In this bookshop guide, Keerty Nakray and John Clammer take us on a tour of some of the best spots for book lovers in Bangalore, India. If you have bookshops you’d like to recommend in a particular city, further information about contributing follows this article.

“After all, a town without a bookshop was a town without a heart.” – Veronica Henry

Bangalore, the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka, has rich, progressive intellectual and arts traditions that date back to Kavirajamarga  (“The Royal Road of Poets”), the earliest work on rhetoric, poetics and grammar in the Kannada language, dating from c. 850 AD. The city was also home to social revolutionaries Basavanna (1131–1196) who rejected gender and social discrimination and Akka Mahadevi (c. 1130-1160) a poet regarded as an early feminist thinker.

[Bangalore’s] intellectual traditions have persisted, nowhere more so than on Church Street in the heart of the city, which, with its array of bookshops, serves as a haven for bibliophiles.

Now known as a vibrant garden city in India, Bangalore is renowned for its rich culture and thriving economy, including a flourishing IT sector. Yet its intellectual traditions have persisted, nowhere more so than on Church Street in the heart of the city, which, with its array of bookshops, serves as a haven for bibliophiles. People of all ages can be seen perusing the shelves of these stores, each searching for a literary gem to capture their imaginations.

One of these bookshops, Blossom Book House, came highly recommended by my friends, and has two locations on Church Street. This venerable establishment boasts an incredible volume of books spanning various subjects, including sociology, psychology, history and fiction. As I meandered through the packed bookshelves, I was filled with a sense of wonder. I observed customers of all ages inquiring about certain rare books from the knowledgeable salespersons.

As I concluded my shopping, I noticed a family arriving with large stacks of old books they had read. They were there to return and exchange them for a new batch of books purchased at discounted rates. This practice is not just about books; it’s about sustainability. It’s about giving our books a new life, a new home, and reducing our carbon footprint. During my student days in the UK, charity shops played a significant role in my life. I often purchased DVDs and books from these shops and donated old clothes, which were either sold to other customers or recycled. Second-hand retailers foster the possibility of a zero-waste economy and are a delight for book lovers seeking unusual and eclectic finds. At the end of the book shopping in Blossom, the sumptuous Coorgi filter coffee at Matteo Coffea with other book lovers is a perfect end to a day, fostering a sense of community and shared passion for literature.

The boys who worked there could extract desired volumes from the towering columns without causing an avalanche, and the immensely knowledgeable proprietor always gave regulars a discount,

Just around the corner on MG Road is the venerable Higginbothams. Much as these bookshops with their eclectic and ever-changing collections of treasures delight the bibliophile, many of us “old book hands” still miss the iconic Premier Books with its ceiling-high piles of books. The boys who worked there could extract desired volumes from the towering columns without causing an avalanche, and the immensely knowledgeable proprietor always gave regulars a discount, despite protests. Now sadly gone on its owner’s retirement, it remains in the memory as one of the essential pilgrimage sites for book lovers on every visit to Bangalore.

Amid the grim scenario of COVID-19, Karnataka ushered in a new social movement by rejuvenating and recalibrating its 5,600-strong network of rural libraries.

Amid the grim scenario of COVID-19, Karnataka ushered in a new social movement by rejuvenating and recalibrating its 5,600-strong network of rural libraries. Historically, decentralised governance through Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) has strengthened libraries across rural areas. As with the second-hand book trade, libraries are a sustainable service that make books accessible to new readers and reduce our carbon footprint. Libraries demonstrate how communities can unite to promote education and sustainability, even in challenging times, inspiring hope for a brighter, greener future.

The revitalisation of the progressive intellectual traditions holds potential for Bangalore’s vibrant book culture, coupled with Karnataka’s efforts to strengthen rural libraries, paints a promising picture for the region’s future of literacy and education. Whether you’re a casual reader or a serious bibliophile, Bangalore’s bookshops offer a treasure trove of literary gems waiting to be discovered. These bookshops are not just places to buy books; they are integral to our community, fostering a love for literature and sustainable practices. They are something we can all be proud of and feel a sense of belonging to.

Note: This bookshop guide gives the views of the author, and not the position of the LSE Review of Books blog, or of the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Banner Image: © Radiokafka on Shutterstock.

Do you know a place with great bookshops? If there’s a city or town with bookshops that you think other students and academics should visit, then this is your chance to tell us all about it.

As part of a regular feature on LSE Review of Books, we’re asking academics and students to recommend their favourite three or four bookshops in a particular city, with the aim of building an exciting online series for our book-loving community of readers the world over.

Bookshops could be academic, alternative, multilingual, hobby-based, secret or underground institutions, second-hand outlets or connected to a university. We’d like to cover all world regions too and are particularly keen to feature cities outside of Europe and North America.

If something comes to mind, we’re looking for a brief introduction about the city and around 150 words per bookshop, detailing why each one is a must-see. Our editorial team can then find suitable photos and links to accompany the piece, though you’re welcome to supply these too. We only ask that you focus on just one city or region, and three or four bookshops within it.

Email us if you’d like to contribute: lsereviewofbooks@lse.ac.uk