Books, books and more books, read on to discover six of our favourite independent book shops in London…
In the age of Amazon, independent bookshops provide a much needed alternative so we’ve found our favourite ones in London. From works by new and small presses to unusual talks and events, these shops can provide you with some new and challenging fiction, or help you find an unusual present for the book lover in your life.
London Review Bookshop, Bloomsbury
14-16 Bury Place, London, WC1A 2JL
Opened in 2003, the London Review Bookshop is of central importance to the literary scene in London. As the sister to the London Review of Books, that most distinguished of literary reviews, the shop highlights the best in new fiction and non-fiction and has extensive and thoughtfully curated selections. The shop is also well known for hosting interesting and challenging book launches, talks and screenings. This is a must-stop for anyone wanting to refresh a boring book collection, or who wants to take in new and exciting ideas.
Burley Fisher Books, Haggerston
400 Kingsland Road, London, E8 4AA
Burley Fisher Books is a wonderful independent bookshop nestled on the Kingsland Road. It has a select range of amazing new publishing, particularly from small publishers, as well as literary magazines, poetry and books about London. The super friendly staff are always ready to have a conversation about their stock and make recommendations. They also host regular events with poets and writers from small presses, or debut writers, highlighting emerging, innovative and challenging work.
To discover their upcoming in-store events, click here.
Gay’s The Word, Bloomsbury
66 Marchmont Street, London, WC1N 1AB
Gay’s The Word is the only lesbian and gay bookshop in the UK, and a renowned independent London bookshop, carrying a large selection of books by and about the LGBTQ community. Founded in 1979 by Gay Icebreakers, a gay socialist group who were inspired by the gay bookstore movement in the US, this bookshop offers a wide range of gay, lesbian and trans-interest fiction and non-fiction. They also host a wide range of events, talks and support groups for the LGBTQ community - the shop is a London literary institution.
Review, Peckham
131 Bellenden Road, London, SE15 4QY
This little bookshop in Peckham offers a great range of books for all ages; they have a lovely selection for children, a section from small presses and a wide variety of eclectic fiction. Review often feature a book of the month to give you some ideas, as well as hosting a book club each month. They are an essential part of the South London literary scene and have hosted the Peckham Literary Festival for the last few years.
Nomad Books, Fulham
781 Fulham Road, London, SW6 5HA
Nomad opened in 1990 and invite keen readers to pull up a chair, hang out and browse their recommended reading. They have an excellent selection for children, including a range of unusual and creative illustrated books, and run story time events for little ones. They not only host book clubs, but a reading clinic where a reading advisor will talk to you one-on-one about your reading preferences and make you up a book prescription, from which you will receive six books a year. They also offer up their space for literature and related events. This West London gem really makes reading into an event.
Pages of Hackney
70 Lower Clapton Road, Lower Clapton, London, E5 0RN
Pages of Hackney has been thriving for 14 years, serving the local community through their diverse selection of books and events. The shop is incredibly warm and inviting, and lovely details pepper the space with an eclectic mix of books in subject areas ranging from fiction, to politics, to feminisms, essays and life writing as well as psychology, nature writing, music and children’s books. Its cosy atmosphere means you can settle down and take the time to enjoy the texts before purchasing. Pages of Hackney also pride themselves on giving voices to support issues and authors they believed in, and giving platforms to marginalised voices in publishing.
They also host author events and a monthly book group.