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.

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

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.

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!

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

Only a small family run shop but with an amazing selection of all types of books. There early learn…read moreand childrens book choice is very good, if they haven't got it in stock, they will get your chosen book very quickly. Because the shop backs onto the collage they do have most course work books or again they will obtain them for you within a few days. If you like hard backs and it's avalible, they get them too, all at no extra charge.

Waterstones in Warrington is located in Golden Square Shopping Centre - it is a fairly small branch…read moreof the book chain by their usual standards, but considering it is located in Warrington, which is a small town in Chesire, the UK this can be expected. The store didnt follow the new, updated layout which has been rolled across many Waterstones stores lately so the store didn't have that beautifully excellent contrast of old and new which are usually my favourite parts about Waterstones store. Again, with no staff members on the shop floor and only at the checkouts, especially for a book-store where you should be able to find staff and talk to them perhaps about recommendations, it's a shame this was virtually impossible without holding a queue up of people who already have a book and want to pay etc. They did have some comments from staff members underneath big name and popular books, but not to the extent of other stores - again this was nice to see. A store which surely does need a refurb as it has been left behind compared to other Waterstones branches with the selection being OK at best - despite low staffing levels this store does remain a nice brand to have in Warrington so the brand being here does benefit the city, although this is far from one of the better stores the brand has. 2*

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!!

Hooray for independent bookshops! They are a dying breed. This one has many endearing…read moreidiosyncrasies. The classical music playing in the background gives it an austere feel and the window display of nature/gardening orientated books reminds you are shopping amongst the middle aged. Maybe I'm old before my time as this is what dragged me in most recently but when it comes to bookshops I don't even need a nudge. There is a large local section with books and maps about Ilkley, the Moors and Yorkshire, in historical, fictional and photographic form. There is a fiction section and I liked the 'our choice' stand that had books mostly about - you guessed it - Yorkshire, on it. There is a large cookery and travel section and apart from books they sell penguin mugs and bags. I didn't venture downstairs but I hear there is a classical music section selling sheet music and CDs, alongside British and foreign film DVDs. Their book-ordering system is speedier than Waterstone's too!

This bookshop is totally humungous, and being in Ilkley, in not without it's quirks! The building…read moreoutside is gorgeous and inviting, with stark royal blue woodwork, and it sits on one of the main high streets so it's easy to locate. It sells a good deal of standard titles. Selling a range of musical books, from contemporary, jazz, folk and more, as a musician (or budding musician) you couldn't want for more! The staff are helpful if you get stuck, which is always a bonus, so have no fear if you're not sure what it is you are looking for. They also have a whole host of fiction, classics, children's books and a load of lovely Yorkshire related titles. On a slightly more odd note, like I said - quirks, at the time of shopping they had a bunch of children's titles in the window for Christmas. All looked normal, cute and such until I noticed one most peculiar title. It was a picture booked called "Santa needs a wee!" Possibly the funniest and most bizarre Christmas related child's book I've ever seen. Awesome.