This is the only shop in Chorlton that sells brand new books. Although the bars on the windows…read moredon't entice you into this bookshop, I would advice you to go in and have a browse. Although this is quite a small store they manage to pack quite a lot in, including a range of current and classic novels. These are shelved around the edge of the front room, and in the middle there is a table with many discounted books ranging from travel guides to recipe books. In the back room there are non-fiction books including foreign language books and dictionaries. The staff are really friendly, and if they don't have the book you're looking for then they can order it for you. They also have a gift wrapping service, and a great selection of arty cards including ones with Quentin Blake illustrations which I love. Let's hope that the giants of Amazon and co. do not force this lovely traditional bookshop out of business.

Toni Morrison Alice Walker…read moreJeanette Winterson Angela Carter Raymond Carter Richard Yates Cormac McCarthy Annie Proulx Carson McCullers It might be smaller than the travel section of Waterstones but Chorlton Bookshop is a lovely independent bookshop stocked with fine fiction and poetry. I've only visited half a dozen or so times but the fact I've never left empty-handed speaks volumes about the owner's selection. As well as a lots of classic British and American fiction, there's a strong, wee selection of African-American fiction, womens fiction, crime noir and books by critically acclaimed local authors. If I remember rightly, it was Chorlton Bookshop where I bought a copy of Jackie Kay's excellent debut novel Trumpet many moons ago. Since then, the Chorlton based author has produced some compelling books of poetry and short stories but I'm still holding out for her second novel. C'mon, Jackie! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiEyuJTyAlI

For all of you little bookworms out there…read more This is just the place for you, books of all shapes and sizes in any direction you look. I must admit I'm not the greatest of book reader, but I do know when you readi a really good one, it's a fantastic experience.. I'm more into audio books now.. Yip I know ,,the easy and lazy way out. And if you have time to put down that best selling novel you can turn your reading to magazines, newspapers, booklets , Ohhh you name it they have it. Then there 's the other shelves,,, Yes the other shelves. The little more exciting shelves. Ummm let me see What I can buy ? A day on a Race Track, An Hot Air Ballooon Ride, Rock Concert Tickets, A day out having Mud plastered on your face. Or A set of Earphones, Computer Mouse, An exciting little machine to shred all of those old Love Letters and other pieces of private paper. I could go on for the rest of the day , but to be honest, you are getting bored arnt you. Anyway to finish with this store, what happened to the music and dvd counter.. Like a David Copperfield illusion it DISAPPEARED

I cannot praise the staff at the Chorley Branch enough. On two occasions now they have gone beyond…read morethe call of duty and assisted me with my queries. The manageress ... I think that was her title. If it wasn't it should be was on both occasions polite, extremely helpful and very courteous. It is refreshing to come across such good service.

Waterstone's in Altrincham town centre is probably one of my favourite stores within the town…read morecentre especially after the closure of the Carphone Warehouse store which was virtually opposite this one. It is a fairly large and modern store and it does stand out more than most within the town centre's shopping street, especially with the dark nights drawing in through these cold winter months and it is one of the larger stores on George Street anyway. It does shut early but this is common in the town centre and I did find the store again to be a little understaffed considering I did visit at quite a busy time (Saturday, the run-up to Christmas). 3* - Nice book-store for a big town, obviously it is a chain and I feel a little uneasy about paying higher prices at a chain compared to online retailers unless it is at an independent book-store, again this store doesn't compare to larger branches in larger towns and shopping centres but still it isn't a bad alternative if you don't fancy heading into Manchester from Alty.

Great layout the coffee shop upstairs looks expensive although never been inside -…read more Plenty of places to sit and have a quick read of what to buy A really nice Waterstones!

One of the most impressive bookstores I have seen through my travel around many cities in the world.read more

A fairly typical town centre WHSmith branch. As with all town centre stores, parking can be a…read moreproblem -- it's quite a walk from the nearest car park and even that isn't free! It has a reasonable total floor space but it's spread over three levels, which can mean a fair bit of tramping up and down stairs (there isn't an escalator). We're more likely to go to the Trafford Centre WHSmith branch these days (a) because of the parking and (b) because it's so much bigger. But we've nothing against this branch -- it's not bad for what it is.

WHSmith is certainly a staple of the British high street, it seems there are very few towns and…read morecities in the country to lack a WHSmith store. It's a brand you pretty much expect to find wherever you go. This store fits that quota, it's nothing too exciting/different, it's your typical, average WHSmith. The store is a little dark, and while it isn't as modern as some of their newer stores, the store isn't as old-fashioned as some of their older ones which aren't very easy on the eye either. It is in a good location within Bolton town centre, it is a couple of minutes away from most shops in the town centre as well as Bolton Interchange. The prices are a little high, but they do have a satisfactory selection of books/drinks, nothing too impressive but if you're thirsty in town and looking for a quick beverage or to put on your lottery, without much of a queue and/or without having to go into a larger store such as one of the nearby supermarkets, this isn't too bad. The staff seemed friendly enough. 3*

The WH Smith store at the Trafford Centre is huge. They stock a vast range of books, dvds, cds,…read morestationery, games, magazines and newspapers. It is always well stocked and well laid out with plenty of friendly, helpful staff on hand to assist you. There is usually quite a long queue to be served, even more so at this time of year running up to Christmas. It is a good place to pick up some christmas presents but be prepared to wait!

An improved rating for this branch of WH Smith, it has been refurbished since my last review and…read morethe store does look a lot better on the interior, while it is still let down by high pricing and slow service including staff failing to understand how a coupon works to the point I was so close to walking away empty-handed on a recent visit, it has improved overall as a store. The overall selection is pretty good, especially considering a lack of a rival within the intu Trafford Centre for the stationary part of the business with no Ryman, Paperchase or The Works branches nearby. 3*

This lovely book shop is soon to be closed down due to building work…read more Inside it as all the usually students books autobiograhys and even childrens book. Theres a place to sit and read before you buy and a starbucks coffee shop and even toilets( a first) staff are knowledgeable and very pleasent . didnt buy anything this time but had my eye on a beatles lyric book for a christmas gift so that was good !

As an English Literature student I literally have to guzzle my way through books and so, when I…read morehaven't planned ahead and ordered my pre-term shelf full on Amazon, Blackwell becomes a weekly port of call. This particular branch is situated within the slightly defunct University Shopping Precinct and consists of three floors of academia alongside your more mainstream reads and children's books. I love the fact that you can purchase a copy of 'Hamlet' on the ground floor and then traverse to the top floor to obtain your very own 'Yorrick' model skull from the Medical section. (They also have a really fun selection of pens concealed as syringes, spines and finger bones up here which make great gifts for children.) There is a lovely little café always heaving with intellectuals and there are well positioned sofas for moments of seated contemplation. If you sign up for a Blackwell loyalty card you'll earn one point for every pound you spend within the store and when you've collected one hundred points you'll receive a five pound voucher. It's not the most generous loyalty scheme I've ever encountered but beats being poked in the eye with a burnt stick, eh?

W H smith in Stockport is located in the merseyway shopping centre just opposite woolworths…read more Downstairs there is a wide range of magazines, stationery items and craft items. Upstairs they sell books, games, dvds and music. The book shop is well stocked and the staff are knowledgable about the books. They often have buy one get one half priced offers on the books which is really good.