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OT: which bookshop?

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  1. unhurt
    Member

    @gembo, I actually don't know... Though, ummm, if books read and re-read and re-re-read etc. etc. as a child count, I suspect it might be The Hobbit. (Special mention for an amazing text titled Poison in Animals that I insited on borrowing repeatedly from the library. Non-fiction though, so not in the running.)

    Meanwhile, I have managed to get to 43 earth years without ever reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and now I am I'm kicking myself for being so late to it. It's so much better than the iffy TV adaptations I saw growing up!

    Posted 6 years ago #

  2. minus six
    Member

    sadly i can find no mention of Poison in Animals on the regular internets, presumably its about psychedelic toads and jellyfish and suchlike?

    as a child i had a fondness for James Herbert and Harry Harrison

    Posted 6 years ago #

  3. paddyirish
    Member

    Books read on travels seem to be favourites. Independent People by Halldor Laxness and The Bone People by Keri Hulme are at the top of my list. I do want to read Potiki by Patricia Grace again.

    @unhurt- Huckleberry Finn is a classic that I ought to read again and definitely agree re TV adaptations, though give me them any day ahead of The Next Step which my daughter is addicted to.

    Re bookshops - a shout out for Topping and Co in St Andrews which is an absolute joy.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  4. unhurt
    Member

    Blue ringed octopus! Stonefish! All kinds of lethal not-jellyfish!

    Early Stainless Steel Rat books good. Later they got a bit... eh.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  5. minus six
    Member

    The Bone People by Keri Hulme is a f**king classic

    good shout

    on the strength of that, i'll check out your other tip, ta

    Posted 6 years ago #

  6. Stickman
    Member

    @paddyirish: absolutely! Despite visiting St A's regularly to visit my brothers over the last 20 years I only went in there for the first time last month. It is almost too good to be true; like someone has built the dream bookshop for a film set.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  7. Stickman
    Member

    Waterstones are to open "Stockbridge Books" in the new Raeburn Place development:

    https://www.thebookseller.com/news/waterstones-open-stockbridge-books-edinburgh-784621

    Posted 5 years ago #

  8. unhurt
    Member

    Oh. I see.

    (I am so angry about that development, and now fear for the future of the wonderful Golden Hare Books.)

    Posted 5 years ago #

  9. Stickman
    Member

    As are Golden Hare:

    "Despite James Daunt and @waterstones open promise that their copycat indies would only open in areas with no independent bookshops published in @guardian last year, this is exactly what is happening. And it's happening in our neighbourhood.

    We have built our independent business. We do it for the love of books and people. We love being part of our community, Stockbridge, and want to be there for many years to come. Only you can help us do this. If you do, Waterstones cannot hurt us. Please choose to shop indie.

    Golden Hare Books pays its staff a REAL living wage. We collaborate with other bookshops and local businesses. We do not crush publishers for discount and represent the value of the book. We work with authors and publishers to put on really special, bespoke events."

    https://twitter.com/goldenharebooks/status/995991069740412928

    Posted 5 years ago #

  10. unhurt
    Member

    Guess I'll be digging out that article and writing to Waterstones (for all the good it'll do. A planning system fit for big business only?)

    Posted 5 years ago #

  11. gembo
    Member

    Southwold in Suffolk had a great book written about it called The Bookshop by the ever marvelous Penelope Fitzgerald.

    (early exposire of nascent gammon nastiness)

    Waterstones have a pretend local bookshop there and there is also a real locally owned bookshop in same family for several generations.

    I hope Golden Hare can survive. They are great. Stockbridge might have enough bookworms and fussy bookworms?

    I did not go in to Evans for a couple of years to try to show solidarity with EBC

    Posted 5 years ago #

  12. Stickman
    Member

    https://twitter.com/goldenharebooks/status/996695676938571782

    "Hey bookshop friends. We did it! This morning Waterstones have announced they will NOT name their new shop in our neighbourhood Stockbridge Books, it will bear Waterstones branding. We are very pleased about this change in heart and hope the company learns from this mistake.

    You can read the official statement from Waterstones MD James Daunt in The Bookseller.

    #passionateandsensible

    https://www.thebookseller.com/news/waterstones-u-turns-store-branding-decision-following-outcry-786411

    In all seriousness, when we say 'we' did it, this really means 'you'. Waterstones clearly did not expect such passion, frustration, love, support, lobbying and event/signing offers to arise around popping out a bookshop close to a small indie store. We will never, ever forget it."

    Posted 5 years ago #

  13. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    The book trade is utterly cut-throat at the moment. Perilous margins and some distributors doubling the prices they charge publishers.

    France, douce France, has a network of 'Maisons de la Presse' which function as distributors of the printed word in every town and many villages. I don't know if they are subsidised or not. I must find out.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  14. gembo
    Member

    just bought a book about Velazquez I already own. (paperback version). All fine I can return and for two pouinds sterling buy the right one. James Thins as was

    Posted 5 years ago #

  15. Stickman
    Member

    Cllr McLennan today in the chipwrapper:

    Waterstones’ arrival in Raeburn Place as part of the Edinburgh Accies’ development is good news for the rugby club and for Stockbridge. Book stores are bridging the gap between shopping and leisure and should give more people a reason to browse. Whiling away an hour in the Raeburn House Hotel next door with a good book from the Stockbridge Bookshop after a morning in the Botanic Garden sounds a civilised way to spend a day.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  16. gembo
    Member

    Golden Hare need to send Councillor McLennan their card, she no know they existy?

    Posted 5 years ago #

  17. Stickman
    Member

    Golden Hare and Lighthouse are running their BookFringe again this year.

    https://www.bookfringe.com/what-we-do/

    "The Book Fringe is an entirely independent festival of words and ideas, a unique collaboration between the Lighthouse- Edinburgh’s Radical Bookshop and Golden Hare Books.

    Our program reflects the distinct characters of bookshops that serve the readers all across the city, all year round.

    Expect FREE, friendly, intimate events in two of Edinburgh’s most dynamic independent Bookshops with a fantastic selection of writers, poets and novelists."

    Posted 5 years ago #

  18. gembo
    Member

    I see our own Algo is appearing at the Thomas Muir event.

    Tht and the Terry Eagleton are my highlights

    Posted 5 years ago #

  19. Stickman
    Member

    https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/17364461.bookseller-bound-for-william-playfair-building-in-edinburgh

    Topping & Co opening on Blenheim Place. Their St Andrews shop is superb, so this is excellent news.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  20. paddyirish
    Member

    @Stickman- brilliant- The St Andrews one has taken over from Aberfeldy Watermill as my favourite bookshop. Will be sure to visit it regularly.

    Should be some excellent writer events too.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  21. piosad
    Member

    Seconded — excellent news.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  22. Rosie
    Member

    Oh good news.

    I was in George IV Bridge last Thursday after work with a bit of time to kill that did NOT involve having anything to eat or drink - the only options that are open to you there now the Central Library closes at 5pm.

    Remembered the book shop at the top of Victoria Street. Groaned when I saw it going the way of all tat shops instead of the cardboard boxes of 50p books at the entrance. Went inside and did find books - not many but a reasonable collection among the cards (quite nice ones) and other souvenirs. I did buy a book. The woman behind the counter said they couldn't survive in that location on books alone.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  23. crowriver
    Member

    "the Central Library closes at 5pm"

    Since when? Used to be a haven for me when kids were younger, and attending activities at Children's library adjacent...

    EDIT: Still open late Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Phew!

    Posted 5 years ago #

  24. crowriver
    Member

    Oh and fantastic news about Toppings opening in the East End of Edinburgh. A much more appropriate use for the building than a crappy tourist hostel.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  25. Stickman
    Member

    Golden Hare has won Independent Bookshop of the Year. Well deserved.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  26. unhurt
    Member

    Oh, nice!

    Posted 4 years ago #

  27. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Are we quite sure this is the best shop?

    Posted 4 years ago #

  28. urchaidh
    Member

    Portobello will soon have a new bookshop next to the LBS.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  29. unhurt
    Member

    If you ask them they may stock.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  30. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Apparently the proprietor only stocks books that fit the decor and esprit of the place. Very particular.

    Posted 4 years ago #

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