Archives for “bookshop” tag

Literally translated, ‘Volkshaus’ means ‘house of the common people’. The most accurate English term is probably ‘community centre’. Zurich’s version is located in the heart of the former working class area Kreis 4 and has been around since 1910, as is proudly proclaimed on the website.

These days, Volkshaus is arguably best known for hosting gigs. It’s one of the largest venues in town and the bands that play here tend to be on their way up to going stadium-size. Recent visitors include The XX and Wilco.

On the premises there is also a bookshop specializing in political science and psychoanalysis while also stocking more profane stuff such as the humble novel.

The spa in the Volkshaus’s basement has just been refurbished and is now open for business, offering a hammam and sauna facilities in modern, slick surroundings.

Last but by no means least the cafe and restaurant have been refurbished a few years ago. Gone are the cobwebs of yesteryear, the place looks sleek but has retained a nice vintage touch. The best time to stop by here is in the afternoon, sitting by the huge windows and watching the world go by. This is community service with a difference.

As an avid reader, there’s one thing concerning travelling that I lose sleep over: How many books do I carry with me and what do I do when I’ve read them? If I hit the road for several months, there’s no way I can take along all the books I will read in that time. Feel me? Good.

If you have the same fear as me and like to read in English, you don’t have to worry any more – everything’s gonna be fine: Orel Füssli Bookshop is packed with English books. So if you’re looking for new reading material you won’t have to be content with the inferior stuff (ehm…I mean… limited choice) you find at train stations and airports: A basement full of Sci-Fi and Fantasy-Books, a ground floor with novels, modern and classics, and a first (if you’re American second) floor with all kinds of special interest material will satisfy your needs.

Oh by the way, dear fellow reading addicts. If you’ve finished a book and have a craving for soup, I have a suggestion for you: check out the Limmatlädeli, they do not only offer delicious soup but they have also a take-one-leave-one bookshelve. Maybe you’re lucky and find something you like.

I don’t know what it’s like in your hometown, but here most bigger bookshops have a Café where you can sit down and rest from the tiring bookshopping. Now I’ve even seen Starbucks built in Bookstore. That’s just… well, I won’t go there now.

Anyway, the Spheres is kind of like this – except it’s different. Because the Spheres is not a Bookshop with a Café in it, it’s a Café with a Bookshop in it. Or at least both equally. So if you want to have a coffee in an inspiring atmosphere, go to the spheres, order something to drink and take a book to skim through – if you speak German. Unfortunately, you won’t find English books there.

Something I haven’t told you yet: The Café and Bookshop, that’s not all. From time to time, at least once a week, one part of this place turns into a stage for book-readings or discussions where people are invited to take part in. For example in winter there’s a monthly event called “Science Bar” where top-scientists answer burning questions about modern science. No, not a lecture, but an unforced discussion with the guest.