Is there any more pleasant way to while away an afternoon than browsing the shelves of an independent bookstore and adding a few new finds to your to-be-read pile? Throughout history, bookstores have been more than places to pick up the latest title: They are places to meet, to learn, and to plan social revolutions. In the age of Amazon and e-books, independent bookstores have faced more challenges than ever, but many have been able to persevere and remain treasured parts of their communities. If you’ve missed the aisles of your favorite indie vendors over the past year, a new book can take you back to those beloved stacks. In Bookstores: A Celebration of Independent Booksellers (Prestel, $45), photographer Horst A. Friedrichs and writer Stuart Husbands showcase an array of shops and the passionate owners who operate them.
The volume takes you on a tour of some of the world’s most beloved outlets, from classic booksellers that have served generations of readers to young upstarts bringing a fresh take to the industry. Read on to go inside the most intriguing bookstores around the globe and start planning your visit.