Buchhandlung Brunner

Rathausstrasse 2, Bregenz

When I entered this bookshop, I had a real wow effect. The bookshop is so tastefully decorated and has lots of light and space. It's almost hard to leave.

The books are displayed on three levels. There are also magazines at the entrance, which are very carefully selected for readers.

The staff are very friendly. 

There isn't a huge selection, but it's enough to keep you busy. A real shopping experience.

Tip for the bookshop: I would choose a slightly lighter beige colour for the walls.

E.M. Forster: Room with a View

Lucy is traveling to Florence with her cousin on a cultural tour. She is assigned a room in the backyard. George and his father, who do not belong to the upper class, are willing to swap their rooms with a view with the two women.

And so begins a love story that reaches its first climax with a kiss on a meadow of violets.

Back in England, Lucy promises herself to another man. But George will soon come back into her life...

For me, Room with a View was a love story that was a pleasure to read. However, I found it difficult to sympathize with the protagonist Lucy. The upper class just doesn't appeal to me.

It was interesting to read in the epilogue that two novels were written between the first part in Italy and the second part in England, so E.M. Forster had not written them after one other. I thought that these two parts were told so differently. I can't explain why...

Bookshop: 

*****

Book: 

***

Ländlebuch

Bahnhofstrasse 10/2, Bregenz

You are almost overwhelmed in front of the entrance, there are so many card racks that you have to fight your way through them to the entrance. There are also more non-books than books inside the bookshop. At least that's what I thought.

It has the typical current range with some regional items, lots of games and other articles. 

Despite the white an country house style shelves, this bookshop lacks charm.

The children's book section is in a dark corner at the back of the shop and doesn't look very friendly with the neon lights and the ugly floor.

The shelves right at the entrance, which were obviously once labelled differently, are funny. For example, directly under crime/thriller it says: Toddlers.

Hans Platzgumer: Die ungeheure Welt in meinem Kopf (The monstrous world in my head)

Not read yet

Bookshop: 

***

Book: 

Rapunzel

Bahnhofstrasse 12, Dornbirn

The first thing that came to mind when I entered the shop was cosiness. I immediately felt at home. The staff seem to know the customers well, as everyone seemed very familiar and personal.

Even as a first-time customer, I found that I was served in an equally friendly manner. The choice of my book was immediately praised and emphasised with a short story about the author's reading in the bookshop.

The interior, with its chandelier and carpets and the many wooden shelves, is like a home full of books.

I found Dornbirn very friendly in general.

Markus Gasser: Jil

Not read yet

Bookshop: 

****

Book: 

LIBRO

Hafnerstrasse 3, Mistelbach

I ended up in Mistelbach after a very amusing train and bus journey from Vienna to Herrnbaumgarten and an equally amusing visit to the Nonseum. I didn't want to take the same route back to Vienna.

Incidentally, the Nonseum is home to unique inventions such as a portable hole and precision-cut table tennis balls. So make sure you go there.

In Mistelbach I was stranded longer than planned, as the bus timetables are not very well coordinated with the train during the school holidays. Unfortunately, the bus didn't arrive until a few minutes before 6.00 pm, so I couldn't get to the bookshop I wanted to visit at the beginning. 

At over 35° C, I was pretty thirsty and also had to wait a good hour for the next train. So I made my way towards the town centre and ended up at Libro, which sells chilled drinks as well as books, stationery and other items. 

For once, the lemonade took priority. Nevertheless, I also treated myself to a book, which was advertised in 1st place. It wasn't a very inviting shop, nevertheless, I was very pleased that I was still able to buy these items.

Sebastian Fitzek: The first last day

Not read yet

Bookshop: 

**

Book: 

Bücher Stierle

Kaigasse 1, Salzburg

The small Stierle bookshop is beautifully situated in an alley next to Mozartplatz and in the immediate vicinity of Salzburg Cathedral.

The shop offers little choice, but I really appreciate it when an Arto Paasilinna novel is on display right at the entrance! 

The interior is very inviting and some of the books are displayed on pallets. More could be made of this shop to attract the tourists who pass by anyway. Unfortunately, this bookshop seems to be somewhat overshadowed by the surrounding restaurants.

Arto Paasilinna: The Law Requires Casualties

Not read yet

Bookshop: 

**

Book: 

Buchhandlung Höllrigl

Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse 10, Salzburg

Austria's oldest bookshop is located in the heart of Salzburg's shopping mile. It's definitely worth a visit. The selection is excellent, with many books about Salzburg, and the bookshop is also well suited for students, as there are many textbooks to buy. But the fiction section also offers a very large selection.

The best thing about this shop, however, is the extremely beautiful interior with vaulted ceilings and the wooden staircase leading to the upper floor.

The booksellers are also friendly, although they don't come close to the friendliness of Bregenz.

Sarah Easter Collins: Things don't break on their own

Not read yet

Bookshop: 

*****

Book: 

Motzko

Elisabethstrasse 1, Salzburg

This bookshop is housed in two buildings and is located on the way from the train station to the city centre. 

The fiction, which I'm mainly interested in rating, was in the less attractive building.

The selection is good in itself, however, not outstanding, and the size of the shop is perfect. However, I found the staff very strange and in terms of friendliness they could rival Vienna...

The book I bought was not a staff pick, because that wasn't available here. It's a bit sticky, which is not the bookshop's fault. I had bought a rice pudding because I wanted to take the earlier train first due to the lack of lockers. I stowed this rice pudding very unhappily in my bag. The edge of the book hit the lid and the whole bag was full of rice pudding...

Sarah Pearse: The Retreat

Jo invites her sisters, along with other relatives, to a retreat on a remote island.

The island has a bad reputation, not only because of the shape of the rock formation (it resembles a reaper), but also due to the dark events that took place there years ago.

Shortly after the group's arrival, the island is hit by a new tragedy, which brings police officer Elin and her partner Steed to the island. Not entirely unexpected, they are unable to call for help, as their colleagues all have to be deployed elsewhere, and ultimately a storm also prevents any contact.

The book actually starts quite well with many entanglements within the protagonists, also in relation to the island. Nevertheless, I find the ending and the resolution anything but exciting. Fortunately, it reads very easily and fluently, but unfortunately it is quite a far cry from a real goosebump thriller.

Bookshop: 

**

Book: 

***

Rupertus Buchhandlung

Dreifaltigkeitsgasse 12, Salzburg

Close to the market square and next to the Holy Trinity Church is the surprisingly large Rupertus bookshop, which is divided into several rooms. 

The premises would offer so much potential to turn this bookshop into something really special. Instead, it looks so yellow to me. Yellow with brown and a kitchen floor.

It's nice that Rupertus has its own publishing house and sells these books in the shop. Why I didn't choose one of these books is unfortunately a mystery to me.

Emma Hamberg: Bonjour Agneta

Not read yet

Bookshop: 

***

Book: 

Anna Jeller Buchhandlung

Margaretenstrasse 35, Vienna

The bookshop invites you in right at the entrance with display cases full of books in various genres. 

The building already gave a hint that the inside of the bookshop is also beautiful. High ceilings, stucco work and bookshelves that lead far upwards. 

It's fun to browse through the long table right at the entrance. Why I chose the book by Sidik Fofana was probably more of a coincidence, as I wasn't convinced by the content of all the others that were obviously on display.

Unfortunately, I have to deduct a point for this shop: it smelt pretty bad. The sultry summer weather certainly made the situation even worse.

Sidik Fofana: Stories from Tenants Downstairs

It wasn't a staff pick, but it was wonderfully displayed "to go".

I'm broadening my horizons with the books I buy in the various bookshops, as I used to like to read the same authors and the same genre and now reach for staff picks or similar.

With Sidik Fofana's novel, however, I'm not so sure whether this type of novel is really worth reading. I don't like the writing style at all, the characters are unapproachable and unsympathetic.

It's a shame, because the topic of gentrification in particular could have been told in a much more emotional and tragic way. Unfortunately, the protagonists became less likeable with every page, maybe it's just because this culture is so distant to me and has nothing approachable for me.

On a side note, can you study creative writing? Well, I've only attended courses so far, but whole degree programmes...?

Bookshop: 

***

Book: 

**

Buchhandlung Walther König im MQ

Msueumsplatz 1, Vienna

A beautiful shop in an equally beautiful museum building. This is exactly how you would imagine a bookshop in Vienna to be.

The books are very stylishly displayed and focus on art, architecture and design. But not only, and so you can also find classics like the one I chose. 

This bookshop is also very friendly. It must be fun to work in such a beautiful interior.

Ingeborg Bachmann: Malina

Not read yet

Bookshop: 

****

Book: 

Freytag & Berndt

Wallnerstrasse 2, Vienna

I really appreciate themed bookshops. And one of these is Freytag & Berndt, which specialises primarily in travel and maps.

It's fun to browse through this shop. And there's even a shelf with fiction. For the most part, these books are chosen to match the surroundings of the store or the theme of travelling.

This bookshop is located in the immediate vicinity of the major fashion labels. Unfortunately, the elegant interior of these shops has not spilled over into the bookshop..

Eva Ibbotson: Der Modesalon des Glücks (The fashion salon of happiness)

Not read yet

Bookshop: 

***

Book: 

Hartliebs Bücher

Währinger Strasse 122, Vienna

The branch on Währinger Strasse (the other one is at Porzellangasse 36) offers a wonderful selection of books on shelves that go right up to the ceiling and cannot be reached without a ladder.

Staff picks can be found outside the building and there is a shelf of favourite books inside (not just new releases, which I always appreciate).

Unfortunately, there is a lack of friendliness, although this can generally be related to Vienna (e.g. in comparison to Bregenz or Dornbirn). Perhaps it's not just a cliché that the people of the capital are often assumed to be a bit cold.

Gerard Donovan: Winter in Maine

Not read yet

Bookshop: 

****

Book: 

Mord und Musik

Lindengasse 22, Vienna

Mord und Musik is a themed bookshop with music, crime novels, thrillers and some fantasy books.

The shop is small and I almost overlooked it because of the huge building site in front of it.

The selection is gloomy, but the staff are very friendly, which I don't take for granted in Vienna.

Especially with a themed bookshop like this, you could play with the interior even more to attract more customers. Nevertheless, it's very pleasant.

Elizabeth Hand: Available Dark

Not read yet

Bookshop: 

***

Book: 

Orlando

Liechtensteinstrasse 17, Vienna

What do you offer a customer if she wants a book that contains neither war nor disease? Then the bookseller recommends a book about a man with dementia. And above all: only this...

It's a nice bookshop (even if it was a bit hot, as in almost all bookshops in summer - why is that?). 

I will now read this book, as the bookseller couldn't imagine that I wouldn't like it.

This bookshop lacks that certain something, which could also be down to the staff.

Petra Pellini: Der Bademeister ohne Himmel (the lifeguard without heaven)

Not read yet

Bookshop: 

***

Book: 

phil

Gumpendorferstrasse 10-12, Vienna

The phil is certainly a great meeting place, as it combines a café and a bookshop and merges well. 

It all looks very alternative, yet trendy in its own way.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to enter the raised section at the back. It was closed due to filming...

The selection is rather modest, but it's still worth a visit. The bookseller is extremely helpful and endeavours not to offer the usual new releases.

Jarka Kubsova: Bergland

Not read yet

Bookshop: 

***

Book: 

Shakespeare & Company

Sterngasse 2, Vienna

The Shakespeare & Company shops look like second-hand bookshops. In and of itself, this shop also has charm. However, I found the staff extremely passive and seemed to me like "the tourists are coming anyway, we don't need to bother". 

The selection is very classic. Some of the authors' books are lined up in stacks, which I like. I have therefore decided in favour of a classic on one of these piles.

If there are several customers in the shop, it can be very tight to reach the side shelves. I recommend not visiting this bookshop in summer. It's just abnormally hot in summer.

Virginia Woolf: To the Lighthouse

Not read yet

Bookshop: 

***

Book: