The first one, unfortunately, doesn't even exist anymore. So i guess i will settle with just standing on the pavement in front of it.
Have you ever read 84 Charing Cross Road (or seen the movie)?
I picked it up while i was working at Barnes & Noble, and fell IN LOVE with the story of the pen pal relationship between the author, Helene Hanff, and the lovely bookshop in London that carried the unique titles she couldn't get her hands on in
New York City.
Eventually, i lent my copy to a man named Elvis. He lost it, but repaid me with one of his watercolors in a very nice picture frame.
For a little Edwardian beauty, I am desperate to visit
Daunt Books - Marylebone.
(Photo from travelinhappiness.com)
I was informed by the ever reliable Wikipedia, that it is "alleged to be the first custom build bookshop in the world"!
Even more importantly they specialize in Travel Books which is one of my most favorite kind (my collection has their own small bookshelf in my house). I think it would be quite alright if i bought just one book here...
If you can't make it to London, you can simply visit their website for a virtual tour!
http://www.dauntbooks.co.uk/
The last bookshop coincides with our weekly movie,
Notting Hill.
Unfortunately, The Travel Bookshop closed in 2011 due to financial difficulties... which means by not making time to see it in 2008, i missed out on it all together... :(
(i was actually just around the corner from it, but didn't realize!)
BUT another owner purchased the shop and turned it into The Notting Hill Bookshop!
I am very excited to visit it because i feel like when people around the world think of an independent bookshop...they must slightly imagine this one, right?
If you click right... HERE ... you will find a link to an article talking about the closing of the shop, and i must admit... i teared up a little, even now.
Don't get me wrong, i am more than fine to visit any bookshop i come across; but for wallet-size reason, i'm not sure that's a great idea. :)
Do you have any favorite London bookshop memories?
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