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It's a difficult time for bookstores. Online booksellers offer seductively low prices and the convenience of ordering from home. eBooks are poised to change the business of publishing as we know it, allowing readers to bypass printed material altogether. There are news stories almost every day telling us about another independent bookstore that has shut down, a casualty of the changing book business.

However, we hope that there will always be a place for physical bookstores. Below, we have gathered some of the most amazing bookstores in the world -- the places that would make any reader shut their laptop, put aside their eReader, and go out to buy a book. From New York to Portugal to China, we've picked the most beautiful, impressive, and inspiring. Let us know what you think, and if we missed any incredible bookstores, in the comments section below.

For more amazing book places, check out our slideshows on the most amazing libraries in the world and the best independent bookstores.

Selexyz Bookstore in Maastricht, Holland

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Named the best bookstore in the world by the Guardian in 2008, this branch of the Selexyz chain brings book selling to a heavenly new level. The store is located inside of a refurbished Dominican church. The original structure dates to 1294, and since its creation has served as a parish, a warehouse, an archive, and a bike storage lot.

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Comments

[GBMillett]

Dom Knigi in Moscow should be on the list.

[anonn]

NO POWELL'S??????? Huge fail. It is a thousand times better than Strand -- bigger and WAY more organized. Computer stations with accurate inventory and locations, or you can just search from home before you go in -- even get an email notification if a used book comes in stock. Strand is a mess.

[CoffeeBreakDMV]

Oh my heart! This is the most beautiful article I've read in a long time....I think felt a tear...
I have never been an person with a "Must do- Bucket List"...but wow, everything in me wants to visit each and every bookstore featured here...and find my own to contribute alone they way....

[jajenkins]

Russell's Books in Victoria is nice. I've spent whole afternoons there.

[rimagg]

One of my favorite bookstores is Nicholas Hoare in Toronto. What a pleasure to spend a couple of hours there. Rita

[Stein87]

Shakepeasre & Co- isn't this the bookstore where they filmed "Funny Face" with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire? Anyone know?

[Mewsician]

HEMINGWAY IS SPELLED WITH ONLY ONE 'M' fer God's sake.

[gaspillage]

Each time I am in Paris I go to Shakespeare and Co. It is amazing, quiet and smells of ink.

[Pat Hoskins]

Best bookstore in America: Chamblin's Book Mine in Jacksonville Florida. The labyrinth of shelves organized in a haphazard manner, with books from floor to ceiling and in boxes on the floor, makes for an amazing experience. Any true bibliophile could spend all day wandering around this used book mecca.

[Michael Boozer]

All these buildings could be reduced to a kindle

-Mike, somebodyhadtosayit.com

[lezanelson]

While these bookstores are indeed beautiful and/or quirky, I'm afraid most would be a little disconcerting for the serious reader. BTW - if you haven't visited Malaprops in Asheville, N.C., you should stop by on your next visit to The Biltmore. And if owner Emoke B'Racz is around, try and visit with her. She has an amazing story to tell!

[Ergon]

Some of the picks are grandiose, and the Beijing store looks like the children's section at Ikea. Here's one of my faves in Toronto, The Chapters Runnymede housed in an old art deco cinema http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2606/3832567692­_3cf85a135­3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://flickriver.com/photos/skylinemarc/tags/bookstore/&usg=__GByhqnHt­miHqi6fDFK­vfNrOv0ww=&h=500&w=375&sz=146&hl=en&start=1&itbs=1&tbnid=RljH4ywIwOtsWM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=98&prev=/images%3Fq%3DChapters%2BRunnymede%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1
I love the clean lines.
And for the more traditionally minded, I LOVE Daunt Books in London!
http://www.bookstoreguide.org/2008/03/top-5-impressive-appearance.html

[rimagg]

Don't know that one, but have you visited Nicholas Hoare in Toronto? Rita

[Mz Paws]

While I do so love The Strand, and have spent many happy hours napping in the bookshelves there, I would be remiss if I did not mention that some of my favorite bookstores can be found in the most unassuming alleys across the globe. My feral friends everywhere provide excellent counsel on the location of such stores. Of course, every store must be an exceptionally warm, dry and quiet place conducive to napping and grooming -- two of life's more important activities (the third being sleeping, of course). As the Sophisti-cat of the Blogosphere, I am most particular about the type of books behind which I recline.
Always your
Mz Paws
http://mzpaws.blogspot.com

[Js420]

turning churches into bookstore is a very good idea

[btdenver]

Surely the new Tattered Cover in the old Lowenstein Theater merits a mention.