Last Saturday, 24th June, was the start of Independent Bookshop Week 2017 and it was also the annual bookshop crawl day.
I wanted to put together a little timeline using my tweets from the day to document my first-ever bookshop crawl. I hope you enjoy it!
As this was my first bookshop crawl, I didn’t really know what to expect but I guessed I would be walking a lot so I made sure I was suitably dressed for the occasion!
Stop 1 on my crawl was The Bookseller Crow on the Hill at the top of Gipsy Hill, Crystal Palace. A lovely bookshop where I purchased THE OTHER US by Fiona Harper.
I then took the train to North Dulwich for Stop 2 on my crawl. Village Books in Dulwich was fully decked out for the start of Independent Bookshop Week. I bought THE ESSEX SERPENT by Sarah Perry.
They were interviewing customers to find out about their reading habits and the books they were buying. I got interviewed for the podcast!
I then walked from North Dulwick to Herne Hill, where I came across a beautiful children’s bookshop called Tales On Moon Lane. I couldn’t resist this fabulous book lover mouse mat!
Stop 3 on my crawl was Herne Hill Books, a stones throw from the station. It is the smallest bookshop I have ever been to. It is well-stocked though! I bought a copy of MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON by Elizabeth Strout.
During the crawl, it was important to keep well-fuelled. A smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel washed down with a banana milkshake was just what I needed.
A train and a tube ride later, and I was in trendy Notting Hill and at Stop 4 on my crawl: Lutyens & Rubinstein.
Just around the corner from Lutyens & Rubinstein was The Notting Hill Bookshop and Stop 5 on my crawl. Yes, it is the shop from the film!!
By this time, an afternoon treat was required: a Power Shake (Strawberry, Banana, Vanilla Milk) from Joe & The Juice.
From West London to West Central London, and to the final Stop on my crawl: Foyles Bookshop on Charing Cross Road.
Authors: Liz Fenwick, Fiona Harper, Stephanie Butland, Julie Cohen, Shelley Harris, and Brigid Coady, were also doing bookshop crawls around London and we all decided to meet at the cafe in Foyles Bookshop at the end.
I had such a great day. Although I had walked many miles, I felt energised and happy. Books/reading and book shopping really are good for both your physical and mental health!
My haul from the day
