Archive-name: books/stores/europeanππLast change:πTue Mar 16 08:58:15 EST 1993ππAdditions:πParis, FranceπCologne, GermanyπRotterdam, The NetherlandsπZurich, SwitzerlandππAdditions to:πCopenhagen, DenmarkπWaterstone's (Edinburgh, Scotland)ππCopies of this article may be obtained by anonymous ftp to rtfm.mit.eduπ(18.172.1.27) under /pub/usenet/news.answers/books/stores/european.Z.πOr, send email to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with the subject line "sendπusenet/news.answers/books/stores/european", leaving the body of theπmessage empty.ππ============================================================================πCities include:πCopenhagen, DenmarkπLondon, EnglandπOxford, EnglandπHelsinki, FinlandπAmsterdam, The NetherlandsπThe Hague, The NetherlandsπRotterdam, The NetherlandsπEdinburgh, ScotlandπGlasgow, ScotlandπMadrid, SpainπStockholm, SwedenπZurich, Switzerlandππ[Note 1: I collected these comments from a variety of people. I personallyπhave no knowledge of many of these places and take no responsibility if youπbuy a book you don't enjoy. :-) Phone numbers and precise addresses can beπgotten by calling directory assistance for the appropriate city. Call aheadπfor precise hours, as even when I list them they are subject to change.]ππ[Note 2: If you can add information for any of these, in particularπaddresses when they are missing, please send it to me.]ππ[Note 3: I am cross-posting this to rec.arts.sf.written, but the bookstoresπlisted include *all* types of bookstores, so please don't tell me that aπparticular store has a limited SF section unless I have specifically claimedπotherwise.]ππ[Note 4: I know they're bookshops in Britain, not bookstores. In the textπI try to follow this; the introductory material is used world-wide andπuses "bookstores" instead.]ππAnyone who wants to compile a complete London guide to bookshops is welcomeπto the task! :-)ππ============================================================================πCopenhagen, Denmark:ππAthenaeum (Noerregade 6). Medicine, psychology, paedagogics, andπ English-language and literature.πBoghallen (Raedhuspladsen 37, +45 33 11 85 11). The best place to buy booksπ in English in Copenhagen.πDickens--The Bookshop (Sankt Pedersstraede 30, +45 33 93 01 23). Completeπ line of Penguin books.πEjnar Munksgaard (somewhere near some part of the University and not calledπ that any more--can anyone clarify this?)πFantask (Sankt Pedersstraede 18, +45 33 11 85 38). Comics and SF.πPolyteknisk Boghandel (Anker Engelundsvej 1, +45 42 88 14 88). Technicalπ books. (This is the main building of the Technical University ofπ Denmark, and the bookstore is right across the corridor fromπ Danmarks Tekniske Bibliotek, the country's main library forπ technical books and periodicals.)ππIn general, Noerregade and Fiolstraede (next to the Norreport Station) areπthe places to go shopping for books. A few large stores on Stroeget as well.ππ============================================================================πLondon, England:ππ(In general when people ask about bookstores in London, the only answer theyπget is to take the Underground to Charing Cross and walk down the street.πIf someone can send me something more substantial than that, I will includeπit in future postings.)ππ? (Oxford St, heading from Oxford Circle to Tottenham Ct, right side ofπ street). An independent; interesting travel section, respectableπ trade paperback good fiction section.ππ? (all the way up the Archway Rd, near Archway tube stop). Dusty usedπ place. Owned by wife of poet Adrian Mitchell.ππ? (across from Kentish Town branch library, Kentish Town road).π Near the tube stop of same name, head south on the road, right sideπ of st. Good and interesting collection, especially British history.π The library's not bad either.ππ? (south end of Charing Cross Road). Comics and some SF books that otherπ stores stopped selling half a year ago.ππ? (on the first [second to Amercians] floor in a major cross-street nearπ the north end of Charing Cross Road). They have a LARGE stock ofπ comics.ππAt The Sign Of The Dragon (131, Sheen Lane, SW14, 081-876-3855; Mortlake BRπ station and walk south). Run by Richard and Marion van der Voort,π is a small shop with a good selection of titles. They rival (oftenπ beat) Forbidden Planet in early stocking of titles, and are happy toπ reserve and special order books. "A lot more friendly than FP!"ππBooks Etc (Charing Cross Road opposite Foyle's, Tottenham Court Road tube).π Good general stock, with emphasis on fiction and modern literature.π SF section is also surprisingly good for a non-specialist store,π including some US imports. Lots of other stuff, including aπ reasonable technical section. Staff helpful, often beyond the callπ of duty. Takes credit cards, will order books from the US.π Sometimes open Sunday PM.ππDillon's (82 Gower St, Goodge Street tube). Beautiful, general, moderatelyπ helpful staff. Smaller than Foyle's but it more than makes up for itπ in efficiency. Excellent science and medicine depts, and generallyπ strong on textbooks and "recommended reading" in all subjects--thisπ is an academic's bookshop. (It caters for the University Collegeπ that is a block away, and the student population of London at large.)π One of the three main technical bookstores in London, and easier toπ find your way round than Foyles. Also has a reasonable SF sectionπ (all UK, though), and lots of other stuff. There is a bargainπ department on the ground floor. Very knowledgeable staff. Strategicπ reduction in prices in order to challenge the NBA [the Net Bookπ Agreement prevents bookstores from selling books at less than theπ recommended retail price; Dillons are leading a campaign against thisπ by deliberately cutting prices]. Accepts credit cards. (Otherπ branches at 150-152 Kings Road, SW3; 48-52 Kensington High Street,π W8; 8 Long Acre, WC2; 213 Picadilly, W1; St Dunstans Road, W6;π St Mary's Road, W5; Exhibition Road, SW7; Lambeth Palace Road, SE1;π 37 Upper Berkeley Street, W1; Trafalgar Square, WC1. Most of theseπ are associated with a college, so are likely to be small and have aπ specialist selection. For example, the St Dunstan one is at theπ Westminster Medical School, the St Mary one at the Polytechnic ofπ West London, the Lambeth one at St Thomas' Hospital, and theπ Exhibition Road one at the Science Museum.)ππForbidden Planet (New Oxford Street, east of Charing Cross Road; Tottenhamπ Court Road tube). Comics, T-shirts and pins at street level; SF,π posters and videos in the basement. They have some reducedπ hardbacks, marked-down paperbacks and sell more-than-2-year-oldπ copies of Asimov's, F&SF, etc. at a reasonable price. "The SF stockπ has gone downhill in recent years IMHO, as they seem to haveπ concentrated more on marketing the big releases--if you are lookingπ for something specific you are much better off going to Murder Incπ (see below) at least in my experience." [Editorial note: this seemsπ to be a world-wide policy, as their New York City stores have theπ same problem.] "Good for US paperbacks, but I've had more luckπ finding new US hardbacks at Murder Inc". Some really good SF/fantasyπ art books. They also have author signings. Takes credit cards.ππFoyle's (Charing Cross Road, just after Sutton Row, Tottenham Court Roadπ tube). "Well, this is whereπ all the guide books are going to send you--I have yet to findπ someone that doesn't hate the place. Chaotic--they claim to haveπ every book in print, but they never seem able to find them....π Utterly ridiculous system of classifying by *publisher*--it makesπ browsing a tiresome experience. Staff are sometimes willing, butπ often unable to help; more often than not they tell you to tryπ Dillon's. Good Penguin section, though." A wierd pay system: youπ have to leave your books at the service desk, wander off in searchπ of a cash desk to pay and get your bill stamped, then back for yourπ books. "I don't think they take credit cards."ππLondon School of Economics Bookstore (Houghton St., Holborn tube). Veryπ good history, economy, related subjects.ππMotor Books (St. Martin's Lane, just off Charing Cross Road, near Foyle'sπ and Trafalgar Square). "They have the most incredible selection ofπ books relating to transportation. As a train buff, I feel that theirπ railroad (yes I know they'd call it railway :-)) section is the bestπ in the world. Their military, aviation and auto sections are topπ notch as well."ππMurder Inc (Charing Cross Road, just below Shaftesbury Avenue, Leicesterπ Square tube). Mystery and romance at street level, SF in theπ basement. No SF merchandise--just books. They also seem to have oneπ or maybe two copies of many titles rather than dozens of a few. Aπ lot of them are imports so prices are higher than average--but wellπ worth it if you are after that one elusive volume. Probably the bestπ source for new US SF hardbacks. Staff is very helpful too. Theyπ have a bookcase of second-hand books that are of *very* high quality.π Takes credit cards, will do mailorder (I think). (Another posterπ calls this "Murder One.")ππOxford University Press Bookshop (72 Charring Cross Road). Not as big as theπ flagship store at Oxford, but certain to carry almost every OUP bookπ in print. The OUP publishes (among other things!) some very goodπ philosophy of science books and its reference series is unparalleled.ππPenguin Shops (Covent Garden and across from Camden Town tube stop). Notπ bad in a pinch. Harried staff.ππWaterstone's (Charing Cross Road, just before Sutton Row). "Haven't beenπ there too often--it is a very attractive shop and seems to have aπ good, all-round stock with an emphasis on literature and history."ππThere are quite a few other bookshops along Charing Cross Road, includingπsome bargain book ones. There are also a few bookshops in Oxford Street,πnear Tottenham Court Road tube station. And don't forget the museumπbookshops. For oriental/historical books, try opposite the British Museumπ(a reasonably short walk from Tottenham Court road tube). The BritishπMuseum sells historical and art books. Also opposite the BM is Gosh Comics.π(You can have a pleasant day out looking round the bookshops and/or theπBritish museum. There are quite a few restaurants and fast food outletsπaround. If you're reaching London by train, you can walk up Charing CrossπRoad from Charing Cross rail station, or from Euston rail station down toπDillons and then to the British Museum or Tottenham Court Road, and on toπCharing Cross Road, (although it's about 10 minutes walk from Euston toπDillons), or you can take the northern line tube from either station).ππFor clip art and other Dover books, try the Dover Bookshop. Going southπdown Charing Cross road, take the small road that's probably second left,πcounting round anticlockwise from the southern part of Charing Cross at theπCambridge (?) Circus junction in the middle of Charing Cross Road. Ifπyou're on the correct road, you should go past a shop called Orc's Nest moreπor less immediately. The Dover Bookshop stock most Dover books, and similarπtitles. The owner is very helpful and takes credit cards.ππ============================================================================πOxford, England:ππBlackwell's. "The typical university bookshop but often missed is the rareπ books and special editions that Sir Basil Blackwell collected andπ put on display in a rather pleasant country house just south ofπ Oxford. The problem is, I cannot remember the village. Nearπ Nuneham Courtney? Clifton Hampden? Someone will know. Sometimesπ a special book deserves a special typesetting, printing andπ binding." Also has various second-hand sections.πBook Bargains (2 St. Ebbe St).πBookshop on the Plain (cross Magdaelen Bridge and start up the Cowley Rd;π it's immediately on your left).πThe EOA Communist Bookshop (across the road from Bookshop on the Plain).π Might carry Irish stuff for all the wrong reasons, I suppose, butπ being a Tory I wouldn't know :-."πThorton's. "Look out for Thornton's as it's *dear*."πWaterfield's (36 Park End St). Good philosophy section.ππ"There's also a large second hand bookshop on the way down to the railwayπstation, go down the hill from the Westgate centre, past Nuffield Collegeπand the prison, and straight on past the Queen's Arms, it then appears onπthe right. The antiques emporium just before it and the Jam Factory overπthe road by the traffic lights also house minor booksellers amongst theirπother denizens."ππ============================================================================πHelsinki, Finland:ππAkateeminen Kirjakauppa (Akademiska Bokhandeln in Swedish -- the otherπ official language there) (across the street from (and legally a partπ of) the large Stockmann department store on Keskuskatuπ (Centralgatan) at the corner of Pohjoinen Eplanaatikatu (Norraπ Esplanadgatan)). Despite the name (literally: "Academicπ Bookstore"), Akateeminen carries a large selection of modern fictionπ as well. Books are in Finnish, Swedish, and English, and to aπ lesser extent German, French, and Russian. This used to be theπ largest bookstore in the world, with some 250,000 titles.π (Akateeminen is actually a chain, and their stores are found in orπ near most Stockmann locations, but the one in Helsinki is theπ largest and best.)ππ============================================================================πParis, France:ππBrentano's (37, avenue de l'Opera, 400m from the Opera, 75002 Paris,π Tel (1) 42 61 52 50). American bookstore, with specialized sections,π French books and a newsstand that carries American mags. Very largeπ array of fantasy and science fiction paperbacks just to the right ofπ the main entrance. The Horror section is separate. Very fewπ hardbacks, located near the cashier No comics to speak of. Willπ take orders.πFNAC (several *big* stores in Paris, and many in other major French towns).πVirgin Megastore (Champs Elysees). (Isn't this music rather than books?)πW. H. Smith (rue de Rivoli near the American Embassy and the Concorde Place).π Large English bookstore, carries about everything from comics toπ videotapes. The SF/Fantasy/Horror section is now at the bottomπ of the store, near the rear entrance. Hardbacks are displayedπ on the top of the shelf, with some of the newest paperbacks.π The fantasy and SF are mixed; the horror books use a separateπ third of the back shelf. More expensive in the average thanπ Brentano's.ππ============================================================================πCologne, GermanyππBuchhandlung Klaus Bittner (Albertus Strasse 6; across the street fromπ Walther Koenig). Modern German language literature. Very helpfulπ and knowledgeable as well. Has also a very broad selection of booksπ on opera, theatre and ballet. Carries a small stock of Englishπ paperbacks. Regular reading and lecture events with German languageπ and international writers. On Saturdays a meeting place of theπ Cologne writers and would-be writers. ππBuchhandlung Walther Koenig (Breite Strasse 93). A classic! Specialized inπ fine arts,with an emphasis on contemporary art, design, museumπ catalogues, architecture, photography, film. Two bookstores next toπ each other. The one directly at the corner has bargain books; theπ store next to it has the current editions as well as journals. "Inπ my personal view among the best for these subject areas. Goodπ selection of English language publications. The owner is a walkingπ CD-rom and famous in the German art scene. Equally helpful andπ knowledgeable staff." English and French spoken. Outlets also atπ the Museum Ludwig (Cologne's Museum of Contemporary Art close to theπ Cathedral), at the Bundeskunsthalle (Bonn), in Duesseldorf andπ Frankfurt am Main and may be at other places. Still, not a chainπ store...ππ============================================================================πAmsterdam, The NetherlandsππAmerican Discount Book Centers (Kalverstraat 185, 1012 XC Amsterdam,π +31-20-6255537). They cater to the large English-languageπ community in Holland. Besides a large selection in recent Americanπ fiction they stock a lot of SF and fantasy. The staff is friendlyπ and helpful. If they don't have the books you want in stock theyπ will try to order them for you.πWH Smith (Kalverstraat 152, 1012 XE Amsterdam, +31-20-6383821).ππ============================================================================πThe Hague, The NetherlandsππAmerican Discount Book Centers (Lange Poten 23, 2511 CM 'S Gravenhage,π +31-70-3642742). They cater for the large English-languageπ community in Holland. Besides a large selection in recent Americanπ fiction they stock a lot of SF and fantasy. The staff is friendlyπ and helpful. If they don't have the books you want in stock theyπ will try to order them for you.ππ============================================================================πRotterham, The NetherlandsππDonner (Lijnbaan 150/Binnenwegplein 7). Largest bookstore in theπ Netherlands.ππ============================================================================πEdinburgh, Scotland:ππBargain Books (Princes Street). Very limited selection, but a good placeπ for picking up, say, the complete Shakespeare/Conan Doyle/Brothersπ Grimm practically free.πBauermeisters (on George IV Bridge).πCastle Books (Canongate). Used.πChurch of Scotland Bookshop (George Street). Stocks a wide range ofπ Christian books. The Church of Scotland has recently sold itsπ chain of bookshops, but the terms of the deal constrain the newπ owner to continue them as Christian bookshops without much change.πDead Head Comics (44 Victoria St). Wide range of US/UK mainstream andπ independent comics and graphic novels. Probably superior range toπ Forbidden Planet, definitely better atmosphere.πForbidden Planet (Teviot Place). Science fiction.πOld Grindle's (Spittal Street). Used. Has second-hand football programmes.πMacnaughtons (Haddington Place, Leith Walk). Used.πSecond Edition (Canonmills). Used.πSheena McNeil (Bruntsfield Links). Sheet music.πJames Thins (South Bridge). The biggest bookshop in Scotland and (afterπ John Smiths in Glasgow, the second oldest. Some people think it'sπ great; others think it's the worst they've dealt with. One sums upπ both sides, I think, with: "They have half a dozen branches inπ Edinburgh, a vast academic section, and maintain close contactsπ with the Universities. However, they do tend to be ratherπ complacent and unhelpful at times, and tend to act as if they wereπ a monopoly supplier, with a `like it or lump it' attitude." Forπ those who follow such things, another reader says, "They are alsoπ a bunch of hypocrites, handing out propaganda in favour ofπ retaining the Net Book Agreement, while marking up the prices ofπ Non-Net Books higher than Waterstone's and Co."πTills (Buccleuch Street). Used.πWaterstone's (128 Princes Street, 13/14 Princes Street, and 83 Georgesπ Street). Large chain. 128 Princes Street is their new flagshipπ branch. "Sandwiched between HMV and Virgin so you are in peril ofπ CD purchasing fever (or would be if both weren't so bad - except theπ jazz and classical section at Virgin) but I digress. This wasπ opened in November 92 and I must admit I am impressed. It is on fourπ floors, and is second only to the main Thins branch for volumesπ carried. There are excellent fiction, biography, foreign literature,π foreign language, history, Scottish, legal, cooking, gardening,π pretty good SF, and the usual range of academic subjects. It is aπ very good bookshop." The 83 George Street shop has a large groundπ floor and smaller basement. This branch has a bias in favour ofπ fiction and biography. The SF section is not so good. It has quiteπ a good section of art books: both textual and coffee table. Academicπ areas are rather weak. Scottish authors have their own section asπ does Scottish history, etc. These sections are not bad.πWest and Wilde (Dundas Street). Gay/lesbianπWest Port Books (West Port near Lothian Rd.). Used.π(a couple of shops in Teviot Row). Medical, new and used.π(a couple of used book shops in Broughton Street and at the topπof Leith Walk and several used book shops in the Grassmarket).ππYou can pick up a leaflet with a full list of used book shops from any oneπof them.πThe Assembly Rooms in George St. often holds book fairs on Saturdaysπwhere many of the second-hand booksellers exhibit.ππ============================================================================πGlasgow, Scotland:ππBargain Books (chain of small shops). Limited stock but excellent bargainπ prices.πCaledonia Books (Great Western Road). Used.πChurch of Scotland Bookshop (Buchanan Street near the Underground Station).π Near Forbidden Planet. The Church of Scotland has recently soldπ its chain of bookshops, but the terms of the deal constrain the newπ owner to continue them as Christian bookshops without much change.πCenterpeace (Stockwell Street). Pacifist/feminist/Third World.πClyde Books (Parnie Street). Radical/socialist/feminist/green.πDillons (the Argyle Street/Union Street corner). A very large branch.π More modern than Smiths and a great place to pick up bookπ bargains. Close to Smiths and Waterstones.πDowanhill Books (in a lane off Byres Road opposite Hillhead tube station).π Used.πForbidden Planet (Buchanan Street). Science fiction and comics.πFutureshock (31 Byres Road). American imports and OLD paperbacks as well asπ imports. They also stock some comics, though not many. The nearestπ Underground stations are Partick and Hillhead.πGilmorehill Books (Bank Street). Used.πObelisk (Virginia Galleries, Virginia Street). Used SF and mysteries.πJohn Smith and Sons (St. Vincent Street). Quite close to George Square.π This is the main branch and is famous enough for you to be able toπ ask directions to it. It has 5 floors and keeps books on just aboutπ any subject you can think of. Main public transport terminalsπ nearby (i.e., walking distance) include Central Station (trains),π Queen Street Station (trains), Buchanan Street Station (buses) andπ Buchanan Street Underground Station. Close to Dillons andπ Waterstones.πJohn Smith and Sons (University Bookshop, University Avenue, Hillhead) (westπ of the city centre). A strictly academic bookshop, they specialiseπ in stocking books on the recommended reading lists for studentsπ supplied by Glasgow University (who keep close links with the shop).π Most university courses are in evidence in the shop - medical booksπ particularly so. Main public transport terminal nearby is Hillheadπ Underground Station.πJohn Smith and Sons (Byres Road Branch, Byres Road, Hillhead). A mainstreamπ three-storey bookshop. Simply a scaled-down version of the mainπ shop. This shop is located next door to the Hillhead Undergroundπ Station. The university shop is 5 minutes away on foot. A niceπ area in general, well worth a look: there are several famousπ cafes/coffee shops around here too (e.g., The Ubiquitous Chip, Theπ Underground Gallery).πVoltaire and Rousseau (Otago Street Lane). Used.πWaterstones (Union Street very close to Dillons). Large branch.π More modern than Smiths. Close to Smiths.πWord of Mouth (Bank Street). Food and cookery; this place is amazing.πcharity shops in Byres Rd, all of whom sell books, starting with Cancerπ Research, Oxfam, Dr Barnado's, Save the Children, Glasgowπ University's settlement(?), as well as the back alley secondhandπ books (next to Oxfam) and occasionally DeCourcy's arcade)ππRegarding Smiths, one reader says:π"There are other branches of Smiths, but these three should cover allπyour needs wherever you are in Glasgow. All Smiths shops are tied by aπcomputer network allowing the facility for quick look up of stocksπelsewhere in the city and quick transfer between branches in the caseπwhere a particular book is not in stock at a certain branch. They canπalso order ANY book in print as long as they can locate the ISBN, andπsend it to any address you please. They have British and Overseas Booksπin Print on Microfiche for this purpose."ππW. H. Smiths and John Menzies are huge UK-wide chains that sell magazinesπand airport bestsellers.ππ============================================================================πMadrid, Spain:ππBooksellers S.A. (Jose Abascal 48, 28003). New books in English. English asπ a Second Language materials. πCasa del Libro (Gran Via, 29). Mostly new Spanish books, with an Englishπ section.πTurner English Books (Genova 3, 28004). New books in Spanish, English, andπ French. ππAlso check out the bookstalls on Claudio Moyano, between the Prado, Atochaπstation, and Retiro Park (more precisely, it's the street that runs betweenπthe Botanical Gardens and the Agriculture Ministry; but no one knows whereπthose are). Spanish books, new and used, old volumes often very reasonably πpriced.ππ============================================================================πStockholm, Sweden:ππSF-Bokhandeln (Stora Nygatan 45 in Gamla Stan). Specializes in SF. Openπ weekdays 1100-1900, Saturdays 1000-1600. During June, July, August π and December also open on Sundays 1200-1600. Telephone +46 8 215052π and fax +46 8 247730.ππ============================================================================πZurich, Switzerland:ππFilmbuchhandel Rohr (Oberdorfstrasse). Good selection of books about film.πOrel Fuessli (Pelikanstrasse). Largest bookstore in the city. Largeπ general selection, excellent collection of German-language paperbackπ novels, travel guides for all over the world, maps, coffee-tableπ travel picture books. Decent selection of English-language books.πPayot (Bahnhofstrasse). Good French- and English-language bookstore.π General selection, good collection of art books. English-languageπ books are generally British editions.πTravel Bookstore (Rindmarkt). Excellent collection of travel guides andπ maps. English-language guides available.ππ============================================================================ππEvelyn C. Leeper | +1 908 957 2070 | ecl@mtgpfs1.att.com <========πNote new address: ecl@mtgzy.att.com will work only until April 30.ππ
