Bookstores in Europe (various)
Last change: 18 Aug 2008 There are separate listings for Benelux (BE, NL, and LU), France, Germany, the Nordic countries (DK, NO, SE, FI, IS, and GL), Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales. Bookstores for the Republic of Ireland are here. Bookstores for Turkey are here. Bookstores for Israel are in the Asia listings. ============================================================================ Cities include (listed basically west to east, north to south by country, alphabetically within country, but associated areas and language groups are listed together; if anyone has a better ordering, let me know): Cork, Ireland Dublin, Ireland Galway, Ireland Limerick, Ireland Ireland (Other) Coimbra, Portugal Lisboa/Lisbon, Portugal Porto, Portugal Barcelona, Spain Madrid, Spain Vatican City Roma/Rome, Italy Pisa, Italy Venezia/Venice, Italy Basel, Switzerland Geneva, Switzerland Zurich, Switzerland Czech Republic Vienna, Austria Budapest, Hungary Slovakia Vilnius, Lithuania Riga, Latvia Tallinn, Estonia Moscow, Russia Athens, Greece Istanbul (and other), Turkey 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.] ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Cork, Ireland: The country code for Ireland is 353; from outside, drop the initial 0 of the area code. Connolly's. Secondhand, good bargains. Eason's (113/115 Patrick, Cork, 021-270477, FAX: 021-272681). Waterstones. Large bookstore, good. Waterstones UCC. Branch at University College Cork, academic books. ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Dublin, Ireland: The country code for Ireland is 353; from outside, drop the initial 0 of the area code. APCK (St. Anne's Church, Dawson St). Small religious bookshop concentrating on Anglican material and academic works. Bestseller (Dawson). Religious bookshop. Books Upstairs (36 Dame St opposite the Bank of Ireland and the front entrance to Trinity College). New books. Leftish. Smallish store, but good selections of poetry, drama, gender studies, psychology, modern and Irish literature. Cathach (10 Duke between Grafton and Dawson). "They're the place to go to for original editions and rare volumes (and I mean first editions of ULYSSES, not RADIOACTIVE MAN)." [11/04] Cathedral Books (Sackville Pl.). Religious bookshop, good spirituality section. Large number of American publications. Chapter's (Middle Abbey St & Henry St). Mostly second-hand. "Ground floor is all remainders with some new mixed in. Basement is all second hand. Good selection of literature, biography, kids' books, Irish-related. Second floor is all used CDs. Third floor is used videotapes." Connolly Bookshop (Essex St). Communist Party of Ireland bookshop. Socialist, wide range of material, though one reader writes, "It doesn't have such a wide selection since the USSR as was and China as is stopped printing cheap editions of Marxist classics." Dandelion Books (80 Aungier Street, Dublin 2, 01-478-4759). Used books. "The largest stockist of SF/Fantasy/Horror second-hand books in Ireland. They offer discounts to members of the ISFA (Irish Science Fiction Association)." Dublin Bookshop (Grafton). "Two (small) stories, fiction, poetry, and drama on the ground floor, non-fiction (and 'mind-body-spirit' nonsense) in the basement. A reasonable variety of books. (no second-hand)." Dubray Books (36 Grafton, Dublin 2, 01-6775568, FAX 01-6791829; Swan Shopping Centre, Unit 12, Rathmines, Dublin 6, 01-4979722, FAX 01-4979752; 14 The Stillorgan Shopping Centre, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin, 01-2886341, FAX 01-2833268; Dun Laoghaire Shopping Centre, Unit 311, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. 01-2809917, FAX 01-2844863; Blackrock Shopping Centre, Units 7/10, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, 01-2832193, FAX 01-2782796; 10 Main St, Bray, Co. Wicklow, 01-2869370, FAX 01-2869886; http://www.dubraybooks.ie). New books. "Quite a good selection." [08/06] Eason's (West One Unit 155/241, Blanchardstown Town Centre, Dublin, 01-8221117, FAX: 01-8221153; Units 1/2 Ilac Centre, Mary, Dublin 1, 01-8721322, FAX: 01-8721269; Irish Life Centre, Talbot, Dublin 1, 01-8727010, FAX: 01-8745487; 40 Lower O'Connell, Dublin 1, 01-8733811, FAX: 01-8733545; Dawson & Nassau opposite side entrance to Trinity; 5 Upper George's, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, 01-2805528, FAX: 01-2842728). The big one for new books. EuroBooks (30 St. Paul's Rd, Dublin 2, http://eurobooks.cjb.net). Over 200,000 books (in English only) on all subjects. Forbidden Planet (Crampton Quay). Has a ground floor and a basement. Ground floor is SF only, some esoteric stuff. Basement is comic-related books, graphic albums, as well as comics and SF magazines. Fred Hanna's (Nassau St). University bookshop with books of general interest. Now part of Eason's. Has a coffee shop. Hodges Figgis (Dawson St, directly across from Waterstone's). Also big, with an eclectic selection. Good Irish-interest section. International Books (18 South Frederick, off Nassau). "Language learning books and tapes, with a few (mainly Spanish) books in other languages." [03/08] Modern Languages Ltd (39 Westland Row). "Language learning books and tapes, with a few (mainly French) books in other languages." Open Mon-Fri 0830-1730, Sat 0930-1730. [03/08] Provisional Sinn Fein's Shop (Parnell Square) Rathmines Bookshop (Lower Rathmines Rd). Big second-hand bookshop. Reads (24-25 Nassau). General new books/magazines/stationery. Deep discounts on bestsellers. [03/08] Sub City (2 Exchequer St, Dublin 2). They sell comics, trading cards, and SF memorabilia and a small selection of SF books and graphic novels. Veritas (Lower Abbey St). Large religious bookshop, mainly Catholic material. Expensive. Walton's (just off Parnell Square). The best sheet music shop. Waterstone's (Dawson St). New books. Big, with an eclectic selection The Winding Stair (Lower Ormond Quay near the north end of the Halfpenny Bridge). Second-hand. "A good selection of remaindered Irish-interest books on the ground floor, along with a small, high-quality selection of fiction hardbacks -- reasonably priced, too. The two floors above is a two-story cafe (great for cheap soups and whole-grain sandwiches), with old, dusty, and overpriced second-hand books used as decoration. I don't think the stock upstairs has ever been replenished since the bookshop became a cafe a few years ago. Ground floor is well worth a visit for the hardback fiction and Irish-interest books. Upstairs is where you go for a snack." ? (Blackrock Market, Blackrock). Large single room with a varied selection of second-hand books at reasonable prices. ? (Blackrock, across from the public library). Mostly hardbacks--good on Irish interest, older fiction, history, biography, religious. Some softbacks, mostly nonfiction. ? (Dundrum, up the alley on the main street). Good selection of softbacks-- fiction, SF, Irish interest, popular novels, kids books. ? in Walkinstown, Ashleaf Shopping Centre. Typical small suburban bookshop, mainly bestsellers and remainders. ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Galway, Ireland: The country code for Ireland is 353; from outside, drop the initial 0 of the area code. Charlie Byrnes. Secondhand. Large selection including text books, good prices (including one-pound bargain shelves). Dubray Books (4 Shop, 091-569070, http://www.dubraybooks.ie). "General bookstore with the best SF selection in Galway." [08/06] Eason's (33 Shop, Galway, 091-562284, FAX: 091-561450). Kennys. Famous bookshop. Bookbinding, mail order. Vast selection. Antique, Irish language, arts. Kennys (warehouse). Vast collection of old textbooks secondhand. Sub City (Eyre Square Centre). ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Kilkenny, Ireland: Dubray Books (6 The Square, Market Cross Shopping Centre, High Street, 05677-52800, FAX 05677-52847, http://www.dubraybooks.ie). [08/06] ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Limerick, Ireland: The country code for Ireland is 353; from outside, drop the initial 0 of the area code. Celtic Bookstore (across from the Hunt Museum and down the street from St. Mary's). It is small and interesting, but not radical. Eason's (9 O'Connell, Limerick, 061-419588, FAX: 061-419932). ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Ireland (other): The country code for Ireland is 353; from outside, drop the initial 0 of the area code. Eason's (Golden Island Shopping Centre, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, 0902-72350 FAX: 0902-78765 ). Eason's (130 Tullow, Carlow, 0503-34338, FAX: 0503-34346). Eason's (19/20 Gladstone, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, 052-21943, FAX: 052-27832). Eason's (Unit 45/46, Liffey Valley S.C, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, 01-6261040, FAX: 01-6261083). Eason's (The Square, Tallaght Town Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24, 01-4524855, FAX: 01-4525590). Eason's (10 The Mall, Tralee, Co. Kerry, 066-26163, FAX: 066-26767). ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Coimbra, Portugal: Livaria 115 (praca 8 de Maio, 29 - 3000 Coimbra, 039-22887, FAX 039-32343). This is the place to find (some) technical books in town both in English and Portuguese. Livraria Bertrand (Largo da Portagem 19 - 3000 Coimbra, 23014 (voice)) Livraria NovaAlmedina (Rua Ferreia Borges 121 - 3000 Coimbra, 039-26199). One of the largest. The stuff are friendly but not very skilful. Livraria Quarteto (Av. Calouste Gulbenkian lote 7, loja 17 - 3000 Coimbra, 039-483783 (voice/fax). The best place to find SF. Livraria Sirius (Centro Comercial Avenida, loja 201 - 3000 Coimbra, 039-22391, FAX 039-703416, sirius@telepac.pt). Nice books, both new and old, for bargain prices. They accept orders of any book in print or out of print (also from outside Portugal). Also have a CD-ROM section with multimedia software. The staff speaks English. ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Lisboa/Lisbon, Portugal: Alfarrabios (Calcada do Carmo No. 50). Used books. Alfarrabista (R. do Alecrim No. 44). Used books. Antunes (R. da Voz do Operario No.7-B). Used books. Barata (Av. de Roma 11-A, 1000 Lisboa, 848 16 31, fax: 80 33 44). (ALso has another store at Amoreiras Shopping at Torres das Amoreiras.) New books. Probably the best general bookstore in the city. Barateira Lda. (R. Nova da Trindade No. 16-C). Used books. Bertrand (Av. Roma 13-B, 1000 Lisboa, 796 92 71, 793 63 56; R. Garrett 73, Chiado, 1200 Lisboa, 346 86 46, 346 76 29; R. da Anchieta No. 15). (Also has a store at Shopping Amoreiras.) New books. Britanica (R. Luis Fernando 14/8). New books. Buchholz (R. Duque de Palmela 4, 1200 Lisboa, 315 73 58, fax: 352 26 34). New books. The best for foreign books in Lisbon. Camoes (Misericordia 137/41). Used books. Castil (C.C. Alvalade, lj 15, C.C. Fonte Nova, lj 63). New books. Escolar Editora (relocating to Campo Grande near the Universidade de Lisboa campus). Probably the best for scientific books. Europa-America (Av. Marques de Tomar 1-B). New books. Historica e Ultramarina - Travessa Queimada No.28, 1). Used books. Olisipo (Largo Trindade Coelho No.7). Used books. Manuscrito historico (Calcada do Sacramento No. 50). Used books. Mundo do Livro (Largo da Trindade 11/3). Used books. Portugal (R. do Carmo No. 70). New books. Rui Alberto (Largo do Carmo). Used books. Sociedade Biblica (R. Jose Estevao 4-B). Christian literature. Other bookstores in the Chiado/Baixa area: Portugal, Bertrand, Sa da Costa, etc. There is anlso an annual book fair in Eduardo VII park every May/June where you can find a stand for every major editor and bookstore and get some nice discounts too. Someone initially had said: "This place is a book desert. Apart from an antiquarian shop up on the hillside above Restauradores I've seen nowhere I was even tempted to go into, and this is the only major city I've been to where I've never bought a book. Somebody tell me there's something somewhere." To which Antonio Leal replied: "We keep our bookstores carefully hidden, so that only the cognoscenti can find them. Innocent tourists only get to see airport shops ;-)" (but then sent some of the above list). Someone also sent a long list (included above) and said: "Well, I really don't have much time to complete the list (I'm at work here), but if you didn't buy a book when you were in Lisbon it's because you really didn't try!" ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Porto, Portugal: (country code is 351, city code is 2) Candelabro (R.Conceicao, 9; 4000 Porto, 200-2449). Used books and paintings. Casa do Livro (Galeria de Paris, 85; 4000 Porto, 208-6028, FAX 208-6112). "New bookshop, vary nice design, many interesting books, fiction, biography, literature, history, legal, cooking, travel, academic, computer science, art, etc... We can access a book database in one of two terminals in the shop. Also have a children's area." Leitura - Arte (Atlantico Com. Center lj-7, R.Jose Falcao; 4000 Porto, 200-4576). Very interesting, many art books. Lello & Irmao, Lda. (R.Carmelitas, 144; 4000 Porto, 200-2037, FAX 318511). One of the oldest bookstores and editorial. Livraria Academica (R.Martires da Liberdade, 10; 4000 Porto, 200-5988). "The best in old books, many old volumes in this bookstore, and Mario Soares, Portugal's Presidente, when in Porto always buys here some old books." Livraria Almedina (R.Ceuta, 79; 4000 Porto, 319783). Sells books about economics and law. Also has a technical department. Livraria Aviz (R.Aviz, 10; 4000 Porto, 200-6540). New books. Livraria Bertrand (R.Boavista, 794; 4000 Porto, 600-4190; Pc.Mouzinho Albuquerque, 113 lj-55; 4100 Porto, 699018). New books and magazines. Livraria Britanica (R.Jose Falcao, 189; 4000 Porto, 323930). New English books Livraria Cientifica-Medica do Porto (R.Carmo, 14; 4000 Porto, 200-4076). Scientific/medical books. Livraria Classica (Clerigos Shop. lj-10, Pc Lisboa; 4000 Porto, 202-6529). Many technical books, most in English; also Portuguese books. Livraria do Estado (Pc Guilherme Gomes Fernandes, 84; 4000 Porto, 319166). Governmental bookstore: books, collectable coins, legal papers. Livraria Europa-America (R.31 Janeiro, 221; 4000 Porto, 315656). Many new books. Livraria Sao Paulo (R.Cedofeita, 355; 4000 Porto, 314956). Religious and Catholic books. Maestro (9, avenue du nouveau-Conservatoire, parc de la vilette opposite the Conservatoire superieur and a hop, skip, and jump from the Cite de la Musique) Classical music bookstore. Porto Editora (R.Fabrica, 90; 4000 Porto, 200-7669; Pc.D.Filipa Lencastre, 42; 4000 Porto, 200-7681). New books, many study books for all ages and geographical/military maps. Sousa & Almeida, Lda. (R.Fabrica, 40/42; 4000 Porto, 310073). Ethnographic books from Portugal and Spain, particularly Galizia. [This part contributed by Nelson Silva.] ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Barcelona, Spain: Casa del Libro (Rda. Sant Pere, 3; 08007, Tel. 318.51.46). Spanish books on science and art, and Catalonian books. Casa del Llibre (C/Passeig de Grecia 62, http:www.casadellibro.com, Metro: Passeig de Grecia). Very good selection of Spanish and English books. Open Mon-Sat 0930-2130. [07/03] Crisol (Rbla. Catalunya, 81; Tel. 215.27.20). An excellent bookstore on literature, art, travel, etc. Open on Sunday. FNAC (El Triangle, Plaça Catalunya 4, at the top of La Rambla, other side of the square from El Corte Ingles, http://www.fnac.es, Metro: Placa Catalunya). "It's like other FNACs with good selection of books and mags in Spanish, French and English. Open Mon-Sat 1000-2200. [07/03] Liberia Bosch (Rda. Universitat, 11; 08007, Tel. 317.53.08). Spanish books on a important variety of themes: science, legal, education.... Libreria Herder (C/ Balmes 26; 08007, Tel. 317.05.78). This has a good technical section with books in English, German, etc. [This part contributed by Gloria Soriano.] ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Madrid, Spain: Booksellers S.A. (Jose Abascal 48, 28003). New books in English. English as a Second Language materials. Casa del Libro (Gran Via, 29). Mostly new Spanish books, with an English section. FNAC (at Preciados, 28, just around the corner from Casa del Libro). "I would stick to La Casa del Libro, unless you are looking for French books." J&J Books and Coffee (C/Espiritu Santo 47, Metro: Noviciado, http://www.jandjbooksandcoffee.com). Secondhand English bookstore; over 20,000 English books "plus lots of activities for tourist or residents.' [08/08] Turner English Books (Genova 3, 28004). New books in Spanish, English, and French. Also has a video rental collection, including many British films. Also check out the bookstalls on Claudio Moyano, between the Prado, Atocha station, and Retiro Park (more precisely, it's the street that runs between the southern edge of the Botanical Gardens and the Agriculture Ministry; but no one knows where those are; it's west of the southern end of Retiro Park). Spanish books, new and used, old volumes often very reasonably priced. ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana (00120 Citta del Vaticano, 06-6983345 or 06-6985326, FAX 06-6984716). "It is part of the the Library there, and does a great line in excellent books--if you're into the subjects they cover.... They'll send a pocket-book-sized catalogue upon request and do mail-orders. I don't think they take credit cards." [I asked how they do mail orders if they don't take credit cards. Apparently if you are a seminary they invoice you; if you are a "peasant" they invoice you but hold the items until you send a money order or whatever. At least according to Rhonda Wood who says she's never been a seminary....] ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Roma/Rome, Italy: Fahrenheit 451 (Campo dei Fiori). Nice alternative small bookshop. New books. Feltrinelli (Via del Babbuino; Largo Argentina & other places). New books in every field, also English. The Lion Bookshop (Via del Babbuino). English bookshop. [This part contributed by Anna Mayer.] ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Pisa, Italy: Libreria Fogola (Corso Italia, 82 - 56100 Pisa). "Nice and very convenient small bookshop. New books in every field, discount 20%." [This part contributed by Mario Velucchi.] ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Venezia/Venice, Italy: Cafoscarina 1 & 2 (near Ca' Foscari university). University bookstore with wide range of fiction in German Eglish, French, Spanish, many books on Eastern fiction. Patagonia (Dorsoduro 3490B, tel 041-5285333). Best bookshop in town, specialized in contemporary stuff, not many classics. Good range of continental fiction, Italian and foreign; of English books; of cinema, theatre, multimedia. Staff (Vittorio & Gigi) are nice and helpful. Solaris 1 & 2 (campo S. Margherita). Comics of every kind, role games, SF. Toletta (Rio della Toletta). New books at half price; especially interesting art books. [This part contributed by Anna Mayer.] ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Basel, Switzerland: Bergli Books (address unknown, http://www.bergli.ch). "The newest bookshop in Basel, it stocks exclusively English books." [09/04] Bider & Tanner (Aeschenvorstadt 2, 4010 Basel, 061-206-99-99 , http://www.biderundtanner.ch). "A general bookseller covering a wide range, but especially good for travel books and also a good English section." [01/08] Karger Libri AG International Booksellers (Petersgraben 31, CH-4051 Basel, +41-61-306-15-15, FAX +41-61-306-15-16, books@libri.karger.ch). Specializing in scientific literature, medicine, economy, law, IT and library supply. Also runs International Subscription Agency (Allschwilerstrasse 10, CH-4009 Basel, +41-61-306-15-00, FAX +41-61-306-12-34, journals@libri.karger.ch). Thalia (Freie Str. 32, CH-4001 Basel, http://www.thalia.ch). "The largest bookshop in Basel with a correspondingly wide range. Also good for English books, plus a department for software and another for DVDs." [01/08] ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Geneva, Switzerland: Bookworm (5 rue Sismondi). Used English-language books. High turnover, reasonable prices. Good SF selection. A quick walk from the train station. Tea, coffee, and a helpful staff make this a lovely oasis for anglophones in Geneva. Open Tue-Sat 10h-19h, Sun 10h-17h. Bouquinerie La Grotte aux Fees (Rue des Grottes 13, 1201 Geneva, 022/733.49.14). SF specialty shop. ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Zurich, Switzerland: Buchandlung Zum Rennwegtor (Oetenbachgasse 11, 8001 Zurich, +41 (0)1-221-39-19). German book shop but a good selection of English novels on the first floor (second floor to Yanks). Near the train station. Filmbuchhandel Rohr (Oberdorfstrasse). Good selection of books about film. Orell Fuessli (Fuesllistrasse 4, +41 (0)1-221-1060, http://www.books.ch). Largest bookstore in the city. Large general selection, excellent collection of German-language paperback novels, travel guides for all over the world, maps, coffee-table travel picture books. Decent selection of English-language books. Payot (Bahnhofstrasse). Good French- and English-language bookstore. General selection, good collection of art books. English-language books are generally British editions. Romanica (Limmatquai). Good French-, Italian-, Spanish-, and Portuguese-language bookshop. (compared to Payot: better for French literature, smaller selection for art books etc). Competent staff. Staheli Internationale Buchhandlung / International Booksellers and Subscription agents (Bahanhofstrasse 70, 8021 Zurich 1, +41 (0)1-201-33-02, FAX +41 (0)1-202-55-52). Only English books at this site. Mainly recreational books, classics, biographies, and a small techincal section. Near the train station. Travel Bookstore (Rindmarkt). Excellent collection of travel guides and maps. English-language guides available. ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Czech Republic: Cerna Planeta (Jezuitska 3, 602 00 Brno). SF specialty shop. DDD-Knikupectvi a antikvariat (Ruska 85, 402 87 Chomutov, 0396 3608). SF specialty shop. Fancentrum (was at Na prikopech 24, 110 00 Prague 1, but has moved somewhere else). SF specialty shop. Fan Centrum (Najada, Krizikova 115, 180 00 Prague 8, +42-2-231-4647). SF specialty shop. Gandalf (Brezova nad Svitou 47, 569 02). SF specialty shop. Geralt (drive Mirako) (Stodolni 11, 701 00 Ostrava, 069-23-11-07/1.17(?)). SF specialty shop. The Globe Bookstore and Coffeehouse (Pstrossova 6, 110 00 Prague 1, TEL/FAX: 00420/2-24916264, http:www.globebookstore.cz). A bookstore/coffeehouse. New and used books, with a specialization in Central European fiction and better quality titles. The biggest stock of used books in English in town and probably all of Central Europe. Open 0930-2400. [01/08] Magnet Press (Jungmannova 24, 110 00 Praha 1). SF specialty shop. Moskevska 2716/40 (Tabor 390 01). SF specialty shop. shop. Czech only (no English). Netopejr (Dolni nam 26, 772 00 Olomouc). SF specialty shop. SF Khihikupectvi a Antikvariat (Caslavska 15, 130 00 Prague 3). SF specialty shop. Sheakspeare (Klubska 5/1, 415 01 Teplice, 0417-239-72). SF specialty shop. Skippy (Edvarda Benese 1414, 500 12 Hradec Kralove, 049 402 87). SF specialty shop. Svety Fantazie (Stetkova 20, 140 00 Prague 4). SF specialty shop. U Jednorozce (Staromestske nam.17, 117 06 Prague 1, +42-2-242-10606). SF specialty shop and other things. "Has a good tourist set of material, but the SF is Czech." Mustang (Otylie Beniskove 6, 301 12 Plzen, 019-22-04-70). SF specialty Wales (Taborska 42, 140 00 Praha 4 - Nusle). SF specialty shop. [My apologies for not splitting these by city or giving better telephone information, but this is all I have. It's hard to believe there are this many SF specialty shops, but again, that's what I was told.] ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Slovakia: Atlantida (Hlavna 40, Kosice, 095-763-209). SF specialty shop. Laser Bratislava (Kozia 11, 811 03 Bratislava, +42-07-31-22-64). SF specialty shop. ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Vienna, Austria: (country code is 43, city code is 0222) American Discount (Wienzeile 5 near Karlsplatz, 587-5772; also listed as Neubaug 39, 523-3707). Somewhat seedy store, but good selection of new paperbacks, also comics and movie-related books. Wide selection of foreign magazines. Sell almost exclusively English-language stuff (except for the comics). Good SF selection, comparable to Frick or British Bookshop. British Book Shop (Blackwell & Hadwiger) (Weihburggasse 24-26, 512-1945-0, FAX 512-1026). Regular book store with lots of English stuff and staff. Nice people. They offer a wide variety of mostly British books. Buchhandlung Schaden (Sonnenfelsgasse 4). Used and antiquarian (claim to have 120,000 books in stock and say they are the largest antiquarian bookstore in city). They have a large general stock, including a big selection of military books. "The store is a little hard to find being in a blind cul de sac near Stephansplatz." [04/08] Frick Wilhelm Buchhandlung (Graben 27, 533-9914-0, 533-0958-0, 533-6105-0). Mainly German, but has a nice department of foreign (French and English) books. Perhaps not quite the size of the one at the British Bookshop. SF selection is good. The main difference is that they have more U.S. editions, while the British Book Shop has more, though by no means exclusively, British ones. Judith Ortner Buchhandlung (Baeckerstr. 16, A-1010 Vienna, 512-40-94, FAX: 512-99-00). Specialized "art"-shop, does not sell mainstream literature, very small and closed from 12 to 14h30, but has a good collection about photography, design, textiles, advertising, etc. (German, English & few French books). "It is in a parallel street to Wollzeile, near the rear entrance to "Morawa," so even it is very small, it doesn't hurt to take a look if you are nearby." Morawa (Wollzeile 11, 51562-0). Mainly German, but also has a small department of foreign books, mostly English. Best known for magazines (domestic and lots of foreign) because they are one of the biggest importers (and resellers) of foreign magazines in Austria. Very good selection of newspapers and of German and English-language travel-guides. Shakespeare & Company (Sterngasse 2 near Pickwicks, 535-5053-0, 532-1532, FAX 535-5054). Regular book store, lots of English stuff. Stoehr Buchhandlung (Lerchenfelder Str. 78-80). "Best military/naval/ aviation bookstore in Vienna." Also publishes books on Austro-Hungarian military/naval history. Open Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat 0900-1200. [04/08] Treehugger Dan's Bookstore/Discover Vienna/The Travel Shack (MariahilferGurtel 21, 1150 Vienna Austria, +43-699-188-20156, http://www.discover-vienna.info). Just 2 minutes walk from the Westbahnhof. Second-hand English paperbacks in all cetegories and extensive travel guide section. Also WiFi, coffeeshop, and events. Free English language magazine exchange (1-for-1). Smoke-free. [08/08] Bookstore/gift shop at the military museum (Heeresgeschichtliches Museum) often has some interesting military publications, particularly by members of their staff. [04/08] "There are several good general new (as opposed to used) bookstores around Stephansplatz as well." In general Wollzeile and the surrounding areas has many bookshops. All of these are in the 1.Bezirk (the City), and are within easy walking distance from Stephansplatz. ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Budapest, Hungary: Pendragon (Pozsonyi út 21-23, (district XIII), 340-4426, http://www.pendragon.hu). "A huge selection of books, all types - much more interesting than the chain bookstores found throughout Budapest. I found the store from a listing in Lonely Planet." Treehugger Dan's Bookstore-Cafe (Csengery u. 48 (first door down on the corner of Andrassy Ut.) VI. District, 36-1-322-0774, http://www.treehugger.hu). "Wide selection of quality second-hand English paperbacks at reasonable prices." Smoke-free. Open Mon-Fri 1000-1900, Sat 1000-1700. [01/08] Treehugger Dan's Bookstore and Lounge/Yellow Zebra (Lazar u. 16, 1065 Budapest, 36-1-269-3843, http://www.treehugger.hu). Used books, Internet cafe, tours, and bike rentals. Open summer seven days 0900-2000; winter 1000-1800. [08/08] Treehugger Dan's Bookstore & Lounge/Discover Hungary (Lazar u. 16. VI. District, at the back end of the Opera House on M1 (Yellow Metro Line), 36-1-269-3843, http://www.treehugger.hu). Open summer seven days 0930-2000; winter Mon-Fri 0930-1830, Sat-Sun 1000-1600. [08/08] ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Vilnius, Lithuania: Penki Kontinentai (Five Continents) (Vilniaus gatve 39). Supposedly the largest "foreign-language bookshop" in Vilnius, but the selection is not so great: one shelf of novels in English and some textbooks and technical books in English, and similar or less in other foreign languages. It's several blocks off Gedimino prospektas and not worth the walk unless you actually *need* something in English. Vaga Bookstore (Gedimino 50). Similar to Vilnius (below). Vilnius Bookstore (Gedimino and Vilniaus gatve). A more complete bookstore, but basically all the books are in Lithuanian or Russian. A lot of SF, especially in Russian. ? (Pilies gatve 10). This one had a Sherlock Holmes book (in Lithuanian) which I hadn't seen in any of the other stores, for whatever that's worth. ? (Pilies gatve 22). The layout of bookstores in general seems to be several "stands" which form one long row against the back (and possibly side) wall(s). A table in front of the stand has a copy of each of the books it carries. You can look at those, but when you want to buy, you tell (or point to or show) the clerk behind the counter what you want and she retrieves it from the shelves along the wall. You pay separately at each stand for the books you buy there. There is no overlap that I could detect in the books carried by the various stands, but from one bookstore to the next there wasn't much variation. I suspect the average B. Dalton or Waldenbooks in a mall in the United States has a wider selection. [5/94] ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Riga, Latvia: Central Bookstore (24 Aspazijas bulvaris, across from the Hotel Riga). Big selection, all in Latvian. Also has postcards. Open Mon-Fri 10-14, 15-19; Sat 10-17. Globuss (26 Aspazijas). Supposedly has foreign-language books. The road over to the Central Market is lined with booksellers of Russian books, including a lot of (bootleg) SF and other American authors such as James Fenimore Cooper and Stephen King. There are also several dozen booksellers with tables opposite the train station--again, almost entirely in Russian. The layout of bookstores in general seems to be several "stands" which form one long row against the back (and possibly side) wall(s). A table in front of the stand has a copy of each of the books it carries. You can look at those, but when you want to buy, you tell (or point to or show) the clerk behind the counter what you want and she retrieves it from the shelves along the wall. You pay separately at each stand for the books you buy there. There is no overlap that I could detect in the books carried by the various stands, but from one bookstore to the next there wasn't much variation. I suspect the average B. Dalton or Waldenbooks in a mall in the United States has a wider selection. [5/94] ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Tallinn, Estonia: Apollo Raamatumaja (Viru 23, http://www.apollo.ee). Rahva Raamat (Parnu mnt. 10). Had Edgar Rice Burroughs, Jules Verne, Arthur Conan Doyle, Keith Laumer, and Doris Pischeria in Estonian. ? (Harju str 1) The layout of bookstores in general seems to be several "stands" which form one long row against the back (and possibly side) wall(s). A table in front of the stand has a copy of each of the books it carries. You can look at those, but when you want to buy, you tell (or point to or show) the clerk behind the counter what you want and she retrieves it from the shelves along the wall. You pay separately at each stand for the books you buy there. There is no overlap that I could detect in the books carried by the various stands, but from one bookstore to the next there wasn't much variation. I suspect the average B. Dalton or Waldenbooks in a mall in the United States has a wider selection. [5/94] ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Moscow, Russia: Stozhary (Varshavskoye Shosse 10). SF specialty shop. ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Athens, Greece: Bookstop International Bookstore (Academias 69 & Mavrokordatou 2, Athens 106 78, +30-210-380-1146, http://www.bookstop.gr). Specializes in books for learning a foreign language (English, German, French, etc.) but also fiction, travel guides & maps, etc. The main languages they carry are English, German, French, and Spanish but there is also some books in Russian, Albanian, etc. [08/08] Bookworms (Vouliagmenis Leof. 85, Glyfada, 963-3636). "Specialist English Bookshop. Children's Best and Adult Selection." Christian Bookstore (Averof 13, Athens, 823-1328). Deutsche Buchhandlung (Omiron 4, Athens, 322-5294). German books, I assume. Law and Economy - N.P. Sakkoulas (Panepistimiou 49, Athens, 325-6000). "Legal and Economic Publications & Professional English Language . Business and Law titles from major foreign publishers." Libro (Patriarchae Ioakim 8, Athens, 724-7116). Greek and English Books. ============================================================================ ------------------------------ Istanbul (and other), Turkey: There are two areas to look at. One is the bookseller's market at Beyazit; this is mind-bogglingly chaotic, particularly the second-hand shops, and mainly good for Turkish-language material. The other is in the Pera/Beyoglu area from the Tunel to Taksim Square; there are a few places here that sell foreign-language books, and one small shop in a square near the Tunel has the only second-hand shop in town that sells English and French language stuff (the square it's in will make any cat lover go all wobbly, there are dozens of lovely fluffy moggies outside). There are also bookshops attached to publishers all over the city (though predominantly in Sultanahmet as that's where the publishers themselves congregate). But for general tourist guides and informative material about Turkey in any language you probably can't beat the shop beside the Blue Mosque. Antalya: The Owl Bookshop (Old Quarter). "Absolutely fantastic. It sells secondhand books, mostly novels, and relies mostly on travellers to exchange theirs for something different. The proprietor is a real eccentric and always wants to engage visitors in philosophical discussions about writers, whether it be Camus or the latest Ian McEwan. But forget about finding a Jackie Collins here." [03/04] ========================================================================== 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. This FAQ is not to be reproduced for commercial use unless the party reproducing the FAQ agrees to the following: 1) They will contact the FAQ maintainer to obtain the latest version for their collection. 2) They will provide the FAQ maintainer with information on what collection the copy of the FAQ is in, and how that collection may be obtained. 3) They will agree, in writing, that the FAQ will be included in the collection without modification, and that acknowledgements of contributors (if any) to the FAQ remain in the FAQ. 4) They will agree, in writing, that the collection including the FAQ will be distributed on either a non-profit basis, or have some percentage of profit donated to a non-profit literacy program. Project Gutenberg counts To support this, this FAQ is Compilation Copyright 2008 by Evelyn C. Leeper (the FAQ maintainer). ============================================================================
Evelyn C. Leeper
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