Indie booksellers are incapable of visiting a city without also visiting its bookshops. So, having enjoyed the recent excitement of a visit to Paris (Women’s Rugby 7s – incredible athleticism in 40 degrees heat at the Stade de France), I fulfilled a long-held desire to visit the legendary Shakespeare and Co.  It was as wonderfully quirky and creative as I’d imagined, tardis-like inside (understandably they don’t allow photos so I can’t show my fav bits), from the children’s cave-like nook (not unlike our own Book Burrows) to the spiral stairs leading to a dream office space.  Plus, an excellent café next door – I’m definitely a convert to chilli jam on cheese scones.

Last year a trip to Venice led to the discovery of many gorgeous and original indies, but top of the list was the beautiful Sulla Luna. Late one evening, while walking down a wide street full of quirky, cool wine bars, I wasn’t expecting to find a shop front showing many of my favourite picture books twinkling in a welcoming shop window. 

Bill and I felt right at home surrounded by children’s books and natural wine (plus some very tasty cake).  Read all about it here, where the owner, Francesca, introduces her inspiring shop https://www.sullalunavenezia.it/sullaluna-about-our-vegetarian-tea-house-and-bookshop/.  More brilliant still, they’ve opened another one in New York – perhaps I’ll just have to visit that too…

Closer to home, there are of course, waaay too many wonderful indies to mention, but I did want to give a shout out for new’ish entrant, Night Owl Books in East Linton. Opened by Rebecca in 2022,  they have quickly established a name for themselves, hosting lots of events, including being official bookseller for Fringe by the Sea.  These photos give you a flavour of what’s instore…

Credit: Night Owl Bookshop

Finally, I can’t finish without sending lots of luck to our friends at The Edinburgh Bookshop in Bruntsfield.  They are moving down the road to a new (bigger and better) shop on Friday 23rd August at 176 Bruntsfield Place!  In fact, they’ll be almost next door to Biscuit Clothing (highly recommended for a treat) and a few minutes away from Margot, the sensational new café run by former Mainstreet chef, Phil, along with his wife, Rachel.  There you go, the perfect treat of a day out in Edinburgh.

Credit: The Edinburgh Bookshop Instagram

Being a part of the independent bookshop community if an absolute joy. There are so many reasons to support indies but the main one is they are run by real people with a real passion for books. If you want to chat books or are after recommendations, please do get in touch with us (find our contact details HERE) or visit one of our friends mentioned above.