Food for bookworms

A dynamic metropolis, international melting pot, or an eternally sleepless city... there are plenty of titles to choose from when describing Shanghai. So with everything moving along at a lightning-fast pace with no time to even stop for a breather, is it any wonder why you're exhausted?! With the 7 day national holiday coming up, why not take the time away from the New Year celebrations to just relax, and enjoy a spot of casual reading. But first you need something to fill your shelves up, right? So where should I start from you might ask? There are a number of places to purchase books in English and other languages whilst you reside in Shanghai. Many of the larger international hotels have small bookstores in their lobbies, while there are also a number of independent bookstores offering a wide range of selections. Should you find yourself unable to navigate your way through the crowded streets, or maybe just can't find a store with anything you fancy, why not have a look at what we recommend to help you get what you want.

Chaterhouse
Chaterhouse currently has two stores in Shanghai, and with the largest selection in the city of books, magazines, travel guides and more, it should satisfy most of your reading needs.
Huaihai Lu Store
Hours: 10am - 10pm
Address: Shop B1-K, 93 M.Huaihai Lu, ShanghaiTimes Square/上海大时代广场 淮海中路
Tel: 21-6391 8237
Nanjing Lu Store
Hours: 9am - 9pm
Address: Shop 104, 1376 W. Nanjing Lu, Shanghai Centre/上海商城 南京西路
Tel: 21-6279 7633
Website: www.chaterhouse.com.cn

Hanyuan - Old China Hand Reading Room
Library-cum-café run by photographer Deke Erh and prominent Shanghai historian Tess Johnston. It might not provide you with any of books that you may want, but it does offer a luxuriously intimate reading lounge, dripping with atmosphere, character, and books on Shanghai's history with remarks in English.
Hours: 10am -12pm
Address: 27 Shaoxing Lu, near S. Shaanxi Lu/绍兴路（近陕西南路）
Tel: 21- 6473 2526
Website: www.han-yuan.com

Garden Books
Garden Books has a wide range of English-language books and literature on China/Shanghai interest as well as fiction and children's books. There is also a nice cafe on the ground floor serving gelato, coffee and other snacks. If you're looking for something they don't have in stock you can have it ordered...but for a fee.
Hours: 10am - 10pm
Address: 325 Changle Lu, near S.Shaanxi Lu/长乐路（近陕西南路）
Tel: 021 5404 8729
Website: www.gardenbooks.cn

Shendong Bookstore
Shendong Bookstore contains a wide range of new and used books in more than 12 different languages, with various different categories. Most of their sales are done online so should you reside in Shanghai, this would be a great place to order books from regularly. Hours: 9am - 6pm
Address: 550 W. Dalian Lu/大连西路
Tel: 400 6708 258
Website: http://en.258sd.com/

CNPIEC Bookstores
Although its chain-stores have a limited selection of books and magazines, the stores has a relatively large section dedicated to creative books, as well as staple art/design books and fashion magazines. You can also subscribe for a variety of publications. Although the store itself lacks all the flare found in the books it sells, the selection and location make it a worthwhile spot.
Headquarter
Hours: 9am - 5.30pm
Address: 2/F, 88 Guangzhong Lu/广中路
Tel: 21-3635 7707
Citic Square Store
Hours: 10am - 10pm
Address: Unit 522, 1168 W. Nanjing Lu, Citic Square/中信泰富 南京西路
Tel: 21-5292 5214
Lantian Lu Store
Hours: 10am - 10pm
Address: C4, Green Sports & Leisure Center, 800 Lantian Lu/碧云体育休闲中心 蓝天路
Tel: 021 5030 6879
World Financial Centre Store
Hours: 10am - 8pm
Address: Unit 316, SWFC, 100 Century Avenue/环球金融中心 世纪大道
Tel: 21-6877 5316
Hongqiao Lu Store
Hours: 10am - 10pm
Address: 5/F, Grand Gateway, 1 Hongqiao Lu/港汇广场 虹桥路
Tel: 021 6448 0977

Shanghai Foreign Language Book Store
This multi-story store in the heart of the stationery district is one of the best places to find materials for studying Chinese and books related about China. There is however, a limited selection of foreign-language fiction and children's books on the upper floors.
Fuzhou Lu Store
Hours: 9.30am - 7pm
Address: 390 Fuzhou Lu, near M. Fujian Lu/福州路（近福建中路）
Tel: 021 2320 4994
Pudong Store
Hours: 9.30am - 9.30pm
Address: 554 Biyun Lu, Pudong New District/碧云路
Tel: 21-6105 9279
Shuicheng Lu Store
Hours: 9.30am - 9.30pm
Address: 71 S. Shuicheng Lu, Changning District/水城南路
Tel: 21- 3223 0105
Carrefour Store (magazines and children's books)
Hours: 7.30am - 10.30pm
Address: 2/F, 268 S. Shuicheng Lu, Carrefour/家乐福 水城南路
Tel: 21-3223 0633
Zunyi Lu Store
Hours: 10am - 10pm
Address: 1/F, 6 S. Zunyi Lu, Shanghai Hongqiao Friendship Shopping Centre/上海虹桥友谊商城 遵义路
Tel: 21-5257 0130
Website: www.sbt.com.cn