ARTS & CULTURE
tion of books are the trademarks of Libreria and Daunt Books. Libreria, opened in 2016 in Brick Lane, is a hip- ster paradise of warm yellow walls, soft seating nooks and glowing reflec- tive surfaces, with phones strictly not allowed. Books are grouped by themes for serendipitous discovery and highlight guest curations by well- known authors. It’s not all highbrow though, Libreria has a refrigerator of beer should browsing become thirsty work. Daunt Books, Marylebone is ex- traordinarily attractive, with Edwardian oak balconies and vaulted spaces. This bookshop’s innovation is to intermin- gle fiction and non-fiction books and shelve them by country. Daunt Books is perfect for armchair and active trav- ellers, and a boon for anyone looking to widen their reading horizons.
Interested in the contemporary social history of London? Visit one of the bookshops that is a community by-
word.Gay’s the Word in Bloomsbury opened 39 years ago. A calm and wel- coming store with two dedicated owners, Gay’s the Word has also served as a destination for LGBT+ people from around the UK. Featured in the 2014 film Pride, the shop is ac- customed to people from around the world popping in for a postcard or bestseller. The Brick Lane Bookshop stocks every book you’d like to read, from the newest fiction to the tastiest
looking reprint of classics and chil- dren’s books too. The extensive local history section on the East End of London hints at the bookshop’s com- munity origins as the Tower Hamlets Art Project in 1978. In Finsbury Park, New Beacon Books has specialised in selling and publishing African and Caribbean literature, fiction and non- fiction since 1966. Both New Beacon Books and The Brick Lane Bookshop play active roles in publishing and edu- cation. Just opened and reflecting one of the growing communities in East London is Caravansérail, a French and English bookshop. Co-owner Laura buys books and reads in both lan- guages and is a fantastic person to dis- cuss fiction in translation. Children’s books, tea and coffee being available and a mission to support hybrid cul- tures make this a welcoming stop.
If you love treasure hunts, Any Amount of Books on Charing Cross Road is the perfect place to start. Crammed full of second hand books, Any Amount prides itself on the quick turnover of its eclectic stock, much of which comes from estate
sales.There is a £1 section in the basement, and quarterly sales clear the way for fresh books. Something of a “booksellers’ bookshop”, the regulars are thoughtful and will make way for you to join them in the hunt for signed copies and first editions. Across town in
Lauren LaTulip started her bookish career in New York before working for 10 years as a librarian in London. Lauren offers private and group walking tours of quirky London bookshops. Find out more at
www.bluestockingbooks.co.uk
16 FOCUS The Magazine May/June 2018
www.focus-info.org
Bloomsbury, Skoob books buys much of its second-hand stock from aca- demics, so has a brilliant non-fiction section as well as fiction. An uncata- logued but organised shop of almost 65,000 books, you will also find a piano in the music book section and chairs to sit in as you browse. Skoob also keep busy providing books for films, theatre and photo sets.
History, treasure hunts, beauty and community are only a few of the rea- sons to visit independent bookshops. Booksellers are unlikely to interrupt whilst you are browsing, so ask ques- tions to make the most of their ex- pertise. With the ten shops described above to whet your appetite, you have 857 across the UK to discover for yourself.
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