[This post was originally written for my blog www.delhithroughmyeyes.wordpress.com]

The beauty of books is that you can read them any time of the day and anywhere you like. But we all have our favorite spots where we like to catch up on reading, be it in the comfort of our bedrooms, bathrooms, parks, library or while traveling in a bus.

Let us find out some good reading spaces in Delhi: 

1. Turtle café

What could be a better way of reading a book than having a delicious cake, freshly brewed coffee and a calm setting to accompany it? The Full Circle Bookstore at Turtle café is a perfect place for every book lover, from art events to book launches this place has it all, even the menu offers great food choices. Moroccan Couscous Salad, Cinnamon Roll, Banana Walnut Cake, Walnut Pie, South Indian Filter Coffee are my hot favorites here.

Address: Shop No.23, 2nd floor

Middle Lane, Khan Market

New Delhi 110003

Timings: Open 7 days a week, 9:30 am – 9:30 pm

 2. Hauz Khas Monument

One of my personal favorites, the Hauz-i-Alai complex houses a mosque, a seminary, and a water tank. Tugged away from the mad rush of the city, one can read a book peacefully here. The best time to visit Hauz Khaz monument is when it rains, the innovative architecture and picturesque surrounding is sure to win your heart. The only problem with this place is the frequent visits by couples trying to spend some alone time here. Beware of exploring the hidden pavilions as you might stumble upon lovebirds in awkward positions.

Address: Hauz Khas Village,

New Delhi 110016, India.

Timings: Open seven days a week from 10 am to 6 pm

3. Metro

In the pushy and snoopy metro ride, one can easily feel that their privacy is being invaded. The feeling of crowding and hundred pair of eyes judging you from head to toe can give creeps to anyone. The best way to deal with it is to carry a book with you, read through your journey, as it will help you in killing time too. Moreover, what better way to spend your time than indulging yourself in a good read? There are numerous bookstores inside the metro stations all around Delhi like Hudson News Café, Bookmart etc.

Address: Jahangirpuri and HUDA City Centre (Gurgaon)

Dilshad Garden and Rithala

Noida City Centre – Dwarka Sector 21

Yamuna Bank – Anand Vihar (ISBT)

Inderlok – Mundka

Central Secretariat – Badarpur

Timings: 6:00 am till about 11:00 pm

4. India Habitat Centre

If you want to enjoy a terrace view of Delhi, then visit India Habitat Centre is a great idea. Membership is required to enjoy the services of the `Library Lounge` area where you will find a small café to suit your taste buds, a wide range of snacks is available here. Browse around, use your own laptop for research purposes, interact with fellow bookworms or just sip a cup of coffee in the serene environment of this place.

Address:  India Habitat Centre

Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110 003

Timings: 11:00am to 23:00pm

5. Oxford Book Store

They have a huge collection of books ranging from Psychology, Medicine, Comics, Encyclopaedias to Travel and fictional novels. The ones on sale are on the tables in the middle of everything. The in-house café, The Cha Bar is a new age space with big open windows devoted to the art of tea drinking. Pick a book from the shelves, enjoy your reading time with a cup of your favorite herbal tea. Ahhh!! what a bliss to find such a place amidst the maddening crowd of Delhi.

Address: 1108, Aakashdeep Building,

Connaught Place

Delhi- 110001

Timings: 10am-8pm Mon-Sat, noon-8pm Sun change this