I always find time to drop by this place when working in Exeter (I Iive in Plymouth)…read more It's an utterly unique combination of charitable purpose, unique stock and a location that has real character. It's a small second-hand bookshop like the best of them used to be. Long may it continue!

Book-Cycle is a lovlie little shop hidden away from the main high st and looks a bit like the set…read moreof Black Books. It's a 'not-for-profit organisation' They collect unwanted books from donations etc, if you can find the certain book you want, you pay whatever you wish! Half the proceeds of what you spend is sent to developing countries as well as some relevant literature, and the other half goes to planting trees around Britain. How cool is that?! There are 100's of books in this tiny little gem of a bookshop and loads of different genres. It's worth taking a look, cos you'll probably be surprised what you find.

Yay, I'm a fan because I am always a fan of bookstores. This is the smaller of the two Waterstones…read morein Exeter. They had some sales going on, as usual. This time was buy a book and get a second for half price. I bought 4 books. Oh, one of short stories was only 3 pounds! The bookstore has just about every kind of book you could want too. Nice place!

The Story Teller opened not so long ago in Paris Street and was one of those really 'quality'…read moreshops, selling lovely children's books and a small range of literary associated gifts. The guy running it was very enthusiastic and friendly and I wished him lots of luck when I visited. Unfortunately, the rather down market location, the availability of discounted books on the internet and in supermarkets, and the credit crunch - appear to have combined to take their toll on The Story Teller, which has sadly just closed.

I cannot imagine a day out in Exeter without taking in the many delights of WH Smith. An emporium…read moreof culture, fine arts and literature. Shockingly, someone told me that this magnificent and oh so friendly shop is actually part of a much larger and voracious chain of paper sellers and newsagents who trade under the same name. Surely not. I mean can you imagine a bland corporate identity and an obsession with removing as much money from your purse as possible being identified with this wonderful shop? God forbid.

Large spacious store, multiple check out points although there are still queues, but the staff are…read moreso friendly and move the queues along so quickly and effortlessly that this is hardly a problem. They have a wide range of art and craft products as well as cards and stationary.

A good from here is a jolly help, as waiting around is obligatory in the hospital.read more

This is a fairly large newsagents located in the St Thomas Shopping Precinct. They sell a wide…read morerange of magazines and newspapers along with crisps, sweets and chilled drinks. They also have a small range of cards and cheap toys and they have a fairly large window display in which you can advertise jobs or services. The staff are polite and friendly and the shop itself is clean and tidy.