Last week was Independent Booksellers Week.
Our indie bookshops are really something to celebrate, a collective national treasure:
little pockets of book-heaven, each one unique, staffed by people who are passionate, knowledgeable and committed to bringing the very best to their customers big and small.
It’s fiendishly tricky to pick out my faves, but I’m going to name three absolute gems.
First is Pickled Pepper Books in Crouch End. Its a family affair, warm and welcoming and spacious; when James and I visited we had such a larksome, joyous time and were wonderfully well looked after. James writes about it here.
Next is Bags of Books in Lewes, which is a lovely old building, crowded to bursting with goodies – it’s like walking into a box of chocolates! The shop puts on fantastic events. I’m SO HAPPY to be coming back this Saturday with Martha I Heart Holidays…
And here is Storytellers, Inc in Lytham St Annes. Dixie and Percy gave me a lift up there last weekend, as you can see: I really saw an amazing team (mother and daughter – we like those!) in action. They work so hard to think of new ways to spread the word – in schools, running clubs, making their wonderful shop a home from home.
Once, in a different indie children’s bookshop from these and a while back, I came across a small boy who was just always there, sitting, browsing, reading – totally engrossed and happy. He’d come to anything and everything. If there was a fairy mermaid princess tea party at 1 and another at 3 he’d come to both. I found this very touching somehow and never forgot it.
Anyways… my three is only three – what about you? If you’re an indie bookseller yourself or you know one that is pretty fab, please do add to this list!
Mostly Books in Abingdon are wonderful. Everybody is lovely, they have toys and colouring to keep small children amused (and a toilet!!) and most importantly, are always happy to place random books into your hands that turn out to be new favourites 🙂 Next day ordering of almost everything that isn’t already in stock, competitions and tons of events are just icing on a very delicious cake. I hope you can visit one day 🙂
Thank you Anne-Marie, that’s a great addition. I have of course heard of Mostly Books – it sounds every bit as fabulous as I had imagined. What more could one possibly ask for?
I would love to invite myself there soon!
I claim Stromness Books and Prints (known locally as ‘Tam’s) in Orkney was as responsible as my parents were for my love of books from a young age, Tam used to give me the old publishers catalogues to play with at home and I’d make lists of all the books I wanted. It’s a tiny but wonderful shop. I also have soft spots for The Grove Bookshop in Ilkley (took Bagl in there last week and was pleased they have some books for playing with as he thought he was in a really swanky library and didn’t understand about being very gently with the books) and The Edinburgh Bookshop.
What wonderful choices! And proof positive that a good children’s bookshop is as instrumental as anything else in nurturing a love of books. I love the idea of the small you studying old catalogues…
and I’m sure Bagl is following in your footsteps in a lifelong love of reading too.