Goa is one of the most literate states in the India. It’s evident when wandering in those brilliant independent book stores and specialty book shops that adore the colourful lanes of Goa.
And because Amazon’s recommendations have got nothing on a face-to-face chat with a professional bookseller, it’s a must to pay a visit to the best book shops in Goa. You can browse through the latest fiction novels or pick up something from the year’s best sellers. Even Goa Books has detailed reviews on lots of books that are available in Goa.
8. Singbal’s Book House, Panjim, Goa
It would be a shame if we didn’t start out with one of Goa’s oldest book store. In 2004, Matt Damon famously walked past this bookstore in the movie, Bourne Supremacy. Turns out, the 15 seconds of fame was enough for the locals to boast about.
Located opposite the Panjim Immaculate Church on the corner of an unusual 5-road intersection, this bookstore is as much a newspaper stand as it is a book shop. It hosts a wide range of local and international newspapers and magazines, some of which are quite rare. It also has a decent International Books section.
Credits: Alam Sheikh
7. Literati, Calangute, Goa
Fondly known by locals as a ‘Himalayan temple’, they claim that it’s where people go to find peace. Run by Diviya Kapur, Literati Book Store is located in Candolim within an old Indo-Portuguese house. A grassy passage leads you to the beautiful garden and cozy veranda, which also has a little seating arrangement for you to have a peaceful reading.
Besides the book-filled rooms, Literati also has a café within, for a tea/coffee and ‘lite bite’. Their second-hand book section is a real gem, where you never know what you could get your hands on. The monsoon only adds to the dreamy charm of this place.
6. Broadway Book Centre, Panjim, Goa
Who needs Crossword and Landmark when we have our very own high street book store. Broadway is a one-stop shop for a very varied collection of books. From subjects like science, fiction, autobiography, drama and philosophy to inspirational, spiritual, children, religion, cooking and teaching, they have it all.
It’s located at two places in Panjim – One being the Caculo Mall and the other on the 18th June Road. They have a branch in Candolim and Margao as well. Broadway has been the average reader’s best friend for some years now. Special sales are often held at their Panjim & Margao outlets, selling some books for even as little as 50 rupees.
Owner of the Broadway stores, Khalil Ahmed
5. Lotus Eaters, Anjuna, Goa
‘Lotus Eater’ – The term defines a person who lives life in a fog of laziness and dreams and is indifferent to the life outside of him; A sentiment that is inscribed deep within this book shop.
The youngest of the shops in this list, it is located close to the Petrol Pump in Anjuna. This book shop not only deals with second hand books but also buys old/used books. Apart from books, they also hold small communal gatherings for readers, where they read verses from favourite books and share ideas.
4. Varsha Book Stall, Panjim, Goa
If you like to browse your books to the music of honking cars and bikes, Varsha Book Stall is your cuppa tea. Located near Cafe Prakash – the HQ of old intellectuals and armchair philosophers near Azad Maidan, Panjim. 😛
This shop has a good selection of magazines and newspapers from the rest of the country and abroad. Its frontage is tiny, but the shop extends deeper like a book tunnel. Its owner Vaman Bhate is happy to recommend you some great reads.
Credits: Justdial
3. Golden Heart Emporium, Margao, Goa
This book shop in Margao has been around for decades, providing Salcete with fiction and non-fiction as well a large collection of textbooks in a separate section. Combined with its lending division, the Confidant Lending library holds thousands of books. Run by Walburg Coutinho and his family, Golden Heart is thriving today, proof that bookshops are still good business in Goa, despite tales of book-shop woe from around the world.
2. Bookworm, Panjim, Goa
This children’s bookstore is well known for its 4-step program – Library, Book Treasure, Mobile Outreach and Publishing. The library is the main idea behind the store, where kids from anywhere can borrow books and enjoy reading them.
Book Treasure provides books and support to under-resourced schools and Mobile Outreach takes books to the poorest groups of people. The store also holds various events and workshops for children and parents throughout the year.
If you studied in some primary school in Goa from 2005-2011 you’ll remember the monthly children’s magazine named bookworm. Boy, were those great! 😀
Its a shame they stopped printing these!
1. The Dogears Bookshop, Margao, Goa
Don’t mistake Dogears for your average book shop or a dog ear selling cartel for that matter 🙄
Not only do they sell and lend books. They’re famous for their easy publish program. If you have written or perhaps you have books to resell. Then Dogears will help you do just that. They take care of everything. From publication to distribution. Check out their website to know more.
Special Mention
The Goa State Central Library, Panjim, Goa
The Holy grail of libraries. Panjim’s ultra-modern new state library, near the state museum, has six floors of reading material, a bookshop and gallery. The 2nd floor features a children’s book section and internet browsing (free, but technically only for academic research). The 4th floor has Goan history books and the 6th, a large collection of Portuguese books. With over 1,80,000 Books. You could spend three lifetimes here and not be able to read them all.
Braille Books, Newspapers, Periodicals, Manuscripts, Journals, Maps – You name it. They have it.
One could have almost mistaken this place for an airport!
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