Persephone Books
'It is hard to be hip over thirty'. No this isn’t my confession (it might as well have been), but the title of my favourite book of poems from my all time favourite book shop.
London is the greatest place to shop for books. There are books on just about anything – even a coffee table book about coffee tables.
Head for the gigantic Waterstone’s on Piccadilly for the ‘3 for 2’ deals. Or do, as I love to do and visit the charming Persephone Books, which has recently become a small chain with two outlets. And sorry guys, but this one is strictly for the girls.
Persephone Books
This independent publishing house specialises in decorative, arty, old, rare and overlooked books by female authors.
I heard about the retired publisher’s initiative from a bestseller author I once interviewed – and immediately bought the sweet 'Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day' (soon out as a movie), along with several other books all with bookmarks and covers made from iconic art patterns and designs.
Persephone Books
59 Lamb's Conduit Street London, WC1N 3NB. Tube: Russel Square or Holborn
109 Kensington Church Street London, W8 7LN. Tube: Notting Hill Gate or Kensington High Street