm. It's got a quirky, old-fashioned feel to it, and it's crammed to the ceiling with interesting titles. It has friendly owners who are happy for you to waste an afternoon browsing. They also hold regular author signings where you can meet authors who actually have something interesting or sometimes controversial to say."

This is a great example of how a local independent bookstore can play an important part in the lives of the locals, and how much people value a bookstore which is authentic, personal and true to its beliefs. As their website states, this bookstore prides itself in promoting old fashion values while using the best of modern technology at the same time and this approach seems to have earned them a very good reputation.

As for the offer of the store, City Books pays a lot of attention to the selection of the titles that find their way to its shelves. You can pick from titles from the fiction section, poetry, or the special section with children's books, or browse through the non-fiction section which features subjects as travel, business, art, cookery and others. As Alex has mentioned, the literary events (usually presentations of a new book by its author) which take place in the store about once a month (the forthcoming events are listed on their website) are also a part of the store's agenda.

Founded and run by Paul and Inge Sweetman, City Books occupies two floors full of books in the very center of Brighton and Hove in the Brunswick area of the city. City Books is a local pride in Brighton and Hove and has been voted 'The Best Shop in Brunswick'. The fact that the name of this bookstore has also appeared on the shortlist for the 'Independent Bookshop of the Year Award' twice shows that its appreciation is not limited to the local community.

city books hoveCity Books
Address:
23 Western Road
Brighton & Hove
East Sussex BN3 1AF
city books bookshop





Website:
http://www.city-books.co.uk

Phone and Email:
01273 725306
info@citybookshove.co.uk

Working Hours:
Mon - Sat 9:30-18
Sun 11-16:30

House of Books, St. Petersburg

Dom Knigi House of Books logo
Where? St. Petersburg, Russia



Recommended by
Alexander Pinsker

Alexander said: "Initially, the St. Petersburg art nouveau building was built by the architect Paul Syuzorom in the years 1902-1904 on Nevsky Prospekt for Russia's representation of the American firm Singer and was called the Singer's House. Since 1917 the company in Russia and its building in St-Petersburg were nationalized. The building was turned into a bookshop and renamed the House of Books. Today the House of Books is listed in the architectural art monuments to be protected by State."

Dom Knigi or the House of Books in English can be found in one of the most beautiful buildings in St. Petersburg in the main street Nevsky Prospekt. Although the store's main offices were once located here, in the famous Singer's house, after its renovation (and, unfortunately, after turning the building into a mall, Dom Knigi only occupies the first floor of the building, with it's main offices being relocated just a little down in the same street - from number 28 to 62). It is good to know that Dom Knigi is satisfied with its new location as it can display even more books than before. Still, the company decided to keep the logo of the famous tower of the Singer House and the building is often called the House of Books - just so you don't get confused.

The bookstore stocks a huge variety of tens of thousands of titles in many languages - Russian being the primary one, of course, but also with sections with books in English, German, French, etc. Their impressive offers of postcards, picture books of the city, calendars and handbooks, together with their large children's section, definitely deserve a mention as well. Picking up a children's book written in Cyrillic is definitely a nice present or a souvenir from your travels to the Eastern Europe.

Founded in 1919, the House of Books was the first bookshop in the Soviet Russia. Today, it is the most known and the most massive bookstore in the whole city of St. Petersburg with several locations throughout the city. The staff is mostly Russian, with a few members in the foreign language sections which are always there to help you out if you seek any assistance.

Dom Knigi House of Books St. PetersburgDom Knigi (House of Books)
Address:
Nevsky Prospekt 62
St. Petersburg






Website:
http://www.dk-spb.ru

Phone and Email:
571-00-10
domknigi@mail.domknigispb.ru

Working Hours:
Mon-Sat 9-22
Sun 10-22

Extra Information:
To see the complete list of Dom Knigi bookstores in St. Petersburg, click HERE.
(note: the website is written in Cyrillic)

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