**Newly opened and currently open til 6pm but they are looking to expand their hours shortly. If…read moreyou're unsure about opening hours and you want to visit, I recommend firing off a tweet to @SECONDHOMELDN ** Popped in to Libreria last night for a quick reconnaissance mission. New independent bookshops aren't exactly ten a penny. It also happened to be World Book Day, I have just realised. It was meant to be. I love how it looks from the outside. Like a portal to another world. You go down Hanbury Street, think you must've missed it and then...suddenly it's there. Stylish black shopfront with a nice inviting glow. This was only a very quick visit but I like how they do things in Libreria. First, I have to note that there was a Riga RP-1 record player with Velvet Underground & Nico on the turntable so...good start. No espresso bar here. No mobiles allowed. Comfy seating and little nooks to sit down and check out a book. Tick tick tick. Sally, Libreria's director, introduced herself to me and explained how things were laid out. Very friendly and helpful. Books are largely organised alphabetically, fiction on the left and nonfic on the right. However, within that, books are clustered into themes or ideas, in order to promote interesting combinations of books nestling next to each other. Great idea. Pure A-Z is so 2015. Also, they have asked celebs to do a mini-curation of their favourite books. Shami Chakrabarti's faves are currently on display. I think the idea is to change everything round every quarter. Events are also gonna happen here. I dutifully added my email to the mailing list on the front desk. Waterstones can do one.

A quaint independent bookstore in the eastern part of London…read more https://prashantmudgal.wordpress.com/2019/08/07/the-cost-of-living/

This little bookshop is a great place to browse and find a great new read. Set up over a few floors…read morethe shop encourages you to spend time and look around. The books are arranged in various topics and it is easy to wander and find something you did not come here for. There is a tiny childrens section with a little chair for sitting which was great - as my son sat right down after a temper tantrum outside (he was sick of shopping!!) and got stuck into some reading !! Thank goodness -- a moment of relief and I was able to enjoy a moment reading the covers and opening the books and finally piccking out "bliss" a book about the geography of happiness.. cant wait to see how the Uk fares ! -

Who thought of opening a bookshop on Broadway Market? Brilliant! What would the place be without…read moreone? I can't imagine. It is also the perfect bookstore for the area. It is an independent business, which always goes down well. It is adorable in the way it is not too big, and the owners don't mind if you have a long browse through the shelves. Although it is small, it still manages to fit a variety of different books within its walls. The store has a real community feel about it. Like some of the other businesses on Broadway Market, there are little adverts for local events and things wanted and needed. As well as having staff recommendations in store, you can view them on the website, both current and past. The website can also keep you up to date with events held at the store.

It is very difficult to love Waterstones (Waterstone's is no more - the apostrophe has been…read moreditched). It feels very much book shop by numbers with largely the same stock whether you visit it in Canary Wharf, Nottingham or Inverness. This is fine if you know what you want. However, if you are looking for advice, inspiration or individuality, Waterstones is not a good fit. This branch tries to provide some kind of local focus with a book club and staff recommendations. However, none of this works and this Waterstones feels just as anonymous and just as corporate as all the others. If you know what book you are buying and it is urgent (i.e. an internet purchase is out of the question), this shop might fit the bill. However, in all other circumstances, look elsewhere.

Waterstones are pretty much the same as they are everywhere else; they stock the same range of…read morebestselling fiction and non-fiction, cards, stationery, adult colouring books, etc. that you might find in a large WH Smith's. The lay-out is the same as every other medium-sized Waterstones, and the prices are usually higher than those of an online shop, as you might expect given that Waterstones has a fair amount of real estate to pay for, compared to the online shops. The main appeal, however, lies in being able to get your hands on a book immediately, making this an ideal place for those of us who lack the foresight to plan ahead in terms of birthday gifts, secret Santa presents and farewell gifts. The staff are generally friendly; the lady who served me today had a friendly word for all of us customers, which is what's needed to make a chain stand out. I'd give 3.5 stars but as half-stars aren't permitted, I'm rounding up.

We visited this store yesterday and really liked it. The selection in all categories was quite…read moregood, it's very attractive (including the beautiful bookcases), and the woman working there was very friendly.

I got 99 reviews but Daunt Books ain't one... Time to put that right!…read more Yep my special 100th review spot goes not to a blow-out tasting menu nor a sexy new bar nor a burger worth queuing two hours for. It goes to a nearby haven from my office that I have a real soft spot for, when it's just been one of those days (or I need a last minute present!). It's an ordinary-looking bookshop that's an oasis of calm in a desert of suits, surrounded by offices, banks and city-worker lunch spots. Easily missed but with tardis-like magic powers of being ten times bigger (more if you include the basement floor) than you'd think from outside. That smell of bookshops has soothed me since I was just a little bookworm with a big imagination and even bigger NHS glasses. Someone needs to bottle this smell and label it nostalgia, because walking in here takes me straight back to my childhood local Ottakar's, where mum would leave me reading the latest Point Horror while she did the rest of the shopping. So it smells great, but what else makes it special? Firstly, the layout. Bestseller chart by the entrance to attract the uninitiated, but you'll soon be lured further in. The table displays are well put together and (sadly for my wallet) will definitely make you pick up something you weren't even looking for. Upstairs follow the thematics - art, sport, self-help, and so on, whilst downstairs is arranged by geography. Go to Central Asia for Hosseini, Japan for Murakami, Scandinavia for the latest Larsson thriller. Some people will hate this imperfect pigeon-holing; I actually quite like it. I've been in the (lucky) position of living abroad for a few months in the past and wanting to find books set in or written by people from the local area. It's interestingly different, and to me it makes finding a book into a bit of a treasure hunt (and boy do I love those!) :D The staff here are also friendly and knowledgeable, and the guy at the till has often struck up a conversation over something I'm buying, whether it was lamenting the size of George R. R. Martin's latest paperback with me, or telling me I was in for a treat with Gone Girl (he was right!). They can also get things ordered in pretty speedily if you're looking for something specific. Given the location it's never going to be as quirky cute as some of the secondhand independent bookshops you stumble upon further afield, but it's warm and inviting and hey they give you a cloth tote bag instead of plastic carriers. Major win for that if nothing else! Though if they say they've run out then apologies, it must be because so many of them are currently sitting in my flat woops... Final bonus tips: they also sell awesome cards, notebooks and wrapping paper, and it's open on weekends too yay! Enjoy :D

I ordered a book from Halcyon using AbeBooks. The sale was confirmed and Halcyon took payment…read more($100usd). I was then informed that the price was "incorrect" and they canceled the sale. I followed up with AbeBooks and learned Halcyon has relisted and re-sold the book (at what I assume was a higher price). It is disappointing dealing with people who stoop to these kind of sleazy business practices.

Halcyon Books is a charming little bookshop located directly opposite Greenwich railway & DLR…read morestation. It specialises in second hand books but also dabbles in hunting down rare or out of print books if you require, ideal if you are looking for a gift of that nature. It is one my "must visit" shops in which I enjoy browsing whenever I am in Greenwich and before I know it I have easily lost half an hour simply browsing through their shelves. The place has a relaxed feel, a traditional rustic bookshop with makeshift shelving in places which makes Halcyon individual and gives it a real sense of identity. It even has a bell on the door which for some reason I found endearing. What they stock is normally quite good with a wide variety of genres, some recent releases and some older editions, all organised quite clearly around the shop. The quality is good too considering most of the books are second hand. They're not in perfect condition but they will last and will certainly add character to your bookshelf. Price wise many of the items are a steal and cost a fraction of what you would pay brand new on the High Street. As you would imagine with a small book shop the staff are passionate about books and are willing and able to jump to your aid if required. They do not accept card payments but are always happy to reserve your book until you have the cash, even if that means them waiting for you for a few days. However, I cannot review this shop without sharing a story which gave Halcyon a place in my heart forever. A year ago I read The Damned United by David Peace and found myself fascinated with Brian Clough. I entered Halcyon in the hope of finding his autobiography which I did (a bargain at £2). When I opened it up on the train home I found that it had been autographed by the great man himself! This is one example of the types of one-off bargains you can find at Halcyon.

When I have a break in-between lectures I normally come here to dream of all the books I wish I…read morecould buy! They also do amazing stationary and cards. I sometimes buy books from here if I need it in a hurry. But although they do 3 for 2 offers on books, the prices are just too expensive for me as a student. They also do book clubs here, and also a children's reading club every week. It really is a lovely shop.

I went to Pages of Hackney to buy a present for a friend of mine who is a woman…read more The person who served me (a woman in her mid-30s with long black hair) suggested a new book about feminism. I said my friend wouldn't read a book about that subject. Well - the clerk didn't take that lightly and said that no woman is uninterested in feminism. And it was probably me not liking the subject. For the following 5 minutes, she behaved incredibly grumpy and was of no help. Ultimately, she went behind the counter and stopped helping me in the most unprofessional fashion. I didn't give her nasty provocations any space and kept doing my thing. After all, I was there for my friend. Eventually, I found an interesting title, paid and left. On my way out, I noticed another book in the window that I thought would have been a much better choice. So I went straight back in and asked the lady if she knew anything about the book. Unfortunately, she didn't. So, I grabbed my phone and checked the reviews online. The woman didn't miss the opportunity to be nasty once again. And in a very snobbish and pseudo-intellectual way, she said, "Oh wow! So you trust reviews on Google?" YO! I JUST ASKED YOU TO GIVE ME YOUR REVIEW OF THE BOOK, AND YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THAT. Of course, I will trust the reviews of a thousand people who read the book over your bloody ignorance. Don't you think? GROW UP, GIRL. I know it's hard. But it would help if you make an effort. Grow the f* up!

Great bookshop. I went there for an event with the author Owen Jones and for £3 you get an…read moreinteresting evening topped off by a glass (or glasses, as some guests had refills) of wine. Afterwards a friend of the owner so very convincingly raved about what a good book 'We need to talk about Kevin' is that I left with a second hand copy of said book. The staff were all very friendly and lovely and made everyone feel welcome. They have a great selection of books, a special mention goes to the extensive travel book section the owner is apparently a well-travelled bloke and it shows. It is the kind of place you want to return to not because you really need a book but just because you want to support such wonderful independent shops and simply enjoy being in a shop with friendly staff who know what they are talking about and are happy to help.

Despite occupying an extremely tiny room above a sex shop on Charring Cross Road, you'll have to…read moretake my word for it that I had initially found Claire De Rouen Books (specialising in photography and fashion) through by-chancing upon the window display and noticing the Robert Frank book "The Americans" in the window. As you walk up the narrow stairwell, you are greeted by a little gallery display some contemporary art prints. It's worth having a look through; even though I though most of it seemed a little overly-stylised, there were still some prints that caught my attention. After rummaging around in here for a while, you should go and check out the bookstore. Although quite expensive (as most art bookstores are), they have a broad selection of books that are often quite hard to find. The shop assistant was able to help me out with my query in a friendly and adequate manner, and I was pleased in general with this quaint little find.

I have been to bookshops all over the world and nothing makes me smile as much as seeing the grand…read moredame Claire De Rouen in her tiny little attic shop surrounded by artistic wonders. Claire is so knowledgeable and worldy. She has great style and that aristo kind of face where you know that in her day men used to whisk her around the globe and fall at her feet. She was born in Alexandria, Eygpt - with that great library its no wonder she turned to books and she used to work at Walter Koenig down the road before setting up her own shop. I know all of this because everytime I go in there we have a great old natter, even though she never remembers me! I love her fashion/art edit and her brilliant window displays, which are on the street level at the Soho Bookshop. Although it is expensive (arent books worth it!?) I've bought some great cheap fanzines here (including a Valerie Phillps one!) and they keep a varied stock of international fashion and art magazines (including Kids Wear which is full of Bruce Weber pics...), useful as the world renowed fashion school Central St Martins is a few doors down...There are also a lot of back issues of magazines, in case you missed your favourite rag. Another London hidden gem... great for that special gift.

Great bookstore!…read more The selection is well-curated and there is something for everyone in here. The owners are friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to offer recommendations. Definitely worth a visit for anyone into books!!

Really, a lovely little bookshop with a long-standing history in this area. Where it could have…read moresuccumbed to the temptation to sell cool books to all the cool people that pass through this street (y'know how Fopp does it - bit of Orwell, bit of Camus, bit o' Kafka), they actually got a really well-stocked selection of fiction. The kind of fiction you've always wanted to read, or thought you should be reading. like Proust? And they do pretty greetings cards. There is a standard section on design, with big coffee table books about brazillian architecture or pictures of industrial decline. You do know them ones. But that's ok, their local history selection is beautiful and really appropriate for Brick Lane, where it would be easy to forget what it looked like last year. This bit's got nice books on the area's radical history, the stories of the Jewish presence in the area (I'd been looking for a Litvinoff book for ages) and the struggles against fascism and the National Front in London's East End. Which I felt really ties it to the area. It's definitely worth coming in 2 Eastside Books for a browse...

Foyles is a book-store with a chain of seven stores in England, mainly around the London area and…read moresouth of England, albeit it is known for its' main and flagship store at Charring Cross, my first visit to one of the store's branches came here at Westfield Stratford City. The store was a decent size for a mall location, it did have some nice aspects to the decor to make it unique and stand out, it was pretty modern, combining this with books which aren't associated with modern society, was a beautiful paradox which I have previously seen at larger and rival chain Waterstones. It isn't as big as their other stores, so it doesn't have a cafe or fantastic selection of books, the selection I found to be rather average at best. The store was slightly understaffed, but still did have an OK selection for a store of its' size, it did feel pretty modern too and "A-OK" 3*