Be Daunted

LONDON, UK- In this age of Barnes & Noble, Borders and the like, it is rare that I am truly "WOWed" by a bookstore. There are some that I really love, like KramerBooks and Afterwords in Washington DC, or The Elliot Bay Book Company in Seattle, but not too many that make me want to take off my coat and stay the afternoon. At Daunt Books, however, I would like to stay the week. Or the month. Or the year.

Marylebone, a London neighborhood known for its lack of chain stores and village feel, is the perfect home for this museum-like shop. The wood floors, large stained glass window and beautiful shelving are a far cry from the chain stores of nearby Oxford Street.

The smaller front of the store hosts a limited collection of fiction and non-fiction bestsellers and classics. But by passing through to the main hall (pictured above) you will experience what truly sets Daunt Books apart: walls and walls (and walls and walls) of travel books! Books are organized by region, by country, and by city for every type of travel, anywhere in the world. Here you will find major guidebook brands like Fodor's and Frommer's, but better is the large selection of unique independent titles.

So, next time you are in London, a stop at Daunt Books is most definitely worth your time. But just be careful- the longer you stay (be it an hour or an afternoon or a week)- the more you will want to leave on a jet plane- to just about anywhere.

Daunt Books
83 Marylebone High Street
London W1U 4QW
Tel: 0207 224 2295
Click Here for Website

Note: while the Marylebone store is flagship location, other Daunt Books stores can be found at these locations (click here).