As a writer, I have a love hate relationships with bookshops. I love them as places to find new reading material to expand my own personal library. I hate them as places that leave nice big holes in my wallet (figuratively speaking of course).
This love extends to libraries, fabulous community spaces which store knowledge, adventures, and friends – both real and fictional – for anyone to enjoy at no cost. I am fortunate to live in Suffolk which has a superb library service, open every day of the week (I mean every day!) and running events and activities for bibliophiles and the general populace alike. A future blog will expand on this.
There is something beautiful about the book-filled shelves. Columns of spines, vibrant colours, elegant text, vivid pictures on covers on display. A feast for the eyes and the imagination.
Second hand bookshops have a particular thrill. I perhaps shouldn’t encourage this as a writer who would theoretically benefit from sales in a ‘new’ bookshop, but there’s something magical about pre-loved books, the sharing, the history. They are a great source of older books, a great chance to discover titles and subjects that you may not have ever considered. This is a great resource for writers. Although sometimes out-of-date, perhaps extolling views or facts that are not suited to contemporary ideas, they provide context that can enhance our writing and teach us about times past.
One of my favourite second hand bookshops when I was in Plymouth (no idea what it was called, or if it is indeed still there), was true to the picture of second hand bookstore. Books piled high from floor to ceiling, only a narrow path between shelves so that you had to walk through sideways.
My latest favourite is my local, Books and Crannies in Beccles. A family run business, with beautiful book art, quirky book-related gifts, well stocked shelves with space and atmosphere to mooch and consider the options, a beautiful window display, a community jigsaw and community events. The most recent was a seed swop on May Day bank holiday, with people bringing seeds and seedlings from their own gardens to exchange. A beautiful, simple idea which has spared me my numerous marjoram seedlings in return for a tomato and watermelon!
With friendly staff and a fabulous range of books (so that my own writing guides library has expanded), something tells me that my relationship with this second hand store is burgeoning.