Between swims and golf swings: bookshops

The first bookshop in Cascais, Livraria Galileu has been on Avenida Valbom, one of the town's most important commercial streets, since it opened in 1972. In the past it hosted lively get-togethers and book signing sessions, and even organised the town’s first book fair. Famous for its imaginative window displays that always catch the attention of the curious, whether they be locals or tourists, it offers an extensive selection that requires time to explore: new releases, second-hand books, works in different languages, old magazines, maps and other treasures. In short, this is an independent bookshop with hints of an antiquarian bookshop, complete with shelves overflowing with treasure and catering to those who, as they themselves will say, prefer rarity and quality over the mainstream.

A second-hand bookshop with books that are arranged neatly in wine crates, and where the sections do not follow the conventional categories. Located in the art district, but hidden discreetly on the first floor, it has room after room full of literary surprises. Déjà Lu also has a busy schedule. There are workshops, lectures and readings. There is also a restaurant for special occasions next door. And the icing on the cake is the cause. All sales include a contribution to the Trisomy 21 Carriers Association.

After spending ten years working at Bertrand, Portugal’s oldest and largest chain of bookshops, Ricardo Gomes set himself up in an independent bookshop in the centre of Cascais. At the time he had a partner (whose initials were also RG), but he now works alone, aiming to have the most comprehensive selection possible. He says: “We are generalists, but what sets us apart is the range of foreign language books, literature and children's books.” The shop’s website gives us a taste of what is to be found on the shop’s tables and shelves, which is constantly changing, but this is no substitute for a visit to the shop or a chat with Ricardo, who as someone who knows the field is always ready to make a suggestion. And if by any chance you have children at home who are enchanted by the pages of illustrated books, then take them along to RG where they are guaranteed to have a good time.

In fact, it is a bookshop. It is a counter-current bookshop. It was launched in the midst of the pandemic, in October, at a time when independent bookstores seemed to be suffering. But there is nothing like an irreverent project to bring joy to true literature enthusiasts. It is run by the same people as its neighbour Déjà Lu (with second-hand books) and was created to give some space to ideas that could not grow in another format. “We focus on a close relationship with authors, through signed books and other partnerships. We focus on books that few people know exist and on foreign literature outside the usual bestsellers, books with some literary value,” says Francisca Prieto, who is one of the creators. They also have a shop selling items related to literature and the arts – they are in Cascais’s Art District after all – and a subscription project, A Caixa Fora da Caixa, which offers monthly book deliveries and other surprises for €28 that are then explored on Indie’s social media. There is no lack of imagination.

It’s well worth making the trip to this shop in Alcabideche, either on your own or with the children, who will surely appreciate the visit. The space is not large but it houses a wide variety of books for the little ones, and as well as some books published under the Prodidáctico label you can also find other publishers there, such as Planeta Tangerina, Kalandraka, Bruaá, Orfeu Mini, Akiara Books, Margarida Botelho, Livros Horizonte, Qual Albatroz and Minutos de Leitura Edições. If you need ideas, the bookshop’s Instagram page provides “Book of the Day” suggestions almost every day, as well as miniature book recommendations.