Bookstores

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of independent bookstores with this stunning photographic collection by Horst Friedrichs. This beautifully crafted hardback book, sized at 240 x 280 mm, spans 256 pages and was published on March 2, 2021. 'Bookstores' takes you on a breathtaking journey through some of the world’s most quirky and vibrant bookstores, celebrating their unique charm and the passionate souls behind them. From the architectural marvel of William Stout Books in San Francisco to the historic Baldwin’s Book Barn in Pennsylvania, each page reveals the hidden treasures of these literary havens. Dive into the stories of Gay’s the Word, the UK’s pioneering LGBTQI bookstore, and the iconic Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal, where art deco design meets a love for reading. Featuring exclusive interviews and personal anecdotes, this book offers a rare glimpse into the lives of bookstore owners dedicated to nurturing communities through literature. Perfect for bibliophiles, book collectors, and anyone seeking a deeper connection with the written word, this book is a must-have for your home library. Experience the beauty, diversity, and vitality of the brick-and-mortar bookstores that continue to thrive in our digital age. Whether you're an avid reader or simply someone who loves the smell of books, this photographic journey will ignite your imagination and inspire a newfound appreciation for the world of independent bookselling.

Author: Horst Friedrichs Publisher: Prestel Publishing
Bind: hardback
Dimensions: 240 x 280 mm
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 02-03-2021

Explore the magic of independent bookstores in this beautiful photographic journey across the world. Bookstores are treasure troves of knowledge and ideas, invaluable for the imagination, and often reflect their owners’ personalities in ways internet behemoths could never recreate. In this book, photographer Horst A. Friedrichs opens the door to the world of bricks-and-mortar bookstores, showcasing their variety, quirkiness, and vitality with lavish photography. It celebrates the passion and commitment of the owners with interviews and anecdotes. Explore William Stout Books, a specialty store for architecture and art books in San Francisco, and Baldwin’s Book Barn in Pennsylvania, a 5-story bookstore housed in a dairy barn open since the mid-1940s. Discover Gay’s the Word, the UK’s first and only dedicated LGBTQI bookshop and Livraria Lello, whose art deco interior is a temple to reading in the middle of Porto, Portugal. Some of the featured bookstores specialize in a certain genre, some are massive with vaulted ceilings, some are tiny and filled to the brim with books, some are in historic buildings that evoke a different time and place, and some are brand new, hightech, architect-designed spaces. What all the bookstores have in common is that they are all dedicated to spreading the written word to their communities. This is an ideal book for anyone who loves to read, browse, or simply linger in the analog world of books and bookstores.