LIVRARIA LELLO CELEBRATES THE ACQUISITION OF AMY WINEHOUSE’S PERSONAL COLLECTION

Between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., by reservation and as part of a guided tour, visitors to Livraria Lello can explore and experience the latest addition to the Gema Room: Amy Winehouse’s personal library, comprising more than 200 books.

The acquisition of the collection, now integrated into the exclusive space dedicated to the most valuable literary treasures held by Livraria Lello, offers an intimate and revealing insight into the life and creative process of one of the most influential artists of the 21st century. The collection was unveiled on 20 February during a special and deeply emotional event, featuring an intimate concert by Amy Winehouse’s original band, “recreating, for a few moments, the artist’s intensity and soul during an evening of tribute and shared celebration”.

Amy Winehouse’s relationship with books went far beyond the pleasure of reading. As her brother, Alex Winehouse, revealed, the artist had a deep yet discreet connection with literature: “Amy gave the impression that she was slightly embarrassed by how intelligent she was. She had countless Jackie Collins novels scattered around the house, but kept her collection of Dostoevsky hidden away in a cupboard.” This collection reflects that duality: irreverence and depth, the pop universe and classic literature. More than a collection of books, it is a portrait of Amy Winehouse’s creative restlessness. Many of the volumes bear signs of extensive use, with coffee stains, candle wax and even water marks, possibly the result of her habit of reading in the bath. It is a lived-in collection, much like its owner.

Over the years, Livraria Lello has sought to preserve different forms of engagement with books. Through the Coimbra Editora collection, it has safeguarded the memory of a publishing house that played a pivotal role in legal and academic thought in Portugal; through Brazenhead Books, it has preserved the legacy of a clandestine bookshop that endured for decades in New York. With Amy Winehouse’s personal library, Livraria Lello now adds a new perspective: the role of literature in contemporary artistic creation.