NORGE / NORWAY
Bookshops and its books
Reading is for me today what music used to be.
I have therefore decided to visit bookshops wherever I happen to be. And there I buy one book each time that is displayed as recommendation.
If there are no staff picks, I choose one that has obviously been laid out.
By the way, this could be a chance to get rid of a book that has been sitting in the shop for years :-)
I rate the bookshop on selection, interior design and friendliness - the book according to my taste. Of course, it is often a matter of luck which one I finally choose.
Please note this is my personal opinion. My taste often differs from the general public.
Thank you to all the wonderful booksellers! It's nice that there are still so many great bookshops.
My rating is as follows:
***** outstanding
**** very good
*** good
** okay
* needs improvement
ÅLESUND
norli
Kipervikgata 5, Ålesund
This norli store is located in the Storcenter shopping mall with the entrance facing the harbor.
There are lots of non-book items and of course books (many in English). The bookseller is extremely friendly and had several tips for me, even if she would have preferred to sell me a fantasy book at first. As I already had one from Bergen in my luggage, I decided to go without a second one. It's just not my genre.
Apart from that, a good norli store.
And apparently it's not just in Iceland that bookstores sell suitcases...
André Aciman: Call me by your name
Not read yet
Bookshop:
****
Book:
BERGEN
ARK Bokhandel
Strandgaten 4, Bergen
This ARK store in Bergen is located across the street from the Norli store. A difficult position for this store.
Although the selection is quite decent, I couldn't quite figure out the concept. The orange from the logo is very dominant in the interior design and looks like an Easy-Jet plane and the staircase in the middle of the store looks a bit like a giant slide. I found it a bit difficult to choose something.
Harper Lee: To Kill a Mockingbird
Not read yet
Bookshop:
***
Book:
Boksalongen
Østre Skostredet 5, Bergen
The Boksalongen is the Literature House's own bookshop in Bergen.
My first impression was of a living room from the 70s. My second was very positive. The selection seems very carefully chosen. Adjacent to Boksalongen you will find Fosse-stova. Here you can find a collection of all of Jon Fosse's publications.
It is also worth buying a postcard for 49 Kroner. I got it for free because the bookseller couldn't find the item at the till.
Vigdis Hjort: Femten år
Not read yet
Bookshop:
****
Book:
norli
Strandgaten 1, Bergen
Norli is the Norwegian version of Orell Füssli or the Waterstones book chain..
The store on Strandgaten is just around the corner from Fisketorget with a view of Bryggen, the most famous place in Bergen.
The store in Bergen has three floors and the first floor is mainly devoted to Norwegian literature and cards. I like the interior, even if it looks a bit chaotic (especially the upper floor). On the other hand, the selection is wonderful and the staff are typically very friendly in Bergen.
You can hardly leave here without buying something.
David Nicholls: One Day
Not read yet
Bookshop:
****
Book:
Outland
Strandkaien 14, Bergen
Outland greets you at the entrance on the Strandkaien with a giant Darth Vader and a huge Lego man. It continues in the same style inside. There are lots of games, comics, fantasy books and mangas. Everything my heart desires rather less. That's why I shouldn't really give this store four stars.
Nevertheless, I think Outland is worth a visit. I had a great time and was able to rummage around in this children's world for adults. Simply wonderful. I find the staff picks, which are presented with a manga character of the recommender, very original.
The staff are also extremely friendly. Just typical Bergen. I just love this town!
TJ Klune : Under the Whispering Door
Not read yet
Bookshop:
****
Book:
BODØ
Norli Glasshuset
Storgata 14, Bodø
Is it nice in Bodø? Well, not particularly. But the inhabitants are very friendly. But you can go almost anywhere in Norway. They seem to have been given this character trait with their mother's milk.
Unfortunately, I was only able to find two bookshops in the center of Bodø: the two typical book chains ARK and norli, both located in the same shopping mall. I opted for the more likeable one.
The store offers little that is exciting. It's small, and as a book chain they always offer roughly the same things. It's not worth going to Bodø just to visit this store. But not everyone is as stupid as me.
By the way, I've also noticed how often bookshops have 14 as their street number.
Ingeborg Arvola: Kniven i ilden (Knife in the Fire)
Not read yet
Bookshop:
**
Book:
TROMSØ
ARK Bokhandel
Strandgata 9, Tromsø
There are some beautiful towns along the Norwegian coast, but the variety of bookshops is rather poor. Norli and ARK, ARK and norli. In Tromsø I actually wanted to go to Mondo Books, but there was only a building site.
So I ended up at one of the chains again. I also wonder whether the selection of books I brought back from Norway does justice to Norwegian culture... I have my doubts about that.
ARK Bokhandel is located in a shopping mall. You could be forgiven for thinking it was a Moomin store. You can find this figure by Tove Jansson throughout the store.
I just read that I have a 90-day return policy on the book I bought. Maybe I should go and buy a Moomin book after all. It would be more authentic in this case.
Ana Huang: Twisted Lies
Not read yet
Bookshop:
***
Book:
TRONDHEIM
ARK Bokhandel
Kongensgate 10-14, Trondheim
I didn't actually want to visit this bookshop in Trondheim, as I wanted to go to Babel Book on Mellomveien instead. Unfortunately, it wasn't open on a Wednesday.
The building of this ARK branch is very charming from the outside and reminds me a little of a Danish Lego house. The Lego-style staircase in ARK orange can be found inside.
The selection is okay, but nothing special. On the other hand, the building is architecturally very surprising. Despite the large selection of English titles, I opted for a Norwegian one and am trying to brush up on the language.
The staff are rather unfriendly, which doesn't fit in at all with the otherwise lovely Trondheim
Alex Ahndoril: I Close my Eyes and Pray (Jeg Lukker øynene og ber)
Not read yet
Bookshop:
***
Book:
norli
Dronningensgt. 14, Trondheim
I was close to giving this store a 5 star rating. It's a beautiful, uncrowded and very well laid out store. The design on the outside of the building is echoed inside. However, the selection of novels could be a little larger.
On the ground floor you will also find these in the left half, then there are also some non-book items and a nice children's department on the upper floor.
Trondheim is also simply wonderful, even if I don't understand the people very well. The trøndersk is a bit special, albeit very charming.
Agnes Ravatn: The Bird Tribunal
Not read yet
Bookshop:
****
Book:
Sellanraa Bok & Bar
Kongensgate 2, Trondheim
Actually, I shouldn't give this bookshop four stars because the selection of books is relatively small.
But that doesn't matter. I classify it as a shopping experience. The café is great and has style with the bookshelves on the sides. The coffee is also served with love.
I also liked the fact that there is direct access to the library next door.
And another reason why I felt very comfortable there: despite the touristy location near Gamle Brue and Nidaros Cathedral, it only had Norwegian guests (apart from me), some of whom had their coffee at the front of the bar.
And because I only heard Norwegian there, I also bought a Norwegian book, the title of which I unfortunately don't understand. It's a good fit for Trondheim, where I can't understand the dialect very well either.
Highly recommendable!
Per Petterson: i Kjølvannet
Not read yet
Bookshop:
****
Book: