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?
Book shopping on Charing Cross Road & Lambs Conduit Street
April 3, 2013 by heavenali
What a great day! Great pile of books too. Enjoy reading them.
I’m sure I will, though goodness knows when.
You did wonderfully well, but I am lost in nostalgia. I used to work just around the corner from Any Amount of Books and I spent many happy hours browsing in lunch breaks.
It’s such a nice shop – I noticed how they provide step ladders for people to reach the very highest shelves.
A lovely write-up – mine’s scheduled for tomorrow. I’m glad we all enjoyed our walking tour. I used to live in Covent Garden and it was wonderful having all those bookshops (and some good libraries) so close by!
My post about our day is here http://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2013/04/04/a-trip-to-london/ and I linked to yours too so people could see the pics (I concentrated on links in mine!)
I am looking forward to visiting Persephone Books myself for the first time very soon and hope I can get a copy of Virginia Woolf’s Writer’s Diary. I am also planning to read The Exiles Return, so excited to learn it was being published having only read The Hare with Amber Eyes so very recently.
What a glorious day, and I agree, you could easily write a whole post just on Persephone. Loved slow reading this post, as if being there.
I am so looking forward to The Exiles Return.
Ah, what a wonderful outing! I hope you have many hours of bookish joy exploring your new acquisitions.
It was : ) thank you, and I’m sure I will enjoy them.
Sounds like a lovely way to have passed a day! Glad you enjoyed yourself, and found lots if wonderful books too of course. Happy reading!
So nice to share days like that with friends too : )
I’ve honestly forgotten which one you bought for me, Ali. I knew my memory would desert me one day!
I have carefully hidden the two I bought for you two in my photograph for the same reason!
What a perfect day – thanks for sharing it with us!
I can’t think of a better way to spend a day – and what lovely finds.
[…] pop over and read Ali’s write-up, with some pictures of the Persephone […]
It’s surprising how far one can walk in London with the promise of a bookshop round the corner. Long may it last! Mt very first books came from Foyles during WW2. Still have Charles Kingsleys scary The Water Babies. My very first job was there as well back in 1954 in the foreign book section. All very dusty and disorganised. I like the new version better. However, nothing beats the Persephone shop. Ali, thanks for sharing your memorable day.
It’s a very nice book shop – and I didn’t get to see all of it. What wonderful memories of the place you must have Bridget.
Definitely the best way to spend a day! Glad you had such fun and what super books! The Persephone Shop is lovely, isn’t it? I can feel myself yearning for a revisit already…….
I love the way one can see people working away in the background – filling envelopes, processing orders etc.
Why haven’t I known about those delightful sounding shops on my earlier visits to London? When I read your report it was almost like being there. Alas, only almost. Don’t think we’ll be in the UK this year even though we’ll probably go to Brittany to holiday with our French family.
Keep reading and writing please – your reviews are always instructive.
Sounds like a wonderful day! And such a great pile of books you brought with you.
Thanks for the tour! I can only dream of visiting the Persephone shop someday.
It’s nice to have dreams : )
What a wonderful day 🙂
xx
I’m belatedly catching up with my feed reader but I am so jealous, it sounds like a lovely day in the capital focusing on the important things in life. 🙂
Absolutely 🙂
I’m planning a trip to London from the U.S. in about six months. You’ve just added an eagerly anticipated shopping trip to my visit.
I’ve been to many of the antiquarian and second hand stores in Charing Cross. Road but never Foyles or Persephone. Reading about your day has given me a stone in my shoe about finding these places on my next visit. Loved the idea of your ladies who read day out. Great fun.
I used to live in France, in a University town so we had lots and lots of book shops, new books, second hand books, cheap ones, leather bound “I cost more than your house” ones… I moved to a little town in Australia to follow my better half and (heavy sighs) no decent book shops. After very thorough, and quite desperate, search, I found one second hand book with a decent selection but scandalously overprized… Amazon is a big NO since they charge 15$ delivery per item. I haven’t buy a new book in months which never happened before ! I so envy you heavenali. Have fun reading !