Your Favorite Nooks and Crannies: London Bookstore Reviews

Having spent most of my life in countries with limited numbers of bookstores selling books in languages I can actually read, I’ve been overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stores selling rows of English books in London. Crisp sheets still clinging to the smell of fresh-pressed ink, tattered spines and margins lovingly marked with signatures, dates, and the occasional tea stain... In the spirit of my literature degree, I’ve characterized each store I’ve visited so far as a book character, just when you thought this blog couldn’t get more bookish.

1. Waterstones

📖 All over London and the UK

I’m going to start with the classic extensive chain throughout the UK, the all-rounder, for anyone from university students looking for their textbooks to toddlers picking up their first picture books to grandmothers looking for cookbooks. If you want a book you can usually find it here (unless you’re like me and all of your coursemates got to the reading material first), Plus, they hold author events all the time (also don’t be like me and miss the events because everyone got tickets before you to meet Leigh Bardugo... can we see a pattern?). She’s well known, pretty, accomplished, and won’t settle for less (only 5% student discount, unfortunately) but you can’t help but love her- she’s Elizabeth Bennet.

One of my favorite branches is in Bloomsbury. It has 3 floors and a basement, with an airy cafe that sells decent coffee (and vegan cookies!). I love the second and third floors for the tables and window seats, perfect for some study or cozy reading. The basement is amazing, especially when they’ve got the records playing in the late afternoon and the armchairs are almost always open. A cute small reading room is hidden in a corner; I haven’t utilized it often but it looks extremely cozy.

My dream personal library?

The branch in Tottenham Court road is smaller but a bit more modern. It has a basement cafe that is always quite busy, but a nice environment to work in if you like the hustle and bustle- unfortunately couldn't get any pictures without feeling I was intruding into everyone's focus. All in all, nice ambience that caters to anyone’s needs. Highly recommend!

Tottenham branch, first floor. If you know the row of white books on the left, you know.

2. Skoob Books

📖 66 The Brunswick off, Marchmont St, London WC1N 1AE

Don’t feel a little dimwitted if you didn’t realize “skoob” was books backwards, because I didn’t either until someone pointed it out to me (if you realized, I applaud you). An underground secondhand bookshop den selling both fiction for academics and pleasure, it’s an excellent place to go to find both your textbooks and bedside table companions. They do a 20% student discount in the autumn (in 2019 it was available until October 31), but the prices are quite good anyway (I got a copy of Northanger Abbey, in excellent condition, for £2). They have sections devoted to Penguin’s Classics and sell book posters too! One thing I wish is that they had some seats or beanbags to sit and read in- I would love to relax and read there on rainy days.

Winding bookshelves, an a e s t h e t i c

Skoob is probably Remus Lupin- when you walk in, the vibe is really calming and sweet like chocolate. It’s sort of on the worn side (it is a secondhand bookshop, after all), but it makes the atmosphere even more lovable. Has a punny name that I didn’t initially pick up on as well. Hopefully it doesn’t turn into a wolf’s lair on full moons, though.

3. Judd Books

📖 82 Marchmont St, Saint Pancras, London WC1N 1AG

What I call Skoob’s more studious brother, Judd focuses upon secondhand philosophy, history, and generally more academic wares. I admit I’ve only been inside once to see if they had the edition of the Odyssey I needed, but I got the sense that if you know what you’re looking for or you’re into reading about the subjects listed above, you’ll definitely love it there. Some shelves I remember are Greek classics, warfare and arms, and linguistics. The staff are lovely, and keep your bag for you when you go into the basement (a no-bag zone). There’s books from floor to ceiling, which is of course excellent use of space and atmospheric, but not very friendly for vertically challenged individuals who need to reach the top shelf.

Courtesy of flickr- I never seem to be able to go inside during opening hours to get a picture.

I would say Judd is Outlander's Frank Randall, a war veteran and a history academic who is actually a bit more complicated as you get to know him. I've only just started reading the book after being intrigued by the first few episodes of the show, so maybe this description isn't fully accurate? This bookstore definitely needs some thorough scoping out for me, and I'm looking forward to revisiting it so.on.

4. Daunt Books (Marylebone branch)

📖 84 Marylebone High St, Marylebone, London W1U 4QW and others in London

In terms of aesthetic tier, this is a high contender for the top! It retains large parts of its Edwardian architecture, with symmetrical balconies, skylights, and pale turquoise wallpaper. It also has a basement, which I couldn’t go down that day- but I’m sure it’s as cozy as it looks. It’s a general bookstore, but focuses a lot on travel and culture. Considering its slightly maritime aesthetic with its classical elegance, I would probably classify Daunt as Captain Wentworth from Austen’s Persuasion.

I don’t travel very much to new places, so perhaps I should pick up some travel books to embark on a literary wandering. Maybe I’ll be more motivated to plan and save up for actual travel? (Or I could buy more books? Life decisions...)

5. Libreria Selgas Cano

📖 65 Hanbury St, Spitalfields, London E1 5JP

This is actually a bookshop outside of my local vicinity! I promise I will visit more bookshops out of central London, and I definitely haven't crossed many off of my to-visit list yet. I definitely would go to this bookshop more often if I lived close by because unfortunately I could only visit for a short time to absorb the ~vibes~ and didn't get a chance to browse that much.

Ceilinged and walled with mirrors to create the illusion of infinity bookshelves and illuminated with a soft yellow glow, and dotted with small reading nooks, Libreria specializes in spiritual, philosophical, and meditative literature and non-fiction. You feel a bit like you’ve accidentally ventured into an oracle’s cave. Compared to the vintage underground market on Brick Lane, its ambience made me feel like I had a nice cup of herbal tea. Overall, a calming atmosphere suitable for just browsing or cozying up with a book to give you some peace of mind. Libreria is the meditative, spiritual one; it reminds me of Eight/Naveen from the Lorien Legacies (a series I haven't read in a long time, but was obsessed with when I was younger).

Before I get into a sentimental rabbit-hole, I should probably stop talking about my favorite bookstores and go do some actual work- and plan for my future trips, of course.