Los Angeles has long been accused of being a city that doesn’t read. Yet, behind the Hollywood glitz and the fast-paced digital culture, the city has quietly nurtured some of literature’s most iconic voices. Raymond Chandler gave Los Angeles its noir allure, Nathanael West and Joan Didion portrayed it as morally complex, and Eve Babitz—recently celebrated as the patron saint of L.A. cool—made it feel glamorous and irresistible.

Now, another name joins this literary conversation, not an author, but a bookstore—a space that has become both an art installation and a cultural landmark. This week, The Last Bookstore in Downtown Los Angeles was officially recognized as one of the world’s 10 most beautiful bookstores, according to 1000 Libraries.

“This place isn’t just about size—it has quality in spades, too, with loads of creative art displays,” notes the official ranking.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• The Last Bookstore ranks among the world’s 10 most beautiful bookstores.

• Recognized by 1000 Libraries, sharing space with global icons like Shakespeare and Co. in Paris.

• Located in a former bank building in Downtown Los Angeles, spread across two expansive floors.

• Famous for its book tunnel and Instagram-worthy art installations.

• Offers new and used books, vinyl records, and hosts art shows and workshops.

A Cultural Jewel in Downtown Los Angeles

Stepping into The Last Bookstore is not like entering an ordinary bookstore. Located in a cavernous former bank building, the space stretches across two floors and houses thousands of new and used books, along with a curated selection of vinyl records. But its magic lies beyond its collection.

The store has become an Instagram phenomenon, celebrated for its striking book tunnel made of actual books and the cashier’s counter lined with leather book spines. These creative displays make it not only a temple of literature but also an art installation in its own right.

According to the 1000 Libraries review,

“Its most notable features include a gravity-defying book tunnel and creative art displays that attract visitors from across the globe.”

A Haven for Book Lovers in a Digital Age

While Los Angeles embraces technology and speed, The Last Bookstore stands as a quiet rebellion—a place for readers who still crave the touch and smell of real books. Here, people flip pages, underline passages, and build personal libraries. Beyond books, visitors discover vinyl treasures, attend creative workshops, and enjoy gallery exhibitions that celebrate the tactile pleasures of art and literature.

Locals and tourists alike flock to the store. For some, it’s an Instagrammable landmark; for others, a retreat into analog simplicity. The bookstore has become one of L.A.’s great cultural equalizers, drawing everyone from book enthusiasts to curious travelers.

A Global Honor Among Literary Landmarks

The recognition places The Last Bookstore in distinguished company. Alongside Paris’s Shakespeare and Co. and Boekhandel Dominicanen in the Netherlands—which secured the top spot—the Los Angeles bookstore has carved out a global identity.

As the ranking puts it,

“The Last Bookstore brings modern, L.A. panache to old-school literary pleasures.”

This isn’t just a win for a bookstore. It’s a statement that Los Angeles, often underestimated for its literary culture, is home to a world-class destination for readers and art lovers alike.

The inclusion of The Last Bookstore among the world’s most beautiful bookstores proves that Los Angeles is more than just a city of screens—it’s a city of stories. With its breathtaking design, creative art installations, and a deep commitment to the physical book experience, this iconic Downtown LA bookstore stands as a modern sanctuary for readers, artists, and dreamers. In a digital age where everything moves fast, The Last Bookstore reminds us that some pleasures—like turning the pages of a book—are timeless.

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