Bookstores in Germany
Last change: 13 Nov 2007 ============================================================================ Cities include (alphabetically within country; if anyone has a better ordering, let me know): Berlin, Germany Braunschweig, Germany Cologne, Germany Dortmund, Germany Frankfurt am Main, Germany Hamburg, Germany Hannover, Germany Heidelberg, Germany Munich, Germany other geographic areas [Note 1: I collected these comments from a variety of people. I personally have no knowledge of many of these places and take no responsibility if you buy a book you don't enjoy. :-) Phone numbers and precise addresses can be gotten by calling directory assistance for the appropriate city. Call ahead for precise hours, as even when I list them they are subject to change.] [Note 2: If you can add information for any of these, in particular addresses when they are missing, please send it to me.] [Note 3: Someone sent this for a particular store, but it applies everywhere: "Don't complain about high prices; the people in the shop don't make them, we only try to get a wide range of books and help customers as well as we can. Books might look a bit than dearer in your home country but the costs, the costs! We are not, I repeat not, a tourist office--it can be very annoying to try to do your job and being interupted a hundred times a day for the way to the Rijks-, Van Gogh or any other museum. (We are willing to sell you a map of Amsterdam and then point you in the right direction.)"] [Note 4: The telephone numbers may not be expressed entirely correctly.] ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Berlin, Germany: See also http://www.sf-fan.de/sf-buch/faq.html (in German) for German used books. Another Country (Riemannstrasse 7, 1-961, +49-30-69401160, http://anothercountry.de/). Used books. "Another Country is an English Language Second Hand Bookshop, which is mostly used as a library. We have about 20,000 books that you can buy or borrow. You simply pay the price of a book, which you get back, minus a 1,50 Euro charge, should you choose to return it." Also hosts readings, cultural events, social evenings, film nights, etc. Mon-Fri 1100-2000, Sat 1100-1600. Dussmann (near the railway station Friedrichstrasse). Has a fair department of English books, mostly paperbacks, and a wide range of literature and music (comparable to the former Kiepert shop). [03/07] J.F.Lehmanns (D-10623 Berlin, Hardenbergstrasse 11, +49-30-617911-0, fax: +49-30-6115015, bestellung@jf-lehmanns.de, orders via free phone (corresponding to US 800-numbers): 0130 4372). (German "bestellung" translates to English "order"). Near the Technical University (former West Berlin) around Ernst Reuter Platz, with three other (smaller) outlets in Berlin in or near University Hospitals). There probably could be given the same comment as above for the shop in Cologne ("Outlets also in other towns .... Still, not a chain store"). Saint Georges English Bookshop (Woerther Str 27, 10405, +49-30-81798333, http://www.saintgeorgesbookshop.com). Mainly used books. Mon-Fri 1100-2000, Sat 1100-1900. [11/07] And besides these two big shops, there are many more (>10) small shops in a range of few minutes walk by foot, part of them specialised in certain kinds of books and literature, e.g., several shops for foreign books (different shops for different languages/countries), one for feminist books, some for Antiques, etc. "Most German books are available via a distribution system that includes almost all shops in Germany, so shop size is not relevant. Ordered books are usually available within the week." ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Braunschweig, Germany: See also http://www.sf-fan.de/sf-buch/faq.html (in German) for German used books. Antiquariat am Hopfengarten and Die Leseratte (both Hopfengarten). These two belong together with the Antiquariat dealing in hardcovers and specialized subjects and Die Leseratte in paperbacks. Good choice on most subjects. Antiquarische Bacher (Petersilienstrasse 1-3). Good choice on most subjects in hardcover and paperback. Although slightly chaotic ordered: the owner knows his way, so enquire. Buch und Kunst (Kasernenstrasse 12). Very good selection on a wide range of subjects, mainly hardcovers. Guten Morgen Buchladen (Bueltenweg 87, 38100 Braunschweig, http://www.gutenmorgenbuchladen.de/). German alternative/leftist political and fiction books, general literature, and much more. Antiquariat Rabenschwarz (Wendenstrasse 48). Good choice, mainly hardcovers. ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Cologne, Germany: See also http://www.sf-fan.de/sf-buch/faq.html (in German) for German used books. City phone prefix is +49-221. Buchhandlung Klaus Bittner (Albertus Strasse 6; across the street from Walther Koenig). Modern German language literature. Very helpful and knowledgeable as well. Has also a very broad selection of books on opera, theatre and ballet. Carries a small stock of English paperbacks. Regular reading and lecture events with German language and international writers. On Saturdays a meeting place of the Cologne writers and would-be writers. Buchhandlung Walther Koenig (Breite Strasse 93). A classic! Specialized in fine arts,with an emphasis on contemporary art, design, museum catalogues, architecture, photography, film. Two bookshops next to each other. The one directly at the corner has bargain books; the store next to it has the current editions as well as journals. "In my personal view among the best for these subject areas. Good selection of English language publications. The owner is a walking CD-rom and famous in the German art scene. Equally helpful and knowledgeable staff." English and French spoken. Outlets also at the Museum Ludwig (Cologne's Museum of Contemporary Art close to the Cathedral), at the Bundeskunsthalle (Bonn), in Duesseldorf and Frankfurt am Main and may be at other places. Still, not a chain store. Versand- und Buchhandlung Literatur-Liedtke (Huelchrather Str. 4, D-50670 Cologne, +731044, FAX +731016, liedtke@rzb1.geonet.de). Mail-order-shop for almost thirty years. Competent staff and outstanding service of literature, especially human and social sciences, of Germany and foreign (especially English-speaking) countries. German, English, French, Scandinavian languages spoken (and basic knowledge of Cologne dialect). Delivery of books and CD's of German publishers mostly within twenty-four hours, foreign books within a short time. ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Dortmund, Germany: See also http://www.sf-fan.de/sf-buch/faq.html (in German) for German used books. (city phone prefix is +49-231) Krueger (Westenhellweg). Large bookshop with departments on a lot of topics, good computer science department, bad service. Niehoerster (large shop downtown and some outside areas). Usual topics available, chaotic service. Shakespeare (Saarlandstrasse, http://www.shakespeare-co.de). Nice small shop, actual literature and used/antiquarian books. Very good in child books, criminal stories, art. Qualified fast service. Irregular events with writers. ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Frankfurt am Main, Germany: See also http://www.sf-fan.de/sf-buch/faq.html (in German) for German used books. British Bookshop (Boersenstrasse 17, just off Hochstrasse near the to have a helpful staff. I have only dealt with them by phone, but if I ever visit them in person, I will send you some more comments." big selection of mainstream English books on second floor. Overseas orders take an average 4 weeks). Muhlhausen Buchhandlung (near Hugendubel). Large independent bookstore with 90,000 to 100,000 books. books and a very large selection of US magazines. ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Hamburg, Germany: See also http://www.sf-fan.de/sf-buch/faq.html (in German) for German used books. (city phone prefix +49-40-) Buchhandlung im Schanzenviertel (Schulterblatt 55, Schanzenviertel, 20357). Colon, Esplanade (near Dammtor Bahnhof, Stephansplatz U-Bahn). Good foreign language shop, belongs to Colon language institute Dr. Goetze Land & Karte (Bleichenhof Shopping Mall and in Main Station/Hauptbahnhof). Travel, maps, and geography books. The English Bookshop (Stresemannstrasse 169, near S-Bahn-Station Holstenstrasse, 521-44-78). Used English books. Moved in 1995. Frensche International (Landesbank Galerie, Gerhart-Hauptmann-Platz, along Moenkebergstrasse in the City). Good foreign language shop. Heinrich Heine Buchhandlung (at the University). Very good shop with different Departments (all very near to one another): - Psychology, Pedagogics, Health, Ecology, Philosophy, History. Theology, Politics ...: (Schlueterstrasse 1, 44-11-33-14) - Literature (Germantistik), Feminism, Arts, Culture: (Grindelallee 26, 44-11-33-17) - Languages, Travel, Hobbies--very good contacts for orders from other countries: (Grindelallee/Froebelstrasse, 44-11-33-20) - Old Books (Antiquariat) (Grindelallee 28, 44-11-33-19) - "Second Hand Books" (Modernes Antiquariat)--mostly not real second hand, but newly out-of-prints, stained copies etc: (Grindelallee 24: 44 11 33-16) Heymann's (on "Eppendorfer Baum"). Good general purpose bookstore. Mauke+ Soehne (Schlueterstrasse, next to UniBuch). Computers, Maths, Law, Sciences, Statistics. Otto Spatz (near the University Hospital Eppendorf (UKE) in NW Hamburg). Specializes in medical books. Reuter+Kloeckner (Schlueterstrasse/Binderstrasse). Languages, foreign language, Literature, Law, Economy, Philosophy, History: very good contacts for orders from other countries Thalia Buchhaus (along Spitalerstrasse near Hauptbahnhof and on Grosse Bleichen near Jungfernstieg). Good large general Bookshop. Some English literature. UniBuch (Schlueterstrasse). Languages, Geography, Geology, Biology, Chemistry, Sciences, History, Phiplosophy Zweitausendeins (Grindelallee 71, Univiertel, 20146). ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Hannover, Germany: See also http://www.sf-fan.de/sf-buch/faq.html (in German) for German used books. Schmorl u.v. Seefeld (near the main railway station, but nearer the Kropcke clock). One of the oldest and largest bookstores in Hannover. They have some separate branches in other buildings nearby specializing in paperbacks, CD music, newspapers, sales, childrens books, etc. Weidemann (near "Steintor" place). They specialize in scientific books and are the top address for all the students of the university. "Internationalismus Buchladen" (on "Engelbosteler Damm"). "Definitely left-wing, may lack some funding in these post-cold-war days... :-)" Buchhandlung an der Marktkirche (Hanns-Lilje-Platz 4/5, right next to, as the name indicates, the Marktkirche, one of Hannover's best known structures, +49-0511/12-41-435). "A small but very attractive and intelligently run bookstore with a consistently interesting literature selection." ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Heidelberg, Germany: Bookstore Europa/Buchhandlung Europa (Bismarkplatz 12, +49-89-201-43-85 http://Buch.is4u.de). German and English books. Mostly for students, but also general books, including a large fiction section. ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Munich, Germany: See also http://www.sf-fan.de/sf-buch/faq.html (in German) for German used books. Anglia English Bookshop (Schellingstrasse 3, +49 89 28 36 42). English books. Reported hostile proprietor and "I also don't like the fact that most books at Anglia don't have a price sticker which pretty much forces you to ask (oh no!), or be at the mercy of whatever mark-up the bookstore decides is appropriate--prices for English-language paperbacks vary some from store to store." Comic Company (Baaderstrasse 74, +49 89 201 43 85). Comics, very good choice, but nearly everything in German. If you are lucky, you may find French or English original versions of some new interesting titles (the shopkeeper sometimes doesn't want to wait until they get translated into German!). Geobuch (Rosental 6, 80331 Munich, +49 89 265 030). Travel guides, maps, etc., for all parts of the world, even including jet navigational charts. Fremde Welten (Muellerstrasse 43, 089-260-5916, FAX 089-260-5924). "A bookshop run on a non-profit basis with proceeds going to aid, mainly I believe to causes in Bolivia and South America. Can order any book, German, English, etc." Hugendubel (several *big* shops in Munich) big general bookstores, which have almost everything (also comics, SF, ...), competent staff: - Marienplatz 22 (+49 89 23 89 - 1) The oldest (and biggest) "Hugendubel", good choice of everything in German, good choice of English books, some books in a few other languages (French, Italian, Spanish, ...) - Karlsplatz (+49 89 552 25 30) The newest, nicest (and second biggest) "Hugendubel", good choice of everything in German. The best choice for foreign languages. Small (non-smoker) cafe in the first floor inside of the bookstore. Other smaller "Hugendubel" : - Nymphenburgerstrasse 188 (+49 89 168 93 75) - shopping center "Olympiaeinkaufszentrum" (+49 89 149 10 10) - shopping center "P.E.P." (+49 89 637 17 66) International Bookshop. English-language shelf space a third the size of the Marienplatz's Hugendubel's, but they double shelve two rows of books on each shelf, which makes browsing easier. "This is fast becoming my favorite Munich bookstore: the selection is pretty good (they stock up on the new paperbacks, and not just on bestsellers, either), it's baby-carriage accessible, it is open after 18h, and while the staff aren't exactly super-knowledgeable, at least they aren't deranged the way the proprietor of the Anglia store is." Lachner University Bookshop (Theresienstrasse 43, 089-52-13-40). "Although I haven't been I'm told this is a good source for English technical books in Munich." Oehler University Bookshop (Schellingstrasse 18, 089-28-60-25). This is also supposed to be a good source for English technical books in Munich. Librairie Francaise (Schellingstrasse 3, +49 89 280 90 78). French books, some French comics (very few). Sussmann's Presse und Buch (in the central station "Hauptbahnhof," and in the east station "Ostbahnhof", +49 89 551 17 - 0; several small shops). This is also an important address, since shops in Germany are not allowed to be open after certain hours and on certain days; some of the few exceptions are shops in stations (supposed to be only for travellers). Here you can find quite a lot of nearly every kind of books (also a few in English, French, Italian, Spanish, etc..), seven days a week until 21:00. 2001 (Tuerkenstrasse 67, +49 89 272 42 78). One of the most important places for books/music. 2001 prints books you can't find anywhere else (a lot of first printings in German, for instance, books from Douglas Adams, Boris Vian, Alfred Jary, etc...). There are "2001" bookstores in many German cities, they are usually small; but you can order anything from their own catalogue. The Used Bookshop (Westendstrasse 134 Near Donnersberger Bruecke (S-Bahn, Bus 33 and 66, Tram 18 and 19 Stop Trappentreustrasse), http://www.usedbookshop.de). "Munich's first second-hand book store. Customers can buy second hand books for cash, or trade in their own used books for credit against purchases in the store." Open Thu-Fri 1600-2000, Sat 1400-1800. [04/05] Words' Worth (Schellingstr. 21A, 80799 Munich, +49 89 280 91 41--CAREFUL: this street alone has three postal codes :-/]--50 meters distance from Anglia Bookshop, in the immediate environs of the Ludwig Maximillian University). British books; also accepts orders for British and American books. "A nice, cosy store, with a very good selection, reasonable prices, and pretty helpful staff, too." ========================================================================== Copyright Notice Information contained in this FAQ is compiled from many sources. The compiler accepts no responsibility for the comments contained herein. The comments are provided "as is" with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. 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Evelyn C. Leeper
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