London Books

Paying tribute to the best bookshops in London, UK. Twitter: @LondonBooksTblr

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Rye Books, SE22. It gave me no end of pleasure to discover the delightful Rye Books has just moved to new larger digs just off Lordship Land in Dulwich. The same immaculate attention to picks scaled up means amazing children’s, design and fiction sections. There’s even space for tables for coffee to go with their wonderful cake. Shop dog George seems to be loving his new pad too! Rye books has been lovingly re-built and re-imagined. Make sure you pay them a visit as soon as possible, perhaps when they host Simon Phipps author of Finding Brutalism on April 19th next week… http://www.ryebooks.co.uk

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Bookartbookshop, N1. I enjoyed a Saturday well spent in this wonderland. Only a stride away from Hoxton Square what creator Tanya Peixoto has done is forge a space for the role of the artist within the world of books. A myriad of titles exploring concepts of self, aesthetics, philosophy (and of course art) populate this reverie for the biblio-curious. With an ever evolving repertoire of publisher partners this not-for-profit is serving up some very unique titles and affording a much needed platform to contemporary writers and artists alike. This is very much where the printed word does meet the printed image and even the exterior of the shop is an ever changing canvas with its mural space.Get down and support this creative outlet at the heart of the city. http://www.bookartbookshop.com/

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The Word, SE14. Very pleased to report on this newly opened bookshop in New Cross! A full blown independent catering for the community as well as the students and academics of Goldsmiths University. Which means text books and classics at student prices for all of us. This is a thoroughly modern venture with meticulously picked titles across contemporary fiction, the study topics spectrum and beyond. Owner David has done an amazing job here and the finger prints of his love, passion and not insignificant experience as a bookseller are writ large all over the shop. When I went he was unveiling a brand new children’s section despite having been evacuated from the shop for the previous day due to a gas leak down the road (irrepressible doesn’t do it justice.) It feels deeply personal and instantly accessible to the first timer simultaneously; no easy feat. They have a plethora of bookish events both within the shop and further afield to campus, the community and beyond. Well worth keeping on your radar. Even more worthwhile to visit for grabbing your next read. www.wordbookshop.co.uk

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Paperback Coffee & Tea, W5. In an age of more and more bookshops slowly morphing into coffee shops with every passing year it’s nice to find somewhere on the reverse journey. Paperback is a destination caffeine wonderland in Ealing proudly flying the flag for secondhand books. This is possibly the most perfect place in the capital to curl up with a cuppa and burn through some serious pages. Now if we can just enthuse all of those other coffee outlets to start literacising their ideas. http://www.paperbackcoffee.com/

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The Bookshop At, SW10. A single stop from Clapham Junction, Imperial Wharf plays host to The Bookshop At [Chelsea Harbour Design Centre]. Far from the near future nightmare J, G. Ballard painted of the area in his book Millennium People It’s a wonderful light playground of design, art and fashion titles. As you would expect, interior design and lifestyle books populate the stacks but they also have an intriguing sideline in library fitting. The Bookshop At is tremendous pocket of intrigue showcasing everything from the vanguard to the avant garde of contemporary aesthetic adventures. They also have a publishing arm supporting fledgling authors. If you’re down with your decor or simply seeking inspiration for your home library pop over. It’s the distinct experience you’re looking for. http://www.thebookshopat.com/

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Osterley Bookshop, TW7. This is the first bookshop I’ve visited that sells eggs… 1967 saw this singular installation open in the site of the old Osterley Park railway station. Once you’ve re-clenched your jaw from oggling the period features it’s possible to start taking in the stupendous array of secondhand titles, antiquarian tomes and souvenirs of all kinds adorning each square inch of the place. 19th and early 20th century postcards, rocking horses, practical jokes, a bewilderingly extensive range of aesthetically-on-point greeting cards, marmalade, vintage precription spectacles, the list of miscellany and ephemera goes on and on but make no mistake; this is a true bookshop. The classics section here could go toe to toe with any of the best of Charing Cross. Whether Thriller, Children’s, Nostalgia or Art Theory. It really is all here. The eggs incidentally are from owners Tony and Pennie’s own garden hens. They normally leave visiting customers to it but if you ring the bell for service they will appear from the back room ready and more than happy to chat with you about the incredible history of the building and the shop. Osterley Bookshop is mind-blowingly good (so easy to reach on the Piccadilly line too.) If you’re into home made and second-hand move this one straight to the top of your next book crawl list. https://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/osterley-bookshop-london

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Swan Books, RM14. Stroll down the Upminster high street at the very end of the District Line and you’ll come across a rather special emporium. A spritely 79 years in the business as an independent Swan has a pedigree to be proud of. Its cavernous interior displays oodles of titles covering every topic imaginable but the intense dedication to local history and writers is astoundingly well done in particular. There is so much here it is worth the day trip out to scour its stacks of inspiring ranges of the hard to find. Books for all pockets here including a rather cheerful 25p section! I will be going back soon. Most likely with a bigger bag…  www.swanbooks.co.uk 

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Barnard’s Bookshop, UB8. At the end of the Metropolitan line, hidden within Uxbridge lies a secret. An incredible traditional bookshop pocketed away down the quiet Windsor Street only a two minute walk from the tube. With very little online presence aside from a Yelp listing (with some very out-of-date photos) I wasn’t sure what I would find when I arrived (I wasn’t sure I would find anything at all!) I definitely wasn’t expecting to be greeted by a chandelier and iron spiral staircase within an overwhelmingly charming modern bookshop. Yes, Barnard’s is still thriving and now has a wonderful new shop front celebrating the business’s 72 year history. Despite the old school feel the shop is well stocked with the very latest in contemporary titles. Barnard’s pride themselves on being able to get any book for you, no matter how obscure, via swift customer order. They flourish on a totally extraordinary breadth of publishing partners supplying their day to day wares of which the majority have evidently been lovingly hand picked by the booksellers. The beguiling range of local area maps also deserve notice. Perfect if you’re planning to go forth and explore the local area. https://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/barnard-bookshop-uxbridge

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The Folio Society, WC1R. Near Holborn, on Eagle Street the FS Bookshop plays host to a fantastic amalgam of beautifully crafted editions of the best literature. The shop has access to everything in print the Society publishes plus a good range of those now out of print, frequently at a bargain price too. Pretty well ideal hunting ground  for any of us looking to pick up a collectors item of the future. Here the tangible experience of reading is king and all your favourite titles got invited to the party. Each has been lovingly upgraded, rendered into a wonderful artefact. It’s extremely hard to get out without picking up a slew for presents as well as a few treats for your own shelves. A must visit for all classics and literature fans. http://www.foliosociety.com/

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Tindley and Everett, WC2N. Back to the glorious Cecil Court off Charing Cross Road for another humdinger. T&E specialises in rare 20th century books and modern firsts. What I did not know until they generously let me see the basement is that they have an expansive downstairs with four rooms of stock! if it was published in the 1900s, and you can conceive of it. It’s probably here or they can get it for you fairly rapidly. The novels, texts, periodicals and odd curiosity aside it is the history of the walls that grabs you. The Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, heritage of a building that has survived all London and the world can throw at it for two to three (depending on who you ask,) centuries is writ large here. [Update: I've just found out it was an air raid shelter during the war.] The current incarnation of bookshop suits the notable environs well. If you’re chasing a rare title and don’t mind having to suitably pay for it  Tindley and Everett is an excellent port of call (just don’t rush your visit; you’re in for a treat.) https://www.abebooks.co.uk/tindley-and-everett,-aba-london/2791513/sf

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Pickled Pepper Books, N8. Within the realm of Crouch End lies this wonderful kids specialist. The whole shop has a terrific lighthearted and airy feel which belies how seriously well it has been put together. Fiction and non-fiction for pre-school to Young Adult (and a few new titles for attendant adults too,) adorn well curated stacks. The space is a dynamic one and can (and is) used for everything from crafting/makes to coffee and cakes. They have a jam packed events calendar (possibly the fullest events calendar of any of the 140 odd book shops I've visited for this Tumblr,) encompassing young illustrators events, a book club for 9-12s, writer talks, typography and their somewhat notorious children’s party hosting service.Well worth a trip with the little ones in your life. https://pickledpepperbooks.co.uk/

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KK Outlet, N1. Kessel Kramer Outlet is a bookshop, communications agency, publishing house, gallery and creative space just on the corner of Hoxton Square. A fulcrum of intrigue and platform for ‘meaningful media’, it’s a wonderful playful space with lots of provocative titles and exhibits to stoke a broiling imagination. Great to explore and perfect for forming a cornerstone of your London Design Festival this week. http://www.kkoutlet.com/

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Tender Books, WC2N. Along again to the delightful Cecil Court just off Charing Cross Road to a rather wonderful Artist’s Publication specialist. Tender Books hosts delights as varied as photography titles, contemporary art and graphic design as well as their own imprint. Their gallery space downstairs has just commenced exhibiting work in complement of Thurston Moore and Ecstatic Peace Library’s new book Music which brings to life the early alternative music scene of London and its cross cultural pollination. A must for serious music and publishing fans. Go check it out now! http://tenderbooks.co.uk/

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Pitshanger Bookshop, W5. Dipping into west brought me across a stalwart independent with a fierce commitment to local authors. The Pitshanger Bookshop is in possession of an army of titles by Ealing writers, a top notch children’s section and a fine array of general fiction that took me quite a while to leave… Nearly twenty years in business the shop is pleasingly going from strength to strength. Do check out their website which has (amongst other things,) a wonderful ‘currently reading’ section for each and all of their Booksellers and a concise list of bestsellers as well as a convenient synopsis of current movers and shakers in the literary world by way of a boil down of Radio 4 and other newsworthy outlets. Whether their virtual presence or in the physical shop, every inch exudes an infection passion for the printed word.  http://www.pitshangerbooks.co.uk/

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Daunt Books, NW3. Over the road from Hampstead Heath is another excellent Daunt. Along with the usual fastidious attention to excellence in their travel section the South End Road branch boasts a petite kids reading room at the rear and a meticulously curated fiction section. Just the place to pick up a last minute read on your way to the Heath to enjoy the sunshine.  http://www.dauntbooks.co.uk/shops/south-end-green/#

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Wildy & Sons, WC2A, [Part two: Lincoln’s Inn Archway] Staying with Wildy but jaunting over the road behind the Royal Courts of Justice we find their ridiculously fetching 1830′s head quarters. Whatever your interest in law whatsoever they will have the text here. A veritable epicentre of legislature literature. I found myself cooing over many intriguing niche titles relevant to my own field of work. Wildy’s take the law and make it interesting, relevant and available to all. The shop, spread over several platform levels, is a joy to explore and a fascinating wonder of an idiosyncratic London institution. It’s in a stunning part of the city steeped in history and gobsmackingly good architecture. Go. This is an impeccably rewarding experience. http://www.wildy.com/

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Wildy & Sons,  EC4Y, [Part one: Fleet Street.] I’ve been equal parts fascinated and beguiled by Wildy & Son’s Fleet Street shop for a while now but it’s taken me thus far to actually make it inside. Law specialists since 1830, every kind of legal text staple is covered here as well as a range of more accessible titles such as  The Snail and the Ginger Beer: The Singular Case of Donoghue v Stevenson (Hence the photo above.) This makes it catnip for the curious reader. A great pit stop for those wishing to broaden their non-fiction horizons and professional legal eagles alike. I thoroughly recommend! http://www.wildy.com/