Category: Libraries & Bookshops

  • Shakespeare and Co.

    A victim of its own success. This is what has happened to this fascinating and historical bookshop opposite Notre Dame Cathedral, on the Left Bank in Paris. Because it is so well known it has become just too popular. I have been into the shop on several occasions. It is a warren with many small […]

  • Oxford Literary Festival

    The Oxford Literary Festival is a wondrous thing, maybe a little like Hay but no tents, mud or wellies. Instead you find yourself in the beautiful Sheldonian theatre, the Divinity School with its amazing ceiling or various historic halls or churches. 2 events that I fancied were on consecutively so that made for an excellent, […]

  • The Tabernacle

    I have just spent an evening at the Tabernacle in the depths of Notting Hill. The Tabernacle is a disused church which has been repurposed as a community centre and I was there for a session of 5×15. This is an organisation that gets together 5 interesting people who are given 15 minutes to talk […]

  • Book Talk

    Daunts bookshop in Marylebone is always a joy but to visit in an evening for a talk by an author just adds to the pleasure.  The author was Harriet Walter and she was being interviewed by the historian and biographer Lucy Hughes-Hallett. I often wonder what writers think of their agents and publishers demanding that […]

  • Stepping through the wardrobe

    This is neither a bookshop nor a library … but a book walk. I was recently in Oxford for a walking tour which was about the centre of the city and the university but focused mainly on the authors CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien. The guide was incredibly knowledgeable and the whole visit was immensely […]

  • Bookish Treats in Bloomsbury

    I like the feel of Bloomsbury, one of London’s many ‘villages.’ Every area of the city has its own distinct flavour and Bloomsbury is full of interesting learning with UCL and the British Museum. The museum remains free and is obviously very popular. In the middle of the piazza is a round, domed building and […]

  • Penguin Books

    Oxford Brooke’s University holds the archive of Penguin books. It was fascinating to visit this and listen to the archivist talk about the history of the iconic and revolutionary publishing house. I already knew about the, possibly apocryphal, story of Allen Lane standing on a platform on Exeter Station and berating the lack of good […]

  • Ladybird Book Exhibition

    In St Alban’s Museum for the rest of the summer is a delightful exhibition about the history of Ladybird books. These books were an essential part of my childhood. At 2/6d they were attainable if one saved one’s pocket money for a few weeks and many children had a sizeable collection. We are talking here […]

  • Booklovers

    Having just read Bibliomaniac by Robin Ince, I have been thinking about how many different ways there are that booklovers show that love. There are of course many people who are passionate readers but actual books are not so important. Maybe these are the sensible ones, they must use libraries compulsively and are always willing […]

  • Seven of the best bookshops in the UK

    This is not my list but that of The Sunday Times. At my great age I find I am delightfully encouraged that they choose to let this article, amply illustrated, cover 2 pages of their travel section. A bookshop journey around the UK; lovely. The seven bookshops: Much Ado Books, Alfriston, East Sussex Bookbugs and […]