ARTS & CULTURE

Literary London

EXPLORING THE CAPITAL’S INDEPENDENT BOOKSHOPS

Have you heard the shops today are tenants of the buzz around the same family. Harry Potter tour guides tout Cecil Court as Iconic booksellers bookshops? “the inspiration for Diagon in film and TV Marchpane At recent count there are 867 Alley.” takes you independent bookshops in the through the looking glass, 84, Charing Cross Road, is a collection owner Kenneth Fuller spe- UK, each thriving in competitive of the droll correspondence between times by offering a unique at- cialises in antiquarian illustrated children’s books and is the au- a London bookseller Frank Doel and mosphere, selection of books American author Helene Hanff. First and specialist advice. Print is on thority on Lewis Carroll’s Alice the ascendant. With small pub- books. He offers authentic punk published in 1970, the book has been lishers producing beautifully de- memorabilia for sale and dis- adapted many times, most famously as signed and written books, while plays two Daleks, so well worth a 1987 film with Anthony Hopkins and booksellers offer events, art a visit to this tiny quintessen- Anne Bancroft. tially British establishment. Be Black shows and even cocktails. There Watkins In the comedy television series sure to stop in is a whole host of reasons to Books Books (2000-2004), Dylan Moran plays , the oldest esoteric visit bookshops, from making hilariously unpleasant bookseller meaningful connections in your shop in London, opened here in 1901 when London society Bernard Black. Co-starring Tamsin community and exploring new Black Books areas when visiting other towns was fascinated by the occult Greig and Bill Bailey, is part and cities. To get you started, and ancient Egypt. Watkins is a of the national consciousness. here is a sampling from London mind, body and spirit bookshop for residents and visitors. with relaxing ambiance, knowl- Travel back in time by visiting edgeable staff and a wide range the row of booksellers in Cecil of new books. Spend an after- Court, a quiet lane around the noon visiting the remaining corner from Leicester Square eight bookshops of Cecil Station. The Gascoyne Cecil Court, specialis- ing in modern family of Hatfield House in literature, art, music, travel and Hertfordshire developed the more. street in the 18th century, and Beauty and innovative organisa- www.focus-info.org FOCUS The Magazine 15 ARTS & CULTURE

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