Ursina's Shelf - London Calling (again)
Issue 87
Dear readers,
I made a mistake! I forgot to include a must-visit bookstore, In my original London for booklovers issue.
Today, I’d like to rectify that rude oversight and introduce you to more recent discoveries in London.
Stanfords (7 Mercer Walk)
For: travelers and buying children’s books.
Description: This grand two-story bookshop offers a great selection of travel guides, stories, geography books, and maps, in addition to a phenomenal children’s section, and is a mere 5-minute walk from Covent Garden.
My take: This spacious corner store is aesthetically pleasing, but I come back for the friendly staff, who have recommended a wonderful David Attenborough’s where-is-Waldo style children's book and serve delightful coffee and soup in the cozy café corner of the store.
Bought here: Where is David Attenborough? and lots of soup.
Books for Cooks (4 Blenheim Crescent)
For: discovering gifts for cooks and foodies.
Description: This small shop off Portabello Road in Notting Hill sells—as advertised—books for cooks: mostly cookbooks, but also books about certain foods and stories about food.
My take: Good thing there are weight restrictions on carry-on luggage, or I’d buy up the whole store. I’ll be back to buy more gifts here.
Bought here: The Complete Cheese Pairing Cookbook (pictured at Books for Cooks)
Lutyens & Rubinstein (21 Kensington Park Road)
For: finding books without algorithmic influence
Description: A lovely bookseller in a slightly cramped storefront around the corner from Book for Cooks.
My take: Per the usual, I am a sucker for the table of curated books. Funny enough I spotted The List here, which I had just bought at Pile of Books in Zurich the week before (featured in this issue) and I loved eavesdropping on staff as they discussed books with other customers.
Bought here: Kick the Latch by Kathryn Scanlan after overhearing a customer say they liked it so much that they were buying it as a gift (pictured in the basement room at Lutyens & Rubinstein)
Currently re-reading: Bel Canto by Ann Patchett ahead of Sunday’s book club (link).
Speaking of... do you re-read books? If yes, what’s a book you recently re-read? Let me know in the comments.
Have a lovely weekend!
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