All the spots in Kolkata you need to visit if you love books

It’s not news that Kolkata is a haven for lovers of art and literature. Be it the cobbled Park Street that reminds you of European cities, or the nondescript cafés nestled in the corners, the city is replete with must-visit places for bibliophiles. Here, we list out all the locations that need to feature on your itinerary if you’re planning a trip to the city.

Oxford Bookstore

Established in 1920, the Oxford bookstore is one of the oldest in the city, located at the iconic Park Street in Kolkata. Dimly lit and scented with the smell of old pages, it looks and feels exactly like the place that most bibliophiles would feel at home in. The aisles display books of almost every genre, even niche ones, and it also has a cosy cafe inside for those who don’t want to delay getting lost in a book for a bite. Plus, there’s also a section for merchandise and paraphernalia including quirky coasters, diaries and bookmarks, among others, for visitors to shop from.

Address: 17, Park St, Taltala, Kolkata

Earthcare Books

This nondescript bookstore on Middleton Street houses a vast collection of books in almost every genre, including non-fiction, philosophy, history and politics. Inside, the walls feature photos of the city captured by renowned photographer, Thomas Patrick Kiernan. They also publish ecological books themselves, on a variety of topics like agriculture, natural farming and alternative lifestyles. Considering this, it’s no surprise that the bookstore doubles up as a hub for art and sustainability related activities in Kolkata, including a weekly farmer’s market on Saturdays, as well as occasional workshops on urban gardening, theatre performances and documentary screenings.

Address: Earthcare Books, 10 Middleton St, Park Street area, Kolkata

Seagull Books

Founded in 1982, this Kolkata-based publishing house focuses on bringing translated works from across the world to India. The books you will find here are not the usual ones. Many of the works sold here have never appeared in English, or in the country before. In 2016, the homegrown business was also recognised as the third-largest publisher of translated fiction in the US by Three Percent, a resource of the University of Rochester that tracks literary translations. With offices in London and New York, Seagull Books has carved its niche in the literary world with titles that range across the genres of cinema, design, non-fiction, poetry, philosophy and cultural anthropology.

Address: 36 C, SP Mukherjee Road, Kolkata

Shakespeare Society of Eastern India

If you love Shakespearean literature, this is the place to be in Kolkata. Formed in 1984, the Shakespeare Society of Eastern India is made up of representatives from the fields of journalism, theatre, education and humanities. You’ll find a number of seminars and workshops being hosted in their space, not just on Shakespeare’s works, but also those by other celebrated international and Indian writers. In addition, they also organise musical performances, video shows, plays, debates and quiz contests from time to time.

Address: 6A, Maharaj Nanda Kumar Road, Lake Market, Kalighat, Kolkata

Artsy Café

This art gallery-cum-cafe has one entire wall dedicated to books, and another bright blue wall that features their Artist Of The Month (they usually choose a young, upcoming artist for this). The cafe also hosts regular interactive events like small gigs and poetry sessions. The menu is basic—comprising tea, coffee, sandwiches and small plates—but the food is wholesome. If you’re looking for a place to work out of or just cosy up in with a good book, this is a good option.

Address: Ground Floor, 230/B, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Rd, Minto Park, Bhowanipore, Kolkata

Abar Baithak The Coffee Shop

This one is perfect for a famished book lover in Kolkata. The menu here includes everything from soothing soups to delicious bacon-wrapped prawns, and their bookshelves are filled with works by Rabindranath Tagore, Satyajit Ray and more. The store’s decor pays homage to the iconic fictional Bengali detective Feluda through illustrations on the cushions, walls and menu. If you ask us, there couldn’t be a better spot to sip your iced tea while reading your favourite Sherlock Holmes story.

Address: 282, Jodhpur Park Rd, Selimpur, Jodhpur Park, Kolkata

The printing presses on Chitpur Road

Known for its printing presses, bookbinding shops and jewellery stores, Chitpur is testimony to the legacy of Kolkata, which used to be a printing hub in the 18th century, when the East India Company introduced letterpress printing to optimise trade and consolidate the British Empire. Unfortunately, only a few letterpress operators can still be found here today. Bisjwanath Bag’s press is one of these, and they’re located inside the narrow streets of Kumartuli, which is also where you’ll find the majority of Kolkata’s idol makers. Visit the small shop to take a trip down memory lane to Gutenberg’s 1450 method of printing––you can get a page printed in letterpress style for as little as Rs 250.

Address: Bishwanath Bag, Nepal Neogi Street, Near Kumartuli Maath, Oorepaara, Kolkata

The second-hand book market and stores on Golpark Street, College Street and Free School Street

Did you know that Kolkata is home to India's largest second-hand book market? If you’ve been upgrading your home library lately, head over to Golpark and College Street to pick up rare titles for a steal. Another alternative is the Free School Street (also known as Mirza Ghalib Street), which is home to bookshops featuring a diverse literary collection, owing to its generations of trade with budget travellers from all over the world.

Kolkata Book Fair

If you’re planning to visit Kolkata this week, you couldn’t have picked a better time. The city is currently hosting the 44th Kolkata International Book Fair, and it will be on till February 9, 2020. The event started with only 34 publishers in 1976, but it’s now become Asia’s most-attended book fair. Like every year, the 2020 edition is also hosting exhibits of books across diverse fields like science, art, philosophy and fiction. Make your way here to buy your favourite books on discount or explore different genres.

Address: Central Park, Sector 3, Bidhannagar, Kolkata

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