When it comes to sight-seeing and shopping in Rome, there are plenty of options. However, the Eternal City's abundance of resources does not only consist of museums, archaeological sites, and designer boutiques. If you're searching for academic resources and literature, you will be happy to know that Rome is also home to a multitude of bookstores, including many English-language bookstores, or bookstores with a significant English-language section. Whether you are looking for a textbook for one of your classes, a classic novel, or the latest bestseller, chances are you'll be able to track it down in one of Rome's many English-language bookstores.
Here are Rome's top 5 English-language bookstores:
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The Almost Corner Bookshop
This cozy bookstore was founded by an Irish expat, and has a great selection of new releases and classics alike. Its helpful staff and variety of options makes it one of the city's most famous English bookstores. Not only do local expats and English-speaking tourists shop here, but JCU students do as well! The Almost Corner Bookshop is located right in the heart of Trastevere, less than a 5-minute walk from JCU's Guarini, Tiber, and Critelli campuses. If you are an English major at John Cabot, or enrolled in any English literature courses, chances are your required reading will be available at the Almost Corner Bookshop.
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The Open Door Bookshop
This quaint, second-hand bookstore is also located in Trastevere. Head across Viale di Trastevere to explore a variety of books from every genre and in every language (with a huge English selection.) The Open Door Bookshop has been run by the same family for over 40 years, and their cozy, old-fashioned style and eclectic decor give the space its wonderful charm. Stop by to peruse the shelves and discover a literary treasure for a very low price! -
The Anglo American Book Co.
Located next to the Spanish Steps, the Anglo American Book Co. has a modern feel and a wide variety of genres. You will most likely find your textbooks and academic reading here. The Anglo American Book Co. is most used by JCU students when purchasing required texts for classes, but their collection extends far beyond textbooks. They also carry a wide range of English-language novels, non-fiction, classics, poetry, and more.
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La Feltrinelli
If you're looking for a huge, multi-level, American-style bookstore in Rome (complete with café!), then La Feltrinelli is the place to go. La Feltrinelli has over 100 bookshops around Italy and also sells music, video games, stationery, and more. Although it is an Italian company and the majority of their books are in Italian, they do have quite an expansive selection of English language books at most of their locations. There is even a separate La Feltrinelli International near Piazza della Repubblica that specializes in books in English and other (non-Italian) languages.
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Borri Books
Another larger bookstore to check out is Borri Books, located inside Termini train station. This top level of this three-story shop consists of English-language literature, new arrivals, and independently published works. It's a great place to kill time while waiting for a train, or to even spend the afternoon browsing through their extensive shelves.
Last but not least, don't forget that JCU's Frohring Library is also a great resource for all John Cabot students! If you need to do research for a project, or simply want to enjoy some literature without actually buying the book, take advantage of what is available to you free of charge. JCU's library has over 32,000 volumes, from books to multimedia items, as well as online databases (e-journals, e-books, and reference tools). The Library staff is on hand to help you find anything you may need.
