Your Passport to Europe's Prettiest Bookstores

I'm here to tell you which bookstores you MUST add to your bucket list!

I’ve recently visited some of the dreamiest European bookstores, and here is my verdict on whether they deserve a spot on your travel bucket list…

Last week, I returned from a few magical weeks abroad. I’ve wandered through cobblestone streets, sipped on limoncello spritz’s, and (of course) lost hours inside some of the most beautiful bookstores Europe has to offer. I’ve missed writing to you and spending time with the characters of my AFL inspired sports romance book, but the distance has given me new inspiration that I can’t wait to share with you.

So without further ado, let’s jump into the bookstores you should add to your bucket list.

Giunti Odeon - Libreria e Cinema

📍: Florence, Italy.

This bookstore takes the win for the gob-smackingingly STUNNING architecture. Once an old theatre, it has since been redeveloped into a cinema and the most beautiful bookstore in all of Italy. When you push through the big, brass door handles, you’re greeted by a selection of local titles (which I thought was a gorgeous touch, if you wanted to learn more about the city and the stories of people who live here).

Walking in further, I was taken aback by the sheer size of this book shop. It’s HUGE. Obviously, I went straight to the romance section (which translated in Italian is Amori e passioni - how sweet does it sound!)

In this area, I felt at home. So many familiar titles and so many that I heard of, for the first time. My TBR list is certainly longer now. But if you were searching for something other than romance, I have no doubt you’d find any kind of book you’re looking for here.

Beyond the books downstairs, once making your purchase, you can head upstairs to get a better view, overlooking the shop. Here you can cosy up with a great read or take a moment to watch a flick. They even show trailers of new movies coming out soon! I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Overall, this store absolutely exceeded all my expectations. I also walked away with a gorgeous edition of, Mile High by Liz Tomforde (fun fact - this book inspired my AFL sports romance book). It was so hard to hold back and not buy more but I fear my suitcase couldn’t hold any more books. Especially when I knew I had more bookstores coming up on my travels.

Waterstones

📍: Amsterdam, Netherlands.

This. Book. Store. It may seem small at first or maybe, not the first bookstore to come to mind when you think of Europe but this…this bookstore captured my heart. I didn’t quite get to make it to London on this trip but when I was googling bookshops in the Amsterdam area, I was shocked to find this gem here.

I feel like Waterstones has this elegance class about it. The facade is just simply beautiful in an old, historic elegant way.

When you enter, you’re greeted by a table of new releases and the shelves filled with popular fiction titles. My friend and I were surprised by the large, though compact size of Waterstones. From the lower floor, you think the stairs that lead to the floor above, would be enough. Small. Quaint. It offers the perfect amount if you were passing by and wanted to pick up a quick read. But we were so glad to discover the staircase led us higher.

On the higher floors, you can find a range of fantasy books, educational, cooking, language books and so much more. My favourite part of this bookstore was the cosy reading nooks they had on each floor and overlooked the Main Street. Sitting there, I was bathed in the warm sun and struggled to decide which book to buy next. So many to choose from! Not to mention the games and little nick knacks that can be found throughout each level were so tempting.

Shakespeare and Co

📍: Paris, France.

I feel like Paris needs its own post simply because I swear any bookstore I passed just seemed so inviting and interesting. You could be walking on a random street and you’d pass by a used bookstore, that was decorated with heritage and treasured memories. However, the main attraction for me was none other than the Shakespeare and Co bookstore.

A few things to note about this bookstore is…

• You are not allowed to film or take photos in the store.

• Why? Well this is because of the history of the bookshop. The story of Shakespeare and Co, dates back to world war 2, when it closed and was taken over by a man named, George Whitman. This bookstore was a meeting hub for many successful and famous authors. What I found most interesting, was the bookstores attempt to preserve the magic of reading. I desperately wanted to whip out my camera and capture the quotes scribbled on the walls, the worn but cosy reading lounge upstairs and the stairs that devoted themselves to protesting the importance of finding yourself within the pages of a good book. But I could truly appreciate the bookstores attempt to make customers live in the moment.

I could talk about this bookstore all day long. From the creaky floorboards to the little secluded sections in what felt like a home, that dedicated themselves to different genres of literature. This bookstore was at the top of my bucket list and passing through the shop felt so surreal. The only thing I’d hope to see expanded in this bookstore when I visit next, would be a wider range of romance books.

From Shakespeare and Co, I walked away with the perfect tote bag that looks like the historic facade of the shop has been stamped on the front. It is the perfect size to carry all the books I want to buy!

The Abbey Bookshop

📍: Paris, France.

A short 5-minute walk from Shakespeare and Co, you’ll find 40,000 books including rare editions and second hand copies. I was blown away by how tiny this bookstore is but the significance a small shop could hold. Some may say the tall shelves, overspilling with once loved books that are screaming to be read again, is slightly overwhelming simply because there are so many of them. But wandering the aisles, I thought about how amazing it is to think there are so many stories that currently exist in the world and the amount that are still yet to be written. To me, it truly reinforced the idea that there is a book for everyone. I guess you just need be looking in the right place.

You could spend forever sifting through the shelves, taking in the various titles and wandering where you’ll find the time to read all the books that have captured your attention in this one visit. I can’t wait to come back and spend more time scouring the shelves to find my next read.

Let’s chat!

I would love to know…have you ever visited a bookstore that took your breath away? OR which bookstores do you want to travel to?

Where Am I At With My Writing?

Returning to the computer after a break always feels slightly daunting. I suppose, because you know exactly what you need to do now, you know what you want your characters to say and do but it’s just not knowing how this will translate from my wild thoughts and onto the page. But whilst it can be nerve wracking, it is so thrilling to see where Hunter and Sienna will go next. Right now, I’m easing back into it, taking the time to edit before I rewrite and add some scenes.

This trip has reminded me that inspiration doesn’t always come from pushing through and just putting words down. I think that taking small breaks (not matter what this looks like), whether it be a weekend road trip or indulging in a self-care night, it is so important to refill your creative soul and realise why and who you are writing for.

The thing I am most proud of is, since returning to the manuscript, I have so much more clarity and I’m so excited to continue to introduce you to Hunter Kennedy and Sienna Bennett.