What is it that makes browsing a bookstore such a great pleasure? What makes it so different from downloading a pdf or ordering a book online? I guess it is the notion of discovery and the physical presence of books. Their feel, smell and disposition can be highly addictive. The bookstore El Ateneo has additionally an atmosphere that enhances these sensations. Its extraordinary history is still present all around. Hard to believe that El Ateneo, this adorable bookstore, ranked only second under the world's top bookshops according to a list published by The Guardian in January 2008.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Unearthing Literary Gems in El Ateneo Bookstore
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13 comments:
Second in the whole world! That's amazing! I could spend weeks there! I love any bookstore, but especially the non-chain ones...oh, what a delight!
This and your previous post have wonderful photos. I can grasp the scent of the books. Thank you for sharing the history of and the current use of this great old building.
I am a bookstore addict and can't help but going to bookstores everywhere I find one and I have to say that I loved El Ateneo. It's second place is so well deserved and since I didn't get to Maastricht yet it gets first place in my booshop's top.
I love bookstores - this one is magnificent! I thought 'that looks like a theater' and then I read your description. What a wonderful place to have nearby! Thank you for the link to the "great bookstores" article.
http://threeriversdailyphoto.blogspot.com
Love this post. You are so right. It is such a different experience to go inside a bookstore and actually touch the books and see the photos. Really nice.
I could live in a book store.
Don't remind me about the several books I bought from there and some other BA bookstores - most of them are still unread ;(
I remember your last photo of the Ateneo. And once again, I totally agree with the Guardian!!!
I had to look up the definition of "Ateneo." Here it is a university founded during Spanish colonization period.
Nothing beats owning a copy of your favorite book. :)
What is it that makes well lighted and well framed photos of a bookstore such a great pleasure? :-)
The best place I visited for books is Buenos Aires .
You are very lucky!
I prefer to touch a book, peek between the covers, read a few pages before I buy a book. I LOVE bookstores.
It looks AMAZING!!!!!!!
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