Sophie Archives

Bookseller, stock buyer, display maker & Girl Friday at ABC The Hague & ABC Leidschendam. Has been at ABC since almost the last millennium. Current sections under her care are YA, Politics & Current Affairs, Sports, Prizewinners, and Staff Choices. Loves any book that makes her think, learn, and look at life from a new angle, whatever genre. Cat person, feminist, easily bribed with Nutella, preferred state of being = barefoot in the garden.

Books set in The Hague

By Sophie To continue our ABC Birthday week, and in particular ABC The Hague's 50th birthday, here are a number of English books (partially) set in The Hague. There aren't many, but you might be surprised at the ones that feature our beautiful city by the sea! Please note: this [...]

Sophie2026-04-08T12:06:11+02:00Tags: ABC Birthday, ABC The Hague, ABC The Hague 50 years, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Sophie, The Hague, Thrillers|

About that “American” in American Book Center

By Sophie Recently we featured in a satirical news show as the butt of a joke about how we had space for our new Romantasy section in Amsterdam because we had chucked out all our books on human rights. Funny joke, and thank you for highlighting us and books, Romantasy in particular, [...]

Lilia2026-04-09T16:29:13+02:00Tags: ABC, ABC History, American Book Center, Sophie, the meaning of america|

Bookbits for April 2026

by Damla and Sophie Ah, April! To quote the Bard: "April has put a spirit of youth in everything." Is the political world still mad? Yes, despairingly so. But also, there is fresh greenery everywhere, the birds are busy building their nests (Sophie has already spotted goslings, and not just [...]

Damla2026-04-07T09:03:36+02:00Tags: ABC, ABC The Hague, Awards, Birthday, Book to Screen, Bookbits, Damla, Interviews, Sophie|

Interview with Joe, the original ABC The Hague staff member

In 1976, an American named Joe was tasked with starting up an American Discount Book Center in The Hague. From a basement on the Spuistraat to the current location on Lange Poten, Joe helped guide the store to where it is now. He retired a few years ago, but was still willing [...]

Sophie2026-04-08T20:46:10+02:00Tags: ABC Birthday, ABC The Hague, ABC The Hague 50 years, interview, Joe, Sophie|

Who Run the World? Girls!

By Sophie The 2026 edition of Women's History Month is almost done. We hope you've found a book or two written by and about women to read and inspire you! And I'd like to possibly add a few more books to your reading list, as I highlight some amazing books [...]

Sophie2026-03-23T16:49:56+01:00Tags: Autobiography, Biography, Politics, Sophie, women in politics, women in power, Women's History Month|

Bookbits for March 2026

by Damla and Sophie Spring is springing! The world may be going crazy, but the sun is reminding us that she is still here, ready to warm our fortunate faces in this peaceful country after a long and dreary winter. - First off, happy Women's History Month! And where would the [...]

Damla2026-03-04T16:02:26+01:00Tags: ABC Amsterdam, Awards, beautiful bookstores, Bookbits, Damla, Dutch Fiction, Fashion, Interviews, RIP, Sophie, wandering librarian, Women's History Month|

What we’re reading, watching, and listening to

It's that time again that we'd like to share what we're currently reading, watching, and/or listening to with you. No gatekeeping allowed here! We hope that you enjoy our choices, and maybe find something new to discover. We have a lot of cool things to share with you, so grab a [...]

Damla2026-03-01T15:10:54+01:00Tags: Bella, Camil, Damla, Else, EmmaV, Iris, IrisM, Jilles, Lília, Martijn, Naomi, Read/Watch/Listen, Simone, Sophie, Yannis|

Author Spotlight: Ada Limón

by Sophie Ada Limón, the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate, and the first Latina to hold the position, will be visiting Amsterdam in March. Our partners the John Adams Institute will host her for an evening, exploring how poetry can hold space for both love and critique, and how words can [...]

Sophie2026-02-23T12:48:35+01:00Tags: ada limon, amanda gorman, Audre Lorde, John Adams Institute, mary oliver, Poetry, Sophie|

Topical Tips: Winter Olympics

by Sophie The Winter Olympics are upon us! This year Milan-Cortina hosts. The Dutch hope for tons of speed-skating medals, Canada will hope they beat the U.S. in ice hockey, and Norway and Sweden will just want to beat each other for medals in any sport, as always. (Which [...]

Sophie2026-03-01T15:27:16+01:00Tags: olympics, Sophie, Sports, Topical Tips, winter olympics|

Bookbits for February 2026

by Damla and Sophie Congratulations everyone! We made it through January, which, as Damla likes to say, is three months dressed up in a trench coat. And while the wind is cold, daylight is returning and the signs of spring are everywhere if you take a closer look at the [...]

Damla2026-02-11T17:37:25+01:00Tags: Awards, Black History Month, book clubs, Book to Screen, Bookbits, bookstreaming, Damla, favorite books, Interviews, lists, Sophie, under the covers|

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