The Importance of Visiting Local Bookstores While Traveling

The Allure of Local Bookstores

When planning a trip, my journey often begins with Google Maps, searching for restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops to visit. Regardless of whether I am bound for a beach town or a bustling city, one destination consistently makes my itinerary: a local bookstore.

Bookstores offer a sense of comfort and community reminiscent of my home in New York City. The appeal of the books is undeniable, yet the vibrant personalities of booksellers elevate the experience, revealing some of the coolest individuals in any neighborhood.

Furthermore, the welcoming atmosphere and creative energy found in bookstores are magnetic, drawing me to these spaces every time.

Visiting Yvon Lambert Gallery

On a trip to Paris last summer, Yvon Lambert Gallery was among my top destinations. From the exterior, the gallery appears unassuming, yet inside, I discovered stacks of unique art books and posters from past exhibitions alongside the art gallery itself.

Before I entered, I had my heart set on a canvas tote bag inscribed with “books” in elegant cursive. Given my habit of always carrying a book, it seemed fitting to have a tote that echoed this passion.

After exploring the installations and the collection of international books and magazines, I purchased the tote while my boyfriend brought home a poster—a perfect way to commemorate this literary adventure. It has become one of my favorite bags, evoking memories of my trip each time I use it.

Shakespeare and Company

A few years prior, during my study abroad in Tours, France, I embarked on a similar book-themed excursion. A friend and I visited Paris for a day—our limited time allowed us to see the Catacombs and Notre-Dame de Paris, but my main priority was reaching Shakespeare and Company.

Renowned as the destination for English-language books, this shop boasts an intriguing literary history. Established in its current location in 1951, it welcomed literary legends, including Allen Ginsberg and Ernest Hemingway. As a nod to the legacy of bookseller Sylvia Beach, who opened the original bookstore in 1919, this location has maintained its reputation through the years.

Being an English major, it was natural for me to pick up a copy of Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast, complete with the shop’s stamp—a reminder of my literary pilgrimage. This book accompanied me to the park, where I savored a baguette, feeling at home despite the distance from my familiar surroundings.

Buenos Aires’ Ateneo Grand Splendid

Fast forward to later travels where bookstores continue to play a critical role in my experience. Recently, a friend visiting Buenos Aires shared her experience at Ateneo Grand Splendid, a gorgeous bookstore located in a repurposed theater. I was particularly intrigued by a Spanish edition of Sally Rooney’s Beautiful World, Where Are You?.

Discovering Cafebrería el Péndulo in Mexico City

During a subsequent visit to Mexico City, I set out to find my favorite titles in Spanish, guided by the memory of my friend’s find. I stumbled upon Cafebrería el Péndulo Condesa, where I found Rooney’s Normal People, delighting in its eye-catching cover featuring two people in a sardine tin—a fitting visual representation of the story’s themes.

Future Bookstore Goals

Looking ahead, when I return to California, Skylight Books in Los Angeles and Book/Shop in Oakland are at the top of my list. I am also eager to explore The Tattered Cover in Denver, a cherished bookstore from my mother’s past, and Selexyz Dominicanen in Maastricht, The Netherlands—a bookstore nestled within an old church, combining literature and architectural beauty.

On these adventures, the question is not whether I will add to my collection, but which book will accompany me home.