This is very unique book store full of unusual books but also has first edition books from medicine…read moreto children's novel. Over 5 floors, which allegedly the building was built in the late 1800s. I personally love the unusual book store, where love thy neighbours vaule/ trust in each other still stands. This is a rarity in itself, which I love so much . They even have diy tea area where you help yourself to tea/coffee for a very small nominal fee.

I have to give a major shout out to Paramount Books - a fantastic independent bookstore nestled in…read morethe sometimes overlooked and forgotten Shudehill area of town. Ok so there may be a million KFC ripoff takeaways and a few random shops that have seen better days around it but Paramount stands out as a well looked after 2nd hand book store with loads of character! I was pulled in on a wet and windy Monday by their comic book sale - in fact there's a whole area in the back dedicated to rare comics and graphic novels (fantastic selection) - inside there's a fantastic selection covering everything from music and film to politics, history and philosophy - really good to browse and possible pick up a tome to take home (wow that rhymes...) The best part of this place is the owner who basically is exactly what you'd be looking for if casting this place in a Hollywood movie. With glasses dangling from his neck and a scholarly look as he sorts the shelves - the classical music in the background makes you really feel what a unique place this is in the world of chain stores and amazon. Make sure you check out Paramount soon and enjoy a slip back into yesteryear!

Thank the lord for Paramount Book Exchange…read more One of the few independent bookshops left in Manchester, it's a strictly DIY affair run by a genuine book lover. The sign outside suggests it's only open Fridays and Saturdays but it's usually open Monday to Saturday unless the owner has popped out for something. The lively window displays give a great indicator of what's in store with stacks of new, vintage and secondhand books everywhere. Fans of cult fiction, sci-fi, horror, crime noir, queer fiction, biographies and pop culture will find much to treasure here as the stock leans more towards William Burroughs, Poppy Z Brite and Neil Gaiman than Harry Potter. There's also a small selection of 60s-90s vinyl for crate diggers. All they need is a coffee machine and I'd happily move in!

Is there a finer, funkier, funnier, bookstore in all of Yorkshire? Maybe all of the UK? I don't…read morethink so. What topic are you looking for? Proprietor Barry, with his assistant Jerry the cat, will find it for you. Indeed, probably several books on topic. Or just go in with an open mind and you'll find many books of interest. The difficulty will be deciding which to buy. Don't worry, the prices are so reasonable that you can take all you can carry. Beware, there are approximately 14,000 books there, so bring a really big bag.

I love quaint traditional rummagy book shops and this is one of the best. Set up an old cobbled…read morelane with mandatory ats a top some old books outside, the shops itself is small and paked high with books of all genres as well as some old classics and the frienldy old staff

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

Magma Magma books is possibly one of the coolest shops I…read morehave been into in a long time! Why you may ask? Because it sells MOOMINS merchandise and books!! They sell all sorts of cool things here like books, magazines, swirly notebooks, cuddly toys (moomin ones!), eco friendly stuff which comes in the shape of recycled objects made into something else uselful, the mother board coasters are pretty snazzy! Like the other shops on Oldham street, its only small but the layout is perfectly set out to seem like there is so much space! I love it!

Situated on Oldham Street, but a hop and skip from the Night and Day Café lies this fantastic…read morebookshop. I've been visiting this place for ages, even if it's just to browse through the store and short list future gifts. I've recently acquired some American Film Making/Studies from there (the Steven D. Katz shot by shot/cinematic motion - books that are usually pretty hard to get hold of unless you're on the net. This is one of those places where the staff know what they're talking about and can help either find what you're looking for or influence you enough to take a punt on their own expertly led recommendations in the vast array of different books and magazines in this store (increasingly rare in the accountant led 'United Chaindom'). It's a shame many more shops were as enthusiastic and passionate as the folks behind magma...I know they can't all be this way but it's currently unfairly balanced. One large chain book store dominates now (and with unfortunately less choice, more celebrity led airport reading fodder) and with supermarkets getting in the act of the book market (albeit with a truly disturbing 'array' of 'books') we should be thankful that places like this are still open in our cities. A large section of this shop sells magazines which are more like the aforementioned coffee table books the higher echelon of mags if you will. Film, Architecture, Typography, Illustration, Photography, Graphics, Fashion, Art, Design, Cities all these creative acts and scenarios collude together in the books and magazine range. They sell a top mag called 'Specialten' which is a 'bi-monthly collection of short films, music videos and exclusive interviews' which comes with a DVD for the media. Just reminded myself to pick up the next edition as I type this... This shop (alongside one or two in London village possibly the other two Magma's as it happens) was the only such store to stock Daniel Johnstone's graphics/drawings books (and as such is referred to in the fantastic Daniel Johnstone documentary). Reanimate your creative synapses and spare at least half an hour to imbibe the glorious fractions of the arts world we don't see as much as we should. It's always a pleasure to walk into a store like this, find what you're looking for (or see something jump out at you which grabs your interest by the book ends) and after downpiping your debit/credit details into the 21st Century piggy bank walk from the shop, freshly acquired book in hand. Rifling through the pages of a new 'Ilva Table book' in a nearby boozer/café is one of life's great, small pleasures.

I love Bookline. It's one of those shops that's remained faithful to its patrons, seeing through…read moredecades of change on the high street to keep delivering a personal touch to one's book-buying. The owner is so incredibly helpful and has made this shop his passion over the years. Inside, the weathered sign and small shop front belies the size of the store. It's a veritable tardis, with sections on just about everything: art, fiction, history, home and garden, languages, reference, travel. Everything you'd expect from a larger chain. It's sad to hear that sooner or later the owner will be retiring from the business, I just hope that it isn't the end for Bookline. Support your local stores!!

I like this place, will often have a walk in and browse even if I don't need a book…read more Very cheap books, really worth the prices. I tend to look for Gothy types of books , but its nice to grab a bit of poetry now and then.

"Abandon despair, all ye who enter here", should be inscribed on top of the entrance to The Minster…read moreGate Bookshop. And yes, that's a positive take on the famous "Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate" of Dante's Inferno, for this place represents, in its entirety, the opposite to the Inferno's loss of hope. The Minster Gate Bookshop is a palace of wisdom, an oasis of knowledge, a refuge of hope and peace. When you walk up the stairs and see every single wall covered in the most magnificent old and modern tomes, you can't help but feel total and complete bliss. The selection of books in all floors is impeccable. It could take me or you days just browsing every shelf. I stumbled upon it on a visit to the Minster of York, the main attraction in town, but on a second visit the York Minster will be relegated to a secondary level of importance. My first stop will undoubtedly be The Minster Gate Bookshop!

A slanted, creaking world of antique books and maps can be found inches from the magnificent York…read moreMinster, tucked within a small alleyway. Having all at once the atmosphere of a bookshop, a museum, and an interesting relative's even more interesting house, the building provides a tranquil haven to become absorbed by fiction and history. The antiquarian volumes are breathtaking and cheaper editions can also be found for students stocking up for the new term. The History room is the loveliest, with an old desk and chair and battered old rug on the floorboards. The views out of the window are equally charming as the rooftops of the city reveal themselves like a Mary Poppins landscape.

England Pellegrino and our shop Pellegrino in Belper provide leather goods and bags, a range of…read morequality gifts to suite all pockets and outdoor wear. Pay us a visit or visit online. We have bags from Italian, French and UK brands and aim to provide quality and value in all our products. We have a stock of vintage and designer watches, again for all budgets.

From the owner: A wide selection of current fiction, non-fiction and speciality subjects from all publishing houses…read morewith fast service and quick ordering of titles. Free ordering service - let us do all the online searching. Click and collect to pick up from the store after notification. Support YOUR Local Community & YOUR Local Bookstore