How to support Prague indie bookstores and Czech e-shops

While shops smaller than 200 sq meters are scheduled to open April 27, followed by shops smaller than 1,000 m2 on May 11, social distancing and staying-at-home will continue to be a regular part of life in the Czech Republic for the foreseeable future– meaning the need for good reading material will remain at an all-time high.

The current quarantine measures have meant dire consequences for small businesses and publishers, according to the Moravian National Library which has launched in association with the Czech Literature Center and the Association of Libraries of the Czech Republic, the “Buy a Book” (Kup Knihu) initiative to help support the book market.

Academia — The bookstore of the Academia press is offering pick up at three Prague locations or you can order from their e-shop for delivery. A wide selection of English-language titles and local interest. Shop here.

Book Therapy — This Vinohrady-based shop, included in a newly released book “Do You Read Me? Bookstores around the World” as one of the best bookstores from around the world, offers a wide range of English-language titles and beautiful kid’s books and is currently offering 2-hour delivery within Prague via its WhatsApp shop. See more details here.

Book Took — This increasingly popular e-shop is currently offering pick up at one of its Prague dispensing points (Kačerov, Vodickova, and Smicho) plus free delivery of certain titles and a free box of chocolates for orders over 400 CZK while supplies last. A wide selection of current bestsellers. Shop here.

Kanzelsberger — This Czech chain, which has a flagship location on Wenceslas Square is currently offering free shipping in the Czech Republic for purchases over 500 CZK. Shop here.

Knihobot — A newly opened secondhand bookstore with a number of titles in English, is currently accepting your books to resell. Its mixed selection of paperback novels, comics, textbooks, and local interest is sure to appeal to anyone who loves digging through secondhand stacks. They are also taking orders through a walk-up window in Holešovice. Shop here.

Levné knihy/Budget Books — As of March 17, 2020, this budget bookseller had reduced postage to 99 CZK; for orders over 300 CZK delivery is free. Choose from a range of 2,000 English-language titles for adults and children. Shop here.

Luxor Book Palace — Free shipping for purchases over 399 CZK from this emporium of books or pick up at the shop. Stocking a large variety of English literature classics, bestsellers, and kid’s books.

Oxford Bookshop — The brick and mortar shop of Megabooks, the largest importer of foreign language titles to the Czech Republic, currently has free delivery on orders over 1,000 CZK. A wide selection of bestsellers and lots of kid’s books. Shop here.

PageFive — This bookstore and publisher specializing in art books, periodicals, and original prints with a large part of its inventory in English is taking e-mail orders and currently has a new e-shop up and running. Facebook / obchod@pagefive.cz.

Shakespeare and Sons Bookstore — This longtime expat favorite is currently closed but has over 250,000 e-books up for grabs and free online delivery when you become a member, another great way to support a Prague institution. Shop here.

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