5 Independent Bookshops in Berlin
Last year we received funding from the Berlin Senate for Culture and Social Cohesion, which allowed us to produce the first season of the poco.lit. podcast. When planning it, we already knew that the focus would be on the language of postcolonial literature. It was also important to us to provide space for independent bookshops in Berlin to recommend some books in each episode.
In Berlin, we are fortunate that we still have a large selection of independent bookshops. However, more and more of these bookshops are disappearing across Germany, especially in smaller towns. This is happening for various reasons: rising rents, the takeover by retail chains and the fact that more people shop online. But we still love exploring a well-stocked bookshop and finding out about the booksellers’ current favorites.
1. InterKontinental
InterKontinental is a bookshop in the heart of Friedrichhain that opened its doors in 2018. Specializing in African and Afro-diasporic literature, they also founded a publishing house. In 2023, they were awarded the Berlin Publishing Prize. In our first episode, “From Colonialism to Anti-Colonialism: The English Language and African Literature”, they recommend two books from their own publishing house:
- The Actual True Story of Ahmed and Zarga by Mohamedou Ould Slahi
- The First Woman by Jennifer Makumbi
InterKontinental, Sonntagstraße 26, 10245 Berlin
2. Uslar & Rai
Uslar & Rai is located in the lively Prenzlauer Berg district. Graphic designer Katharina von Uslar and author Edgar Rai opened the store in 2012 and have not lost any of their enthusiasm for their – as they call it – very subjectively selected range of books. In episode 02, “The Power of Multilingualism: A Conversation with Olga Grjasnowa”, they recommend a novel:
- Yeni Yeşerenler by Duygu Ağal
Uslar & Rai, Schönhauser Allee 43, 10435 Berlin
3. ocelot, not just another bookstore
The bookshop ocelot is located in the heart of Berlin directly opposite Weinbergpark in Berlin-Mitte. You will not only find a well curated selection of books, but you can also immediately start reading whatever you find there with a cup of coffee or tea. In our third episode, “Creole Languages and Caribbean Literature: A Conversation about Monique Roffey and V.S. Naipaul”, they recommend a novel:
- Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson
ocelot, Brunnenstraße 181, 10119 Berlin
4. Die gute Seite
Die gute Seite is located in Berlin-Neukölln, on Richardplatz. Here you will find a great selection of fiction, non-fiction, children’s and young adult books and graphic novels. The store aims to support small publishers. You can also spend time in Die gute Seite with coffee and cake. In episode 04, “Translating African American Vernacular English: Maria Hummitzsch on Honnoré Fanonne Jeffers’ The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois” they recommend three novels:
- Mr. Potter by Jamaica Kincaid
- Oreo by Fran Ross
- Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
Die gute Seite, Richardplatz 16, 12055 Berlin
5. Die Buchkönigin
In 2023 Caroline Fröse and Nadine Vollmer quite spontaneously took over the bookshop Die Buchkönigin, which first opened its doors in 2010. They didn’t want to lose this shop that places so much emphasis on independent, left-wing, (queer) feminist, intersectional and postcolonial voices. Die Buchkönigin is also located in Neukölln, but in Reuterkiez, near Weserstraße. In our fifth episode “The Berlin Episode – Introduction to Historical Contexts”, they recommend five books from a wide range of genres:
- blues in schwarz weiss & nachtgesang by May Ayim
- Farbe bekennen by Katharina Oguntoye, May Ayim and Dagmar Schultz
- Die postkoloniale Stadt lesen edited by Natalie Bayer and Mark Terkessidis
- 1000 Coils of Fear by Olivia Wenzel
- Weiße Flecken by Lene Albrecht
Die Buchkönigin, Hobrechtstraße 65, 12047 Berlin
Many thanks to all the bookshops who used their precious time to send us their book recommendations.