I love books. During my travels, fate innocently has me stumble upon some neat book paradise. Rarely do I intentionally seek them out, lest I’d jeopardize the remainder of my trip itinerary for the comfort of a damn good bookshop. No matter where in the world I stroll, I can’t believe my great fortune at running across an interesting book shop or stall.
So, it was in Venice that the leather smith of the shop I was browsing recommended that I “should really check out this ‘interesting’ book store.” I did & I hated it. If you genuinely love books, you won’t find peace at Libreria Acqua Alta. It’s not for serious book readers nor is reading the reason why people go there.
Unbeknownst to me at the time of my visit, throngs of selfie absorbed zombies make the pilgrimage there for… selfies! Selfies with the corny “staircase” made of weathered books, compressed & amassed along a wall. Selfies with books piled high in tubs & gondolas. While this may be great for storage (Yes, I’m aware Venice floods) it stinks for browsing. As a side note, the stench of raw sewage permeates throughout with some areas reeking stronger than others.
Navigation is difficult and risky of a book avalanche in the unfortunate event of one wrong move. Books are stacked everywhere resulting in the inability to move book stacks around to get to stacks behind the stacks because there’s nowhere to move the stacks you’ve already looked at. Any attempt to steer clear of the photo happy masses rushing your way via very narrow paths are impossible. Tripping on uneven floor, you strive to regain balance in a vain attempt to avoid falling into a tub of books or getting bumped into heaps of them.
When you think you’ve found a pathway out of the selfie line of fire, you realize it’s a dead end. With no escape in sight you’re forced to wait (and wait) until all selfie people have absconded with their pics. When it finally clears you get the hell out of there before another group pins you in. (God forbid if a different path leads to another dead end.)
Libreria Acqua Alta has a fairly decent book selection. It’s just not worth the constant disruptions of onlookers & clutter. This is not a practical environment for browsing. It’s gimmicky & there to be ogled at in the hopes those taking pics will buy a book or two. New & used books, some with mold, some without are averagely priced; others expensive for their used, beat up condition. Take a pass on Libreria Acqua Alta & save yourself time, frustration, & sanity. Get a gelato instead.