English book shops in Havana

Replies: 18 - Last Post: Dec 3, 2012 9:08 AM Last Post By: cranberrybogg

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southamericansky

Dec 1, 2012 2:44 PM
Posts: 143

English book shops in Havana

Are there any bookshops that sell English literature etc in Havana?

CheersTerry

Dec 1, 2012 3:48 PM
Posts: 2,359

Not really. There's a few crappy books here and there like in the bookstore at the west of Obispo and sometimes in a shop in a high-end business/tourist hotel but generally pickings are very slim.

Load up your e-reader.

Cheers,
Terry

southamericansky

Dec 1, 2012 3:58 PM
Posts: 143

thanks Terry. I like actual books. I haven't moved into the brave new world yet. Might bring some dense classic like Ulysses and see if I can finish it this time
cheers

CheersTerry

Dec 1, 2012 4:06 PM
Posts: 2,359

I like real books too but they're not an option for me when I travel. I'm a voracious reader who spends too much time in off-the-beaten-path places with no access to books in a language I can easily read so e-readers save the day. Best electronic gadget ever invented.

Cheers,
Terry

southamericansky

Dec 1, 2012 4:13 PM
Posts: 143

Yeah. I will have to get into that option. Saves space in the luggage I guess and the books are supposed to be quite cheap too. Thanks for prompting me into giving it a try. I am travelling for 7 months in Latin Am erica from December- so I really should look at this option
Thanks Terry

CheersTerry

Dec 1, 2012 4:23 PM
Posts: 2,359

If you only travel with a couple of books and they last a couple of weeks and you're on the Gringo Trail staying in hostels where there's book exchanges, etc. then no big deal... but if you read a lot and you're off the beaten path then an e-reader is a Godsend. They're small, light, cheap and the screens read WAY better than you can imagine - nothing like a computer screen.

Honestly, if you devour books you'll be instantly addicted and it'll become a crucial part of your travel gear.

I never use it outside of travel though... I'm not even sure where mine is right now... sitting with a dead battery somewhere in my travel closet no doubt, waiting for the next trip...

Cheers,
Terry

southamericansky

Dec 1, 2012 4:53 PM
Posts: 143

Thanks Terry- I appreciate your response
happy Christmas

ausmex

Dec 1, 2012 5:20 PM
Posts: 52

Just FYI there is a great second hand bookshop in a casa in varadero..you can exchange or buy outright, and they have a rather large collection.
Although i have gone electronic, i still dont like it hahah
SO i always take one book with me to trade or exchange

johnabbotsford

Dec 1, 2012 5:53 PM
Posts: 3,361

I used to take a bagwhen travelling just for books as I can get through one a day. And Cuba would be one of the worst destinations I travel too for getting readable English books so ditto squared Terry re eReader!

BeardoUK

Dec 1, 2012 7:36 PM
Posts: 1,085

What is quite fun is that the Obispo shops sometimes have English language editions of Cuban books - which you are unlikely to see in many other places. And I don't mean just the propaganda/political history that fills the stands in the airports.

CheersTerry

Dec 1, 2012 8:07 PM
Posts: 2,359

Some of the Cuban knock-offs can be amusing too... I found a very poorly re-produced copy of "The Count of Monte Cristo" that looked like it had been photocopied from an original book - but they had mistakenly repeated the first few chapters over and over and over. This piece of crap was on sale for 16 CUC or something ridiculous. Some of the science fiction paperbacks are just as bad. Too funny...

BeardoUK

Dec 1, 2012 9:47 PM
Posts: 1,085

Bizarre.

Though some of the political stuff is translated into something that looks like English until you try to read it, then it makes no sense.

johnabbotsford

Dec 1, 2012 11:22 PM
Posts: 3,361

Like some of the posts I make here!

rob01

Dec 2, 2012 3:15 AM
Posts: 364

I dont have a specific address, but there is a second hand bookshop actually on Calle 23, Vedado which operates out of someones front garden and I dont even think the old guy who runs it has given it a name. But if you are coming from the `downtown` direction, you need to keep going right down Calle 23 until you reach La Pelota, walk until at least 12 and 23 (past but on the same side of the street of Cafe fresa y chocolate) I should find it around around there. You will probably need to ask for the English books, but he usually has at least one or two boxes full of English books. Quite a good selection really. Damn, I just gave away my best kept secret ;) Enjoy.

southamericansky

Dec 2, 2012 3:25 AM
Posts: 143

Its quite fun trying to read Spanish language novels too of people you have read in English e.g. Marquez. But I won't pretend it isn't challenging given my low level of Spanish.