The world’s coolest bookstore, Eslite, makes the list again!

By MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network Editorial Team
 

CNN selected 17 of the “World’s Coolest Bookstores” on the 4th, and Taipei’s Eslite Dunhua branch has made the list once more. In today’s era of digital bookstores, many physical bookstores are facing the challenge of transformation. To survive, these shops have to rack their brains to find their own ways. Below are the 17 coolest bookstores selected by CNN, each with its own unique charm. In addition to Taipei’s Eslite Dunhua — the first 24-hour bookstore — there’s also El Ateneo in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which was originally a grand cinema. Its luxurious and special space has been ranked as the world’s second most beautiful bookstore. Join us on a global tour of these 17 bookstores.

● Paris – Shakespeare and Company

Opened in 1951, Shakespeare and Company may only have a storefront a couple of feet wide, but for Parisians, this small bookstore has erected a magnificent spiritual edifice in their hearts. This intangible structure has made it a cultural landmark on the Left Bank of Paris.

● Taipei – Eslite Dunhua Bookstore

Taipei’s Eslite Dunhua operates 24 hours a day, offering night owls in this city that never sleeps even more choices. The 17,000-square-meter space houses books and magazines in multiple languages, and also includes a bookstore, shopping mall, and music performance venue.

● Argentina – El Ateneo Bookstore

The building that houses El Ateneo was converted into a cinema in 1929, and then transformed again in the early 2000s into a beautiful and spacious bookstore. The original stage and theater interior have been turned into a comfortable and luxurious reading space, allowing guests to read comfortably in this century-old building.

● China – Pioneer Bookstore
Nanjing’s Pioneer Bookstore was founded in 1996 by Qian Xiaohua, a graduate of Nanjing University’s writing program. Its unique style has had a significant influence in Nanjing. The store hosts a series of cultural lectures, exhibitions, and even invites bands to perform, attracting many visitors who come to enjoy reading and culture.
● China – 1200 Bookshop
● UK – Foyles Bookstore
● Italy – Assouline Venezia Bookstore
● Portugal – Livraria Lello

Livraria Lello is hailed as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. It is the flagship store of Portugal’s most important publishing house. The entrance features neo-Gothic design, and upon entering, you’re captivated by its luxurious and classical interior. The striking crimson staircase at the entrance, two-story-high bookshelves along the walls, the beautiful stained-glass ceiling, and even the small tracks for book carts on the floor all contribute to the dreamlike atmosphere of this classical bookstore. The second floor houses a cozy café where guests can enjoy coffee, port wine, and even cigars. In addition to a wide selection of Portuguese books, it also offers many English and French titles.