Tag Archives: bookshops

Now THAT is a bookshop!

Now THAT is a bookshop!

Blackwell's bookshop

Over half-term we took a short break up near Oxford, and spent a very enjoyable day walking round the venerable city. I went to Blackwell’s, a bookshop that’s been around since the nineteenth century, and was reminded of how a good bookshop will really inspire you. Whilst it’s great to have Waterstone’s in Dorking, where I live, it’s small and seems to always have the same or similar books on display – with a good portion of the shop given over to small gifts and toys now, too. I don’t often feel gripped by anything when I go in. But here I was bolting around like a dog in a field of sheep, constantly thinking how I not only wanted to but needed to read this, and this, and this…

OK, Blackwell’s does have the advantage of an incredible 3.5km of book shelves, as you can see in the picture – but still, the main ‘top’ displays had a more diverse and intriguing selection than I’ve seen for a long time. And that’s not to say size is all that matters – there was another small cafe bookshop in the Oxford market which had a great display, full of interesting books, not the usual suspects.

If I can just get that right...
Hmmm...

So, this post is in praise of our beleaguered bookshops – keep them going, whenever you can! Above is a book you’ll see that amused me and another that amused my wife (I think you’ll guess which is which!) And below is a fabulous-looking ghost story I picked up in Blackwell’s second store for Graphic Novels and Sci-fi/Fantasy, which includes a Horror section…

Petra's ghost

In praise of… independent bookshops

I’ve just delivered a few copies of The City of Light to Barton’s Bookshop in Leatherhead. This independent bookshop has been fantastic for me as a local writer. The owner, Peter Snell, and his staff (especially Cameron) have been incredibly helpful and supportive. I’ve done two signing sessions there and we’ve now got a third scheduled for Saturday 2nd December. They’ve sold over 60 books, with all four ‘Secret of the Tirthas’ novels on permanent display. And they’ve also put me in contact with the excellent Jane Dixon-Smith who designs my book covers. So if you’re anywhere nearby – go in and buy some books, and keep your local independent bookshop thriving!