Marta and Elisa joined us for work experience at Mainstreet and have spent their time learning the ins and outs of bookselling. We love to help people start their journey into the book world (it is a pretty amazing world to be a part of) and we thought we would share what made these two want to work in a bookshop.  

Elisa says:

I have always been a very enthusiastic reader, and bookshops bring me a lot of comfort. And because I am considering studying English literature at university as well as maybe owning a bookshop someday, I figured it would be beneficial to me to learn how an independent bookshop is run. 

I specifically wanted to do my work placement at the Mainstreet Trading Company because it is my favourite bookshop! I have been coming here since I was little, and the atmosphere in this shop is always uplifting and cosy. 

Marta says: 

I chose to do work experience in a bookshop because I love to read and so I felt it would be the perfect atmosphere for me to be surrounded by my fellow bookworms. I also had chosen to study English literature in university and therefore wanted to gain experience in a field related to my future pursuits. 

As well as helping us in the bookshop, we got them each to share what they have enjoyed reading recently and would like to recommend.

A Room With a View by E.M. Forster – Reviewed by Elisa 

Young Lucy Honeychurch and her chaperone, her cousin Charlotte Bartlett, take a trip to Florence, Italy, where they meet a rather odd unconventional group of people. It is here that Lucy’s life takes a turn as she learns to navigate it on her own. With the help of these new characters, as well as being able to spend time away from the polite and restrained British society that she is so accustomed to, Lucy turns into a determined, outspoken young woman, unafraid to chase her dreams.

In this beautiful coming-of-age story, E.M. Forster discusses the themes of society, passion, respectability, as well as the conflict between social convention and love. This novel’s title references the ‘room with a view’ that she had in Italy, which metaphorically alludes to her journey of self-discovery where she learns to see the world in a different and more open way.

Buy the book.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo – Reviewed by Elisa 

When a group of outcasts, led by the most dangerous criminal in Ketterdam, Kaz Brekker, team up to pull off an impossible heist, they stand a chance to save the world once and for all. But will they succeed?

With a suspenseful, fast-paced plot (as well as numerous mind-blowing plot twists) and an incredible world-building featuring Grisha, an elite group of soldiers with magic powers, Six of Crows is a book full of action and adventure with a softer side as you see a group of six ragtag characters, each with their own personality traits and backstory, slowly form a tight and unmovable friendship. When they agreed to the heist, they were not expecting to find a new family, but they did.

Leigh Bardugo’s smooth and beautiful writing mixed with her exceptional talent at writing a good plot will leave any reader wishing it never ended and craving more.

Buy the book.

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield – Reviewed by Marta

Melancholic and raw, Our Wives Under The Sea combines a submarine mission gone wrong with a heart-wrenching love story. With intricate writing that will leave you with goosebumps, this book will have you sinking into the depths of Armfield’s imagination, making you question when it is the right time to let go of what once was.

Buy the book.

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Sutano – Reviewed by Marta

If getting strange looks from others whilst you’re wheezing with laughter doesn’t cause you embarrassment, then this is the book for you. 

Everybody needs a Vera Wong in their lives, strong-willed and with a tea for every ailment, you simply cannot help but fall in love with her charm. This laugh-out-loud page turner makes the perfect cosy mystery and I am officially converted to this genre (better late than never).

Buy the book.