Euronews Culture recently spotlighted several exciting developments in the literary world, capturing the vibrancy and diversity of contemporary book culture. Among the highlights are Patti Smith’s announcement of her new memoir Bread of Angels, the remarkable presence of first-time female nominees dominating the International Booker Prize shortlist for 2025, and a captivating feature on the world’s most Instagrammable bookstores.
Patti Smith, the iconic singer-songwriter and poet, is set to release Bread of Angels on November 4, 2025, via Random House. This memoir is described as her most intimate yet, offering a deep dive into her formative years growing up in working-class Philadelphia and South Jersey, her rise to fame, and her later life devoted to family and artistic freedom. Unlike her previous memoirs Just Kids and M Train, which chronicled her early New York years and later reflections, Bread of Angels focuses on how Smith fell in love with the arts and her transition from the punk scene to raising a family in Michigan with her late husband Fred “Sonic” Smith. The memoir took a decade to write and grapples with themes of beauty, sorrow, loss, and hope, reflecting a lifetime of artistic exploration and personal transformation. Smith herself hopes readers will find something meaningful in her story, which intertwines grief with gratitude and the enduring power of imagination.
In parallel with this personal literary milestone, the International Booker Prize 2025 shortlist has drawn attention for its remarkable composition. For the first time, the shortlist is dominated by first-time female nominees, signaling a significant shift in the global literary landscape. This development underscores the growing recognition of diverse voices and fresh perspectives in international literature, highlighting the prize’s commitment to celebrating outstanding fiction from around the world, translated into English. The prominence of these new female authors not only enriches the prize’s cultural tapestry but also inspires broader conversations about representation and equity in the literary fieldContext inferred from query.
Adding a visual and experiential dimension to Euronews’ cultural coverage is the feature on the world’s most Instagrammable bookstores. These bookstores have become cultural landmarks, blending literary heritage with stunning aesthetics that attract book lovers and social media enthusiasts alike. At the top of the list is The Last Bookstore in Los Angeles, renowned for its unique “book portal” — a tunnel made entirely of old books — and its vibrant local art displays. It boasts over 113,000 hashtag mentions on Instagram, making it the most photogenic bookstore worldwide.
Following closely is Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal, a neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau masterpiece famous for its ornate interiors and grand staircase, which is said to have inspired J.K. Rowling’s vision of Hogwarts. This bookstore alone has nearly 98,000 Instagram tags, reflecting its global allure.
Other notable mentions include Shakespeare and Company in Paris, a historic literary hub with a bohemian spirit; Powell’s Books in Portland, Oregon, known as the world’s largest independent bookstore; and Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice, famed for its whimsical book displays in bathtubs and gondolas. The list also features bookstores from London, Tokyo, Manila, New York, and Singapore, each offering unique architectural charm and cultural significance.
This convergence of literary news on Euronews highlights the multifaceted nature of contemporary book culture—from deeply personal memoirs and groundbreaking literary awards to the celebration of bookstores as cultural and visual icons. Patti Smith’s Bread of Angels promises to be a poignant addition to her literary legacy, while the International Booker Prize’s embrace of new female voices signals exciting progress in global literature. Meanwhile, the world’s most Instagrammable bookstores continue to enchant readers and travelers, proving that the love of books is as much about experience and place as it is about the written word