Shakespeare & Company

The history of Shakespeare & Company clearly shows that this is more than just a bookstore. George Whitman founded the Paris bookstore in 1951. He had travelled the world, at times facing hunger and thirst for days on end, finally finding hospitality in the arms of local people. His experiences shaped his store’s philosophy, and for decades it has been, as the store’s website puts it, “a home-away-from-home for many thousands of writers and visitors from around the world”.

In what way is each bookstore special?

McKay Used Books

McKay offers more than just books. The idea of a “free enterprise library” stemmed from the

concept of trading books you’ve read for ones you haven’t. This Knoxville store is stocked

exclusively with items that customers bring in to trade or sell.

In what way is each bookstore special?

El Ateneo Grand Splendid

Certainly one of the most beautiful bookstores, El Ateneo Grand Splendid is a theatre-turned-bookstore in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It features eye-catching frescoes and sculptures - and, as if the scenery wasn’t enough, customers can flip through books in theatre boxes and sip a hot drink in the cafe towards the back of the stage!

In what way is each bookstore special?

Cafebreria EL Pebdulo

Though the books line the walls of Mexico City’s Cafebreria EL Pebdulo, visitors can order

breakfast, lunch and dinner from the café and drinks from the bar, all the while enjoying live

music, poetry reading, stand up comedy improvisations and more. This cafe/bookstore even

has valet parking.

In what way is each bookstore special?

Barter Books

Barter Books is located in a beautiful old Victorian Alnwick railway station, in N orthumberland, U.K., right where passengers once bought their train tickets. Barter Books comforts its customers with a homey feel - fires in the winter, a buffet, and a waiting room for people to sip coffee and read.

In what way is each bookstore special?

E. Shaver, Bookseller

Nearly 40 years old, E. Shaver, Bookseller is located in historic Savannah and specializes in regional topics from architecture to gardening. Considered a local treasure, one allure of the store is the collection of antique maps that can be found between its bookshelves. And if you’ve ever dreamed of owning a bookstore here’s your chance. Founders Edwin and Esther Shaver have put the shop on the market.

In what way is each bookstore special?