What is your favourite bookshop ?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Just a few steps from the Early Music Shop, too - which (as far as books are concerned) is always a disappointment - what on earth have late Twentieth Century Musicals got to do with "Early Music"? No copies of Music from the Musica Britannica series, nor collections of Monteverdi madrigals ... but "vocal selections" from Miss Saigon ... ????

What you have to remember here is that the Early Music Shop has been assimilated into the Borg (aka Music Sales). The range of instruments sold there is pretty amazing though.

[kernelbogey]

I remember that well. What were they playing at?

I believe it may have been an elaborate attempt to prevent fraud, theft, and shrinkage. Foyle's was a pretty chaotic business in those days.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

What you have to remember here is that the Early Music Shop has been assimilated into the Borg (aka Music Sales).

That is sad, sad news - but makes things clear.

The range of instruments sold there is pretty amazing though.

[Richard Barrett]

together with the then demeanour of said cashiers.

Back then (I don't know about now) that company treated its employees very shabbily indeed, particularly in assigning them to departments that had nothing to do with their expertise or interests. The pay was also rubbish. I knew a couple of people who worked there in the early 80s. On the other hand I also knew at least one person who was proud of being able to shoplift from Foyle's any score or music book one might want. So I'm not sure their weird purchasing system did what kernelbogey suggests it was intended to do!

[Old Grumpy]

Thinking about this, I suppose that the "bookshop" I most frequently visit these days (and occasionally buy stuff from) "is" the two floors in Salt's Mill in Saltaire. Just a few steps from the Early Music Shop, too - which (as far as books are concerned) is always a disappointment - what on earth have late Twentieth Century Musicals got to do with "Early Music"? No copies of Music from the Musica Britannica series, nor collections of Monteverdi madrigals ... but "vocal selections" from Miss Saigon ... ????

Yep - great bookshop, based on my one and only visit there.

The Early Music shop was closed when we visited Saltaire, but certainly looked intriguing through the windows!

OG

[VodkaDilc]

I recently spent a nice half hour or so in the music section of Blackwell's, Oxford.

No other shop I've ever come across is so well-stocked with music books (good, interesting ones) AND scores - although, there is a desk and man sitting at it in front of the miniature scores, somewhat discouraging people from browsing them - it was better when Blackwell's music was a separate store.

The "man at the desk" is usually Brendan, who is by far the most approachable and helpful member of the Music staff at Blackwell's. A succesion of managers has tried to get rid of the old snooty Blackwell's image, with some success in the books and CD departments.

I agree that the Music Shop was at its best when it was in the querky building in Holywell, from the late 60s until the move to the corner of Turl Street. That shop was very cramped and I feel that the latest move to the main shop in Broad Street is a slight improvement.

Returning to the main question, I find that a visit to London is not complete without a browse around Hatchards and/or Daunt's. The reasons - interesting and comprehensive stock, knowledgable staff and wonderfully atmospheric buildings.

[BBMmk2]

There used to be a very good one , in a village near me, called Lindfield, Halcyon Books. Unfortunately, no longer.

[jean]

My favourite bookshop in this country is News from Nowhere, in Liverpool.

My favourite in the world is the Libreria Palazzo Roberti in Bassano del Grappa, which is (as this blog says) la libreria più bella del mondo.

More images of it here.

[Ferretfancy]

I remember that well. What were they playing at?

In the 60s and 70s Foyles was largely staffed by foreign students, most of them having a shaky command of English. Christina was still very much in charge back then and ruled like a camp commandant. Buying a book could be a rather scary experience, especially as it was not uncommon to get stranded in the lift!
Sadly, most of the more eccentric bookshops in the lower end of Charing Cross Road have disappeared, although Henry Pordes is still there. Incidentally, does anybody remember Proops in Tottenham Court Road? Its small windows were full of electronic bits and bobs, a treasure house for the hi-fi enthusiasts building their bass reflexes.

[zola]

If you ever happen to be in Galway, a must to visit is Charlie Byrne's Bookshop. Huge range of Irish history and literature as a speciality but much more extensive than just that. And it also combines very well the joint purposes of a new title and second hand bookshop. And don't ignore the serendipitous finds that can be made in the stock lining shelves outside the shop in the covered walkway.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

If you ever happen to be in Galway, a must to visit is Charlie Byrne's Bookshop. Huge range of Irish history and literature as a speciality but much more extensive than just that. And it also combines very well the joint purposes of a new title and second hand bookshop. And don't ignore the serendipitous finds that can be made in the stock lining shelves outside the shop in the covered walkway.

Reminds me of the wonderful treasure trove that was Camilla's Bookshop in Grove Road, Eastbourne. Three floors of huge rooms packed to the rafters (and probably beyond) with books - and shelves outdoors, too.

Still going strong, but with a different dog, when I last visited three years ago.

[Quarky]

Foyles in Charing Cross Road, and Stanford & Mann in Long Acre, for maps and travel guides.

I rarely buy books these days, and don't know whether they are still in business, but I have purchased many technical books and Scores from Foyles, including the only book in my possession worth reading, Feynmann's Lectures on Physics - the brains of that guy are incredible.

But these days, I rely on Websites.

[visualnickmos]

Collett's in Charing Cross road. Apart from the amazing books, they had a superb CD section. My Shostakovich complete symphonies (Olympic) collection was built from there over a couple of years in the early 1990s.

[teamsaint]

So if you went for Foyles as your favourite that’ll be Waterstones shortly.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/waterstones-foyles-takeover-bookshops-amazon-competition-a8527241.html?amp

The acquisition of Foyles may well be seen as a statement of intent to grow the business by the Waterstones new city owners.