A magnificently illustrated global tour of contemporary bookstores, from Paris to Seoul.
Even in these days of online commerce, the physical bookstore retains its fascination as a place to gather and discover new art and ideas, often serendipitously; in fact, the bookstore is a refuge from the often unreflective world outside. This splendid tribute to the bookstores of the world begins in France-which has the most bookstores per capita of any country-and continues throughout Europe, the Americas, the Near East, Asia, and Africa. Along the way we encounter legendary emporia such as City Lights in San Francisco and Foyle's in London, as well as new innovators such as the architecturally breathtaking Zhongshuge in Hangzhou. The insightful text explores the factors that have shaped bookselling in each region, from the price-fixing laws of France and Germany to the cultural and geographic diversity of the United States.
Illustrated with superb photographs of storefront and interiors, packed shelves and carefully curated displays, Bookstores of the World will inspire every bibliophile to chart new itineraries.
AUTHORS: Jean-Yves Mollier is a noted scholar of contemporary history who teaches at Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University. He has published numerous works on the history of bookselling and publishing.
Patricia Sorel, who teaches at the University of Paris Nanterre, is also an authority on bookselling and publishing.
SELLING POINTS: .
The biggest and best-illustrated survey of the bookstores of the world .
Truly global coverage extending to the Near East, Asia, Africa, and South America .
Photographs that will stir the wanderlust of every book lover .
A substantive text from expert authors
By:
Jean-Yves Mollier,
Patricia Sorel
Imprint: Abbeville Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 311mm,
Width: 241mm,
Weight: 2.500kg
ISBN: 9780789215161
ISBN 10: 0789215160
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 01 February 2026
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Other merchandise
Publisher's Status: Unspecified
19 Introduction Jean-Yves Mollier 29 Europe Patricia Sorel 32 France 34 Paris 62 Around Paris 68 Around France 94 Europe 96 United Kingdom and Ireland 110 Germany 114 The Iberian Peninsula 122 Italy 124 Greece 126 The Netherlands and Belgium 132 Eastern Europe 134 Northern Europe 137 The Americas Jean-Yves Mollier 138 North America 140 The United States and Canada 188 Mexico 194 South America 196 Argentina 202 Chile 206 Colombia 210 Brazil 217 The Near East Jean-Yves Mollier 218 Turkey 222 Egypt 228 Lebanon 230 Syria and Iraq 230 Israel 233 Asia and Oceania Jean-Yves Mollier 234 India 236 China 248 South Korea 252 Taiwan 254 Japan 262 Australia 269 Africa Jean-Yves Mollier 270 South Africa 276 Benin, Cameroon, and Senegal 282 Morocco 284 Tunisia and Algeria 289 Conclusion Patricia Sorel 299 Bibliography 300 Index of Bookstores 303 Photography Credits Left L’ESPERLUÈTE Chartres, France Page 2 CLARKE’S BOOKSHOP Cape Town, South Africa Pages 4–5 LELLO Porto, Portugal Pages 6–7 CĂRTUREŞTI CARUSEL Bucharest Pages 8-9 LER DEVAGAR Lisbon Pages 10–11 THE LAST BOOKSTORE Los Angeles Pages 12–13 EL ATENEO GRAND SPLENDID Buenos Aires Pages 14–15 ZHONGSHUGE Hangzhou, China
Jean-Yves Mollier is a noted scholar of contemporary history who teaches at Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University. He has published numerous works on the history of bookselling and publishing. Patricia Sorel, who teaches at the University of Paris Nanterre, is also an authority on bookselling and publishing.
