1. This is the Welsh village of Hay-on-Wye.
Flickr: pshab / Creative Commons
2. It's got a lovely castle.
3. There are plenty of adorable cafes and antique shops.
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4. Plus lots of deliciously, locally sourced food.
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5. But that's not why you're here, now is it?
6. Because charming as the rest of it is... the thing that Hay-on-Wye does better than anywhere else...
7. ... is books.
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8. Hay-on-Wye is the world's largest second-hand and antiquarian book centre.
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9. It's got some of the most charming bookshops in the world.
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10. And some of the creepiest.
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11. In case the shops on every corner don't do it for you...
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12. ... the village is full secret spots to pick up a new read.
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13. Hay-on-Wye has several unmanned "honesty bookshops."
14. Like this one...
Flickr: silversprite / Creative Commons
15. ... with its outdoor shelves lining the outer walls of the castle.
16. Perfection.
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17. And lots of pop-up sales.
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18. The village hosts the annual Hay Literary Festival, bringing in lots of acclaimed writers.
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19. And more importantly, THESE CHAIRS.
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20. There are tiny, perfect outdoor shelves everywhere.
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21. The village's main export must be bookshelf porn.
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22. I mean, honestly.
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23. Just shut up and take my money, Hay-on-Wye.
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24. There are so many bucket list bookshops.
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25. With so much history and ambience, you could probably spend a year in each one.
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26. You could seriously camp out here forever.
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27. You might as well pick up and move there right now.
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28. Because Hay-on-Wye gets you.
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29. BRB, *bookgasming*.
The Hay Festival runs 21-31 May 2015.
