The saga of the painful feet

Autumn in one of the prettiest cities of Europe is the best vibe possible for a lover of citytrips, different cultures, coffee, nature, art and reading books!

So yes, we were in Amsterdam this weekend. We, as in my man and myself. he was there to participate in his seventh marathon, the TCS Amsterdam Marathon. And I’m proud to announce he made it, even with some breath left! He aced it!

Even with a few rain showers and 45000 participants, he never gave up! He finished in 4h17min! Not bad, not bad at all! So proud of him!

While he was ‘suffering’ 😂 I was walking around town! I had a goal (of course) and that goal were the bookstores in Amsterdam. Although they only opened at 11am I was there early so had to roam the area a little bit. So I passed by the Anne Frank House, the Gay Memorial, the Flower Market and the canals (you just can’t miss those, right!)

And then I visited three bookstores… (I didn’t have time for more because I had to go and cheer my man on!)

Atheneaum Boekhandel (Bookstore) was a revelation for me! I had always passed it by (don’t ask me why!) but damn I’ll never leave it aside from now on! Every visit to Amsterdam, they’ll see me back! That store is HUGE and has soooo many books on offer. Different languages, a lot of genres, newspapers, lgbtqia+-corner, magazines and the newest books on display as well! If you get to Amsterdam, do not miss it! (It’s on Spui 14-16! Tell them Looneybooks79 sent you!

In Athenaeum Boekhandel, I bought one book I’ve been looking for a long time (in English) so that was cool to find it over there:

On Spui I also visited ABC aka American Book Center. They have a lot to offer, only English books(!) but it’s the only store I didn’t buy anything from… I found it a bit pricey and messy… I was looking for some new titles but just couldn’t find them (maybe I overlooked them?) On the other hand, if you’re looking for some great horror, sci-fi and fantasy books, this definitely is thé place! Their offer is immense! And I even found a copy of Lor Gislason’s Sick! Stories from the Goop Troop. (I should have bought it, I feel stupid for not having done so now). Lor Gislason is a pretty new name in indiehorrorland and they have some goopy stories to tell… (on my blog you can find a review for Inside Out and Tooth Worms by them!)

And then of course there’s Waterstones Amsterdam as well (Kalverstraat 152)! That’s where I bought most books this weekend. (Buy one, get one at half price… who can resist)

I went there two days straight… the first day I bought Essex Dogs by Dan Jones:

The next day, I went back with my hubby and bought:

But that’s not all…

Amsterdam is full of great museums as well. And this time we went (back) to the Van Gogh museum to see the exhibition (see the book on the picture) and all I can do is recommend it highly!

The final book I bought was also in the museum shop, a book that a dear friend of mine said I should read so… here goes:

Anyone read any of these books I bought?

In those two days I walked a total of 25km (approximately) and well… hence the painful feet but they are well worth it!

To finish my little Amsterdam Weekend Review I want to tell you about the place we stayed at: Villa 360!

What a nice welcome was that? Amazing!!! Fatos, the proprietor of Villa 360 is such a beautiful and sweet woman. Her husband Maarten is lovely and so welcoming as well! They offer two rooms (canal and back room) on the ground floor of the house they live in. We had the canal room. It is decorated in the sweetest manner and has so much to offer. The minibar (with a bottle of prosecco) is free. The room is very tidy and clean (brava, Fatos!) and so spacious! If you ever look for a great place to stay, check it out!!!

That’s it… it’s over but we’ll be back… I have more bookstores and art to discover! And even more romancing to do with the hubby 😂❤️

Steven