A World of Bookish Places

‘A World of Bookish Places is an atlas of wonder and a testament to the endless places your curiosity can take you.’ Strand Book Store, New York City

If you’ve ever planned a trip around a bookstore, sought out a hidden library, or detoured for a literary landmark, this book is for you. Created by people who feel the same, A World of Bookish Places is a celebration of literary travel, written for book lovers who love to travel and travelers who love books.

You’ll discover:

- A beautifully designed gift book, featuring a foil-rich cover, ribbon marker, marble-effect endpapers, and illustrations throughout
- A collection of 35 iconic literary cities, including London, New York, Paris, Chicago, and Washington, DC – plus an additional 24 bookish cities in the book’s directory
- Must-visit book nooks and landmarks, like cozy indie bookstores, welcoming libraries, historic author homes, and literary cafés
- Gorgeous photography and bespoke illustrations that capture the unique atmosphere and aesthetic of every destination
- Curated reading lists for each city, featuring the essential fiction, non-fiction, and poetry to whet your appetite for each city
- Literary walking tours, including a walk through Dante’s Florence, an hour’s stroll through Jimbocho Book Town in Tokyo, and an on-foot tour of the Harlem Renaissance in New York City
- Spotlights on beloved book towns and regions, such as Hay-on-Wye in the UK, Aracataca in Colombia, and Concord, Massachusetts in the US

Whether you’re planning your next city break, curating your coffee table book collection, or searching for travel gifts for the book lover in your life, A World of Bookish Places invites you to embark on a truly novel adventure.

DK would like to thank all the bookish folk who helped put this book together: Mark Baker, Jenn Barger, Marta Bescos, Nicola Brady, Lucy Bryson, Camila Daza, Jennifer Fernández Solano, Lucie Grace, Mary Gray, Laura Hall, Rebecca Hallett, Rachel Laidler, Thomas Lampon-Masters, Jess Lee, Martha Olivia, Rachel Preece, Alex Rennie, Jacqueline Salome, Lucy Sara-Kelly, Kristen Shoates, and Charles Usher.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs