Description: Sao Paulo is to Brazilian publishing what New York City is to American publishing. And, Brazil is internationally-recognized for having a rich and talented pool of authors and book publishers. Livraria Cultura, for that reading public, is a national institution. The owner once told me he received a letter sent from Portugal addressed simply "Livraria Cultura, Brazil." Founded by the current owner's parents, the business is more than 50 years old. However, it is a thoroughly modern mini-chain of bookstores, selling fiction and nonfiction in Portuguese, English, Spanish and a few other languages, and merchandising them in an attractive and extravagant way. There are two main stores in Sao Paulo, one in Conjunto Nacional and the other in Shopping Villa Lobo. The latter is now perhaps three years old, and a truly beautiful place to shop for literature. It is on two levels, with a small auditorium for author events. The bookshelves on the ground floor are backless, and are also used as the support for the upper level. This gives the store an airy quality unusual in bookstores. (Shopping Villa Lobo is also a fine mall itself, worth a visit if you are a shopper.)
The branch at Conjunto Nacional is actually three separate spaces within the same shopping center. Each space specializes in something: technical books, literature, and so on. Based on my experience browsing international bookstores (and this experience is extensive), I can say that Livraria Cultura has the most carefully-chosen selection of books for sale I've ever seen. There is something for everyone without the selection being dumbed down. If you are looking for something to read while traveling, Livraria Cultura will without a doubt have a book for you.
Conjunto Nacional tel 3285 4033.
Shopping Villa Lobo tel 3024 3599.
livcultura.com.br
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