There are many things I should be doing today and writing this post is not one of them . But darn it I feel like writing so I shall. Danielle at A Work in Progress wrote a lovely post about book shops, real bricks and mortar as opposed to Virtual stores and it made me remember many book shops that I have haunted in the past. The atmosphere and staff varied wildly. Some were home from homes, some meh Ok , some really untidy and disorganized and some home of the really eccentric. Thinking back a few stand out in my memory.
I remember a rather squashed store in Hanley (one of Arnold Bennett's Six towns) it appeared to be physically squeezed between it's neighboring shop fronts and was full to over flowing with books. Overfull actually, one of those stores where you have to move books to see the shelves and squash and squeeze between the piles of books to navigate around. Strangely enough, I didn't find many books at this shop. Possibly they were too well hidden? but I did enjoy having long conversations with the ancient (and a little bit smelly) but never the less charming Labrador who filled in as a friendly customer service rep. His Owner was hidden behind a crowded desk, barricaded from the World (and his customers) by books. He wore glasses low on his nose and only occasionally did peer mildly quizzically in my direction and gave the impression of being surprised when a customer actually purchased a book and puzzled by the interruption to his peace and quiet.
Another bookshop that comes to mind is a delightful book store that lived on a street leading to the Quarry in Shrewsbury. This shop was a 'must visit' when ever I made it to town and always had more treasures on it's shelves than I could afford to buy. I used to search and ponder and puzzle over which delight to buy. The time spent sitting on the floor by the book shelves is indicated by a genuine request on what I'd like to drink at tea time and the arrival of a nice cup of tea! It was a shop of many shelves and mismatched carpets, sunlight and friendliness. Lovely.
Another favourite Shrewsbury bookstore that I haven't visited in many years is Candle Lane Books bookshop on Princess st. (and I think it's still going .I hope so!) I remember climbing winding stairs to find treasures which sit proudly on my shelves today,thousands of miles away from Shropshire but still loved. This book shop always wrapped your purchased books crisp brown paper and I would leave the shop with nice neat parcels under my arms and on especially good days when funds were spare..very large parcels. It was like a treasure hunt when searching for old friends you make new and have to find more shelf space at home.
Where else? Barn Books, Pear tree Farm, Norbury in Shropshire.. situated down narrow country lanes that wiggled between small green fields. Open just few days a week, you parked your car in the farm yard, the book shop was a converted small barn or farm building. Lots of books and a knowledgeable owner who was quite prepared to go on the hunt for books you were searching for! Still going in 2013 now ..I don't know ..again I hope so!
Well the World intrudes and I must curtail my reminiscences however delightful. I wish you good book shops and a good read in a comfy spot.
I remember a rather squashed store in Hanley (one of Arnold Bennett's Six towns) it appeared to be physically squeezed between it's neighboring shop fronts and was full to over flowing with books. Overfull actually, one of those stores where you have to move books to see the shelves and squash and squeeze between the piles of books to navigate around. Strangely enough, I didn't find many books at this shop. Possibly they were too well hidden? but I did enjoy having long conversations with the ancient (and a little bit smelly) but never the less charming Labrador who filled in as a friendly customer service rep. His Owner was hidden behind a crowded desk, barricaded from the World (and his customers) by books. He wore glasses low on his nose and only occasionally did peer mildly quizzically in my direction and gave the impression of being surprised when a customer actually purchased a book and puzzled by the interruption to his peace and quiet.
Another bookshop that comes to mind is a delightful book store that lived on a street leading to the Quarry in Shrewsbury. This shop was a 'must visit' when ever I made it to town and always had more treasures on it's shelves than I could afford to buy. I used to search and ponder and puzzle over which delight to buy. The time spent sitting on the floor by the book shelves is indicated by a genuine request on what I'd like to drink at tea time and the arrival of a nice cup of tea! It was a shop of many shelves and mismatched carpets, sunlight and friendliness. Lovely.
Another favourite Shrewsbury bookstore that I haven't visited in many years is Candle Lane Books bookshop on Princess st. (and I think it's still going .I hope so!) I remember climbing winding stairs to find treasures which sit proudly on my shelves today,thousands of miles away from Shropshire but still loved. This book shop always wrapped your purchased books crisp brown paper and I would leave the shop with nice neat parcels under my arms and on especially good days when funds were spare..very large parcels. It was like a treasure hunt when searching for old friends you make new and have to find more shelf space at home.
Where else? Barn Books, Pear tree Farm, Norbury in Shropshire.. situated down narrow country lanes that wiggled between small green fields. Open just few days a week, you parked your car in the farm yard, the book shop was a converted small barn or farm building. Lots of books and a knowledgeable owner who was quite prepared to go on the hunt for books you were searching for! Still going in 2013 now ..I don't know ..again I hope so!
Well the World intrudes and I must curtail my reminiscences however delightful. I wish you good book shops and a good read in a comfy spot.
You've reminded me of some of my favourite book shops. Like yours, but not yours. Makes you wonder how some of them survived. Now they all have an internet business in parallel. Always room on the bookshelf for another good book.
ReplyDeleteI like to think that the internet is their friend not their enemy as it gives them access to a wider audience of bookaholics ! Well I hope so!
DeleteI had such a nice time reading this post. I could 'see' the bookstores from your descriptions. I think my most favorite is the one where you were given tea! I also sensed a bit of longing on your part. Do you miss England terribly? I don't think I know why you made the move so far away. Maybe you wrote about it and I didn't see it. A lovely, lovely blog entry. Glad you took time away from your other activities to write this.
ReplyDeleteThank you for such a lovely comment Nan, it quite made my morning. I shall have to write a post to answer your question as I rather think if I reply in the comments it will be the length of a post!
DeleteI almost didn't ask because I feared it was too personal.
DeleteI seemed to have missed this somehow, not sure how. Never mind... gorgeous post. I do love Shewsbury, fell for it in 'mind' after reading all the Cadfael books and the reality when I finally got there did not disappoint. Haven't been for years though, hmmm... now you've set me thinking. ;-)
ReplyDeleteWe try and visit when we come over..we were raised just inside Shropshire where it borders Staffs and Cheshire but as the County town it's where we were born and shopped each Christmas. So it's easier to picture the Cadfael stories it did mean I couldn't watch the Cadfael's on TV as they didn't look right ! lol
DeleteIt's not surprising it didn't look right... if memory serves it was all filmed in Hungary. LOL!
Deletethey had no chance ...lol I lived in Town for a few years and had to cross the river twice to get to work I crossed on a foot bridge by the English Bridge (near the Abbey Church) walk up Wyle Cop past St Julian's and St Alkmund's Churches or around the city walls and then cross the Welsh Bridge....Hungary just didn't look right! also they followed the idea that the past was browns and greys ..whereas the Medieval times were where ever possible full of colour ..lol
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