English bookstores finding success in Barcelona

During the celebration of Sant Jordi on April 23 there were many stalls and bookshops selling thousands of Catalan and Spanish books. Among the vast majority of Catalan and Spanish publications are some making sure those who don't read in the local languages can also enjoy the day. 

Owners of newly-opened English language bookstore Backstory, Abbie and Kate, are from the United States and had been living in Barcelona for a couple of years before they met and decided to open a bookshop together. 

"We opened on February 8, so it has been almost 3 months," Kate, one of Backstory's owners, told Catalan News. 

Another English-language bookshop is Hibernian, which has selling secondhand books for almost 20 years in the Catalan capital. Hibernian have more than 40,000 books in their collection and a strong connection to Ireland. 

"A bookshop near Dublin was closing down so we bought loads of books from there in 2004," one of the owners, Vicky, explained to this media outlet. 

Part of the community 

Being a bookshop that sells books in a foreign language in Barcelona is quite different, especially on the day of a festival like Sant Jordi, which celebrates books and roses. 

"I'm sure it's not like in Spanish and Catalan bookshops but we do quite well, we have a stall up in Gran de Gràcia for Sant Jordi and we are a part of an association of bookshops in Gràcia," Vicky said. 

While Hibernian is a staple in the city for English language readers, Backstory is new, but has found success from the beginning. 

"The reception from the community, locals, expats, tourists, just everyone, has been overwhelming. We didn't expect to open such a warm, busy bookshop and it has been fantastic," Abbie from Backstory told Catalan News on Sant Jordi day. 

Backstory has become a place for people to sit and read, while also browsing the shelves and buying their next book. "Our dream was to create a community space where people can come to hang out and read ", Kate said. 

Backstory is the host of events such as book clubs, workshops, open mic nights and coffee talks. 

"People can come and have a coffee every Friday, and just complete strangers come down to the basement to have a coffee and talk for hours. Last time it was over three hours, they were just sitting laughing, they even went to have lunch together after," Kate said.  

"We bring them together over books and reading," Abbie added. 

English language readers 

The English bookstores aren't just popular with native English speakers. 

"It's not only native speakers, there are people who read English in general and also Spanish people who read in English because maybe they've lived abroad. We get a fair number of tourists too, during the tourist season," Vicky said. 

Offering a selection to English language readers is important, but the bookstores try to spread Catalan literature as well. Both have a section in their store with books originally written in Catalan. 

"This was really important to us, to be part of the community and give people who can't read in Catalan these texts. We have a fairly sizeable section, that is growing, with books from Spanish or Catalan authors," Kate, from Backstory, said. 

Come In, located on Carrer de Balmes in Eixample, is another English-language bookstore servicing people’s needs for literature. As well as many original titles in English, the store also sells an extensive selection of translated Catalan and Spanish titles.