By Leigh Goff

Whether you’re a casual reader or a voracious bookworm, here is a list for you. From iconic bookstores to literary festivals, I’ve put together an ultimate bucket list of literary experiences that will make your heart skip a beat.

Bookstores to Fall in Love With

Hatchards (London, UK) is Britain’s oldest surviving bookshop, founded in 1797, where you can find rare books and literary treasures.

Shakespeare and Company (Paris, France). This charming bookstore was a hub for Beat Generation writers and still welcomes book lovers with open arms, offering a cozy atmosphere and a wide variety of literary works. Fun fact—this store is featured in “Before Sunset” (2004) and “Midnight in Paris” (2011)

The Strand (New York City, USA). With over 18 miles of shelves, this iconic store is a treasure trove for book enthusiasts, featuring a vast selection of new, used, and rare books. Fun fact—this store is featured in “You’ve Got Mail” (1998) and “The Nanny Diaries” (2007)

Old Fox Books & Coffee House (Annapolis, Maryland, USA). This beloved independent bookstore is a personal favorite of mine and has been a staple of Annapolis’s historic district since 1997, offering a curated selection of fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books, as well as regular author events and book signings.

City Lights Bookstore (San Francisco, USA). This iconic store was a hub for the Beat Generation and continues to be a hub for literary activity, featuring a vast selection of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction.

Powell’s City of Books (Portland, Oregon, USA). Spanning an entire city block, this massive bookstore is a must-visit for book lovers, featuring an enormous selection of new, used, and rare books. Featured in “Portlandia” (TV series, 2011-2018) and”Wild” (2014)

Square Books (Oxford, Mississippi, USA). This beloved Southern bookstore has been a hub for literary activity since 1979, featuring a curated selection of fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books, as well as regular author events and book signings.

The Elliott Bay Book Company (Seattle, Washington, USA). This iconic independent bookstore has been a staple of Seattle’s literary scene since 1973, featuring a curated selection of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, as well as regular author events and book signings. This store is also featured in two films, “Sleepless in Seattle” (1993) and”10 Things I Hate About You” (1999).

Fabulous Literary Festivals 

The Hay Festival (Hay-on-Wye, UK). Join authors, poets, and thinkers for a celebration of literature and ideas in this charming Welsh town, which features a diverse range of events, talks, and workshops. Notable authors who have attended include Bill Clinton, Stephen Fry, Nigella Lawson, and Ian McEwan.

The Brooklyn Book Festival (New York City, USA). Meet authors, attend readings, and explore the city’s vibrant literary scene, which showcases the best of contemporary literature and offers a unique opportunity to connect with authors and publishers. Held annually in September and has featured authors such as Jonathan Lethem, Zadie Smith, Michael Cunningham, and Jennifer Egan.

The Iowa Writers’ Workshop (Iowa City, USA). Attend a writing workshop or conference at this prestigious institution, which has nurtured some of the world’s most renowned writers and offers a unique opportunity to learn from experienced faculty.

The Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference (Middlebury, USA). Join esteemed authors and editors for a week of writing, learning, and networking in the picturesque Vermont countryside, where you can refine your craft and connect with fellow writers.

The Charleston Conference (Charleston, South Carolina, USA). Join authors, publishers, and librarians for a celebration of literature and learning in this charming Southern city, which features a diverse range of events, talks, and workshops.

The Texas Book Festival (Austin, Texas, USA). Join authors, publishers, and book lovers for a celebration of literature and learning in this vibrant Texas city, which features a diverse range of events, talks, and workshops. Held annually in October and has featured notable authors such as Notable authors who have attended: Neil Gaiman, J.K. Rowling, Michael Chabon, and Joyce Carol Oates

The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books (Los Angeles, California, USA). Meet authors, attend readings, and explore the city’s vibrant literary scene, which showcases the best of contemporary literature and offers a unique opportunity to connect with authors and publishers. Held annually in April and has been attended by authors such as Donna Tartt, Michael Connelly, Gayle Forman, and Rainbow Rowell.

Extra Literary Experiences to Savor

Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum (Key West, USA). Explore the legendary author’s former residence and discover his writing inspirations, which offer a unique glimpse into his life and work. I’ve been here and the six-toed kitties who roam the house and grounds freely are adorable.

Take a Literary Walking Tour of London. Follow in the footsteps of Dickens, Austen, and other literary greats as you explore the city’s iconic landmarks and hidden gems, which provide a fascinating insight into the city’s literary heritage.

Attend a Poetry Slam or Spoken Word Event. Experience the thrill of live performance and discover new voices in the world of poetry, which offers a unique opportunity to connect with poets and writers.

The Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum Tour (Hannibal, Missouri, USA). Explore the childhood home and museum of America’s most

Bewitching Hannah Tour (Annapolis, MD). Follow my main character’s adventures around beautiful colonial downtown Annapolis, Maryland.

More about BEWITCHING HANNAH 

Immerse yourself in a spellbinding tale of magic, forbidden love, and self-discovery. Meet Hannah Fitzgerald, a young witch who’s unlocking her powers and succumbing to a whirlwind romance. As she navigates her newfound abilities, Hannah confronts a web of challenges that will keep you under its spell. With its Beauty and the Beast-inspired twist, this captivating story will cast a hold on your heart and keep you turning the pages until the very end. If you’d like to read Bewitching Hannah, you can purchase a copy of at Amazon.com and visit downtown Annapolis. For more information on the historic sights, click here.

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Author: Leigh Goff

Leigh Goff is an author inspired by caffeine, enchanted spells, and unforgettable, star-crossed fates. She has three published novels - KOUSH HOLLOW (2020), BEWITCHING HANNAH (2017), and DISENCHANTED (2015). As a proud member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and a graduate of the University of Maryland, she is dedicated to inspiring readers of all ages.