A journey through the Colonia Roma’s bookshops

Jorge Luis Borge said he had always imagined that “paradise would be some sort of library…” or bookstore, especially if it is a bookstore at Colonia Roma, which in addition to encouraging reading, are also shops worth visiting.

Mexico City houses many institutions promoting the arts and lots of different entertainment options, reading, one of the oldest and most valued. According to the National Chamber of the Mexican Publishing Industry (Caniem), in our country, there are 2,700 bookstores, but it is the Capital City that has the highest average bookstores per inhabitant: one for every 16 thousand.

Many of these bookstores located in the City not only have large collections of titles, but they also are shops that invite you to enjoy the habit of reading. At Colonia Roma´s bookstores, both adults and children can find works written by world-renowned authors. So, come and locate your favorite book and discover new titles! We have gathered a list of bookstores waiting for you with the greatest cultural and artistic air.

1. CASA BOSQUES

A unique site where there are a number of books and magazines written by Mexican authors, recognized as the “pioneer bookstore in the visual arts in the city”. The hallmark of this site is that on its shelves it houses many publications, topics such as architecture, art, film, design, photography, music, and fashion. Casa Bosques also has many activities. Author, photographers, and artists, show up for conferences, chats, and performance. Casa Bosques is also right next to MACHETE ART GALLERY a contemporary art gallery you can not miss. If you are also interested in galleries don’t miss out on our article Gallery Walk in Colonia Roma in this link.

2. URBE

Loved by the Colonia Roma`s community. It satisfies the pleasure of reading. At Urbe bookstore, you will find that part of its collection is old text or rare books that are out of circulation in most bookstores. This shop also runs as a library, so that you may access publications, without requiring to purchase books or magazines. Most of the books talk about the history of Mexico, Mexican novels, science, art, and law, among other topics giving life to the shelves of this bookstore.

This is one of the bookstores of the Colonia Roma in which in addition to having publications by Mexican authors, it is also possible to find works written in English, seeking to reach a greater audience.

3. LA INCREÍBLE LIBRERÍA

The Amazing bookstore, starting by the name of this bookstore is awesome. It has more than five thousand texts of all the topics, arranged in unique shelves that fascinates everyone who enters the store. Its collection is so special and complete that in 2017 it was recognized as the Best Bookstore in Mexico City, it ponders the noble work of its creators: the illustrator Alejandro Magallanes and the editor Selva Hernández.

Any bookworm will be satisfied in this place, it has works by independent authors that can hardly be found in most commercial bookstore chains. That’s not all, The Amazing bookstore also has first editions of leading authors such as Octavio Paz, as well as didactic materials for children and Mexican crafts mix with their entire world of literature.

4. LIBRERÍA MORGANA

Among the narrow corridors of this store, one of the most famous bookstores of the Colonia Roma, it is possible to find titles so varied that any voracious reader leaves happy. Its origin dates back to the year 2000 when Clara Ferri decided to open a new space to promote the reading habit and published many authors. The main feature of this bookstore is that it specializes in Italian literature. Already, it has a collection of almost 15 thousand titles of authors born in Italy, such as Italo Calvino and Alessandro Baricco.

In addition to books, at Morgana, you will find music by Italian songwriters and artists, as well as varied genres ranging from jazz to rock. And if that is not enough, it organizes cinema symposiums and forums, thus becoming a very popular spot at Colonia Roma.

Now you know, when you stay in Stanza, do not hesitate to visit one of these bookstores in the Roma neighborhood, it will be worth spending a few moments of your trip to find a book that you have long wanted or simply discover a new author.

Stanza is a hotel that is located precisely in this neighborhood, one of the most emblematic of Mexico City because each street has a special touch, which is mainly due to the establishments that fill it with life.

These bookstores are a point of interest for any tourist because they can find works written in Spanish and other languages so that it is easier to return home with a valuable gift.