Find your next book.
An independent bookshop with new and second-hand books, author evenings, a monthly book club and a kids’ corner. If we do not have it, we can order it for you.
Next event
Imogen Vale reads from Small Hours at Larkspur Lane
When
Thursday 22 October, 19:00 (sample date)
Where
Upstairs in the shop, 40 seats
Entry
Free, please reserve a seat
What we are pressing into people’s hands
Every card on our shelves is written by someone who works here and has read the book. Ask any of us for something like it.
“A quiet, funny novel about a lighthouse keeper who starts answering letters meant for someone else. I read it in one sitting.”
Small Hours at Larkspur Lane by Imogen Vale (sample)
For anyone who wants a kind book for a long train ride.
Picked by Priya
“Proper fog, a missing ferry ticket and a detective who is wrong twice before she is right.”
Fog over Quillon Bay by R. T. Hallam (sample)
For readers who like to guess along.
Picked by Theo
“Otto’s hat keeps growing, and so does the list of things living in it. Story time asks for it every week.”
Otto and the Very Tall Hat by Bea Marchetti (sample)
For reading aloud, ages 3 to 6.
Picked by Hana
“Short poems about kitchens, buses and rain on the allotment. Read one before work.”
Weather for Small Gardens by Sefi Arun (sample)
For people who think poetry is not for them.
Picked by Ines
Sample picks: the titles and authors are invented.
New on the front table
New books arrive every Tuesday, and second-hand ones whenever a good box comes in. Ask us to put a copy aside and collect it within a week.
Small Hours at Larkspur Lane
Imogen Vale
Fog over Quillon Bay
R. T. Hallam
Otto and the Very Tall Hat
Bea Marchetti
Weather for Small Gardens
Sefi Arun
The Ropemakers of Wexley Down
Daniel Asquin
Tidewater Letters
Noor Halverson
Signed copy
Sample titles and authors, example prices.
Readings, signings and story time
Most events are free. Seats upstairs are limited, so reserve by email or at the counter, and we will keep a chair for you until the start.
22Thursday, Oct
An evening with Imogen Vale
Reading from Small Hours at Larkspur Lane, then questions and signing. 19:00, upstairs.
Free, booking needed
31Saturday, Oct
Saturday story time
Picture books and a craft table in the kids’ corner, ages 3 to 7 with a grown-up. 11:00.
Free, drop in
4Wednesday, Nov
Book club: Fog over Quillon Bay
We talk about the novel by R. T. Hallam over tea. New members are welcome. 19:00.
Free
12Thursday, Nov
Poetry night with Sefi Arun
A short reading from Weather for Small Gardens, then an open mic with five-minute slots. 19:30.
Ticketed, $8 off the book (example)
21Saturday, Nov
Signing with Daniel Asquin
Daniel signs The Ropemakers of Wexley Down and talks about the old rope walk. 14:00.
Free, drop in
Sample events and dates.
A book club for people who finish the book, and for people who do not
Once a month a dozen or so readers meet upstairs to talk about one book. Come when you can, bring a friend, and say as much or as little as you like.
This month
Fog over Quillon Bay by R. T. Hallam (sample)
When
First Wednesday of the month, 19:00 to 20:30
Where
Upstairs in the shop, with tea
Cost
Free to join, 10% off the book of the month (example)
The kids’ corner, at the back on the left
Low shelves, a rug and two beanbags. Children can sit and read before anyone buys anything, and grown-ups can ask us for help choosing by age, reading level or what they loved last.
- Board books and picture books up to teen fiction
- Story time every Saturday at 11:00, free (example)
- School reading lists ordered in for collection
- Birthday wish lists kept at the counter for family to buy from
Not on our shelves? We can order any book in print
Ordering through us costs the same as the cover price and keeps a bookshop on your street.
1
Ask
Tell us the title, the author or just what you remember about it: in the shop, by phone or by email.
2
We order it
Most books in print arrive in two to four working days (example). We text or email you when yours is here.
3
Collect
Pick it up at the counter within two weeks and pay then. No deposit needed (example).
A gift card for a reader
Good for any book in the shop, new or second-hand, and for event tickets.
Not sure what they have read?
Give them a gift card and the fun of choosing. We write the amount and your message by hand, and slip it into a card with a bookmark.
- Any amount from $10 (example)
- Valid for two years (example)
- Buy at the counter, or call and we post it for you
What readers say
“I asked for something like a book I could only half describe. Theo found it in two days, and it was the right one.”
Sample reader
Ordered a book for collection
“Story time is the best hour of our Saturday. My son now chooses his own books, slowly.”
Sample parent
Kids’ corner
“I came for one author evening and stayed for the book club. Nobody minds if you have not finished.”
Sample reader
Book club member
Questions at the counter
Cannot find your answer? Call us or ask next time you are in.
Can you order a book you do not have in stock?
Yes, almost any book in print. Most arrive in two to four working days (example). Ask in the shop, call or email us with the title or whatever you remember about it.
Do you buy second-hand books?
We buy books in good condition on Tuesday and Friday mornings (example). Bring up to two bags and we will make you an offer in cash or shop credit.
Do I need to book for author events?
Most events are free, but seats are limited, so please reserve by email or at the counter. Ticketed events say so in the programme.
Can you help me choose a book for a child?
Of course. Tell us their age, what they read last and what they love outside books, and we will bring a few to look through together.
How do gift cards work?
Choose any amount from $10 (example). The card can be spent on new and second-hand books and on event tickets, in one go or over several visits.
Is the shop step-free?
The ground floor and the kids’ corner have step-free access from the street. The events room is upstairs; call us and we will find the best way to help (example).
Come in and browse
Monday to Wednesday
9:00 – 18:00
Thursday
9:00 – 20:00
Friday and Saturday
9:00 – 18:00
Sunday
11:00 – 16:00
27 Linden Row
Springfield, ST 10001. Two minutes from the market square bus stop.
Looking for a particular book?
Send us the title, the author or the half you remember. We order it in and tell you when it is ready to collect.