About the shop
Who we are, who chooses the books, and what we would put in your hands next.
A small shop with a long memory for what you like
We opened with a few hundred second-hand books and a borrowed till. Today the shelves hold new books at the front and second-hand ones at the back, and we still remember that you liked the one with the lighthouse.
- Booksellers who read what they recommend
- Any book in print ordered for collection
- Second-hand books bought and sold, checked page by page
- Free gift wrapping at the counter
The booksellers
Tell any of us the last book you loved and we will find you the next one.
Priya Natarajan
Owner. Reads fiction and poetry
Opened the shop and still does the Tuesday unpacking, because that is when the new books arrive.
Theo Brandt
Crime and history
Runs the book club and can find a second-hand copy of almost anything, eventually.
Hana Kowalski
Children’s books
Chooses every book in the kids’ corner and reads at Saturday story time.
Ines Ferreira
Events and orders
Books the authors, keeps the order list and knows when yours will arrive.
Sample booksellers and bios.
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.
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
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.