#BookstoreoftheWeek – Winstone’s of Sherborne and Sidmouth

Three year old Winstone’s has already made it’s mark as a must visit for all booklovers in Dorset, Devon and beyond. Owner Wayne Winstone and Helen Stickland, supported by family, bring a wealth of experience in making their bookshops as welcoming and enjoyable as the books inside.

The first Winstone’s bookshop opened in Sherborne and is home to over 9,000 titles covering all the popular genres with a particular strength in children’s books.

Wayne Winstone says, “As a bookseller there is nothing more satisfying than seeing a child engrossed in a book……we want to develop in children a life long love of books and reading.”

We hear you, Wayne!

In two years, Winstone’s has been twice named the South-West Independent Bookseller of the Year at the Bookseller Industry Awards. Last summer, the lucky town of Sidmouth got a Winstone’s to call their own. Both shops enjoy Winstone’s continuous effort to engage with the community through a strong local events programme, support for schools and events with writers and artists. Just this month, the Sherborne shop is hosting an event with the Antiques Roadshow’s, Marc Allum!

Winstone’s is also a venue for book clubs and societies or those who just want to curl up with a good book, a locally-sourced cake and a great cup of coffee.

“Our coffee is a blend of South American Arabica beans from carefully selected farms in Costa Rica and Brazil (which gives the coffee a hint of hazelnut). To these we add some Arabica from Ethiopia which helps give your coffee a fully rounded taste. We also blend in a small amount of the best Robusta beans from Uganda. This gives the coffee a great “crema” as well as an earthy red wine type of flavour.”

We need some now!

The staff of both stores have a background in book-selling, coming from Waterstones, Blackwells, Booklore and Ottakar. They know a good book when they see one and will be happy to recommend if you find yourself a bit overwhelmed with their wonderful selection! Make sure to take a look at their We Are Currently Loving… on their website. If you have something in mind, you’re sure to find it but if not, they will order it and usually have it to store for you within 24 hours.

Winstone’s – bringing together communities and their favourite books since 2012.

Winstone’s Sherborne

8 Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT93PX

01935 816128

winstonebooks1@gmail.com

Winstone’s Sidmouth

10 High Street, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 8EL

01395 579969

winstonebooks2@gmail.com

Twitter @winstoneSid

Opening Times

9.00-5.30 – Monday to Saturday

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Bookstore of the Week – Salts Mill Gallery & Bookshop

Happy New Year ladies and Gentlemen!

We would like to introduce you to our first Bookstore of the Week of 2015…

*Drum roll Please* 

Salts Mill Gallery & Bookshop in West Yorkshire.

Salts Mill Gallery & Bookshop is set in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saltaire, in a Grade II Listed historic mill building built in 1853 by Sir Titus Salt. Home to four galleries (the Mill is home to a permanent exhibition on David Hockney’s work), a selection of places to eat and drink, and spaces to rent Salts Mill creates a hive of culture truly underpinned by history.

The main bookshop is upstairs and has an eclectic mix of books on all subjects. Housed in a beautiful and spacious stone hall, it retains clear traces of its industrial past; the stone floor, cast iron columns, metal pulley and huge windows.

Little history trivia for you, the quality of light was important to the cloth-manufacturing processes in the mill.

Occupying half of one of the huge galleries on the second floor of the West Mill, the bookstore has the luxury of displaying a significant number of titles on tables rather than shelves. Exposing the eye to a rainbow of covers and encouraging even the most prudent to pick-up a book (or two).

It can be quite a busy place, especially at weekends, so there is a satisfying buzz about it, but it’s also a space made for quiet browsing. The shop is enhanced by all the artwork on the walls; many are Hockney prints but some are the work of other artists.

Salts Mill Bookshop is the kind of shop you could linger in all day, the placement of everything is designed so that book covers and spines sit in intriguing harmony. We couldn’t recommend visiting more highly, but we do suggest taking someone with you, party to share the love, partly to make sure you don’t buy one of everything…

Follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Planning a Visit?

Salts Mill,
Shipley,
Saltaire,
West Yorkshire
BD18 3LA,
UK

Tel: 01274 531163 (General Enquiries, Galleries, Cafe in to the Opera, Salts Diner)

Fax: 01274 531184


Email : post@saltsmill.org.uk

Find out more at http://www.saltsmill.org.uk/

#BookstoreoftheWeek – X Marks the Bökship

Our #BookstoreoftheWeek is, in their own words, ‘like a bookshop, but not’, it’s X Marks the Bökship!

X Marks the Bökship is a bookshop and project space for independent publishers in London. Born and raised sharing a space with Donlon Books, X Marks the Bökship grew up and moved to Cambridge Heath Road from 2008 – 2014 before finding it’s current home at Matt’s Gallery in Mile End.

They specialise in works by indie publishers,works and projects by artists and designers, journals and discourse. They promote contemporary publishing activity through book launches, events and production resources that bring together individual practitioners to create a local publishing community. A treasure trove for the rare, the beautiful and the ‘I don’t know how I ever lived without this book’ book. All of which you can buy on their online shop.

The bookshop host I’VE NEVER READ HER, an amazing bookshop focusing on short fiction & essays by women, every second Wednesday of the month. Everybody welcome, just bring a bottle (or not) and your thoughts. This incredible club also host screenings and events around the texts that they read.

Interesting alternative bookshop, with a lot on offer. Give them a visit!

X Marks the Bökship

^ Matt’s Gallery

42 – 44 Copperfield Road
Mile End
London E3 4RR

https://twitter.com/MattsGallery

https://twitter.com/Bokship

Bookstore of the Week – London Review Bookshop

This week we are celebrating a gem in the heart of London; the London Review Bookshop.

Nestled in Bloomsbury, a (Rosetta) stones throw from The British Museum it is a peaceful place for book lovers to meet, browse a multitude of titles and snack on delicious tea and cake. Oh, the cakes! When you visit make sure you leave time for a cup of tea and room for a slice of their Flourless Chocolate Cake.

This store may be but a baby by London standards, opening it’s doors in 2003, but it’s all the better for not fitting the Dickensian mould. London Review Bookshop was included in the Independent’s Ten Best Bookshops in the world for providing endless nourishment for London’s minds and waistlines. Founded by the magazine of the same name, the London Review Bookshop fills its two floors with fiction, non-fiction and rare edition books; a treasure trove for book lovers. The lovely staff can not be faulted and will help you find your way around characters, clothbounds, criticism and cake. The London Review Bookshop is your best bet for books that can’t be found elsewhere, their sections are comprehensive and crammed with diverse and interesting subjects and titles. It really is all about the books and you’ll feel like Belle from Beauty and the Beast as you can grab a stepladder to reach something wonderful from the top shelves. The café and bookshop atmosphere is great for studying, catching up on emails or writing the next great British novel. Although, if you write it in the London Review Bookshop, the next great British novel will be about carrot cake.

Whether they come for the books and stay for the cake, or come for the cake and stay for the books, the London Review Bookshop have built up a loyal customer base, who can tell you why it is more than worthy to be our #BookstoreoftheWeek much better than we can:

Now that you are convinced, take a look for yourself, find them at:

• 14 Bury Place, London, WC1A 2JL
• +44 (0) 20 7269 9030
• bookshop@londonreviewbookshop.co.uk

And on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

Lutyens & Rubinstein #BookstoreOfTheWeek

In 2009, literary agents turned their hand to book-selling and our #BookstoreoftheWeek was born.

Partly because they’re literary agents, and partly because it’s just good sense, the wonderful Lutyens & Rubinstein Bookshop places an emphasis on excellence in writing and narrative across a broad range of genres. Reading their market, they selected most of their titles by asking readers what book they would most like to find in a bookshop, meaning every book on their shelves is both lovely and beloved.

Their personal approach continues through their many events, book club and personal shopping services. As always with our #BookstoreoftheWeek, tea seals the deal. Lutyens & Rubinstein serve theirs in pretty china, to rest on your lap alongside your chosen book, amongst the decorated shelves in one of the store’s cosy corners.

With Christmas almost upon us, Lutyens & Rubinstein have got you covered. Alongside their books, they have an amazing selection of stationery, cards, paperweights, pictures by Hugo Guinness and Serge Seidlitz, local honey and homemade jam, and a range of literary-inspired scents from CB I Hate Perfume… Or, for something a little extra special sign a friend (or yourself) up to their ‘A Year in Books’ subscription. With prices starting from £35 for three months, you’ll receive one beautifully wrapped book per month. You can pick your favourite genres or get a complete surprise!  Let the obvious hinting begin… now!

But, remember, books are for life, not just for Christmas so the next time you find yourself in Notting Hill be sure to give our beautiful #BookstoreoftheWeek a visit!

21 Kensington Park Road,

Notting Hill,

London W11 2EU

020 7229 1010

www.lutyensrubinstein.co.uk/

@landrbookshop

Opening Hours:

Monday – Saturday: 10am – 6pm

Sunday: 12pm – 6pm

To Dublin, with love.

 

To Dublin with love, this week’s #BookstoreOfTheWeek is Hodges Figgis!

Hodges Figgis is the largest and oldest bookstore in Ireland, founded in 1768. It’s noteriety is such that it even got a mention in James Joyce’s Ulysses:

”She, she, she. What she? The virgin at Hodges Figgis’ window on Monday looking in for one of the alphabet books you were going to write.”

If it’s good enough for James Joyce and all that.

The green and gold front is enough to excite any booklover who finds themselves outside it’s beautiful Dawson Street windows. Inside, there is a vast array of books, events and lovely staff who will lead you to your book if you can’t find it amongst the shelves. The store has everything you could ask for (and, if they don’t have it, the staff will usually order what you’re looking for just for you!) Once you visit once you’ll be yearning to visit again so be sure to sign up to the Hodges Figgis loyalty card for super savings! They used to have a coffee shop but closed it to make room for more books. MORE BOOKS. Hodges Figgis are a bookstore after our own heart.

A literary and cultural delight, the three floors are filled with packed bookshelves marked as Gaelige and a wide range of books from Irish authors who they consistently champion. Beyond Dawson Street, the Hodges Figgis Dublin City University store provides literary procrastination (and actual university textbooks) to students including our own Emma (but we’re not biased we swear, see for yourself!)

-https://abramsandchronicle.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post-new.php

56-58 Dawson Street
Dublin 2

+353 (0)1 6774754

Opening Hours:

9am-7pm Mon-Wed, Fri

9am-8pm Thur

9am-6pm Sat

noon-6pm Sun

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hodges-Figgis/381680888618026

https://twitter.com/hodges_figgis

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers…

It is that time again…

It’s time for Bookstore of the Week! 

This week we are celebrating a little North London gem; Picked Pepper Books.

A specialist children’s bookshop,cafe and events space in the the village like Crouch End, they host daily pre-school events and after school groups; like their Young Illustrators and creative writing groups.They also have a a fantastic book group!

This little store is the place to be for little readers this half-term they even have a Halloween special Once Upon a Story Time! *Spooky*

We think that Pickled Pepper Books deserves a huge round of applause for the work they do to encourage and create young-readers. They go above and beyond the scope of such a little space. So for being small but mighty Picked Pepper we are giving you a massive HIGH FIVE!

SO grab your grown-up and take a stroll to discover storytelling, make and do, film screenings, author/illustrator events (psst…Mum & Dad they also do great recommendations…)

But if you can’t make it there be sure to sign-up to their newsletter and follow them on twitter! They can also be found on Facebook.

Find them at 10 Middle Lane, Crouch End, London, N8 8PL

http://pickledpepperbooks.co.uk/

Dispatch to Dulwich #BookstoreoftheWeek

Our #BookstoreoftheWeek is London’s worst kept secret and two-time winner of The Bookseller’s Best Independent Bookshop,DULWICH BOOKS!

They’ve been keeping Dulwich, London and us well-read for over 31 years with books galore and stellar recommendations from their wonderful team of booksellers, whose insight and welcome alone make Dulwich Books well worth a visit. Dulwich Books is home to the resident ‘Godfather of Bookselling’ Philip Maltman who has been ahead of the game with Man Booker Prize winners The Luminaries andA Tale for the Time Being AND Goldsmith’s Prize winner A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing. Wondering what you should read next? Get a second opinion on the Dulwich Books’ bookseller’s review blog!

Dulwich Books do more than recommend excellent books they also hold lots of events, from book launches, story-telling and authors in conversation to rolling your sleeves up in a creative workshop as part of the Dulwich Literary Festival! In the next month alone, Dulwich Books will play host to John Lancaster, David Mitchell, Chris O’Dowd, Laura Bates, Diana Henry, we could go on but you can find out more here!

This brilliant little bookshop offers even more than great books, staff and events! For those further afield Dulwich Books also have anonline store. And for those lucky enough to be nearby, you can join Dulwich Books Book Group which focuses on books by debut novelists and is open to more members and suggestions.

Suggestions are the bread and butter of booklovers like us so we love Dulwich Dispatches, a excellent service offered by the Dulwich Books team. You select a format, tell them what kind of books and subjects interest you and they send you a carefully selected book straight to your door every month!

It doesn’t get much better than that.

http://dulwichbooks.co.uk/

https://twitter.com/DulwichBooks @DulwichBooks

https://www.facebook.com/dulwichbooks

6 Croxted Road,West Dulwich,London,SE21 8SW

Mon – Fri: 09.30 – 17.30

Sunday: Closed

Tel: 020 8670 1920

email: dulwichbooks@yahoo.co.uk

ABC Amsterdam #BookstoreoftheWeek

Huzzah, it is time for #BookstoreoftheWeek! This week we are venturing into mainland Europe to The American Book Center in Amsterdam.

ABC holds a special place in our hearts. The store is brimming with books, they are piled from floor to ceiling (literally) and the ABC team is driven by a simple passion for the written word. The staff bring something truly special to this already spectacular store. They are knowledgeable on trends and popular titles in the Netherlands but also from further afar. They are ready and willing to give advice, but also just to chat!

The grand three floors of books and magazines, including a variety of genres that you won’t find anywhere else in Amsterdam, draw you deeper and deeper into the labyrinth of shelves. But the space never feel cluttered, clever spacing allows light to filter through.I defy you to go into ABC and not find something you want!

ABC are also renowned for their cultural presence, hosting interesting and cleverly mastered events. We have hosted a number of events with them including corinneduyvis‘sOtherbound and Ursus Wehrli’s The Art of Clean Up.

More than a bookstore, the American Book Center plays an important role in the promotion of English literature and language in the multicultural city of Amsterdam and we are incredibly proud to work with them.

Make sure you look them up if you every find yourself in Amsterdam.

Spui 12
1012 XA Amsterdam
The Netherlands

tel: +31 (0)20 625 5537
email: info@abc.nl
Find them on Twitter @wwabcnl and onFacebook

For more on the ABC check out their blog: http://www.abc.nl/blog/

Crossing Broad Street #BookstoreoftheWeek

Broad Street is just that; a broad street. But we would cross a thousand Broad Streets to get to this week’s #BOOKSTOREOFTHEWEEKBLACKWELL’S OXFORD!

Since the 1st of January 1879, Blackwell’s has been meeting the needs of Oxford’s readers stocking everything from rare philosophical monographs, to the newest editions of a business textbook, to the latest David Mitchell novel. Ever searched high and low for a book you are dying to read but haven’t been able to find? Well, we’ve found it, it’s in the Norrington Room in the basement of Blackwell’s. That place is like an Aladdin’s cave for book lovers, there are three miles of shelving! Three. Miles.

Across the street you’ll find Blackwell’s Art & Poster shop, with their Music Shop next door. That’s how much of a selection Blackwell’s have, they had to by new stores to hold it all.

Oxford’s rich literary history is renowned and is celebrated by Blackwell’s who offer Literary Walking Tours. They run from April 9th to October 24th, so there’s still time to book your place! They regularly hold author events, poetry readings and panel discussions and will be joining in the Books are my Bag celebrations on October 11th!

We are not alone in recognising the magic of Blackwell’s, the son of founder Benjamin Henry Blackwell, Sir Basil Blackwell was the only bookseller to ever be knighted AND Inspector Morse was often seen perusing the shelves! One of the most recognisable and adored bookshops in the world, it’s a must visit if you have yet to experience it’s charm, selection and helpful staff. If you’re too far away to wander in, fear not, Blackwell’s also have an excellent website. AND to seal the deal, Blackwell’s offer a Rewards Card which will not only save you money on books (the dream!) but also early bird tickets for their incredible events and hand-picked recommendations!

If our boss asks, we’re not in Blackwell’s again, we promise.

 

Blackwell’s

Oxford

49-51 Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3BQ

@blackwelloxford

facebook.com/blackwelloxford

oxford@blackwell.co.uk

01865792792

Opening Hours:

Monday: 9am – 6:30pm
Tuesday: 9:30am – 6:30pm
Wednesday: 9am – 6:30pm
Thursday: 9am – 6:30pm
Friday: 9am – 6:30pm
Saturday: 9am – 6:30pm
Sunday: 11am – 5pm