We’ve all been in that mood when all we want to do is read. But then we also want to people watch when we take a break from hitting the pages. Or perhaps we need to take a deep breath and take in the beauty of our surroundings, whether that be nature or a quiet park. I love that feeling of being on the brink of a literary world and your own world. It’s really so beautiful.
Don’t get me wrong, I adore reading in libraries and bookstores. However, sometimes it just feels so…anti-climactic. It’s a bookstore or a library so you’re bound to read there. So what about all the other places in between? The little shops, cafes, and parks that have empty seats waiting to be filled with a dreamy reader. And, of course, there’s even more beyond that, maybe places we could only dream of.
I’ve made a list of places that I personally find wonderful and I think you will too. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they’d be perfect spots to read. Guess what? They aren’t libraries.
1. Senanque Abbey, Gordes, France
Image Via Culture Trip
Fun Fact: It’s still an active monastery! Visit from late June to August for a full lavender bloom.
2. Algonquin Hotel Lobby, New York City, New York
Image Via Mariott
Fun Fact: It has a history of housing cats as well as literary and artistic elites. Meow.
3. Champ de Mars, Paris, France
Image Via Shutterstock
Fun Fact: Champ de Mars is named after the fierce Roman god of war. Not the planet. Sorry, planet.
4. La Buvette des Bains, Geneva, Switzerland
Image Via Time Out
Fun Fact: After eating at this café with a view, you’re more than welcome to hop in Lake Geneva for a swim!
5. Castle Gwynn, Arrington, Tennessee
Image Via WKRN.com
Fun Fact: This lovely castle holds the annual Tennessee Renaissance Festival and it’s also where Taylor Swift filmed her music video for “Love Story.”
6. Gaudi’s Parc Guell, Barcelona, Spain
Image Via Pinterest
Fun Fact: Gaudi added the bumps on the seat to prevent people from sitting too far back and getting wet after it’s rained!
7. Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg, Austria
Image Via US News Travel
Fun Fact: Many scenes from The Sound of Music were filmed on these beautiful grounds.
8. Tom’s Bench, Los Angeles, California
Image Via Yelp
Fun Fact: Although Angel’s Knoll sadly closed, it was the momentous place of love in 500 Days of Summer.
9. El Nido, Palawan Island, Philippines
Image Via Baltic Muse
Fun Fact: This gorgeous island contains fossils, burial sites, and artifacts that date its inhabitants back to the Late Neolithic Age.
10. Broadway Restaurant, New York City, New York
Image Via On The Set of New York
Fun Fact: The small shop where they filmed the noted love scene in Meet Joe Black is still a favorite stop for coffee, a good read, and hot food.
11. Brush Creek Ranch, Saratoga, Wyoming
Image Via Brush Creek Ranch
Fun Fact: In 2016 it was voted by the Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards as one of the best resorts in the world!
12. Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy
Image Via Trip Plannera
Fun Fact: This huge plaza is rich with sculptures and fountains and was built over an ancient Roman stadium!
This only scratches the surface of beautiful book nooks throughout the world. If you live near one of these places or it’s already on your list, before you leave your house, don’t forget: BRING YOUR BOOK.
Feature Image Via Brush Creek Ranch