February 10, 2021
Discover | Vienna
Vienna Würstelstand's David Schneider says:
A lot of us have most probably spent a good amount of time with books during the lockdown life.
Some might have even read through their entire shelf and their literary supplies are in desperate need of restocking. Or perhaps, you just miss the feeling of strolling around within the unique charm of a book store.
Sure, you could always order online, or switch to ebooks, but there’s just something about having a real book in your hands and that smell of paper when browsing a book store.
Plus, we don’t need to mention why it’s important to buy from your local independent book stores, right?
Now that all the stores are open again (who knows for how long) here are some indie book stores we suggest your pay a visit to if you’re a lover of the written word.
@ Vienna Würstelstand / Michael Goldrei
Hartliebs Bücher – Vienna book stores to visit now
MON–FRI: 9am–6pm
SAT: 9am–1pm
This place is worth the visit, even if it’s just to see the beautiful bright red shelves with owls on them (which are actually the oldest thing in the shop). OK, the selection of books is also worth turning up for.
Oh, and they also have a second store that sells French and Italian books.
@ Vienna Würstelstand / Michael Goldrei
Buchkontor – Vienna book stores to visit now
Buchkontor has actually won a prize for being the best book store in the city. Yes, such awards exist and we’re sure they hand them out to book store like this one for a very good reason.
Wihtout a doubt, a visit to the Buchkontor store will mean you’ll be heading home with a book. The collection will turn you on, no matter what flavour of book you’re looking for. The crowd that work here know their stuff, so if you’re in need of some advice or inspiration, throw your questions their way.
Wiener Buchboutique – Vienna book stores to visit now
This little book store has a fetish for books made in Austria. That’s their niche – which is quite obvious when considering the name.
Their shelves are lined with crime novels, biographies of famous personalities, children’s books, non-fiction books about Vienna and the rest of the country. Besides well-known authors that our lovely Alpine country has given birth to, they also feature a variety of lesser-mainstream Austrian publishers.
Shakespeare & Company – Vienna book stores to visit now
For all the people who like to read in English (which you probably do, otherwise you wouldn’t be reading our magazine) there is the tiny book store with the big cult following, Shakespeare & Company. While this is one intimate space, its bookshelves, while well curated, are randomly arranged, meaning your browsing experience may lead you to picking out and buying something you wouldn’t normally read.
© Anna Jeller
Anna Jeller Buchhandlung – Vienna book stores to visit now
The Anna Jeller book store is a true temple to the written word. With shelves climbing up the walls housing a carefully curated selection by an owner that knows their stuff, and proves to be a great help when you’re not sure what you’re looking for.
Even books that are already out of print can be ordered here. A special book p*rn treat can be found in the shop’s windows, which feature colourful displays of books that have been arranged with care, and to give you a preview of what the store has to offer.
© Metamorphose Buchhandlung
Metamorphose Buchhandlung – Vienna Book stores to visit now
You might feel like walking into a gallery when entering this little book store in the 5h district. Instead of just arranging the books on shelves so that only their spines are exposed, books are treated with an oh-holy respect here, with most of the cleverly curated collection facing you with their covers. Aesthetics play a big role in your book hunting experience at Metamorphose, but of course, the content of the books that have obviously been chosen for the shelves by a big reader, will too. This store embraces the medium in all its guises, with beautiful graphic books, to classic novels, fiction and non-fiction.
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