I do love a good bookshop. How can anyone, let alone the author, not love a good bookshop? After all, as Hilary Mantel once put when discussing her love of bookshops, ‘would a gardener not be happy in a garden?'
Well I’d like to say that the book shop which I owned was my favorite, but sadly my ODYSSEY BOOKSHOP in a Long Island suburb of New York City closed back in 2009.
Of the existing stores left in these parts, easily the best is the famed STRAND in Greenwich Village (lower Manhattan), though it’s both better and worse than it was when I was a younger fellow.
Most if not all book retailers (new and used) have gone out of business in the past four decades, both in the city and out here on Long Island: when I myself got involved in the book business in the later half of the 1990’s, off the top of my head I could name 15 to 20 used book stores in Nassau and Suffolk Counties (Long Island), and probably more given some thought, but by the time I shut down, there were just two and I think only one by now. Manhattan had been overloaded with them, even into the 1980’s, by which time so many had already shut their doors the previous decade with rising rents and crime. I believe that Brooklyn has seen a number open as that borough has taken the lead as the region’s cultural hot spot in terms of book stores, record stores, fountain pen/stationary shops, restaurants, etc.
I’d recommend Mr B’s Book Emporium in Bath, the staff are really knowledgeable and they have a good selection. Also Toppings in Bath and Persephone books also Bath! Recently went to Booka in Bridgnorth which is lovely, and I also like Hunting Raven Books and Sherlock and Pages both in Frome
Leaky’s Bookshop in Inverness is a treasure trove—and it’s family owned! I found some amazing second-hand books from the 1800s about my city in California even!
I know and love many of these shops. Bath is worth a visit for Toppings, Mr B and Persephone alone. So pleased to see you feature Lindum Books. A decade ago, I attended a 'how to run a bookshop' course in London with the founder of Lindum. She was the only one of us who sounded like she knew what she was doing! I decided to write books instead but still dream of opening a bookshop of my own.
I loved this article!!! You're right, who doesn't love a good bookshop! Out of the ones listed, I'd only been to Minster Gate Bookshop. Truly amazing! When I was living on the Upper West Side in Manhattan, I was two doors down from one of NYC's best bookshops: Westsider Rare and Used Books. Back in the days of Prohibition, the storefront was rumored to have been a speakeasy! It's a deep, narrow store, with books floor to ceiling and (you'll love this Nathen) a resident cat named Pig! I tried to post a photo, but guess I can't do that here. Lastly, libraries!! As an avid reader, I grew up loving libraries, and who can't spend an afternoon in a truly delightful library such as the main branch of the NYC library - the one with the two lion sculptures out front, or a small town library in England. Thank you for a truly wonderful article today!
Well I’d like to say that the book shop which I owned was my favorite, but sadly my ODYSSEY BOOKSHOP in a Long Island suburb of New York City closed back in 2009.
Of the existing stores left in these parts, easily the best is the famed STRAND in Greenwich Village (lower Manhattan), though it’s both better and worse than it was when I was a younger fellow.
Most if not all book retailers (new and used) have gone out of business in the past four decades, both in the city and out here on Long Island: when I myself got involved in the book business in the later half of the 1990’s, off the top of my head I could name 15 to 20 used book stores in Nassau and Suffolk Counties (Long Island), and probably more given some thought, but by the time I shut down, there were just two and I think only one by now. Manhattan had been overloaded with them, even into the 1980’s, by which time so many had already shut their doors the previous decade with rising rents and crime. I believe that Brooklyn has seen a number open as that borough has taken the lead as the region’s cultural hot spot in terms of book stores, record stores, fountain pen/stationary shops, restaurants, etc.
See my comment above about Westsider Books. A real gem and still around. Yes, The Strand is wonderful!
I’d recommend Mr B’s Book Emporium in Bath, the staff are really knowledgeable and they have a good selection. Also Toppings in Bath and Persephone books also Bath! Recently went to Booka in Bridgnorth which is lovely, and I also like Hunting Raven Books and Sherlock and Pages both in Frome
My favourite is Booths in Hay
And that’s where I got your book from
Another vote for Barter Books. Also Chicken and Frog bookshop Crown Street Brentwood Essex is very good
Leaky’s Bookshop in Inverness is a treasure trove—and it’s family owned! I found some amazing second-hand books from the 1800s about my city in California even!
I know and love many of these shops. Bath is worth a visit for Toppings, Mr B and Persephone alone. So pleased to see you feature Lindum Books. A decade ago, I attended a 'how to run a bookshop' course in London with the founder of Lindum. She was the only one of us who sounded like she knew what she was doing! I decided to write books instead but still dream of opening a bookshop of my own.
Yeah, Lindum is one of the greatest. I’m speaking at Bath Toppings in a few weeks.
I loved this article!!! You're right, who doesn't love a good bookshop! Out of the ones listed, I'd only been to Minster Gate Bookshop. Truly amazing! When I was living on the Upper West Side in Manhattan, I was two doors down from one of NYC's best bookshops: Westsider Rare and Used Books. Back in the days of Prohibition, the storefront was rumored to have been a speakeasy! It's a deep, narrow store, with books floor to ceiling and (you'll love this Nathen) a resident cat named Pig! I tried to post a photo, but guess I can't do that here. Lastly, libraries!! As an avid reader, I grew up loving libraries, and who can't spend an afternoon in a truly delightful library such as the main branch of the NYC library - the one with the two lion sculptures out front, or a small town library in England. Thank you for a truly wonderful article today!
Why am I not surprised that a country with such a rich literary history would have fascinating bookshops?