Book shopping on Charing Cross Road & Lambs Conduit Street

I can’t help but think that a trip to the Persephone book shop in London deserves a whole post to itself, rather than being buried away on my book buying confessional page.
I went with three friends Liz, Gill and Helen – the four of us using complementary London Midland tickets, which was an added bonus –more money for books. We were only going for books – all those designer clothes shops? museums and tourist attractions? – no thanks –we were after books. The weather was also on our side, although still very cold, unseasonably so – we were treated to bright blue skies and bright sunshine. London always look lovely bathed in sunshine, and to have such a nice day lifted our spirits further.
Upon arrival at Euston, we started out walking over to Charing Cross Road, where we had very welcome cup of tea in Foyles bookshop, before starting down the road to Any Amount of Books – a good second hand book shop. In here I found:
Amity and Sorrow by Peggy Riley – for only a pound, a proof copy, but seeing as it was only published about a week ago I was thrilled with this find.
The Curate in Charge – Margaret Oliphant – I already have several Mrs Oliphant TBR – but it looks delightful.
The Boat by L P Hartley – years and years ago I read The Go-between and The Heirling which I loved, but have read nothing of his since.
And a lovely green VMC of Roman Fever – short stories by Edith Wharton – someone else who I have lots already TBR.
Then while Liz went to catch up with an old friend Helen, Gill and I had a lovely lunch at Bella Italia – before heading back to Foyles. Where very extravagantly I bought three books – and I rarely buy full priced books from high street stores, but when faced with VMC designer editions and a Pat Barker book I have wanted to read for ages I caved in. Ending up buying: Their Eyes were watching God by Zora Neale Hurston and My Cousin Rachel by Daphne Du Maurier both in lovely VMC designer editions and Life Class by Pat Barker.
Meeting up back up with Liz again near to Covent Garden – we walked to the beautiful Persephone shop. This was really the whole point of the day – for me at least. I bought four – three for me – and one as a birthday gift for Gill.
For myself I bought : The Exiles Return, the latest Persephone publication, An Interrupted Life: The diaries and letters of Hetty Hillesum and The Woman Novelist and other Stories. I won’t reveal what I bought for Gill – I think she knows, but we like to pretend that we have birthday secrets. I also bought three of the matching bookmarks that I was missing. Frankly if I hadn’t have had to watch the pennies – I would have bought more books. I love that shop – it’s small unassuming – but somehow perfect.
While we were in the Persephone shop Liz, Gill and I (ok just Liz and I) hooted with enthusiasm over various editions, enabling our friend Helen to buy six! We also inflicted our Persephone obsession on a lovely unsuspecting American woman, who, when we left clutching our reasonably modest piles – already had quite an armful and was still browsing the shelves. I really hope she loves whatever she bought.
Next door to the Persephone shop is a nice little café. Where they sell tea in mugs – very cheaply – Gill and I had raisin toast with jam – a plateful for next to nothing. We munched away and drank our tea, happily looking over our purchases before heading off for a quick march back to Euston.
We collapsed into our train seats on a very busy commuter train, books in our hands and books at our feet – tired from a lovely day of gossip and book buying – is there I wonder, a better way of spending a day?