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"The reason I talk to myself is that I'm the only one who's answers I accept."
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Brenda. You will be glad to know that there are in deed some places in Spain that look and feel like the the bigger bookstores in the US. Right now I will just give you a list of English Language Bookshops in Madrid and then later get back to you with some leads on places that actually have their own coffee shop and reading areas inside /throughout the stores: 1. Petra's International Bookshop Campomanes, 13 - Metro: Opera / Santo Domingo Tel. 915-417-291 2. Booksellers Jos� Abascal, 48 - Metro: Gregorio Mara�on Tel. 914-427-959 Fern�ndez de la Hoz, 40 - Metro: Iglesia Tel. 917-027-044 3. Pasajes: International Bookshop G�nova, 3 - Metro: Alonso Mart�nez Tel. 913-101-245 4. Happy Books Goya, 55 - Metro: Velazquez Tel. 915-751-781 5. FNAC Preciados, 28 - Metro: Callao Tel. 915-956-100
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| Posts: 881 | Location: Madrid | Registered: 08 November 2002 | |
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"the man!"
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Hey Brenda, with all due respect to Madrid Insider and his list, I would have to elaborate on the bookshops above... 1) Petra's International Bookshop: while good for second hand books in English, German, Portugese, Spanish, etc..., it is tiny and the antithesis of what you love in New York. I am from New York and know what you mean so trust me. The only bookshop that will fit the bill for you would be la fnac department store in Callao (mentioned by Madrid Insider above). They have a "sala de lectura" (reading room) where you can sit and read their books but 90% of the books are in Spanish. Also, the "Casa del Libro" is the closest thing to a huge chain bookstore in Spain, see the thread on it HERE (includes locations in all of Spain). So, as you say, only if one has been to Borders or B&N can they understand what you will miss. While there is nothing quite as big here, I think you will be ok with what they have to offer (as long as you pick up Spanish). Saludos, jer...
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| Posts: 12232 | Location: ny, u.s.a. --> madrid, spain --> the plaza mayor ! | Registered: 30 June 1998 | |
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Hi Brenda, As a bibliophile like yourself, it was indeed a shock to my system not to see the mega bookstores like Barnes&Noble,Books A Million,and Borders. You can however, get a Starbucks coffee at the local VIPS restaurants. What you will find in Spain, is what the mega bookstores replaced in the U.S., the small bookstore, which are wonderful in their own right! Being bilingual I loved walking up and down the Calle de los Libreros in Madrid, near Sol, and making discoveries. As Jer said, the books are in Spanish, but I noticed that there were many english editions. I discovered a very nice bookstore on the ground floor of the Museo de Bellas Artes on the Calle de Alcala. It was small, no chairs, but plenty of light and a nicer assortment of Art books than you would find at any Barnes & Noble. Please share with us your own discoveries as you amble in Madrid.
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| Posts: 697 | Location: Florida | Registered: 24 August 2001 | |
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"the man!"
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Hey Booklady... quote: "You can however, get a Starbucks coffee at the local VIPS restaurants."
Actually, they opened a Starbucks right near the Prado Museum in the Plaza de Canovas de Castillo (where the Fuente de Neptuno is) about 6 months ago. VIPS is horrid, do not go there if you are visiting Spain. Also, even an average cup of coffee at a Spanish caf� or bar is better than the Starbucks stuff so no need to go there either. Back to books, the small bookseller is quaint and I do not think the Spanish want a lot of huge monster booksellers here, La Casa del Libr and fnac are enough. Just an opinion. Also, Brenda, for loads of Spanish booksellers take a walk up the "Calle de Los Libreros" off Gran V�a and near the Plaza del Callao. Try this link --> http://callejero.lanetro.com/apps/lanetro/mapas/mapas.asp?id_via=3021&pais_geoc=ESPA%D1A&nombredevia=Calle+de+los+Libreros&numerovia=1&nombre_fichero=ta1esp-madrd-madrid&lite_%20pr ovi]ncia_geoc= Happy reading!  Saludos, jer...
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| Posts: 12232 | Location: ny, u.s.a. --> madrid, spain --> the plaza mayor ! | Registered: 30 June 1998 | |
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Hello all, Thank you for the wonderful posts; I'm willing to give the small bookshops a shot. I understand your points: the downside of all the mega-chains of bookstores in the US is that they put out some of the smaller indie bookstores. But since I grew up with the megastores they are all i know. There are a few antiquarian bookstores in NYC, but they're a dying breed. No prob. I figure if I REALLY need a book that I can't find in Spain I can order it online. This may open up a new topic altogether, but now i must ask, is there an online bookseller in Spain? Or, about the Amazon.com branch in UK, does anyone have experience in buying from them and having them shipped to Spain?  |
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| Posts: 72 | Location: Madrid | Registered: 25 December 2002 | |
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quote:
Also, even an average cup of coffee at a Spanish caf� or bar is better than the Starbucks stuff so no need to go there either.
]
Oh no, there is a Starbucks in Spain now? Blech! What for, you don't need it? Sounds like just a money making venture. Starbucks was started here to compensate for most of the US's lack of a cafe culture. Not to mention, any true aficionado of cafes, particularly in NYC and San Francisco, sees the artificiality of Starbucks. Plus their coffee tastes like motor oil.  Whoops, looks like I've gone off topic. But know I'm starting to understand why Spaniards probably wouldn't want to have a Starbucks-like franchise of bookstores either. The charm isn't there. Just my humble opinions! |
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| Posts: 72 | Location: Madrid | Registered: 25 December 2002 | |
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"the man!"
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Hey Brenda, I once bought a Photoshop book in English from Amazon.co.uk and it was fine, pretty quick delivery also. Yes, there are a few Starbucks Coffee shops in Madrid alone (surely more in Barcelona) but they bank on travellers and the "familiarity marketing theory" and it works, always a line of Americans at the one near Neptuno  Some Spaniards also like the cushy chair and sofa hangin areas. Saludos, jer...
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| Posts: 12232 | Location: ny, u.s.a. --> madrid, spain --> the plaza mayor ! | Registered: 30 June 1998 | |
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"The reason I talk to myself is that I'm the only one who's answers I accept."
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Hey all. You know that the the Starbucks chain once introduced into a new market spreads like a wild fire and that they are always looking for new and inventive places to open up new stores... Question: So guess where they are going to open a new Starbucks...  Answer: Inside Starbucks. Anyway, back to the original question. Now that you know about the stores that sell books, are you still interested in other places like art museums, cinema / theater lobbies, or exhibition halls, etc. that have the feel of a Borders or Bookstop even though you have to bring your own reading material?
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| Posts: 881 | Location: Madrid | Registered: 08 November 2002 | |
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Hi Brenda -- I, too, love books and spend considerable amounts of time both in FNAC and Casa Del Libro . Thought you might like to know some "insider" information (je je...that was for you Madrid Insider). If you go to the Casa de Libro on Gran V�a in Madrid, just around the corner from it on the side street immediately to the left of Casa del Libro (as you are facing it) is a discount Casa del Libro. You have to walk a few hundred meters, but it�s there and also carries titles in English...primarily English literature. You can walk away with great books for less than 3€ each! Note, it�s like your local Marshalls, Filene�s Basement or TJ Maxx, you have to go back regularly as the stock continually rotates. Happy reading!
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| Posts: 1376 | Location: Madrid | Registered: 24 March 2002 | |
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"the man!"
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Hey Chica, thanks for the great addition. That hidden "Casa del Libro" is at Calle Salud #17, as you said, right around the corner from the main one on Gran V�a. Saludos, jer...
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| Posts: 12232 | Location: ny, u.s.a. --> madrid, spain --> the plaza mayor ! | Registered: 30 June 1998 | |
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"What's another word for Thesaurus?
Steven Wright"
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Hi, I'm opening this old thread because I was wondering if the bookstore listed below was once called "Turner's English Bookstore" TURNER LIBROS S.A. Rafael Calvo, 42-ESC.IZDA 28010 - MADRID MADRID Tlf: 917 000 164 I think it was near Ruben Dario, and this one is. I bought a few cookbooks there before returning home in '88. Just wondering of it had just changed names.
"An honest man is always a child" - Socrates ...no wonder I'm so immature!
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| Posts: 974 | Location: Albuquerque, NM EEUU | Registered: 27 August 2002 | |
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