Bookseller Crow on the Hill, Crystal Palace
Perched at the top of Westow Street in Crystal Palace is Bookseller Crow on the Hill. Opened in 1997 by Justine Crow and Jonathan Main, the bookshop’s name is a nod not only to Justine’s surname, but also to the curious birds that frequent nearby Crystal Palace park. The two opened the shop out of their “enthusiasm for books and introducing people to books that they might not have known,” says Main. The shop holds a vast array of work, mostly fiction, as well as an extensive children’s section. A selection of books on the area’s local history are fittingly displayed on a model of Crystal Palace’s iconic transmitter tower. Inside, the bookshop is adorned with crow bunting and posters on the walls advertise upcoming talks with authors and the shop’s monthly book club, which is 50 members strong. Despite selling books on their website, the shop is still busy; “we have a very loyal customer base,” says Main.
50 Westow St, SE19 3AF
A Place in Space, Croydon Town Centre
On a quiet street only a stone’s throw from Croydon’s town centre is A Place in Space, a large comic book store with a bright and airy interior that is perfect for browsing. “The feeling is almost one of a very relaxed sober bar combined with a treasure trove of books and shelves to browse,” says Tom Duma, one of the shop’s managers. “We know everyone by name and we always have regulars in browsing and catching up with what they’re reading.” Popular staples on their shelves include Spiderman, Batman and X-Men. Brand new comic releases go on sale every Wednesday, making it a particularly buzzy day in the shop. A Place in Space opened 23 years ago and they plan on celebrating upcoming Free Comic Book Day on May 6 like they have every year – by giving out free comic books to everyone who visits the store. “It’s always an absolutely fabulous day,” says Duma.
96 Drummond Rd, CR0 1TX
Words by Annabel Martin
The Common Press, Shoreditch
Just a three minute walk from Shoreditch High Street station, The Common Press labels itself as “London’s first consciously intersectional bookshop,” but feels more like a community hub than anything else. Located within Glass House, a multidisciplinary arts space, its timetable is full of different creative workshops and classes to take part in. They host a range of events such as old school voguing, healing meditation classes and a buzzing queer writers’ group that we had the pleasure of talking to.
Championing new books from marginalised authors, they have a wide range of novels from gay, lesbian, queer, trans authors – as well as landmark works by people of colour. Its cosy reading corners can be settled into with a cup of coffee from their café.
118 Bethnal Grn Rd, E2 6DJ
https://www.glasshouse.london/the-common-press
Artwords, Broadway Market
A modest bookshop on the corner of one of London’s oldest markets. First opening in 2001, Artswords has always carefully curated their stock, with a focus on magazines and books that explore contemporary visual culture. Fashion, design, architecture, photography and film are staple themes — but this doesn’t limit them; as the current bestsellers are All About Love: New Visions by cultural theorist bell hooks and the autobiographical The Years by 2022 Nobel Prize Laureaute Annie Ernaux (published by Deptford-based Fitzcarraldo Editions).
This focus on aesthetics means that passerbys are often drawn in by the striking covers on display. The large windows and proximity to Broadway Market are its best features according to shop manager, Ben. “We’ve got three big windows which are great for visual books. You can look straight in from the outside and see exactly what’s going on.” Pop into Artswords during your Saturday trip to Broadway Market.
20-22 Broadway Market, E8 4QJ
Words by Dara Coker
Crofton Books, Brockley
Crofton Books is a second hand bookshop which has been open since 2020. At first glance, it is a bit of a muddle. But look closer and you will see handwritten notes on the shelves dividing the books into specific categories of “modern classics”, “traditional classics” and even “foraging” and “black writers”. A cheeky note says “Reminder: we do have a downstairs which is downstairs”. Books line the staircase and in the downstairs area you will find shelves of “ghost stories”, “Agatha Christie” and “Letters and Diaries”. It’s a cosy bookshop where you will find all sorts of surprises.
315 Brockley Rd, SE4 2QZ
The Word, New Cross
When the bookshop on Goldsmiths campus closed in 2015, David Brett saw an opportunity. He opened The Word bookshop in 2016 to cater to students and the wider local community. “It’s quite a blend between what students and what local clientele want. Thankfully, they cross over a lot,” he says. The shop has a broad selection of new literary fiction and a well curated poetry section. There’s also an impressive collection of political non-fiction. “We’re not a radical bookshop but we do a lot more radical books than most bookshops”, says Brett.
314 New Cross Rd, SE14 6AF
Words by Harry Thorfinn-George
Libreria, Brick Lane
A few short steps away from the bustling Brick Lane you will find Libreria, the “perfect bookshop for browsers,” says manager Lloyd Sowerbutts. Everything is oriented towards discovery: Libreria is one of the rare bookshops in London whose book collection is displayed through thematic curation. “Dark Times”, “First Person”, “Cities”; books are curated for “maximised serendipity and intuitive discovery,” says Sowerbutts. The bright yellow shelves and warm lights create an inviting and intimate space where visitors can curl up on the sofas.
Libreria also occasionally hosts dinners, open-mic poetry nights and talks. Their next event is on May 18 and will feature writer Jade Angeles Fitton. “It’s a space for everyone who is interested in finding new books and ideas,” says Sowerbutts. “People come from very different places, we see travellers and locals. They come here for the browsing experience.”
65 Hanbury St, E1 5JP
Freedom Press, Whitechapel
Nestled at the back of Whitechapel’s Angel Alley, Freedom Press is the UK’s oldest anarchist bookshop and publisher. Founded by anarchist writers Charlotte Wilson and Peter Kropotkin, Freedom Press is often regarded as the “grand old dame of English anarchism,” says Jack Etches, the shop’s coordinator. Freedom Press is home to frequent events reuniting radical writers and activists and is committed to being a “safe and welcoming public space,” which includes supporting local action groups and initiatives.
Freedom Press’s book collection has been recently expanded to include a wider variety of radical literature, including socialist, anti-fascist and feminist books. The bookshop is always busy and “comrades come from around the world,” says Etches. “Street traffic is a bit lower, as the alley makes it more difficult for passersby to find us, but we have lots of regulars and are happy to have a huge variety of people coming in.”
84b Whitechapel High St, E1 7QX
Words by Livia Giannotti
If you have more local bookshops recommendations, we want to hear them! DM us on Twitter or Instagram!
Featured image credits: Pixabay
Follow our series, Reading Between the Lines, this week to read more about literature across our boroughs
