This bookstore is pure magic. The scent of ancient books hits you the second you walk in the door. This haven has it all: East Asian philosophy books from the 70s in brilliant condition to communist essays with the pages clinging to their spines by a thread. This store just has the uncanny ability to make you appreciate the minds behind novels, as it doesn't rely on selling greeting cards or calendars. It's just novel after biography after poetry anthology after historical encounter - and I'm sure for Finnish speakers the collection is even vaster, but as an English reader I was still overwhelmed with titles to thumb happily. I snuck into this shop purely to avoid the torrential Helsinki rain and left feeling renewed and excited about the secrets of the universe. read more