19 Places Every Book Lover Must Visit

I have always been fascinated with Europe, mainly the UK, simply because it is the birthplace of William Shakespeare. I often see myself roaming around in the Henley Street, hoping to soak up the literature-intellect on the roads where the master playwright once would have briskly walked through, ages ago. However, recently I found out that his birthplace is now a shrine that has even been frequented by the likes of Charles Dickens, John Keats, Walter Scott and Thomas Hardy. Fascinating, isn’t it?

And Woody Allen’s “Midnight In Paris” further fanned such dreams. I am sure, there must be many book lovers that share similar dreams.

And so, I present to you a list of amazing places from around the world that are a haven for bibliophiles.

1. Cambridge Bookshop, Mussoorie: Where Ruskin Bond visits frequently

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While the beauty of this Queen of Hills remains a show stealer, not many are aware of its literature heritage. Home to the well-known Ruskin Bond, it has a popular bookshop called, “Cambridge Books Depot” that is frequented by the residents. The famous writer Ruskin Bond, visits the depot every Saturday, whenever he is in town and the bonding sessions that happen henceforth are a huge hit.

The owner of the shop Arun Arora told TOI of an interesting Pakistani connection of the shop. He said, “In Pakistan, my father used to work in a bookstore called “Cambridge Books Depot”. When he moved to India, he set up this shop with the same name. I love to call it a depot and not a bookstore.”

 

2. Chawton, England: Because Jane Austen wrote from here

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Jane Austen authored several of her books living in a house in the village Chawton, England, and the same house now functions as a museum drowned in the tidbits of her days she used to write. The lovers of literature are sure to feel inspired here.

 

3. London: The city of literary geniuses

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Be it the British Library, which houses the original manuscript of Shakespeare’s first Folio, or even the Shakespeare’s house as I mentioned in the introduction itself, Charles Dickens museum, or Sherlock Holmes museum in Baker Street, London is unquestionably an ideal haven for those who live in the world of stories.

The best way to go about soaking up all the literary culture is to get on one of the literary tours that the city offers.

And oh, by the way, the city also provides Harry Potter Studio tour.

 

4. Bath, England: The city celebrates Jane Austen Festival every year

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Bath was once a hip escape for the elite of London, and to date, it serves as a major tourist destination. For the hardcore book fans, though, there is Jane Austen Centre in the city. And the die-hard fans of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice should definitely visit the city around Jane Austen Festival, which next year will be held from Friday 9th to Sunday 18th September 2016.

 

5. Dublin, Ireland: The perfect combination of beer and literature is served here

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Yes, it is world-famous for Guinness (an Irish beer brand), but it is also a UNESCO City Of Literature. The literary heritage of the city is decorated by the likes of James Joyce, Oscar Wilde and WB Yeats. To sum it up, many celebrated authors and musicians were born in the city, with the statues of famous writers found all over the city.

 

6. Edinburgh, Scotland: It is home to the hotel in which J.K. Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

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While London is where Baker Street is located, Edinburgh is said to be the actual place where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle conceptualised Sherlock Holmes. Doyle’s childhood home in Edinburgh is now the site of a school, and across the street, stands the statue of Sherlock Holmes.

What’s more? If your love for Harry Potter is deeper than your pockets, you should definitely rent the room 652 of Balmoral Hotel, which is where J.K. Rowling is said to have finished scribbling Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. And oh, if you want some hard drink to gulp down the excitement, you should definitely visit The Oxford Bar, where the Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin is said to be a local.

 

7.Paris, France: Another home of literary giants

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The movie “Midnight In Paris” has already done a great deal in pulling aspiring authors and tourists, in general to the City of Lights. But in case you need more inspiration, Les Deux Magots, St. Germain café and Latin Quarter; places once frequented by Ernest Hemingway, are a must visit. Moreover, the city also has Père-Lachaise Cemetery, where Oscar Wilde stays buried.

Another key feature of the city has to be Shakespeare and Company, which is hailed as allegedly the most famous independent book stores in the world, according to Vanity Fair.

 

8. Washington DC: Houses the world’s largest library

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City of the world’s largest library since 1800- The Library of Congress, it is fascinating not just for the lovers of the written word, but also for the fan of elaborate architecture. The great poets like Walt Whitman and Langston Hughes are said to have found inspiration in the city.

 

9. Stockholm, Sweden: A must-visit for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo fans

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Thanks to Alfred Nobel, the city left its mark on the entire world a century ago. And the Nobel Prize enthusiasts, you should definitely visit the City Hall, where annual December celebrations take place. For the non-fans, you can visit all the places mentioned in the Stieg Larsson’s bestselling crime novel The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and its sequels.

 

10. Florence, Italy: Home to good wine, elaborate architectural masterpieces and a famous Italian poet

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In terms of elaborate art and architectural masterpieces, the historic city has a lot to offer. What many might not know of is that the city was also home to the famous Italian poet Dante for a large part of his life.

 

11. Copenhagen, Denmark: A beautiful city that bears relevance with fairy-tales

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Now, not many may be fans of hardcore literature or art, but fairy tales are something we all have grown up listening to. The statue of Hans Christian Anderson (the prolific writer of fairy tales) and Little Mermaid are sure to impress you in the city of picturesque beauty. Also, a tipper- The bicyclists in the city can be just as aggressive as drivers.

 

12. Melbourne, Australia: The cultural capital of the country

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Another UNESCO City of Literature, Melbourne is hailed as the cultural capital of Australia. Be it the very iconic Petrus Spronk’s bluestone sculpture Architectural Fragment outside the State Library of Victoria, or the walls of La Trobe room, decorated with autographs from famous authors; it is definitely an iconic city harbouring every intriguing thing for a lit fan.

Other things to notice would be the book market in Federation Square and Richmond’s Book Talk Café.

 

13. Key West, Florida: A total hit spot for the Hemingway fans

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The island comes into its own during the Hemingway Days Festival, the star features of which have to be the look-alike contest, reading, and a literary competition. And if you miss the festival time, drop by the Hemingway House and feel awed by the legacy of cats he left behind. Yes, you read that right.

Some other notable names from the island are of Tennessee Williams, Elizabeth Bishop, and Shel Silverstein.

 

14. St. Petersburg, Russia: Has a significant but dark relation with literature

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Harbouring the beauty of the neoclassical era and about 42 islands, the city harbours a very compelling lit fact in its Aleksandr Pushkin Memorial Apartment Museum. The museum has the spot where the 37-year-old Pushkin died in his study. What’s interesting to note here is that just like a character in his work Eugene Onegin, he carried fatal wounds after engaging in a duel. And the nearby cafe, Literary Café, was the place he dined for the last time.

 

15. Frankfurt, Germany: The Annual Bookfair here is quite a hit each time

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The city of Frankfurt is important to German literature for it is the birthplace of an influential German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and his home he grew up in is open for visitors. It also celebrates the famous Frankfurt’s Annual Book Fair.

 

16. Portland, Oregon: Has a bookstore that covers an entire city block

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Powell’s Books in Portland claims to be the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world, which spans across an entire city block. Another interesting feature of the place has to be the “Books by Your Bedside” package offered by Heathman Hotel’s (nearby Powell’s books store). The package offers a tour to its library that is entirely filled up with books (4,000 in number) signed by author guests.

 

17. Santiago, Chile: Houses the secret love nest of the famous poet Pablo Neruda

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Rumour has it that Chile’s beloved poet, Pablo Neruda engaged in a secret rendezvous with his mistress/muse at his home La Chascona in Santiago, which is nestled on the Bellavista neighborhood’s hilltop. Another Nobel Prize winning poet, Gabriela Mistral, is too honoured in Chile. There’s a mural of hers in Cerro Santa Lucia park. The city has been a source of inspiration for authors for ages now.

 

18. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Because, Anne Frank House!

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Anne Frank was in hiding in this house and it is here, where she wrote her diary every day amidst the raging World War II. This aside, it goes unsaid, Amsterdam serves among the best nightlife air in the world.

 

19. Prague: Home to an impressive literary history

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A popular European city, it has the Museum of Communism, that gives an insight into the difficulties the writers faced during the Soviet rule. There’s also Franz Kafka museum, dedicated to one of the greatest literary geniuses of the 20th century.

Believe me, nobody has to be a hardcore bibliophile to visit these places, they just have to be the finders of beauty.

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