Used Bookstores and Creamed Spinach (the memories of my youth)

When I was young, there was a magical location that my mother would take me to…

… but only if I had finished all my chores

and my homework

and my creamed spinach (bleh!)

But when all the monumental tasks of childhood were conquered, off she’d pack me into her minivan…

and we’d go to the Used Bookstore.

[***cue the angels singing***]

I was handed a few dollars and told to return to her in an hour to ‘check in’.

And while my mom perused the mystery section.

I. Ran. Wild.

PHOTO CREDIT: https://parade.com/1167905/marynliles/quotes-about-readin

Every bookshelf was inspected. Hunted. Pillaged. Mined.

Before my time was up, I would sit on the floor in a corner—stacks of my found books all around me—and make the hard decision about who would come home and who would stay.

My mother and I would happily spend 1/2 a day in that store (much to the bemoanment of my two brothers, if they were unlucky enough to come with us).

Photo credit: https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/

And I credit (*ahem* blame) my mom for the love of all things reading that has stuck with me to this day!

Since Mother’s day is this weekend, I wanted to gather up my FAVORITE bookstores around the world. In honor of my mom (and all the ladies out there who are instilling a love of reading into the next generation!)

Keep scrolling to check out my Top beautiful, quirky, or just plain FUN bookstore from all across the globe.

And if you have a story about your mom (or grandma, or auntie), hit “reply” and send it my way! I’d love to hear it 😊❤️

Happy Mother’s Day to all the strong women out there! May we be them, may we know them, may we raise them!

Hugs & happy reading,

Olivia 😘

6 Gorgeous Bookstores

Boekhandel Dominicanen, Maastricht, the Netherlands

This amazing bookstore was built in the 13th century!! The interior is still awesome and I am in LOVE with those ceilings!

Photo Credit: https://www.heyhoneyguide.com/nl/locaties-verborgen

Cărturești Carusel, Bucharest, Romania

All white, and loaded with books! I could SO live here!

Photo Credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/350225308519584790/

Livraria Lello, Porto, Portugal

The interior of this bookstore is 100 years old! But still so stunning that it takes my breath away!
Can you imagine THIS being the bookstore that you shop in?!?!

Photo Credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/53395809954868

Arc N Book, Seoul, South Korea

The design and concept of this book shop is so cool… I want to walk through an archway of
books every day.(… as opposed to filing through my piles of books at home 😉