This week, 14th. to 21st. June, is Independent Booksellers' Week, special events are being held, and the organisation sponsors an award - while I can't speak for the children's one, there are some very strong books there on the adults' shortlist.
But let's look beyond that initiative and shine the spotlight on a few independent bookshops, specifically the ones on my list there in the sidebar on the right.
Close-ish to home are The Edinburgh Bookshop and its sister shop The Children's Bookshop, and the lucky people of Bruntsfield and Morningside have these two excellent places on their doorstep (NB Vanessa, we need a branch on this side of town!!).
Up in Perthshire there is The Watermill at Aberfeldy - a converted mill (and beautifully done it is), a coffee shop, gallery, but chiefly lots of wonderful books and browsing corners and more. It is well worth a visit.
Two London shops make my list: Heywood Hill because I have shopped there and they were kind enough to get in touch when I linked to them ages ago; they sell a mix of old and new books, and will send you a list of recommended new titles four times a year. Then there's The Big Green Bookshop who had the bright idea of asking bloggers to recommend a 'book of the month', a scheme in which I am delighted to take part.
Lastly comes The Mainstreet Trading Company in St. Boswells, down in the Scottish Borders. I haven't been to the shop - yet - but local friends have sung its praises so loudly (a fantastic selection of books, very nice, knowledgeable staff and delicious cakes, I'm told) that I'm taking a trip down there on Friday and shall report back.
If you have a favourite independent bookshop, either a regular haunt or somewhere you've just happened upon in your travels, do leave a comment and tell us about it.
