Category Archives: Book Shops

Book signing – Celebrating the Joys of Bookshops

I have had so much fun doing book signings over the last couple of years and I thought i’d share a few memories here:

Horatio’s Bookshop in Ampthill, Bedfordshire

Alderney Bookshop – You guessed – on Alderney

Then there was Hythe Bookshop in Hampshire where I had the added joy of seeing members of the Jackson Family, who I had not seen for many years:

Then in the autumn I was back in Bedfordshire at Waterstone’s, Luton:

I enjoyed each and every experience, meeting familiar faces and strangers alike, all with a shared interest, their enthusiasm for real books.

Do you love bookshops? I’d love to hear about it.

Or do you prefer a virtual world. I’ll be discussing the virtual world of books here next week.

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Use it or Lose it -Support Your Local Bookshop

I admit to being a book shop addict. I will do anything I can to support and encourage my local bookshop Horatio’s in Ampthill and any I visit in villages and towns across the UK. I love that feeling of  expectation as I enter the store, wondering what titles will catch my eye, or lure me to browse further, read the blurb and purchase, leaving me with the anticipation of hours of pleasure in the coming week.

I love quaint little shops with character and cosy armchairs, but I also enjoy huge stores like Heffer’s in Cambridge or Waterstones at West Quay Southampton. (the moment I saw Riduna on the shelves there was quite amazing and i’m vain enough to wish i’d taken a photo!)  In these mega book stores I can meander along the shelves, being tempted by anything from travel logs to memoirs of visiting angels, or even grab a coffee, a moment of reflection away from the busy streets.

I’m a great believer in shopping locally and support the ‘Use it or Lose it’ campaign.

PS Votes for The Apostrophe Referendum have been counted and the Apostrophe has been won!

Support Horatio’s to see the unveiling of the Apostrophe at 12 noon on April 2nd at Horatio’s Ampthill!

© Diana Jackson March 2011

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Filed under Book Shops