In literary heaven

If you’re anything like me and can happily spend hours weaving between the shelves of a bookshop, you have to pay Skoobs at Monte Casino a visit. It’s my new ‘happy’ place, housing most of my favourite things: divine coffee, a multitude of books of every imaginable description, a champagne bar and nooks and crannies in which to curl up and lose yourself in a literary find.

Whenever I’m there I feel like a kid in a toyshop, and yet it’s so calming! On my last visit, the quiet lilt of a Celtic voice drifted over the bustle of Saturday browsers, blending with notes from the upstairs piano player’s efforts, adding to the vibey atmosphere.

The double-storey space combines a raw roof structure and dangling glass bauble chandeliers with wooden floors and steel banisters … somehow creating a big city, yet cosy feel. The coffee shop, a wide range of novels, reference books and a kiddies play section is on the ground floor and upstairs you’ll find the champagne/whiskey bar, more books and stone-tiled balconies overlooking the ‘street’ below.

Best of all, you can enjoy your coffee in comfort at the coffee shop or in whatever nook you manage to get, including cane egg hanging chairs on one of the balconies. The impressive range of coffees is from Coffee Republic, ‘roasted in Milan’ and is pretty good. I may even be converted to its vanilla lattes ☺.


The bustling coffee shop


I can lose myself in a good book for hours, even days – it’s the ultimate form of escapism and one we don’t seem to have enough time for. So while waiting for a late date at Montes or if you’re seeking the perfect gift or just temporary escape, give Skoobs a try – you won’t be disappointed.

Ciao
El