Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Places I’d Love To Visit

Hello readers! Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday. This week’s theme is ‘places mentioned in books’. Participants have to pick literary locations they’d love to visit.

I’ve decided to add my own twist and will be looking at my favourite libraries in fiction. These wonderful spots would make any book-lover’s heart beat faster.

If you’d like to create your own list, give it a go. Top Ten Tuesday was launched by The Broke and the Bookish and has been hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl since January 2018. To find out more simply visit the host website by clicking here. 

Hogwarts Library

The Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling

Who wouldn’t want to visit the Hogwarts library? Here’s your chance to research magical creatures and bump into Hermione Granger. Be warned, strict librarian Madame Pince is on guard, so don’t try sneaking into the restricted section without the help of an invisibility cloak.   

Cemetery of Forgotten Books

The Shadow of the Wind, Carlos Ruiz Zafón

An enormous library full of old, forgotten titles sounds like every bibliophile’s dream. But, before you get carried away, remember you can only check out a single book and caring for it will become your life’s work.

The Unseen University Library

The Discworld series, Terry Pratchett

Not only is this a library at a university for wizards, it’s staffed by a librarian with a difference. Accidently turned into an orangutan by magic, he’s resisted all attempts to change him back. Want to ask about a book? You’ll have to learn how to interpret ‘ook’.

The Folly’s Library

The River of London series, Ben Aaronovitch

The secret, magical branch of London’s Metropolitan police has its headquarters at The Folly. Its library is a one-stop-shop for magical information. Sadly, many of the books are in Latin – a language I can’t read.  

The Invisible Library

The Invisible Library, Genevieve Cogman

I’ve only picked up the first story in this series but can’t wait to get hold of the others. Imagine an enormous, interdimensional library with staff that borrow (OK, steal!) unique books from parallel worlds. The librarians are an eccentric group of universe-hopping thieves and spies.

The Great Library

The Thursday Next series, Jasper Fforde

Set in a parallel world where literary questions are hotly debated (just don’t ask anyone about the authorship of Shakespeare’s plays, OK?) the Great Library includes every book ever written and features the Well of Lost Plots on its lower levels. Oh, and as an extra bonus, the Cheshire Cat is head librarian.

Mr Norrell’s Library

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, Susanna Clarke

Mr Norrell is a magician. He’s also miserly. His libraries in London and Yorkshire are well protected and even his apprentice, Jonathan Strange, is rarely allowed to borrow books. I can’t be the only person who’d love to take a look around!  

Mori’s Local Library

Among Others, Jo Walton

For an isolated, book-loving teen a local library and friendly librarians can be a lifeline. That’s certainly true for Mori, who’s packed off to boarding school after the death of her twin. I’d love to visit her lively fantasy and sci-fi discussion group. See my full review here.

The Strange Library

The Strange Library, Haruki Murakami

Did I understand the message behind this narrative? I’m not entirely sure. This sinister short story follows a boy who’s imprisoned in a maze under a library. His companions are a brain-eating sheep-man and a girl who talks with her hands.

The Book People

Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury

In this story’s dystopian future, literature is banned and destroyed when found. A former book-burner rebels against his orders and meets people who memorise famous works. What could be better than becoming a human library?!

What’s your favourite fictional library? Let me know in the comments below.