Jean-Yves Mollier and Patricia Sorel's Bookstores of the World is a stunningly illustrated tour of, and tribute to, the bookstore as a cultural and literary institution. Beginning in France (which leads the world in bookstores per capita), the tour continues through Europe and the Americas before stops in the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. French scholars Mollier and Sorel highlight bookstores--iconic, ancient, or otherwise distinctive--in 40 countries, with lavish photos showcasing memorable architecture, unusual locales, and eye-catching interior design. Readers may recognize such giants as Foyles in London and the Strand in Manhattan, but the book also features tiny bookstores set in cottages, courtyards, and even on boats. The text of Bookstores comments on various aspects of bookselling, including book festivals and "book towns"; the financial and cultural challenges of keeping a bookstore afloat; the constant shadow of censorship; and the ingenious ways booksellers of all stripes continue to serve their communities.
Erudite and eye-catching, Bookstores of the World is a treat for armchair travelers and an inspirational list of destinations for any book lover. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams