by Victoria Bromley, Charlie Fabre and Trina Read
It’s Independent Bookshop Week, so here we showcase our favourite little indie bookshops so you can support local bookshops and booksellers.
There’s nothing quite like going into a bookshop down a quaint, cobblestoned street, not knowing what books you’re about to discover. Independent bookshops are their own experience. More often than not, you’re greeted by a bookseller who is always eager to help you find your next read between beautifully decorated and curated bookshelves. Every indie bookshop is unique and allows for a special experience every time you visit.
Clapham Books – Clapham, London
This little bookstore is right around the corner from me and it just has the most soothing presence. It’s nestled right next to a coffee shop – perfect vibes – and it’s filled with so many popular and also unique books! The store is small but I spend so much time just looking up and down the shelves and I almost always find something I love. They also have a small art collection upstairs which I love to browse now and again.
The Common Press Bookshop – Bethnal Green, London
Common Press bookstore is such a vibe: it has a coffee counter in it and the store feels so warm and welcoming. It’s London’s first intersectional bookstore which means you know you’re going to find books written by people of all backgrounds.
Bookbag – Exeter, Devon
A hidden gem tucked within a cosy courtyard in Exeter is the Bookbag bookshop, a small space with a beautiful selection of fiction, non fiction and poetry. With so many women authors on their shelves, it’s difficult to leave without the whole shop. From Britt Bennett to Zadie Smith, it has all the big names, as well as more underrepresented and less popular books for you to become obsessed with. The last time I visited there were I’m a fan badges at the till, something which makes indie bookshops unique and special.
Barter Books – Alnick, Northumberland
As the largest secondhand bookshop in the country, Barter Books is also iconic for the train track which snakes around the bookshelves in this old, renovated train station. I visited this bookshop a couple of years ago and still think about it all the time. Shopping secondhand is also a brilliant way of book shopping sustainably.
House of Books & Friends – Manchester
A new indie bookshop on the high street. With a mission to tackle loneliness and social isolation, this indie bookshop hosts a range of events, encourages booklovers to get together to chat about books, and even has an online shop. Look at this tote bag I was given when I was at a literary event last year, how cute!
Maldon Books – Maldon, Essex
Maldon books is my favourite bookshop in Essex, it has such a bright, welcoming vibe and has so many amazing books. I got some colourful hardbacks from there a while ago that were part of the recommended books section, and they were both fantastic!
Queen’s Park Books – Kilburn, London
This is my local bookshop when I go to London for university, and it’s always got some fantastic reads from the best new paperback fiction to specific genres like music and nature. I always visit when I walk past and more often than not end up with a new book… oops.
Let us know your favourite indie bookshop!
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