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Seoul has a massive public library with a wide selection of books in English. If you want to sit there and spend hours reading, you can. But if you want to take books out and read at home, you can't. The library won't lend books to anyone who is not a citizen or married to one.
If you are a bookworm like me, there are places to get books. Often it means buying them, but you can also trade with other foreigners. Bring a few used paperbacks with you from Canada, you would be amazed how much they are appreciated.
One note: Any pervs out there thinking they will come here and read Korean pornographic magazines, you are going to be bitterly disappointed. Koreans are more prudish than prurient. Go to Japan if you want that.
New bookstores
Undoubtedly the largest and most well known bookstore in
Seoul, this place carries a large selection of English
language books. In fact, you can find book in French,
German and Spanish, but books in English to learn
languages other than English or Korean.
To go there, take the subway Line 5to Gwanghwamun
station, or take Line 1 to Jonggak station
and walk west on the north side of the street. Several
buses (8-1, 129-1, 83, 83-1, 1009, among others)
also pass this intersection.
B&L has the next largest selection of books, and often
things not found elsewhere such as comics and computer books
in English.
This chain of stores can be found in several locations, but
the largest is at COEX shopping center in Gangnam. Take
subway Line 2 to Samseong station.
This store reopened under a new name a year ago, slightly cleaner
but with a smaller selection of English books. Still, it might
be worth the visit because of its location, very close to
Yeongpoong Bookstore.
Take subway Line 2 to Euljiro-1 station and go up
the northeast exit (between the noodle and ice cream
shops). The bookstore is on the landing, halfway up.
This chain specializes in English language teaching materials, but
they also sell paperbacks and other English language books. But
don't give them your email address, they distribute them to spammers.
The two stores (there are others) whose locations I know are:
This large, two-leveled underground bookstore is quite something.
The service leaves a lot to be desired, but the selection of
English language books, whether popular reading or academic
books, is very good.
Take subway Line 2 to Euljiro-1 station and use the
northwest exit (to the left of the optometrist).
Go north one block and cross the street, the bookstore is
beneath the bank.
Used bookstores
The store is run by a westerner married to a Korean woman,
and she speaks excellent English. The prices are ridiculous
as are all used bookstores in Korea, but they are willing to
haggle a little, unlike some.
From the Burger King in Itaewon, go north and
turn right before the fire station. Go uphill until
you reach the school and turn left. Follow that road
and take the right hand fork at the Islamic mosque.
Three years in and I still don't know the name of this place....
This bookstore is cramped and dirty, but has a large selection
of books. It also has a large price on each, the most overpriced
and unfriendly bookstore I have ever seen. Still, you may find
things here you won't see elsewhere (eg. French comics).
Go west of Shinchon station on the north side of the street.
About 400m west, you will find a used bookstore with a glass
front. The selection of English books is not large, but the
prices are the best I have seen amongst used shops in Seoul.
Near Yeonsei University is a used bookstore. In fact, check
around the many universities in Korea (ask some students!),
you might find other used shops. Most of the books are academic,
but you might find something that interests you.
From Yeonsei University (go north from Shinchon station if
you need to), go west on the south side of the street
and you will find the shop down a quick drop from the road.
Other sources for books
If you aren't a snob about books ("Why would I read books
written before I was born?") you can download free e-texts
of most western literature written before 1925. Shakespeare,
Joyce, Dickens, Chaucer, Balzac, you name it, it's free.
This Korean business website sells books and can order them
for you, just like Amazon.com, but there service seems a
little more personalized. However, like many Korean businesses,
they spam people themselves and distribute addresses to spammers
with no respect for the customer. If you write, don't use your
"clean" email address, get a throwaway free account.
Gee, I don't think anybody knows about this site.
The main reason I list them is not because they are any better
or cheaper than others but because Korean bookstores, physical or
online, tend not to carry or sell certain books. Many Korean-owned
bookstores, for example, refuse to sell or order certain scientific
books, and put religious books in the science sections. If you
don't want someone deciding for you what you can and can't read,
then Amazon may be an option.
Like Amazon, this website sells and delivers books overseas. Sometimes
the prices are cheaper than Amazon.
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