Novelty stores: 5 weird bookshops every book lover will adore
Where you get your fiction fix matters. The library, the local bookstore or online are standard choices. Sometimes the shop itself is as fascinating as the titles on the shelves. Venice’s Libraria Acqua Alta is one such place. Here are five more weird bookshops from around the world worth visiting.
Singing Wind Bookstore, Benson, Arizona
This store has no web presence. It remains successful four decades after opening. It is located on a functioning cattle farm almost four miles from the nearest settlement. Benson provides some travel info on its website, but details are scant. There are no official hours. They do not take credit cards. The three-room store offers excellent browsing for those who find it.
The Book Barge, various locations, UK
This nomadic independent bookstore is housed on a 60-foot cruiser stern narrowboat. It is small and well-curated by owner Sarah Henshaw. The boat is usually moored near Lichfield but has roamed the country since 2011. It has served as a gig venue and a video set. Henshaw accepts goods for barter as well as currency.
Baldwin’s Book Barn, West Chester, PA
This is a five-story eighteenth century barn. It contains rare and antiquarian books, maps and prints. There are also options for those on a budget. The space features stone walls, arched doorways, creaky staircases and cats. It is the kind of place one might stay during an apocalypse.
Kid’s Republic, Beijing, China
This bookstore in Beijing is designed for children. It features elevated round booths for reading and shelving systems that double as walkways. The design is playful and functional. It resembles a Bauhaus version of a hobbit-hole.
Theses are all awesome! If I had to choose though I’d probably the kids place in China just so I could snuggle up in that purple alcove. Actually I’d love one of those in my house. Perfect way to spend the afternoon.
Can’t think of anything more wonderful than cruising around the country in a book barge. Any idea how long she’s been doing it for?
No surprise to me that the dutch church looks so much like a library, which are so often beautiful literary place of worship.
ha! i’ve been to the book barge not as exciting as you’d think after you get over the whole boat thing!