The Bookworm (the wonderful patron of the MaLa Literary Journal and Chengdu writing group – such blatant advertising!) has found itself listed in the The Lonely Planet as one of the worlds 10 best bookstores.

From the LP website:

Bookshops are a traveller’s best friend: they provide convenient shelter and diversion in bad weather, they’re a reliable source of maps, notebooks, and travel guides, they often host readings and other cultural events, and if you raced through your lone paperback on the first leg of your trip, the bookshop is the place to go for literary replenishment. Taken from Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2011, here are our picks for the best spots to browse, buy, hang out, find sanctuary among the shelves, rave about your favourite writers and meet book-loving characters.

7. The Bookworm, Beijing, China

The Bookworm does everything a good bookshop should do – which is a lot more than sell books. The Beijing mothership, which has spawned branches in Suzhou and Chengdu, has played a huge role in promoting both local and foreign literature. The library is also the setting for a healthy program of events, from gigs to an annual literary festival. There’s even a whisky bar and monthly wine club.

The Bookworm International Literary Festival takes place in Beijing, Suzhou and Chengdu over two weeks in mid-March; see www.chinabookworm.com.