The Most Beautiful Book Places in the World

by Vincent Phan

"The Most Beautiful Book Places in the World" is a gorgeous coffee-table book taking book lovers on an unforgettable print journey to the most magnificent libraries and bookstores in the world.

It has been designed to be a guided photographic world-tour starting in the Old Continent - in the very heart of Europe - going all the way to America, Asia, Australia and ending in the Middle-East and Africa.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Books About Books

353 pages

First published December 1, 2023

Reviews

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely coffee table book that has beautiful photographs of some of the most interesting bookstores and libraries around the world. A great gift—and now I have a whole new list of places I would love to visit!

[Faye Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does what it says on the tin - it highlights some incredible, beautiful book places around the world, such as libraries and book shops. The places that it highlights were really stunning and the photography wad gorgeous. The places are categorised by location and I was pleasantly surprised by how many places were local to me that I had no idea existed! When I'm going somewhere new on my travels, I'll definitely check this book to see if there's somewhere in here that I want to visit.

[Sherri Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a amazing book. The photos are beautiful. The way it is written is fun. I am planning trips as we speak.

[David Hoag]

A wondrous book, a wondrous journey!
For any book lover, this is a must-have. Truly, an around-the-world adventure that is engaging, surprising, and breathtaking. As you journey from library, to bookstore, to museum, to book streets, and even to towns completely engaged and devoted to books, you will find yourself spellbound... enchanted by each turn of the page. Vincent Phan has created a masterpiece! Everything about this book reflects the pinnacle of publishing. It’s more than a picture book of beautiful book places. You feel the weight of human history, creativity, and artistry as you hold this weighty tome in your hands. From its beautifully embossed covers, to its sewn binding, to its gilt-edged pages, to the superb color and quality of its photographs, you can feel the quality and the craftmanship that went into the making of “The Most Beautiful Book Places in the World”. I’m delighted to own a copy of the First Edition. If you don’t already own this book, don’t hesitate... reserve your copy of the next edition before it’s too late. You, your children, and your greatgrandchildren won’t regret it.

[Veronique Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ordered this book online and unfortunately never received it. The 1000 Libraries company based in Australia had the kindness to refund me. My friends knowing I am a big books and libraries lover decided to purchase it for me and offered it to me 2 days ago. This book is a gem. Nestled in a precious box, this book with embossed covers will take you around the world to discover from the comfort of your own home the most magical, gorgeous libraries of the world, reading coffee shops and other special places. From America to Asia, across Europe as well, you will feast your eyes on the most full page gorgeous pictures and small but smart informative texts about each place. I can't get enough of this book. Being a disabled person, I have been traveling the world for 2 days over and over again. I recommend this amazing book to all books, libraries, photography, travels lovers out there, without reservation. This special book, beautifuly made, has a place of his own in my home library and I will be picking it up quite often! LOVE & RECOMMEND IT WITHOUT RESERVATIONS❤️

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sumptous book but I have some reservations. The style of the pictures in the end papers and on the back of the slip case seem to have come from a completely different book, one aimed at 10 year olds. Although nice illustrations, they do not work in this context. I know that is is a book about libraries and not about the politics of colonialism but I was particularly irate when reading the sections on Latin America and Australia. Yes they did get some nice libraries a while after the European colonists invaded, but there is also the not so small fact of the thousands of indegenous people who were massacred.

[Anzelle de Kock]

Received this as a gift from my mum and now I have a list of libraries/ book stores I have to see before I die. Super cool to see Adelaide and Melbourne represented in this collection too.

My top 5 places I’d love to see:
1. Admont Abbey Library (Austria)
2. Tianjin Binhai Library (China)
3. Starfield Coex Library (South Korea)
4. Wiblingen Abbey Library (Germany)
5. Matsumoto Honbako Hotel (Japan) — booking a room for my upcoming trip

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pictures are excellent and the selections are a mix of the usual and some rarer picks, which makes this book a good addition to any traveling bibliophiles collection.

Please note the prose is purple and there are a few typos, the most glaring of which is a description of a bookstore in Greece that doesn’t match the pictures of what is publicly available about it (not whitewashed, not near an ocean etc).

[Cindy Major · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book, and I enjoyed taking a bookish trip around the world. I agree with other commenters that some places would have deserved more pictures and others could have done with less.

I did have to dock a star for accuracy because the two venues from Mexico were included in the Central and South America chapter, but Mexico is actually part of North America.

[Jennifer Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treasure trove for any book lover who wants to explore all the most beautiful libraries around the world! The photos and visuals are stunning and I now am inspired to see some of these places in person.

[Tab Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pictures are gorgeous .

[Charlotte Whitmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This book exceeded all my expectations. The craftsmanship is superb, and the photos inside are pure magic.”

[Wunna Hlaing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got to learn about libraries and bookstores that I wouldn't have known otherwise. Pictures are gorgeous.

[Alexander Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. The packaging is lovely, and the photos are breathtaking.

[Isabella Yamamoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely packaging and superb quality.

[Matteo Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

A visual delight with enchanting images.

[Leo Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece in quality and design.

[Samuel Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. The packaging is lovely, and the photos are breathtaking.

[Julia Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is magical. The packaging is a nice touch.

[Max Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible photos. The craftsmanship is amazing.

[Ulian Tsai · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely addition to any collection.

[pete · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as a gift. Now my favorite book. It’s beautiful

[Margaret Henshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a present. The pictures are gorgeous! It��s my favorite coffee-table book by far

[Diana Kullman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume was a mother's day gift from my daughter. The photos and stories about these libraries and bookstores are fantastic. I recommend this book to all book lovers.

[Chantalloupe · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute treasure! one of the most beautiful coffee table books I've ever seen. And now I have so many more book places to visit!

[Cheryl Rowland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pictures are breathtaking and the descriptions are great. You get to visit libraries worldwide without leaving your house.

[Amelia Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully crafted book. The pictures are nothing short of magical.

[James Lancaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional book! The attention to detail is incredible, making it a truly magical experience.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impeccable quality and a magical read beautifully illustrated. Highly recommended! I love 1000 Libraries

[Emily Prescott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am blown away by the quality of this book. It’s an absolute treasure and definitely worth the investment. Simply enchanting!