"I find television very educational. Every time someone switches it on I go into another room and read a good book."  - Groucho Marx 

If you love books then the place to begin searching for your favourite author is the Spui. Not only are two of the best English bookshops located here, but there is also the prestigious Athenaeum bookshop which hosts many Dutch literary events.  

Himalaya Bookshop and Tea-House:  Situated in the centre of Amsterdam at Warmoesstraat 56, this is the place to buy spiritual books Holland. The shop stocks a wide range of New Age literature (current and classics) in both Dutch and English. Categories inlcude Self Development, Religion, Astrology, Yoga, Health. Other services include Palm or Tarot readings on their premises and their notice board is full of information surrounding practices such as yoga, meditation, reiki, massage, to name a few. Enjoy a delicious snack at their 100 percent vegetarian eco-food cafe. the lunch menu is available all day. Opening Hours: Mon:12-6pm Tues- Sat: 10-6pm Sun: 12-5:30pm

The American Book Center supplies a wide range of American-published books and press and recently relocated to a beautiful four storey site at Spui 12.  

Waterstone's, also four storeys, is situated on the corner of Spui and Kalverstraat and stocks a great range of books and British press. The staff in both stores is very helpful, and both have efficient ordering systems if a book is not in stock.  

Every Friday sees a book market on the Spui, a great place to go and people-watch or have a coffee on one of the terraces. Bargains are scarce but the real draw is the atmosphere.

Round the corner on Koningsplein is Scheltema, the largest bookshop in Amsterdam with more than 125,000 books, as well as classical music CDs, computer supplies and a coffee bar on the first floor.   

The English Bookshop in Jordaan is a lovely meeting place which hosts coffee mornings, story-telling events for children, and offers a good range of English books.  

The Thieving Magpie Bookstore is also located in the Jordaan, in Eerste Bloemdwarsstraat 15. They sell only English language books and at a very reasonable price. Their catalogue, available on line, includes a wide variety of titles covering all sort of subjects. It is also possible to browse their weekly new arrivals.  

One interesting find is Geografische Boekhandel, which is billed as the biggest travel bookshop in Europe with masses of guides and maps, including more of Explorer Publishing’s guides.     

Sometimes, however, you just want to pick up a cheap paperback or something for the kids, and there are discount bookshops which fit the bill. De Slegte is located on Kalverstraat, and has many English books. The New English Bookstore also has a branch on Kalverstraat, and another store on Leidsestraat.  

Just published photo book and guide, Quiet Amsterdam (read our review), introduces both residents and visitors to charming, unsung places that are rarely seen in traditional guides. Kirchner Boekhandel is one of the fourteen bookshops selected by the author Siobhan Wall:

Kirchner Boekhandel: This well-stocked bookshop at Leliegracht 32 overlooks one of the nicest canals in the city and is a real pleasure to visit. People who work here are knowledgeable as well as helpful and will be able to direct you to a particular theologian or writer on religion.You'll also find philosopy books, postcards or icons and even a illustrated guide to Venice and the Islamic world.

November 2008    

Editor's note: Please add on any bookshops which you feel we should have included at the end of this feature, or send an email to feedback@expatica.com.

Added to the Explorere selection by Expatica:
Himalaya bookshop and  kirchnerboekhandel

Photo credit: Fantisola 

Photo of Himalaya  © Himalaya