Writing Life: July 2017 Update – Europe Travels

It’s been a week since I’ve returned from Europe with only three new books, two new bookmarks and a headful of inspiration…

This post is purely to share some of the wonderful bookstores and other book-related places I visited along the way. Enjoy!

Hedengrens, Stockholm

My first stop on the trip! Almost literally, I arrived at 1pm that afternoon and was visiting the store at around 4.30pm… A lovely store located in one of the more posh areas of Stockholm, Hedengrens stocked a mix of English, Swedish and other foreign language books. The shop was small on street level, but a set of stairs led down to the expansive basement, where the majority of books are held. Particularly loved the Scandinavian children’s books, they were gorgeous :)

Hedengrens, Stockholm

Fantask, Copenhagen

Calling all fantasy/sci fi lovers… this bookshop, located in central Copenhagen, specialises in fantasy, sci fi, comics, manga etc. It’s a joy just to browse the shelves, and you’re bound to find some special editions, such as the Neil Gaiman ‘Sandman’ collection that I came across. They also stock some cool merchandise.

L-R: Impressive Marvel range; special edition of Neil Gaiman's 'Sandman' comics.

Posterland, Copenhagen

This art and poster shop is a wonderland for illustration and print lovers. They have something for every taste, from Harry Potter quote posters to education posters on Roman history or different species of fish! There are lots of pop culture prints as well as souvenir options from Copenhagen.

Posterland, Copenhagen

Academic Bookstore, Helsinki

Another large-scale, multi-storey book store (how I love these!). The Academic Bookstore sells a mix of English, Finnish and foreign language books, and has a large range on offer. And for all you stationery lovers, get excited… there’s also a stationery/office supply section on the second floor. Plus they have bathrooms and free wi-fi. You’re set for hours!

L-R: Interior of Academic Bookshop, Helsinki; some beautiful classic editions, and a penguin (?)

Penninn Eymundsson, Reykjavik

Should not all bookshops contain a warm and cosy café? Especially ones located in Iceland! Penninn Eymundsson had a mix of Icelandic and English books. I bought my one souvenir from Iceland here, and that was a copy of Nobel Prize winning author Halldór Laxness’ ‘The Fish Can Sing’. Looking forward to reading it and reporting back!

L-R: The bookshop's cafe; sections on Icelandic literature.

Oxford

Oxford really is a must visit for all booklovers out there! I visited the beautiful Christ Church college and Bodleian library (the locations for some Harry Potter film scenes), as well as Blackwell’s bookshop, a multi-level store with a large range of books, particularly the British classics of course. Well worth the trip from London :)

L-R: Christ Church college, Oxford; the staircase featured in the Harry Potter films.

L-R: The Hall inside Christ Church college; an entire Tolkien section in Blackwell's bookshop.

Warner Bros. ‘The Making of Harry Potter’

What is there to say really… such a wonderful tour seeing the real-life sets, costumes and props from the movie – not to mention the butterbeer! I won’t share too many photos because if you haven’t been you really just need to go and see for yourself.

L-R: The set of the Great Hall; the set of Gryffindor common room.

L-R: The set of Diagon Alley; the Hogwarts Express.

Jane Austen House Museum / Chawton House

This was really a lovely day trip from London, and is a perfect thing to do on one of those rare sunny days in England (I was lucky to get lots of them!). The house is the one Jane Austen lived in for the last eight years of her life, and where she wrote Mansfield Park, Emma and Persuasion. Chawton House was owned at the time by her brother, where she would have visited. The gardens around Chawton House were beautiful, especially the shrubbery walk. I wished I had more time there, as it was the perfect place to sit and read :)

L-R: Jane Austen House Museum; the gardens around Chawton House.

And there you have it! I hope that’s inspired you to explore literary-related sights while travelling :) It’s incredibly motivating for your own writing, and great to look back on when you’re stuck for inspiration.