Welcome to Bookshop Spotlight, Service95’s guide to literary treasure troves around the world. Whether you’re looking for your next great read, somewhere to visit during your travels or a place to find your people, you’ve come to the right place
With its pointed arches and vaulted ceilings, Boekhandel Dominicanen conjures images of our favourite gothic novels. This beautifully restored 13th-century church, now a bookstore, is one for history lovers and readers alike.
Situated in the historic centre of Maastricht, Netherlands, it served as a place of worship for over five centuries and has since been used for everything from staging boxing matches to displaying cars. In 2006, a huge restoration project began, and it became the bookshop we know today.
Inside Boekhandel Dominicanen, the huge church windows shed light upon the ornate frescos, while its towering multi-floor bookshelves make the space feel more like an ancient library than your typical bookstore. “I love climbing to the second floor and walking under the vaults of the ceiling,” says bookseller Cas, “looking down at the ground floor to watch the people below or looking up at the paintings on the vaults and the 14th-century fresco of Thomas Aquinas.”
As well as books ranging from children’s literature to art, law and travel, plus a coffee bar, the store is a treasure trove for music enthusiasts. It boasts a vast collection of CDs and vinyl, harkening back to when the space was used as a concert hall. It still hosts occasional music events today, as well as debates, author interviews, signings, lectures and more.
“My favorite memory of the store is my first Maastricht museum night,” says bookseller Marloes. “It’s truly special to transform the store into an artistic nightclub, with dancers on tables and stunning lighting. I won’t forget that night anytime soon.”
Here, the shop’s booksellers share their recommended reads...
5 Book Recommendations from the Boekhandal Dominicanen Team
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides – “It’s a really intriguing book with a very surprising plot twist,” says Linde.
- This Is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone – “It’s maybe not the easiest read, as it can be quite confusing, but that adds to the charm of the book. It’s short, and I recommend finishing it in a day or two to avoid getting lost in the confusion. It’s poetic, well-written and I really love the feminine sci-fi aspect of it,” says Eva.
- The Secret History by Donna Tartt – “I read it twenty-ish years ago, but the story is so impressive that it always stuck with me,” says Diana.
- Comfort by Yotam Ottolenghi – “This book features comfort food from around the world, straight from the ever-innovative Ottolenghi kitchen!” says Marloes.
- The Twilight World by Werner Herzog – “It tells the insane non-fiction story of Japanese Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda, who was still defending an island 29 years after the end of World War II. Themes include persistence in the face of adversity and the lengths that man can go to finish an order,” says Cas.
