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Looking for the newest New York Times bestseller?
Wanting to cozy up with a good book and enjoy the silence?
If you’re here wanting to know if there’s a Books-a-Million in the UK or a Books-a-Million in London, then I’m here to tell you I’ve got the answers you’re looking for!
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I have very fond memory of wandering through the rows and rows of freshly published books at our local Books-a-Million, and I absolutely adored the prospect of choosing a new chapter book to read from the children’s section.
So, Books-A-Million fans, the answer to the question…
“Is there a Books-A-Million in the UK or England or London?”
is sadly, no.
There is no Books-a-Million in the UK and no Books-A-Million in London, and while that is a very sad thing, we’re not going to get too deep into bookstores right now because I want to share with you some other resources first.
Scroll down to the bottom of the post to check out the alternatives to Books-A-Million.
Or, if you want some additional resources, read on.
So whether you’re traveling to the UK for a short period of time on your vacation of a lifetime or you’re wanting to move to the UK as an expat, I wanted to share some of the articles I’ve created over the years to help you make the most of your time (whether that’s 4 days or 10 years!)
To begin, no matter if you’re in England for just a short stopover or are planning a move here, I want you to be aware of the best book I’ve ever read on understanding English people, which is called “Watching the English” and you should click here and check it out.
This book is written by an English person who has spent years observing the English people from a research standpoint, and it’s full of humorous observations about why they do the things they do – from saying “sorry” when they have nothing to apologize for, to finding it impossible to say “goodbye.”
I found this extremely illuminating, both in learning to make friends in the UK and being able to communicate with the people around me and figuring out what they really meant when they said certain things.
I also want to talk about some other resources that I’ve craftily put together for you to help you have the best time in the UK ever.
If you’re just here as a short term visitor, then you’ll want to check out the article I wrote about the best tours in London.
I don’t want you to waste time when you’re here – I certainly don’t have time to spare, and neither do you – not when you’re trying to cram everything in to a short time.
In the post, I give the best bus tours, the best walking tours, and the best boat tours for all kinds of people, whether you’re interested in history, the iconic London sites, or family-friendly excursions.
I also get asked a lot of questions like, “what in the world is an Oyster card?” and “is it faster to take a taxi or the tube?” so I’ve put together another guide you’ll find linked below all about navigating your way around London.
If the UK is becoming your long term home, whether through study abroad or expat life, then I’ve also got you covered with some resources on my experience making friends as an expat (it’s going to be okay, I promise, if not a little awkward), and I’ve got a whole guide for you on exactly how I moved to the US from the UK without completely losing my mind.
- The Best London Tours Ever (Recommended by a Local)
- How to Get Around London with Ease: The Full Guide to London Transportation
- How to Move from the US to the UK without Going Crazy
- Making Friends as an Expat for Dummies
Okay, so now that I know you’re set up with everything you need to enjoy the UK, let’s continue onto the topic of Books-A-Million in the UK!
History of Books-A-Million in the UK
Books-A-Million was opened in 1917, over 100 years ago, by a man (okay, teenager) named Clyde Anderson who had a newspaper stand in Alabama.
He had dropped out of school to support his family, and saw a business opportunity in providing hometown newspapers to workers on the Wilson Dam.
Over the years, the store expanded and in 1950 it was turned into a chain.
By 1980, Books-A-Million had over 50 stores across America.
It was once known as Bookland, but it became Books-A-Million in 1992.
Actually, the official name is Books-A-Million, but it’s also known as BAM!, so if you’re here because you’re looking for “Is there a BAM! in the UK” or “Is there a BAM! in London,” then, welcome.
Over the years, Books-A-Million has had its ups and downs, and some strange ventures like aquiring a stake in a frozen yogurt retailer, but it still exists today across America and has over 200 stores.
Unfortunately for Books-A-Million lovers, it has never come to the UK or any country outside of America.
Equivalent to Books-A-Million in the UK
While you can’t find Books-A-Million in the UK or London, that doesn’t mean that you can’t find books!
Bookstores are certainly alive in well in the UK, despite Amazon and online retailers coming in with their e-versions.
Here are some of my favorite alternatives to Books-A-Million (oh, and also, you can’t find Barnes and Noble in the UK, so this is really your best bet).
Waterstones
The major UK chain bookstore if you’re searching for an atmospheric experience where you can get nestled into a cozy chair and get some reading done is called Waterstone’s.
These are all across the UK, including in London and most major towns and cities all around.
I love them for their large selection, book deals (often a 2 for 1 deal at the front), and helpful staff who will also give you reading recommendations!
The Works
If you just want a store to buy books, rather than an atmospheric bookstore, you can find a store called The Works across the UK, which sells books, cards, calendars, games, and more.
This is perhaps most similar to a Books-A-Million in the “feel” inside, and you wouldn’t necessarily go here to have a nice relaxed afternoon browsing a bookstore.
But if you just want to purchase a book and get out, the prices are good and you’re all set.
Read more in my full guide comparing UK and US stores and restaurants.
Want to know more about US stores in the UK? Check this list out!
- Is there a Costco in London or the UK?
- Is there a Target in London or the UK?
- Is there a Shoe Carnival in London or the UK?
- Is there a Duane Reade in London or the UK?
- Is there a Giant in London or the UK?
- Is there a Justice store in London or in the UK?
- Is there a PacSun in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Barnes and Noble in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Pottery Barn in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Chase Bank in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Banana Republic in London or in the UK?
- Is there an Arby’s in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Children’s Place in London or in the UK?
- Is there a 7 Eleven in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Hot Topic in London or in the UK?
- Is there an Applebee’s in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Disney World in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Bath and Body Works in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Bank of America in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Panda Express in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Boston Market in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Sam’s Club in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Wawa in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Trader Joe’s in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Safeway in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Sears in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Wegman’s in London or in the UK?
- Is there a TJMaxx in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Kroger in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Little Ceasars in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Dick’s Sporting Good in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Panera Bread in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Cheesecake Factory in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Johnny Rocket’s in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Wells Fargo in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Chuck E Cheese in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Sonic in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Waffle House in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Red Lobster in London or in the UK?
- Is there an IHOP in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Chili’s in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Goodwill in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Popeyes in London or in the UK?
- Is there an Old Navy in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Dillards in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Walgreens in London or in the UK?
- Is there a CVS in London or in the UK?
- Is there an Ulta in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Best Buy in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Kmart in London or in the UK?
- Is there a JCPenney in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Publix in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Marshalls in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Nordstrom in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Lowes in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Bed Bath and Beyond in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Taco Bell in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Dairy Queen in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Steak n Shake in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Hobby Lobby in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Sephora in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Macys in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Ross in London or in the UK?
- Is there an American Eagle in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Petsmart in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Michaels in London or in the UK?
- Is there an Olive Garden in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Chick Fil A in London or in the UK?
- Is there an Outback Steakhouse in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Chipotle in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Kohls in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Starbucks in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Home Depot in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Wendy’s in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Walmart in London or in the UK?
- Is there a Dollar Store in London or in the UK?
- Is there an In-N-Out Burger in London or in the UK?