You don\u2019t have to walk very far in London before stumbling upon a gem of a bookshop. The city\u2019s rich spread of indie bookstores has something for everyone, whether you\u2019re after new novels, rare zines, antique classics, translated treasures or queer catalogues. And they\u2019re always full of character, created out of genuine love for the written word. Now, one of\u00a0London\u2019s bookshops has been named one of the best in the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cultured\u00a0magazine has just unveiled its pick of the 11 greatest indie bookshops on the planet, chosen by the people most qualified to do so \u2013 bookshop owners themselves.\u00a0Alongside\u00a0stores\u00a0in\u00a0Baghdad, Paris and New York,\u00a0Donlon Books<\/strong><\/a> in London Fields made the cut.\u00a0<\/p>\n Founded in 2008, the Broadway Market\u00a0<\/a>store is known for its idiosyncratic selection of books and magazines covering counterculture, art, photography, music and fashion, many of which are rare and sourced directly from indie publishers and individual creators.\u00a0<\/p>\n It also regularly hosts book launches, screenings and readings, with previous events involving\u00a0the likes of\u00a0Wolfgang Tillmans, Stephen Gill, Eileen Myles,\u00a0Viviane Sassen\u00a0and The Archive of Modern Conflict. In Time Out\u2019s list of London\u2019s finest bookshops<\/a>, we said that Donlon was the best in the city for \u2018edgy reads that\u2019ll make you instantly feel more cultured\u2019.<\/p>\n It was nominated for Cultured\u2019s list by Aimee Ballinger, founder of Glasgow\u2019s Burning House Books (which also made the cut<\/a>). She said: \u2018The selection at Donlon Books is absolutely perfect and there isn\u2019t a single thing in the whole store that could be considered boring. I was lucky enough to work there for a bit many many years ago but I think I was bad at my job.\u2019<\/p>\n You can explore Donlon\u2019s collection here<\/a> and have a\u00a0browse\u00a0of\u00a0Cultured\u2019s\u00a0full list of the best independent bookshops in the world here<\/a>.<\/p>\n ICYMI:\u00a0These are the 10 best books\u00a0the Time Out team read in 2025<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Plus:\u00a0East London is getting a new weekly night market<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke \u2013 from news and reviews to events and trends. Just\u00a0<\/strong>follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n