A little over a year ago, Rose opened Rosebud Bookshop—Porto, Portugal’s first English-language bookstore.

In this second conversation December 2025, Rose Larrivee sits down once again with Seena Jacob, Founder of Bookwallah Organization, to reflect on what a year of books, people, and perseverance has taught her.

Together, they explore the quiet lessons of showing up every day, the community that formed between the shelves, and the dreams now unfolding as Rose steps into year two of the little Rosebud Bookshop. You can visit Rosebud Bookshop at R. de Cedofeita 634, 4050-176 Porto, Portugal and find her on Instagram.

Step inside Lisboa’s (Lisbon) literary treasure, Livraria Almedina Rato, with Edgar Santos as your storyteller. Once a stained-glass atelier, now a sanctuary for readers, this iconic bookstore fuses history, architecture, and the magic of books. In this episode of My Bookstore, Seena Jacob—Founder of Bookwallah—sits down with Edgar to uncover stories of the bookstore’s 70-year legacy, the evolving culture of reading in Portugal, and his own journey from childhood to becoming what might be the oldest soul in the Almedina chain! His wise words to the world? Pour a glass of Port, sit back, and listen!

To find Almedina Rato- visit: Rua da Escola Politécnica nº 225 1250-101 Lisboa.
Instagram: livrariasalmedina

Rose of Rosebud Bookshop -shares her dream with Seena Jacob (bookwallah.org) around the recent launch of Porto's 1st English Bookshop. You can follow us on Instagram at # rosebud_bookshop and #bookwallah