Bookish Amsterdam

“Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of sin, but in truth it is a city of freedom. And in freedom, most people find sin.”

— John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

 

I can't write about a trip to Amsterdam without writing about the Anne Frank House. Located along the Prinsengracht canal, above, the Anne Frank House was once home to Opekta, the jam company where Anne Frank and seven others hid during the Holocaust. As all who have read the book, Anne Frank: A Diary of a Young Girl know, Otto Frank was the only one to survive.

Beside the Anne Frank House is the Westerkerk, a church built in the mid-1600s. The chiming of the Westertoren clock is referenced numerous times in Anne Frank's diary.

"Father, mother and Margot still can’t get used to the chiming of the Westertoren clock, which tells us the time every quarter of an hour. Not me, I liked it from the start; it sounds so reassuring, especially at night it's like a faithful friend."

— Anne Frank

There are few things as comforting as being halfway across the world and getting a random glimpse of #CanLit like from the posters below.

The new and modern main branch of the Openbare Bibliotheek is a stunning contrast in a city ruled by row houses that are centuries old. It also offers a wonderful view of Amsterdam from above at its rooftop restaurant. (Books and rooftop beers make for one happy traveller!)

Amsterdam is the most walkable city I've travelled to, which made it easy to stumble upon bookstores, and even an outdoor book market just outside the Rijksmuseum.