I started #FridayFavorites back when I started up the blog again and wanted to make sure I kept at least one regular post a week. This was, of course, before I knew there were others out there. But I decided to keep it, especially since I have the whole year planned out. In December, I decided to change it to #FridayFives instead to have more room for topics. If anyone wants to join me, the list for future topics can be found here.
I absolutely love to travel (when a pandemic is not going on) and one of the things I love to do is visit bookstores or libraries whenever I go to a new place. Here are the five libraries AND the five bookstores I want to visit!
Libraries
Trinity College Library – Dublin, Ireland
Trinity College Library has always been at the top of my list! The gorgeous architect is just everything I love about an old library.
Biblioteca Vasconcelos – Mexico City, Mexico
In Mexico City, this library covers 38,000 square miles meant to be a “mega-library.” There intricate network of balconies and mismatched floors truly gives this book lover a feeling of being lost in a library.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina – Alexandria, Egypt
As is the case for most book lovers, I’m still not over the burning of the Library of Alexandria. Nor will I ever be. But the Bibliotheca Alexandrina was created to recapture the spirit of the Library of Alexandria. The place is not only a library but has four museums, a planetarium, academic research centers, and holds 5 million books. Just drop me off please, I’ll never come back.
New York Public Library – New York, New York
I mean I had to include the NY Public Library. The historic landmark with the two lions is the flagship of the NYPL system, and such a recognizable landmark in NY. And not only is the library in itself amazing, but the architecture is absolutely gorgeous!
Library of Congress – Washington, D.C.
What can I say, the Library of Congress includes everything I love. Books, politics, and libraries! Oh, I would love to spend a coupe of hours or days here.
Bookstores
El Ateneo – Buenes Aires, Argentina
A bookstore in a theatre! Let me repeat that, a BOOKSTORE IN A THEATRE! Gah, I could spend all day here, which there is places to do so in the still in-tact theatre box seats and the stage is now a coffee shop! I’m in love!
Strand – New York, New York
No, I’ve never been to New York. Yes, I’m still salty about this. I desperately need to go, so I can go to this bookstore. Who cares about Time Square or anything else when there is a bookstore that boasts 18 miles of books!
Boekhandel Selexyz Dominicanen – Maastricht, Holland
Like the El Ateneo, the Bokhandel Selexyz Dominicanen is a transformed building. For this bookstore, they converted an old church into a bookstore. The place was left in neglect for two centuries before being turned into a bookstore, and the alcoves of the church serve as reading nooks now. Absolutely gorgeous!
Dujiangyan Zhongshuge – Chengdu, China
This is actually a new bookstore that opened in the fall of 2020. The arches, mirror ceiling, and black tiles gives the space a feel of never ending books, as well as feeling like your stuck in a M.C. Escher image. With 80,0000 books, there’s definitely enough books to loose myself in.
The Last Bookstore – Los Angeles, CA
The largest used and new bookstore in California. It has grown to 22,000 square feet in a converted bank building, and the famous book tunnel is definitely a place I need to visit. So many nooks and crannies to get lost in!
Happy Reading Darlings!
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