Visited: April 2016
If you are looking for a setting for a book town in Norway you are going to be spoiled. Fjaerland on the Sognefjord is one of Norway’s endless beautiful landscapes and is perfect for sleepily perusing thousands of books and reading cherished purchases.
Not only does Fjaerland boast many bookshops situated in cow sheds and pig pens it also has glaciers, a glacier museum and one of the most stunning hotels I have ever had the pleasure to stay at.
The Fjaerland book town was established in 1995 in the tradition of Hay-on-Wye and now has 2.5 miles of second hand books within it’s wonderfully peaceful location. Every available shelter becomes a book store with plenty of English language books to get stuck into. The place officially opens for business from May 1st to September, although you might find an open-air store with an honesty box slightly earlier.
You can and should spend hours here. Most of the books are organised, with some specialised stores selling children’s or specifically mountaineering/outdoor tomes. I can guarantee you will find something you want (or never knew you wanted) It’s a mystery to me how so many wonderful books got there.
I purchased some pretty retro books, ‘Entombed’ by Guy N Smith and ‘This Perfect Day’ by Ira Levin. I don’t know how long they had been on the shelves but that’s part of the mystery and joy in being able to give them a new home.
Buchhandlung Liebe Score: ♥♥♥♥
Is Fjaerland a book town for bookish people?
It’s a trek to get there but if you are bookish and looking to tick off one of the most bookish places in the world, then you have to add this to your list. Perfect if you want to browse, read and generally unwind in the most incredible scenery the world has to offer. Just don’t turn up before May 1st because its well and truly closed for business!
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