Moving to Rome and opening a cosy little English-language bookshop for all the expats might seem like a dream job, but in practice you'd meet with some stiff competition. There are already several bookshops dedicated to selling English books, as well as other Italian bookshops with sections in English. Details of all of these are below.
There are three main English-language bookstores in Rome. The Anglo-American Book Company is actually two bookstores, both on Via delle Vite. One is a specialist science bookshop, while the other has a more general range. Nearby, there's the Lion Bookshop, with its large children's section, regular events, and a café.
Across town in Trastevere, the Almost Corner has large poetry and history sections. The Almost Corner is active in the expatriate community: you'll often see owner Dermot O'Connell selling new titles at book launches in town.
English bookshops featured on Rome File
Almost Corner
Trastevere bookshop popular with the expat community.
Il Mare
Maritime bookshop with titles in Italian and English.
Other English bookshops in Rome
Anglo-American Book
Via delle Vite, 27 & 102
00187 Roma
Tel: (+39) 066795222
Website: www.aab.it/
The Lion Bookshop
Via dei Greci 33/36
00187 Roma
Tel: (+39) 0632654007
Website: www.thelionbookshop.com
Secondhand books
The Open Door Bookshop in Trastevere sells used books in a variety of languages, including English. Prices vary widely, but they've usually got a stand outside selling battered tat for €1 per book:
Open Door Bookshop
Via della Lungaretta, 23
00153 Roma
Tel: (+39) 065896478
Website: www.books-in-italy.com
Italian bookshops with English-language sections
Branches of the dvd and bookselling behemoth Feltrinelli often have an English-language department, and they have an international branch near Termini station:
Feltrinelli International
Via Vittorio Emanuele Orlando, 84
00185 Roma
Tel: (+39) 064827878
Website: www.lafeltrinelli.it