Imagine stepping into a world where literature and wine intertwine. That’s Paranoia City Buch & Wein. This isn’t just any bookshop. It is a feminist bookshop with a unique history.
Paranoia City Buch & Wein has been a Zurich institution since 1975. A collective founded it as an anarchist bookshop. It quickly became a hub for the left-wing youth movement. Today, three young women run it: Melina Korros, Margot Ortiz, and Auline Sanchez. They took over in January 2020. They continue the tradition of books and wine. Their focus is now on feminist literature.
Margot, Melina, and Auline met while training in the book trade. Margot trained at Paranoia City from 2013 to 2016. Melina and Auline trained elsewhere. They dreamed of owning a feminist bookstore. They loved Paranoia City Buch & Wein. They never thought they would run it.
The opportunity arose unexpectedly. The previous owner had to give up the store. He knew Margot, Auline, and Melina would honor its spirit. The trio continues to offer a curated selection of books. Their range includes fiction and non-fiction. It also includes poetry. You can find books on queer and feminist topics here. They also offer books on anti-racism, history, and the environment.
Paranoia City also champions smaller publishers. They promote first-time authors. They recognize the underrepresentation of female authors. Melina believes a bookshop should amplify marginalized voices.
But Paranoia City is more than just a bookstore. It hosts regular author readings. It runs the Paranoia City Social Club. The club hosts book launches and meetings. The bookshop also has an internet archive with 20 years of online presence. You can find the Paranoia City publishing house and the wine page there. There is even an illustrated history of Paranoia City since 1975.
One of their current projects is the Asian Diaspora Reading Group. This group explores cultural belonging. It examines displacement and identity. It is a safe space to share stories. It encourages discussions about the challenges faced by Asian communities. No preparation is needed. Just show up. Bringing books in any Asian language is encouraged.
Paranoia City Buch & Wein is more than a shop. It is a cultural hub. It is a space for community. It is a celebration of literature and wine. It is a place where everyone can find something to inspire them. It is a place where books are meant to be touched. They are not meant to be downloaded. So come browse the shelves. Discover your next favorite book here at Paranoia City Buch & Wein.