Edit 17/12/2009: After having now been to some events, and spent more time, I have to upgrade this to a five. I've seen a growing book selection in my chosen topic/s over last time, gotten to know the staff better and seen the extras on offer. It's all I could really have hoped for! Original review in full below;
So, I've been following this place for a good year or more now, but never got around til heading up - until now.
I knew a lot about the place, and had a lot of expectations/pre-biased-ness, so maybe it'll reflect here.
For those who have never heard of the place, the Treadwell's website sums it up far better than I could, so here's an excerpt;
"Treadwell's Bookshop specialises in cultural history and esoteric belief. We have lots of British history, but also the history, religion and magic of Celtic regions, Europe, the Near East, Asia, Africa Australia and the Americas.
"Yes, we are eclectic and wide-ranging! You will find a heady mixture of genres: poetry anthologies; fortune-telling guides; classic novels; grimoires, art books, folklore studies; occult texts; etiquette manuals; literary essays; almanacs; paranormal study journals; travel writing; philosophical works; antique dictionaries; tarot cards; biographies.
"And it's not just books! You will find old engravings, carved wall-plaques, wall hangings, loose incenses, hand-made soaps, ceremonial daggers (including witches' athames), wooden wands, antique candle-sticks, rock crystals and ethnic jewellery.
"Entering the shop is a step back in time: the building itself was constructed in 1710, and is listed. The interior is almost entirely original, right down to the archway sculpted with dancing fauns. The original hardwood floors are scattered with persian rugs and mismatched antique bookcases line the original plaster walls. Pride of place is given to the legendary "Browsers' Sofa" on which many a customer has spent a blissful hour."
A bit of a long excerpt, but there wasn't a single part I wanted to leave out!
It's welcoming to enter, and very laid back. The owner was sat at her computer eating an ice cream, yells of scripture from a play rehearsal downstairs could be heard over the shop music every now and again, and the amount of books all looking each as intriguing as the next takes a few seconds to come to grips with for where to head first.
I had a few particular books in mind, and so with ease was able to track down the relevant category. I was a little let down to see just how few books there were for what I was after - the shop is quite small, and truly does cover many subjects, so I can understand.
Now, I should point out, I've never been able to just 'waste time', without media. Be it music of my choice accompanied by some kind of game or work out, or a movie. Especially without chain smoking. However, I was able to pass an hour extremely quickly just browsing the books here. Under normal circumstances, as the only person actively shopping at that time, I'd have felt a little pressured or guilty, but thanks to being greeted as I entered by a sign reading something along the lines of "Browsers welcome, it's an all too lost practice", and the helpful, talkative but unpushy staff, it was a joy.
I found a seat, I browsed, I read a few too many covers and pages, and was able to select the right books for what I was after - and then struggle to pick which of the many were what I wanted most. Thankfully, the prices were neatly written just inside the cover, at below back-cover prices, so it wasn't too hard on the wallet.
After having a nice conversation with the owner on the books, an unreleased book which she showed me, and some subject matters as a whole, in which she also advised me of another nearby store that might have the other books I sought, I paid and went on my way with her directions.
The only reason I couldn't warrant a five was, due to the size, the collection of books per topic matter felt a bit limited.
This may be redeemed however, once I've attended some of their many events. For those with an interest in the esoteric, supernatural, and old religions, their website and facebook group are well worth a check. They host regular (1-2 a week, maybe?) gatherings, with generally well known names in the field, or authors on book launches.
In fact, the shop and the owner have been mentioned in a fair few books, articles and websites, even involving a radio interview I believe at one point. read more
