Bookshop in London - Hatchards - Piccadilly | Waterstones Make this my local shop My local shop Edit Hatchards Bookshop was founded by John Hatchard in 1797, and holds three Royal Warrants. It is a beautiful five-storey bookshop on Piccadilly, located next to Fortnum and Mason and opposite the Royal Academy. Many authors come in to sign their new books at Hatchards, ensuring an excellent choice of new signed first editions. We also have a display of older first and special editions. Within our History section we feature a strong selection of books on Royalty and Churchill. Our Children's department on the Second Floor is a haven for young minds to explore. We have an inspiring calendar of events, including a wonderful Christmas Customer Evening, when some of the year's best authors come to meet customers and sign books. Hatchards also offers a subscription service, and a wedding list service. Lower Ground Floor Biography, Travel, Business, Science, Religion, Music Ground Floor History, New Books, Click & Collect Collection Point.

First Floor Fiction, Crime, Science Fiction, Poetry, Literary Criticism Second Floor 5 out of 5 stars Time Out says Holding court with Fortnum & Mason and other Piccadilly royalty is London’s oldest surviving bookshop, dating back to 1797. Its old-school charm and refined aura have helped it maintain an ambience all its own (even though it’s now owned by HMV). The grand shop is extensive in its stock, but particularly good for travel and biography, new hardback fiction and signed editions. Benjamin Disraeli, Lord Byron and Oscar Wilde are former fans. These days, celebrated authors come to sign the books – recent visitors include Antonia Fraser, Ian McEwan and Philip Pullman. Mowbray’s religious booksellers is located on the third floor. Hatchards prides itself on its knowledgeable staff and professional service. Posted: London's Oldest Bookshop: Its Life and Times - History Geek in Town History Geek in Town February 13, 2016 by Ana 1 Comment It is hard to miss Hatchards, whenever you are visiting London. After all, it’s located on marble-clad, bustling Piccadilly, close to many top London attractions.

Hatchards bears the title of the oldest bookshop in the capital, founded in 1797 – an era, associated for many of us with “politeness” and slow-paced life. The shop’s interior – regal dark wood, oil paintings, thick carpets – does not contradict this image. However, the age of its foundation was much stranger, and at the same time more wondrous, than familiar image of gentility. We tend to think of our own era as drowning in information. Georgians held the same opinion of their own. Of course, the printing press has been already invented several centuries before them. But no previous era could boast so many books and pamphlets being published virtually every day; no previous generation had so many authors, journalists and critics, to say nothing of the ardent readers, among it. Literacy skyrocketed due to the appearance of cheap, reliable “penny post” and a regular newspaper. The latter was invented by Elizabeth Mallet, a shrewd London publisher, in 1702. For some time this newspaper, Daily Courant, was the only player on the market; but the idea caught on, and soon newspapers, magazines and periodicals of every kind started to multiply.

At the same time, more, than 2,000 new books, plays or pamphlets were published every year. However, unlike in our days, a book wasn’t really a solitary enjoyment. Just like music, it was part of the shared entertainment for the whole household. The image of each family member reading his or her own book on a dark winter evening, quite usual for us, would’ve been a scene of unimaginable extravagance for the Georgians – after all, that meant, that each person would need a candle! Even relatively wealthy Jane Austen had usually read books aloud or listened to others. Hatchards now. Far from being a private pleasure on quiet Sundays, then, books became a part of social life. After all, you now had to be well-read – or, at least, know the latest novels – to have the aforesaid social life at all. People, who still deemed reading unnecessary, were mercilessly satirized on London stage. And bookshops were no longer just places to, well, buy books – you could go there to meet and mingle with like-minded bibliophiles. These bookshops were usually lined on Ludgate Hill, Paternoster Row and St. Paul’s Churchyard.

Booksellers and printers were traditionally one and the same, selling the books they’ve just published, and most of these shops were very small. That was, of course, insufficient to satisfy the new hunger for words. So, closer to the end of the century, bookshops of a new kind – with large premises and versatile stock – began to appear. One of them, opened in 1794 in Finsbury Square, became celebrated as the “Temple of the Muses” and one of the wonders of London. Another one was Hatchards. And who were the authors, supplying this enormous industry and satisfying (barely) voracious appetites of the public? Some were solicitors or doctors, writing in their leisure time, their style polished by letter writing and diary keeping. Some were eager young men, dropping out of university, dreaming of literary glory. Some, like enormously popular Eliza Haywood, were shrewd women, publishing sensational novels. Some of these people were born in London, but most flocked to the capital, where 90% of the publishing industry was located, from elsewhere.

Of course, they needed help at first – finding accommodation, meeting new people, making first steps – and some booksellers were ready to provide it. For example, Strahan of New Street was always ready to assist any fellow Scot, striving to make a literary career in London. Mary Wollstonecraft was greatly assisted by Johnson of St Paul’s Churchyard, who even helped her to find good lodgings. And John Hatchard himself, future founder of the regal bookshop, used to frequent literary coffee houses to meet young authors. When prolific Bishop William Warburton was overwintering in London during the 1770s, he used to “send out for a whole basketful of books from the circulating libraries”. I am admittedly less cautious than the Georgian bishop, and usually leave Hatchards with the basketful. Perhaps, I really should subscribe to a library. Or not. Best Bookshops in London - Things To Do - visitlondon.com Best Bookshops in London Email Facebook Twitter Google+ Whatever book you want to read, you're sure to find it in London's many bookshops, second-hand bookshops and book markets. Looking for the latest bestsellers?

London has every shop a book lover could possibly need for browsing, reading or shopping for gifts; from specialist bookshops and book markets for rare treasures at rewarding prices, to second-hand bookshops , academic bookshops and high street chains. London even boasts Europe's largest bookshop, Waterstone's Piccadilly . Daunt Books Daunt Books is an Edwardian bookshop on Marylebone High Street that is nothing short of glorious, with long oak galleries and soaring windows. Books are arranged by country, rather than alphabetically, so guides, maps, non-fiction and fiction all sit alongside one another, for a unique browsing experience. Foyles Browse your way around 6.5km of book shelves, housing 200,000 titles at the world-famous London bookshop, Foyles. This vast bookshop has four floors crammed with every kind of book imaginable. As well as stocking the UK's largest range of books, this flagship store has a café, auditorium and gallery, and hosts literary and music events. Goldsboro Books Tucked away in a side street in Central London's West End, Goldsboro Books is the bookshop for book collectors who love rare first editions, especially if they are signed.

For example, this was the only bookshop in the world to have signed copies of The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (also known as J.K.Rowling). Hatchards No bibliophile's trip to London is complete without visiting Hatchards on Piccadilly, the oldest bookshop in the UK. Established in 1797 on the same premises it occupies today, Hatchards stocks a large range of fiction and non-fiction publications, as well as signed and special editions. There's also a dedicated section on religious books. Lutyens and Rubinstein Bookshop As well as broad range of titles in art, poetry and children's books, Lutyens and Rubinstein Bookshop in West London's Notting Hill area is also the place to shop for art prints. Look out for the sliding bookcases in the basement to add a touch drama to your browsing habits. Oxfam Bookshop Browse and buy books for a good cause at the Oxfam Bookshop. As Europe's biggest high street retailer of second-hand books, Oxfam stocks a wider selection of books than most shops, and it helps a worthy charity. Browse through modern fiction, specialist literature and leisure interests at various locations around London.

Persephone Books Spend an afternoon exploring works by overlooked women writers from the 20th century at Persephone Books in Central London. This Bloomsbury bookshop specialises in reprinting novels, short stories and cookery books written by female writers who may have otherwise been forgotten. TOP 10 LONDON BOOKSHOPS YOU MUST STUMBLE UPON | Author Attic Top 10 London Bookshops You Must Stumble Upon By Dean Garland in Features Composing a comprehensive list of anything in a city as winding and varied as London is tough, let alone showcasing London’s best loved Bookshops. To properly index and explore the various nooks and hollows that make up the city’s streets is a task even the most disciplined of London cabbies’ limbic brains struggle with. Add to this a vagabond newcomer, with knowledge of the underground, and street layouts, that is at best haphazard, and the result is a Conan Doyle like conundrum. So rather than hopelessly striving toward collecting a knowledge of London’s literary haunts worthy of an encyclopaedia Britannica entry, I’ve chosen to go another route.

Venturing down nostalgia filled back streets and memory lined alleyways, I’ve composed my own ambling Taxi ride in an attempt to create a narrative of the varied sights, sounds and scents of London and it’s bustling boroughs, as seen through the windows of its book stores. Along the way we’ll hopefully throw light on a few unlikely gems, as well as adding punctuation to some of London’s better-known sites of fact and fiction. Included amongst them, is the first bookstore I ever stumbled into in London; young, bright eyed, bushy tailed and more than a bit bamboozled by Big Ben’s hometown. As we progress en route hopefully we’ll find a few sites of interest for more than just the tourists amongst us. Books for Cooks Just a pinch from the vivid cosmopolitan colour and scents of Portobello road, Books for Cooks is also positioned right across the road from another of London’s literary landmarks. The probably-much-better-known Notting Hill Bookstore. Made famous for providing the inspiration for the store featured in the 1999 movie named after the area.

Remaining faithful to my own taste buds (you have to admit Hugh Grant is a little like the cinematic equivalent of marmite) I’ve chosen to include Books for Cooks on our tour instead. The small store is a perfect slice of one of London’s most famous west end locations. A haven for pro-chefs and would-be cooks such as myself a like. The store’s central tables are set with an abundance of the most recent big name releases. While the shelves that line the walls are lovingly stocked with a variety of geographically arranged delights, spanning everything your pallet could hope for. If you think it’s just the exotic recipes and place names making you feel suddenly hungry, it may also have something to do with the scents drifting from the in-store café tucked at the back of the shop. 4 Blenheim Crescent, London W11 1NN 020-7221 1992 Ladbroke Grove or Nottinghill Gate Underground Forbidden Planet Buried in the catacombs of one of London’s well known retailers of all things generally geek, is an extensive book section.

The tunnel-like passages that comprise the large basement of the shop go a long way toward mapping out the fringes of dark fantasy, other worldly fiction and illustration. A staggering collection of everything from graphic novels, comic books series, extensive fiction collections of all sorts, specialist film and design books and all the imaginable accompaniments you might want to go with them. A veritable modern day wizard’s cave, if you’ll excuse the kitsch metaphor. Tottenham Court Road Underground Foyles Foyles has had as oddly an eccentric past as any Londoner. Beginning as a second hand retailer, established by two brothers after failed exams saw them gleefully offloading their newly useless textbooks. It was passed down the family line through anachronism and eccentricity. Through its unique history, by accident or by design, Foyles has become a kind of beacon for independent booksellers in the face of rapidly mutating markets and ever more fickle custom. Now a much more modernised affair, reminiscence of most high street book-stores it still maintains a pleasant sense of identity; with some more obscure selections and staff choices displayed throughout the store.

In a stylish segue connected to the food and cooking section is Ray’s Jazz Café, a reported favourite old haunt for the late BBC radio DJ John Peel. The top floor similarly boasts a comprehensive music section adjoined by Ray’s Jazz and Classical Music Store. Charing Cross 113-119 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0EB Tottenham Court Road Underground Hatchards It would seem like teetering terribly close to the brink of heresy not to include London’s oldest established purveyor of literature and bookish pleasures on our tour. Situated just a short walk from the spiralling centre of Piccadilly Circus, Hatchards opened its doors in 1797. Having been appointed several Royal Warrants over the years since, it also collected a faithful following, seeing everybody from Byron, Kipling and Wilde come and go through its doors. Most recent notables include Stephen Fry, J.K Rowling, Michael Palin, and Margaret Thatcher. From its opening hall and central staircase, Hatchards is the equivalent of a gentle walk through the park. Passing down lush carpeted paths lined with colourful, hardback edition classics and signed copies of many modern UK authors.

This timeless store is a classic an example of bespoke British booksellers as you dare hope for. 187 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9LE Picadilly Circus Underground Koenig Books Charing Cross road is a stretch of London that is nothing short of spoilt for choice when it comes to bookshops. Home to a plentiful stock of stores worthy of note, further toward Trafalgar Square the undeniably quaint Cecil court is also worth a mention. Amongst all this, Koenig Books is a uniquely sharp edged haven for anybody seeking out inspiring art or design work. A store that is nearly as subtlety stylish as many of the books that line its shelves, all displayed with covers facing full front. It presents an immediate form of visual entrapment for any unsuspecting passer-by. Housing a selection that is likely to include anything you might be hoping to find, or at the very least something else that will fire your creative streak. Visit this uniquely sharp edged haven to seek out inspiring art or design work. 80 Charing Cross Rd Leicester Square Underground.

Mega City Comics Stuffed amidst the brick walls and canvas over-hangs of one of Camden’s many famous (or infamous if you prefer) markets on Inverness Street. Mega City Comics is a well-stocked addition to the colourful anarchy of Camden’s Locks. The walls are stocked with the latest comic series editions and current releases. Backing this up is an excellent back catalogue of most of your favourite Comic book underpants-worn-on-the-outside style adventures. There’s also a small well chosen range of merchandise and other comic connected trinkets to keep you browsing between the pages. 18 Inverness Street, London NW1 7HJ 020-7485 9320. Camden Town Underground Oxfam The flagship Oxfam branch situated on Bloomsbury Street is the first bookstore I ever stumbled across in London, and to that end, is included as much for nostalgia’s sake as anything. However, it does serve as a pointed side note on what an excellent resource a good second hand bookstore can be. Its browsers include students looking for bargain priced literature and assiduous collectors perusing for first editions. 12 Bloomsbury Street London WC1B 3QA Tel.

0207 637 4610 Ripping Yarns …the kind of small store that has an Alice in Wonderland rabbit hole feel and which you can happily lose yourself in for hours. Opened more than 29 years ago, with a launch by none other than the Pythons who inspired the stores name; Michael Palin and Terry Jones. I happened across this small piece of wonderland some years ago on one of my northern rambles of London. Ripping Yarns is the kind of small store where time disappears as it has you leafing through long lost volumes and descending past stunning ancient editions. Pages of vintage music (a selection of NME back editions), travel volumes and any other form of escapism you might dream up all happily co-exist on the bulging bookshelves. Throughout its well worn decades the store starting out specialising in Children’s literature and has now expanded to include a wider repertoire of Fantastical poetry, history and a mix of really anything else you might care to ask for. Hidden treasures don the walls in stunning pictorial covers, and beautiful hardback editions waiting to be discovered.

Amongst the flourishing canvas of Lewis Carroll inspired art and precisely chosen editions that make up the front window, there still sits a quote from intrepid python Palin declaring the store, perched on Highgate hill, as ‘one of London’s true treasures’. And frankly I’d have to agree. 355 Archway Road, Highgate London, N6 4EJ Highgate Underground TreadWell’s England’s history has always been dotted with tales of mystery, magic and the occult, so as you would expect its capital is no exception. Further north along Tottenham court road, Treadwell’s bookstore is an excellent documentation of much of this magical mischief. Its long incense scented shelves conjure a mix of occult topics, herbal indexes, poetry, philosophy and religion from each corner of the world,. Amongst that already heady brew is also added a mix of incense, herbal oils, replica occult objects and other talisman. J.K Rowling’s Diagon alley may have been the magic of fiction, but there’s witchcraft, wizardry and certainly a little magic hidden at the back of Treadwell’s.

Russell Square or Goodge Street Underground Waterstones “Europe’s biggest and most exciting bookshop…five floors of beautiful, original, intelligent writing for you to explore”. I’ll agree with anyone reading this, who inevitably feels including any kind of chain store on the list seems only a short flick from cheating. However as a fan of the big ‘W’ in general, if you’re looking for practicality, and generally a well-rounded, helpful staffed book shop – really there’s little space for argument. There are also a number of reasons why the Waterstones London stores qualify for a bookmark on the tourist trail. The Piccadilly branch (Piccadilly Underground) is in the stores own words: “Europe’s biggest and most exciting bookshop…five floors of beautiful, original, intelligent writing for you to explore”. If the five-floored touristic heights of Piccadilly sound a bit much for you, you might prefer an amble around their Gower street branch (Goodge Street or Euston Square Underground), note worthy for having been used in the filming of Dylan Moran and Graham Linehan’s hit TV series Black Books. And thus we stop the meter and complete our journey. Your destination but the turn of a page away.

Hopefully you’ll have enjoyed our A-Z tour and found some fresh insight into London’s book lined alleyways. Undoubtedly there are many more chapters and tales to be told, many more quiet moments in softly leather bound corners to be sought out. Without doubt there are plenty more inky treasures to turn up that are not included on this list. But as a small suggestion for some essential reading, perhaps it will have given you some helpful side-notes. As for finding all the rest – happy browsing – do leave the rest of us a note when you get there, or at least send a postcard. Dean Garland Dean Garland is a low-life performer, vagabond and blogger. A freelance writer, singer, and trainee circus performer. He has worked in national and notorious media at home and abroad, in print, word and picture. Originally from Ireland, he can now be found loitering the streets of London. Related Posts Spotlight on Scandinavian Crime Fiction By Emma Pressley It is a well-known fact that only 5 % of books published in the UK are in translation which makes the overwhelming success of Scandinavian Crime Fiction, or Nordic Noir fiction even more impressive.

Cult TV programmes like The Killing and Borgen have also contributed to the public interest in the mysterious north. The seemingly peaceful Scandinavian countries provide an ideal location for dastardly deeds with their long, dark nights and harsh climates, which appear both exotic and dangerous to British readers. The detectives in these novels seem far from content with living in some of the best welfare states in the world and are often melancholic alcoholics, just as flawed as those they are trying to bring to justice. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular authors from mainland Scandinavia. Peter Høeg was one of the first authors to bring Scandinavian Crime Fiction to the masses with the release of Smilla's Sense Of Snow in 1992. Smilla, who is the daughter of a Greenlandic Inuit and a Danish doctor is one of the world’s leading experts on ice and snow. When she moves to Copenhagen her only friend in an otherwise cold society is a little boy called Isaiah, a fellow Greenlander far from home. Tragically, he dies after falling from an icy roof in what the police deem to be an accident, but Smilla suspects is a more sinister occurrence judging by his tracks in the snow.

In an investigation that takes her from the back streets of Copenhagen to a remote island off the Greenlandic coast, this is a thrilling read. Jo Nesbø is the man behind the bestselling Harry Hole series and although once dubbed “The next Stieg Larsson,” he seems set to outperform his predecessor selling one book in the series every 23 seconds! The latest book to be published in the UK is actually the first in the series and whisks Harry Hole away from the mean streets of Oslo to sunny Australia as he investigates the murder of a Norwegian TV star. The more Harry uncovers about a string of unsolved murders, the more he arouses the attention of a possible serial killer. The narrative is incredibly fast paced and often violent, leaving readers dying to find out what poor Inspector Hole will have to endure next. Henning Mankell is the award-winning creator of the Wallander series which was made into a British TV series starring Kenneth Brannagh. Although detective Kurt Wallander might not have much luck in his personal life, he is brilliant at following hunches and has a great desire for uncovering the truth.

The first book in the series, Faceless Killers, sees Wallander investigating the extremely brutal murder of an elderly couple on a local farm. The last thing the old woman said before she died was “foreign” which places the new flood of immigration workers in the line of suspicion and more than that, danger. Wallander has to act before people take matters into their own hands. The character of Wallander himself proves to be the biggest... Most Creative Bookshelf Designs Ever By Patrick Nash With the spread of portable electronic media, readers have been provided with a different way of interacting with their personal libraries. More than ever before, it has become a positive choice to own a physical copy of any book when a digital version is available at the click of a button. As the relationship between book and reader has changed, so too has the role of the bookcase. More than just a piece of furniture, a bookcase is a unique combination of form and function; it is a metaphor for the reader’s individuality. All the books and baubles on a reader’s bookshelf reflect their interests and quirks; they are little pieces that are put on display – a window into the reader’s personality.

It should be no surprise, then, that enterprising artists and architects have devoted time and effort (not to mention creative brainpower) towards the creation of mould-breaking bookcases designed to capture the imagination. These unique designs are as inspired as the graphic novels, timeless classics, and occasional trashy romance they're meant to display. So, put away your Allen key, we’re leaving IKEA and taking a walk on the wild side; it’s time to have a look at the Most Creative Bookshelf Designs Ever. Pacman Bookshelf designed by Mirko Ginepro The inspiration behind this first design should be obvious to most people old enough to buy their own furniture, although undoubtedly most appreciated by a demographic of vintage gamers. Pacman can now be employed as storage for more than just infinite amounts of white pellets; this cool, retro-themed bookshelf provides a stylish way to display books, classic gaming consoles, or modern electronics in a clear and open space. Made out of varnished wood and wall-mounted, this design would flatter someone with extra wall-space. Although it is available in other colours, surely Pacman doesn't need a makeover after all these years?

Hole In The Floor designed by Raw Edges This is not a design likely to be found at a local furniture store; in fact, this was a private commission from Raw Edges Design Studio back in 2010. These shelves are eccentric and extremely stylish; the concept of drawers disappearing into floor evoking an instant reaction of “How cool is that!?”. This design is conceived of as a showpiece first and foremost, taking away from any practical usage as a storage unit. However, whether you imagine drawers of knowledge descending into the depths, or Fantasia-esque living furniture popping up and down at will, these talking pieces definitely exude character and class. Anita Shelf designed by Ricard Mollon - Quattria The Anita collection by artist Ricard Mollon is the pinnacle of self-expression. In this version, the owner clearly felt the word LOVE was appropriate (you can customize it to your own taste), and we can only assume this is in reference to their love of haphazard book stacking. This design is a very chic concept, appropriate for showpiece reads and conversation pieces and you can customize the shape according to the layout of the room.

That being said, if useful shelving is what you’re after I’d suggest staying away from words with too many Vs. Round Book Shelf designed by Architect - David Garcia A giant cylinder is definitely not most people’s default idea of a traditional bookshelf, especially one so disturbingly reminiscent of a hamster wheel. Eye-catching, to say the least, this circular unit definitely makes its presence felt in any room, providing the idea of an unbroken circle of knowledge (or 360 degrees of Garfield comics, if that’s your style). Again, there is the slight issue of constraint; it would be hard to accommodate anything other than books, or even books too variant in size, but the bookcase itself is so awesome that it doesn’t matter. Still, one can’t help but feel it would be perfect if the next design were installed right in the middle… The Book Seat designed by fishtnk Seating and storage in one piece of furniture, The Book Seat is both functional and convenient. Books? Check. Magazines? Check. But why stop there? Snacks, TV remotes, series 1-4 of Breaking Bad – this design is a one-stop shop for relaxation.

By the looks of it, it would probably help your posture, too. Tetris Book Shelf designed by Eleftherios Ambatzis The Tetris bookshelf is a modern, conceptual design created by Greek artist and architect Eleftherios Ambatzis. Another piece that says as much about the owner as the books it contains, the design is very sharp and was not created with spatial conservation in mind. This is not somewhere to put your old copies of TV Guide, nor the little gift shop souvenir your aunt brought you back from her last vacation; only cool things are allowed here, like a leather-bound edition of Moby Dick and a signed copy of Sean Connery’s autobiography. Corner Tree designed by Abhinav Dapke This sleek, simple design is both a practical and eye-catching piece of shelving. With a basic, minimalist structure, it nonetheless maximizes the amount of storage space available by ingeniously utilizing the most underrated facet of a room – the corner. One could conceivably sit any size book or trinket on one of the shelves, and despite its subtle design, it somehow manages to draw the eye.

Console Bookshelf designed by Katz Another piece with a very sleek feel to it, the Console Bookshelf is a self-contained seating and shelving unit. The storage aspect is well-covered, neither books nor any other item worth displaying would be really out of place, but the real talking point is the built-in lounging space. The concept is familiar, but the design is modern and eccentric, and it would be hard to imagine this piece of furniture sitting comfortably in just any living room. TarGetBooks Shelf designed by Mebrure Oral This wall-mounted bookshelf pays homage the classic to read list, and manages to appear stylish while still giving a homey vibe. It’s probably not big enough to store anyone’s entire library; this piece is definitely a showcase for all the classy foreign authors and trending titles, just so guests can see how stimulatingly well-read you are. It definitely ticks off the functionality criteria, though, as now instead of scribbling down to reads on a post-it note and sticking it on the fridge, you can tuck the troublesome tomes right on the wall. I’m sure they won’t sit there for too long, right?

Piegato One designed by Matthias Ries Industrial Design By far the most practical design on the list, the Piegato One is also probably one of the more conservative. Who needs garish aesthetics when maximizing wall-space is just so handy? While still charmingly colourful, the main design feature of the Piegato One is the available option of folding it back against the wall when not in use. It’s not bulky or overly difficult to install, which means the reader can easily set up a layering effect, as pictured above. ABC Book Shelf designed by Arredamenti Saporiti A case with a message, the ABC Book Shelf is another customizable series, this time by Italian design company Arredamenti Saporiti. Each letter is a removable cube so you can arrange your bookcase to your own taste, using any combination of number or letter. Keeping with the theme of expressive bookcases, it seems a charming idea to have your own personal message staring down at you every time you start or finish a book. Quitante designed by 20.87 Anyone really wishing to look deeply into the design of this movable shelf might possibly describe it as a clever metaphor for portable electronic devices and the handheld music and literature libraries available to the modern user.

The Quitante is a compartmental bookshelf, a simplistic design witch an attached leash and set on wheels. Finished your book, but too comfortable to get up and walk to your bookshelf in the next room? Problem solved. Vaco designed by Dennys Tormen and Glauco Bernardes If you’re looking for a conversation piece, I really don’t think any bookcase can match a giant coloured cow. These cattle-themed Vaco bookshelves really capture the idea of ‘displaying one’s individuality.’ Although they are spatially impractical, and risk drawing the attention even more than what they contain, I’m sure there are reading rooms or libraries in which these accessories would be completely at home. Somewhere. SUM Shelves designed by Peter Marigold One of the most stylish of the wall-mounted bookcases, the SUM Shelves feature a number of asymmetrical boxes designed to hold all manner of books at outrageous angles. Each box stands self-contained and separate, commanding its own focus, while still remaining a tangible part of the whole. All in all, the design gives an impression of controlled chaos, a dichotomy of disordered order. Or, you know… it just looks cool.

Tree designed by Design Artist Aesthetically appealing (and my personal favourite), the beautiful Tree design is a stylish way of storing and displaying your collection. Very classy, it is spatially easy to accommodate, and can complement most interior design palettes. While perhaps lacking in the ordered aspect of book storage, someone looking for a more artsy and quirky design would definitely appreciate this model. Bookwave designed by ilio Talk about casual, this last creative design is called the Bookwave, and it is the least traditional of all the bookcase designs. Slightly restrictive in terms of what can be put in, the major positive factor is that it is extremely spatially conservative. The only trouble is it seems difficult to identify the titles without removing them. Still, for someone with a laid-back ambience, this could be just the perfect complement. Whether you’re looking for something sleek and modern, or something artsy and eccentric, the concept of the bookcase has evolved from the traditional horizontally shelved, rectangular, lacquered oak monstrosity that was owned by your grandma and is an absolute nightmare to move up and down stairs.

It is only fitting that the effort one puts into creating a truly individual home should be extended to such an important part of what actually makes it a home. If you can create an environment that really inspires the imagination, what could be a more appropriate place to house the fruits of that... Why do women love Fifty Shades Of Grey? By Emma Pressley Fifty Shades Of Grey by E. L. James (Published by Vintage, 2012) Is there anyone on the London Underground who isn’t reading one of the books from the Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy either self-consciously on good old-fashioned paper or in delicious secrecy on their iPads and Kindles? Or rather anyone female, I should say, because I am yet to see a man getting his kicks on the Central Line Westbound before his 9-5, by reading about the depraved goings on in Christian Grey’s “Red room.” Fifty Shades of Grey is now officially the bestselling book in Britain, ever, having topped 5.3 million sales. It really is staggering. Staggering at least to me because having read the first in the series, I am amazed that like Anastasia Steele, female readers seemingly keep going back for more punishment.

However, suspending my own disbelief for a second, I will try to determine why Fifty Shades of Grey continues to have its wicked way with the British public. It seems that women are searching for a new literary icon- a modern man who will induce unrealistic expectations of the male sex in all female readers and make finding “Mr Right” an impossible task. How many men have been rejected the world over because they failed to live up to Mr Darcy’s reputation? Yet literary heroes are often less than perfect themselves. Mr Darcy was surly and proud and Heathcliff was obsessive, violent, bordering on psychotic. Christian Grey meanwhile, is handsome and charming, as well as being an extremely successful and obscenely rich entrepreneur. But he is controlling and cold, making it quite clear to Ana that he doesn’t “do” girlfriends and love. This of course is all horribly ironic because it is mentioned early on in the book that Ana is still a virgin at 21. The fact is that good girls have been attracted to the bad boys since time immemorial. The fantasy of an innocent but beautiful girl being whisked away by an older, experienced man who knows what he wants is absolutely nothing new.

Fifty Shades of Grey is merely following an ancient and successful blueprint. And surprise, surprise Mr Grey has emotional baggage too (no doubt all of it expensive and matching). Of course Ana believes that she is the one, among all of his female sex slaves, who can change him and his unconventional lifestyle. This is the bait that reels in the readers! This is erotic fiction masquerading as romance. It isn’t that female readers want to feel submissive themselves. On the contrary, they want to watch Miss Steele “bewitch” and “beguile” Mr Grey into forgetting all about spanking, whipping and hot wax for a second and succumb to her superior feminine powers and settle down. It is unsurprising that Fifty Shades tops the list of books left in hotel rooms, because after indulging in a little fantasy there is no need to read it twice. The prose is repetitive and the dialogue is as cheesy as it gets. The dialogue in many scenes had me laughing out loud, but do you know what? I like the fact that E.L.

James doesn't take herself seriously, which is apparent through Ana’s interior monologue, where she broods about her "inner goddess" and offers such insights as, “I am naked in a bath with Christian Grey. He’s naked,” and “We’re talking about cheese...Holy crap.” It also comes as no surprise to find out that Fifty Shades started life as a piece of Twilight fan fiction. I can’t help but picture Kristen Stewart’s wooden face every time Ana trips over or bites her lip. Which is approximately 3786874 times in the first chapter alone. And similarly to Twilight’s Edward, Christian has an uncanny and profoundly unsettling ability to suddenly appear in her bedroom uninvited. Despite what I have written thus far, I am not a literature snob. I am all in favour of so-called “low literature.” I would much rather see people reading Fifty Shades of Grey on the tube than playing mindlessly on their iPhones. For women who are busy, it is the perfect book to dip into (it only ever takes an impressive ten lines for Ana to reach orgasm). It is modern technology which has been the books’ biggest champion.

The internet allows you to recommend books to hundreds of friends at the touch of a button and your friends can purchase the books at just the same speed. The ability to read whatever you want discreetly in e-book form also means that more women have been able to test out the previously unchartered waters of erotic fiction for the first time. More power to them. If you still haven’t read it and curiosity has finally got the better of you... Here we go, from one friend to another: As for me, I think I’ll be leaving my copy in the nearest... John Green – The Fault In Our Stars By Stacy Dennis The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Published by Puffin, 2012) The Fault in Our Stars is the first John Green novel I have read. John Green is an author I have wanted to discover for quite a while after reading many book blogs and review websites which endlessly sing his praises. As I have recently graduated from University I have caught the book bug again and Green was one of the first authors I eagerly turned to as a book to read for pleasure rather than for course work.

John Green is an American writer for the Young Adult fiction genre and is the New York Times best-selling author of Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns and The Fault in Our Stars which I am dedicating this article too . Green is a well-respected author in the YA Genre and has collaborated with Young Adult fiction writer, David Levithan for Will Grayson and he has also worked with Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle for Let it Snow, a book which contains three interconnected short stories that all take place in a small town on Christmas Eve. John Green has a Double Major in English and Religious Studies and has experience in the writing industry. His love for the written word has dominated his professional life as well as personal as whilst writing in his spare time he has worked as a book reviewer, a publishing assistant and a production editor. The Fault in Our Stars, Blurb: Despite the tumour shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green's most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love. I am pleased my first introduction into the work of John Green was through The Fault in Our Stars. I am grateful for this as when reading the blurbs of his other books this novel not only tells a brilliant story but tackles the most heart breaking, realistic and upsetting of subjects taking you on a roller-coaster of emotion. Writing about the big "C" gave John Green reason to write from an honest and very vulnerable place. I visited the John Green website to discover a little bit more about him and I learnt that The Fault in Our Stars was written through his own personal grief, as he lost a friend to cancer. The character of Hazel Grace is by all means fictional, but the inspiration came from a friend's death and upon reflection the novel becomes John Greens own personal journey of seeking hope and answers. I always admire it when a male author writes as a female protagonist (and vice versa) and Hazel Grace possessed fantastic traits which were not in the least bit cliché.

Her reactions, feelings and beliefs all read convincingly especially reading her falling in love for the first time. There were memorable moments within the novel when Hazel Grace had conversations about books and I found this really expressed the authors own love of books and vast knowledge of literature. The Fault in Our Stars not only delivers a great heart-felt story, but you also receive an in sight into the mind of John Green. Furthermore, he personally signed over 150,000 copies in various coloured Sharpies! John Green really does embrace his' published author' status he is, quite simply, a fantastic author. After reading this first book of John Green's I will definitely be reading more so please let me know of any recommendations for my next John Green novel review - please leave all comments...

Question: Situated in Piccadilly, what is the name of London’s oldest bookshop?
Answer: Hatchards