Friday, May 22, 2015

Feature Friday: Magical Bookshops

I really wish these bookshops were actually, literally magical.  Alas, it's just a figure of speech.  Still, I'd be pretty dang happy to spend an afternoon in any of these:

From Buzz Feed:

1. Barter Books, Northumberland

Flickr: drgillybean Creative Commons
 
Flickr: itmpa Creative Commons
Flickr: 53264755@N00 Creative Commons
 
Based in a former Victorian train station, Barter Books is breathtaking. Comfy sofas, a model railway and a children’s room too. Oh! And it’s the home of the original Keep Calm and Carry On poster.

2. The Bookshop, Wigtown, Scotland

The Bookshop, Wigtown, Scotland
Flickr: felibrilu / Via Creative Commons
Facebook: 162870870408640
Facebook: 162870870408640
 
You can tell by the destroyed Kindle on the wall (left) that this bookshop doesn’t mess around. Situated in Scotland’s National Book Town, The Bookshop stocks about 100,000 titles, so the odds of finding something good to read are high.

3. Octavia’s Bookshop, Cirencester

Facebook: octaviasbookshop
Facebook: octaviasbookshop
 
Facebook: octaviasbookshop
Octavia’s Bookshop won the 2013 Best Independent Children’s Bookshop award, and it’s not hard to see why. Utterly enchanting, with regular readings by authors, and Moomin fairies in the window!

4. Ross Old Book Shop, Ross on Wye.

Ross Old Book Shop, Ross on Wye.
tripadvisor.co.uk
Facebook: RossOldBooks
Facebook: RossOldBooks
 
Secondhand and antiquarian books, in a picturesque setting. And on Saturdays, there’s a cake sale. So charming!

5. Madhatter Bookshop, Oxfordshire

Madhatter Bookshop, Oxfordshire
Flickr: jovriens / Via Creative Commons
leahintheuk.blogspot.co.uk
Facebook: 177056669040766
 
This quirky shop sells both books and hats, and is utterly delightful. They’re committed to hosting literary events, as well as “book clubs, literary study groups, break-into-books groups and creative engagement with GCSE and A level groups.”
6. Scrivener’s Books, Buxton
Flickr: felibrilu Creative Commons
Facebook: scrivenersbooks
 
Flickr: abrinsky Creative Commons
@ceceliavincent on Instagram
 
With five floors of books, this is a bibliophile’s dream. And what’s more, there are cosy sofas, and tea-making facilities. Wonderful.
 
7. Honesty Bookshop at Hay Castle, Hay-on-Wye
tripadvisor.co.uk
Flickr: silversprite Creative Commons
 
Flickr: silversprite / Via Creative Commons
A tradition since the 1960’s, the Honesty Bookshop has no till. All books are £1 or less, and the money is left in a collection box. Amazing.

8. Beware of the Leopard Books, Bristol

Beware of the Leopard Books, Bristol
Flickr: hmmm_tea / Via Creative Commons
Flickr: mattneale
yelp.co.uk
 
Named for a joke from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, this second-hand bookshop has a big selection. Perfect for rummaging.

9. Wild and Homeless Books, Dorset

amandaonwriting.tumblr.com
@nmp31 on Instagram
 
sebald.wordpress.com
A bookshop named for a Virginia Woolf quote? How delightful. The cutest thing? Customers can leave reviews on their typewriter.

10. Leakey’s Bookshop, Inverness

Leakey's Bookshop, Inverness
Facebook: LeakeysBookshop
Facebook: LeakeysBookshop
Facebook: LeakeysBookshop
 
OMG this bookshop has an open fire. And a cafe. And yes, lots and lots of books.

11. Armchair Books, Edinburgh

Armchair Books, Edinburgh
armchairbooks.co.uk
greatergrassmarket.co.uk
greatergrassmarket.co.uk
 
Often described as a TARDIS, it’s easy to get swept up in Armchair Books. By the way, if you’re a book lover in Edinburgh, try and get a ticket to Electric Bookshop to chat about the future of books.

Click on through to Buzz Feed for the complete, magical list.

5 comments:

  1. I'm clearly living on the wrong side of the Atlantic :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bookmark DragonMay 22, 2015 at 7:51 AM

      Ha! My thoughts exactly.

      Delete

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