Tucked away in the heart of East London on Hanbury Street, Libreria (@librerialondon) rethinks the experience of reading. Designed by Spanish architects SelgasCano (@selgascano), the space is curated to maximise serendipity and encourages visitors to take refuge from the digital world. 

The shelves are arranged by broad themes including ‘Wanderlust’, ‘Enchantment for the Disenchanted’ and ‘The City’, allowing readers to find books they may not have come across otherwise. A big supporter of independent presses and literature in translation, Libreria tempts people to discover new books and ideas from around the world.

Lloyd – Libreria’s Manager – says: ‘Bookshops offer tranquil spaces for browsing and discovery. At Libreria, our thematic curations look to spark curiosity, guiding readers to both familiar and new voices. Over the years, we’ve found that many exciting books come from independent publishers. These smaller, often nascent presses bring fresh perspectives and works in translation that broaden our scope and deepen our understanding.’

East London is home to many wonderful independent bookshops, each with its own distinct personality and passion for literature. Here are just a few that we recommend:

• Brick Lane Bookshop (@bricklanebookshop), named Independent Bookshop of the Year 2024, is a longstanding favourite based in Shoreditch. Deeply committed to independent and small-press publishing, this bookshop champions books that push boundaries and amplify new and underrepresented voices.
• Located on Clarence Road in Lower Clapton, Artwords Bookshop (@artwordsbookshop) is a haven for readers interested in contemporary visual culture. The shop specialises in books and magazines spanning photography, fashion, graphic design and more. 
• Burley Fisher Books (@burleyfisher), voted London’s Best Bookshop in 2021 and 2022, is based on Kingsland Road, Haggerston. Known for its eclectic selection of titles and zines from independent publishers, it is a vibrant literary hub that hosts author events, book launches and reading groups.
• Located on the Lower Clapton Road in Lower Clapton, Pages of Hackney (@pagesofhackney) is an award-winning bookshop offering a mix of books from literary fiction and children’s books to nature writing and essays. Their monthly book group and regular author events make the bookshop a central part of the literary scene.
• The first consciously queer intersectional bookshop in London, The Common Press Bookshop (@thecommonpress) is a not-for-profit shop that champions authors from marginalised backgrounds. Based on Bethnal Green Road in Shoreditch, the shop hosts an array of events from book launches and book clubs to dance classes and yoga sessions.