Searching for top bookstores in Mumbai? If so, this blog post will overwhelm you with details. Books are a man’s best friends mainly because they are purely non-judgemental. They make us forget our troubles. They make you smarter, teach you empathy, and understand others better. They also provide an escape from reality and transport us to another place in time.
Here are the independent bookstores in Mumbai that invite every Mumbaikar, every bibliophile, or traveler to perch on its storefronts.
1. Wayword & Wise, Ballard Estate
Just as its name suggests, Wayword & Wise is an exceptional bookstore, that shelves not the bestsellers you are ordinarily looking for, instead of the sort of literary-minded subjects that could easily rave a debate. Many readers will enter this store, just by the quaint appearance on its storefront. Find the books that have rare chances to be shelved in any other Indian bookstore. E.g. Mislaid by Nell Zink, Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto, The Book of Imaginary Beings by Jorge Luis Borges, the latest sensation in American letters, The Complete Works of Primo Levi, multiple volumes of The Paris Review Interviews, and biographies of the Beats such as Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and Neal Cassady. Browsing through their curated collection of classic and contemporary fiction, poetry, non-fiction, graphic novels, children’s books, and food books, among others, one would be right to assume that a bookstore like this one could be owned and run purely by bibliophiles.
2. KITAB KHANA, FORT
A local boutique bookstore, housed in an old building of Flora and Fauna that reflects its sheer volume of books, the Kitab Khana has a vast and diverse genre of books ranging from English to Hindi and various regional languages. They have a coffee shop, too, if you wish to read and unwind. The bookstore has a podium for accommodating literary events like book launches and so forth. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. They also offer a 20% discount on any book purchased. That’s quite a bang for the buck!
3. TRILOGY, BANDRA (W)
Extended over 2,100 square feet, Trilogy is one of those bookstores that has a curated library for the serious reader. It serves as a lending library and a venue for literary events, too. If you’re not a book hoarder, their membership plans may interest you. Their shelves hoard a variety of weekly updated books on travel, history, wildlife, photography, illustrated stories, science, literary fiction, feminism, children’s books, etc. A third of the bookstore’s section is dedicated to children’s literature catering to a variety of classics that are quite impressive.
4. GRANTH, JUHU TARA ROAD
The curated collection of Granth bookstore includes books on travel, philosophy, poetry, science/mathematics, biographies, Indian fiction, history, philosophy, religion, and self-help. Its heavily lush and soothing interiors give you a sense of empowerment to explore the store and curate your next pick as per your imagination. Their impressive collections of the classics, namely, the Canterbury Classics, Penguin Classics, Octopus books, etc. may pique your interest in visiting this place if nothing else does. This place is a paradise for the curious bibliophile who loves the classics. Pray to tell me, who doesn’t?
5. BOOK LOVERS, ANDHERI
An idly bustling bookstore in Andheri, Lokhandwala, is the Book Lovers book shop, that boasts of bestsellers, fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, biographies, academic books, and many other genres including translations and un-cliched classics. You’ll also be delighted to find manga collections, comics, graphic novels, and a variety of regional and international authors to choose from. No distracting stationeries or toys but just the endless wonder of words.
6. CROSSWORD BOOKSTORES LTD.
A world-class brand that has been featured in the Advertising Age USA as ‘One of the Marketing Superstars of 1994’, Crossword Bookstores Ltd. is a chain of bookstores across India. Crossword collects a range of genres pertaining to book lovers of every age and taste. Ranging from children’s lush and colorful, illustrated books to worldwide celebrity authors, regional as well as internationally acclaimed, everyone at any age can find their muse in a book in this charming space of Crossword bookstores. They also have a range of music CDs and DVDs along with chic stationery items and merchandise ranging from clothes and handicrafts to mugs and toys. They have many outlets in Mumbai that are listed below. Their diversity of authors and membership plans make them a favorite and the first name that would cross your mind when you get asked for the best bookstores in the country. Crossword is a stationery and convenience store cum bookstore that has a variety of items and good vibes to offer.
7. BARGAIN BOOK HUT, BANDRA
Having outlets spread across the city, the Bargain Book Hut is just as its name suggests. This brand is a chain of bookstores that curates a cut-price collection of secondhand books in fairly good condition. Apart from being the ideal bookshop for a frugal expense, it also serves as a lending library and is glad to receive books that you wish to sell. It is a bang for the buck for the variety of collections it provides. Ranging from the children’s classics, graphic novels, comics, design, health, cookery, philosophy, management, astronomy, gardening, fashion, travel, photography, etc., they have almost every genre under their roof. They also stock some of the latest bestsellers at unbelieve discounts. Visit this bookstore for a sure steal!
8. SPELLBOUND KIDS BOOKSTORE, JUHU
Dedicated to providing optimum learning and teaching experience to the tutor and the pupil, the owners of Spellbound Kids Bookstore, ideally, work with schools and teachers to design curricula using the most powerful tool they believe is – the book. Located in Juhu, this store has books for young audiences ranging from the early readers to reference books, phonics to flashcards, from activity to arts – and everything in between. They’ve curated a vast collection of products that are ideal for toddlers to young adults. They are also the exclusive distributors of Letterland in the UK – the most effective child-friendly phonics program to inculcate reading, writing, and deconstructing spellings in children from 2 to 8 years old.
9. L’AMOUR BOOKS, POWAI
This bookstore houses a variety of genres from a secondhand collection of fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, and a share of comics, graphic novels, etc. at affordable rates. This bookstore also takes in books that you can sell, pertaining to the saying ‘One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.’ Never trash, though, when it comes to books. Serving as an affordable bookstore along with a lending library, this place is a heart’s delight for regular visits if one lives nearby.
10. OM BOOK SHOP, KURLA
Located in Phoenix Market City Mall, in the central suburbs of the city, Om Book Shop shelves an entire segment of art books, literary collections, philosophy, Indian cinema, photography, travel, nature, body mind & spirit, autobiographies, business and finance, gardening, health and fitness, sports and leisure, religion, technology, self-help as well as cookery. People looking for quality books will find this place ideal. Truly, a one-stop destination for any kind of inspiration you’re looking for. They can undoubtedly cheer you up with their variety of choices.
11. ART & DESIGN BOOKSTORE, COLABA
Located in South Bombay, Art & Design Bookstore is curated for designers of any sort. With the interiors that sport the ambiance of a modern art gallery, its aesthetics too, speak the same tongue. This bookstore offers a variety of illustrated books like journals, zines, magazines, architectural handbooks, films, and posters on art, architecture & design, and so forth. They serve coffee free of cost if requested. Books here are priced between Rs. 500 to 10,000 depending on the volume of the book. It’s a bookstore for art and design enthusiasts looking for worldly inspiration in design. A must-visit for the design professionals!