We’ve also compiled a list of the best books on Barcelona, so Cheapos can pick something up to read on the train or in your hotel room to get a deeper understanding of one of Europe’s greatest cities.

Altaïr
Gran Via Corts Catalanes, 616

This is THE spot for travel guides, travel novels, travel gear and meeting fellow travelers in Barcelona. Like all the shops on this list, most of the books here are in Catalan or Spanish, but you’ll also find some English goodies. Altaïr’s bulletin board allows travelers to meet other folks who are globe-trotting solo and want company.  I always marvel at their listings, and I have a friend who has gone on several exotic voyages after meeting people through the Altaïr board. You never know!

Laie
Pau Claris 85

There are quite a few branches of this bookshop around the city. A favorite of mine is on Pau Claris under Cafe Laie. Here’s how you visit: browse the bookshop, purchase a title that catches your eye and read it upstairs over a cup of coffee.

FNAC

Pl. Catalunya 4

A biggie and definitely not indie, but it’s still worth mentioning because of their enormous selection of English titles and frequent special events. You want a best seller for the beach? You’ll find it here. Also, FNAC is easy to locate. It’s right on Plaza Catalunya in the center of town. Apart from books they’ve got music, technology, a cafe and a convenient concert ticket sales counter. Plus, check their calendar, because they often put on art exhibits, offer free concerts, and invite authors to read at the store.

Garb a book off the shelf and then head upstairs to the cafe at La Central. Photo: Garret Ziegler

La Central
Elisabets, 6

An exceptional choice for books on art and hipster guides to the city is La Central. With several stores in Barcelona and Madrid, count on spending at least a few hours flipping through their offerings. I recommend the shop in El Raval.

Recommended Barcelona Reads

Now that you know where to get your guides, novels, and non-fiction, it’s time to grab a book off the shelf and read up on Barcelona. Here are a few titles I recommend in a more or less chronological order. Leaf through these publications listed below before or during your trip to Barcelona to get a deeper look into the city.

Start with: “Cathedral of the Sea” by Ildefonso Falcones for some page-turner historical fiction.

Then try: “Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafónto to get an idea of what the Gothic Quarter and Tibidabo were like. Again, this is high-drama fiction and a best seller.

Next up: “As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning” which is a beautifully written biography by Laurie Lee.

Finally some classics: Hemingway’s “Fiesta: The Sun Also Rises”, Orwell’s “Homage to Catalonia”, a must-read, and Richard Wright’s “Pagan Spain” for another view.

The post Barcelona’s best bookshops, and a reading list for travelers appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

In the age of Amazon, a good bookstore is hard to find. Mom-and-pop and big-box alike have been on a shuttering spree, as the e-book claims dominance. But thankfully not in New York, land of Algonquin’s round table, Harlem’s Renaissance, and Gatsby’s greatness. Sure, there have been some troubles here too, but there have also been some wins, and so far New York’s indie bookstores still shine like a beacon in the storm. Here, some favorite spots to hit the stacks.

Related: 5 independent bookstores in Brooklyn worth checking out.

Best all-around:
Housing Works Bookstore Café
126 Crosby Street, Soho

Bookstore, café, event space, charity… This New York literary fixture functions as a book lover’s, well, everything. You can scrounge up great used books on the floor-to-ceiling shelves, and then enjoy them in the cozy café. Reading and music events are regular occurrences, and sometimes happy hours sweeten things even further.

Best place to feel the love:
Greenlight Bookstore
686 Fulton Street, Fort Greene Brooklyn

The folks behind this cheery gem love their people as much as they do their books. In fact, the store was created after a survey by the Fort Greene Association found that many thought the neighborhood was lacking a local bookstore (talk about giving back!). Now, Fort Greene has a brainy place that not only showcases local authors but holds many an event where the community can, well, commune with them.

Best place to plan a revolution (or read about one):
Bluestockings
172 Allen Street, Lower East Side

Feminism, anarchism and a host of other “-isms” all hold court at this free-thinking “activist center.” You’ll also find queer studies, Zapatistas and even “alternative menstrual products” (no joke). The café features an array of fair trade items, and nightly events bolster the communal spirit.

“Bookiest” smell:
East Village Books
99 St. Mark’s Place, East Village

What do bookworms dream of when they dream about books? The tiny, friendly East Village Books, which seems to specialize in worn, well-loved volumes. It’s the sort of place where you walk in to sell five books and walk out with 10, plus that special hard-to-find gem.

Book nerd-vana:
Alabaster Bookshop
122 4th Avenue

I’m not sure whether it’s the book nerd in me, or the little girl who loved Beauty and the Beast, or a combination of the two but there is something about a bookstore with ladders that opens my proverbial heaven’s gates (insert “aaaahhhhh….” sound here). In addition to ladders, this sweet spot ticks another bibliophile box—nooks and crannies, all packed with used books, from plastic-wrapped first editions to tattered copies of Little House on the Prairie.

Most resilient neighborhood icon:
St. Mark’s Bookshop
31 Third Avenue

I have a soft spot for this nerdy gem, and not only because I passed (and lingered at its windows) daily in my first days of living in New York. You see, St. Mark’s Bookshop is both an East Village icon and a steadfast survivor. Having first opened its doors to artists and academics in Manhattan’s gritty ’70s, the bookstore has weathered some hard times. It almost shuttered in these days of gentrification, only to be saved by a healthy dose of tenacity and the rallying efforts of a supportive community. Today, I’m pleased to report that many more will have the pleasure of enjoying the shop’s volumes of critical theory and impressive selection of lit mags.

Best children’s bookshop:
Books of Wonder
18 W 18th Street

Even the name of this sweet establishment captures the magic that takes hold when one is first discovering books. Beyond that, the selection of old, new and rare gems is magnificent, and a variety of readings are appealing to kids both big and small.

Hippest literary salon:
Molasses Books
770 Hart Street, Bushwick Brooklyn

In the infinite hipness that is the gritty, up-and-coming Brooklyn neighborhood of Bushwick, bookstores with an edge are cropping up. For brevity’s sake, we’ll focus on the first, Molasses Books, which opened in 2012 and set the bar high. With its shelves of used books (most $10 and under), plus comfy seating and coffee, beer and wine selections, this airy spot begs lingering. Bonus points for a daily happy hour and Tuesday evening DJ parties (plus other events). Block out some time to wander the area to check out the other book shops in this uber-literary area.

Best place for wanderlust:
Idlewild
12 W. 19th Street

Whether you’re planning a trip or just dreaming about one, this second-floor shop is for you. Its name comes from the JFK Airport’s pre-1963 moniker, and its décor (vinyl chairs and a slab of stained glass) come from the old American Airlines terminal, so you feel just ready to jet set as you browse the inspirational tomes, which are divided by destination. Headed to Spain? You can find everything from guidebooks to cookbooks to Don Quixote all in one place. The story also stocks some travel gear, and offers language classes. (There is also a second shop at 249 Warren Street, in Cobble Hill Brooklyn.)

The post Read Up! The Best Indie Bookstores in New York City appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

J & J Books and Coffee
Calle Espiritu Santo, 47
Metro: Noviciado
Telephone: +34 91 521 85 76
Web site

J & J is a great place to go for a coffee, beer and, of course, English-language books. Walk in and you’ll likely find lots of expats chatting away. The staff speaks English and they are always willing to help you find titles. The bookstore itself is downstairs, and here you’ll find the classics, contemporary fiction, travel guides, teaching materials, non-fiction, biography and more. Since it’s a used bookstore, the prices surely beat the bigger chains.

Pasajes Libreria Internacional
C/ Genova, 3
Metro: Alonso Martinez
Telephone: +34 91 310 12 45
Web site

Known for its wide variety of titles in Spanish, German, English, French, Italian, Portuguese and Russian, Pasajes more often than not will have what you’re looking for. English subject matter includes: Language and Linguistics, Philosophy, Literature, History and Geography, Social and Political Sciences, Psychology, Religion, Science, English as a Foreign Language, Art, Music, Cinema and Children’s Books. For all the titles it offers one would think the space would be large; however, the bookstore is small in size and the atmosphere is quite cozy.

Petra’s International Bookshop
C/ Campomanes, 13
Metro: Santo Domingo y Ópera
Telefone: 91 5417291
Web site

This used bookstore in Madrid’s city center carries a wide selection of English titles. The staff is super friendly and if the book you’re looking for isn’t on the shelves, they’ll call you when they have it. Walk by the bookstore and you’ll find titles spilling out onto the street. Walk in and you’ll notice that the layout is similar to an apartment–and in fact, it used to be one! This place has great prices and a friendly atmosphere.

Biblioketa
C/ Justiniano, 4
Metro: Alonso Martinez
Telephone: +34 91 391 00 99
Web site

What makes this bookstore different from the rest is that it specializes in Spanish, English and French titles for children and teens. The great selection starts at books for toddlers zero to three and it doesn’t go too far beyond teen literature. Another feature that sets this place apart is the “La Cuevade Keta,” a space where you can catch lectures, book readings, author signings, music, theater and more. Activities are in English, Spanish and French.

Casa del Libro
Multiple Locations
Web site

One of the biggest bookstores in Madrid (with chains all over the world), Casa del Libro has plenty of stores in the city. It’s no surprise that you’ll find an English language section here. Even though the store is big, the English literature selection isn’t. So it’s possible you may find what you’re looking for, but it’s not guaranteed.

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