Today I visited Blackwell’s, a bookstore that has been a fixture in Oxford since 1879. I’m not 100% certain on this, but someone told me that it is the largest bookstore in the UK! If it isn’t the biggest, it certainly has to be in the top 5! The shop was five stories, including the cavernous basement called “the Norrington Room.”
Despite the fact I was in there for hours, I only bought one book. I knew that I would be mailing back any books I bought, so I only wanted to buy a book if it wasn’t available in the States. I came away with Amenable Woman by Mavis Cheek.
18 comments:
Oh wow! I could get lost in that store!
What a cool bookstore! I envy the Uk's bookshops. When I was in London a few months ago I went to Waterfords which is also rather huge with five stories. I did the same thing you did - bought a book that wasn't available in the US yet. :) (Two actually - "Six Suspects" by Vikas Swarup and "Thanks for the Memories" by Cecelia Ahern")
Ahhhh! Thanks so much for posting. It's great that the UK still has bookstores like Blackwell's.
Thanks for posting this! Wow, so much to read..:)
Wow, that looks amazing! I would need a serious lesson in self control to be in a store like that for hours and walk out with one book. Although the shipping prospect might help a bit.
OOH! Lovely! Thanks for posting!
What a great place. I'm totally jealous!
wowwwwwwwwww Look at that! :)
It is beautiful!
Wow! I'd love to go there!!!
What a great book store and I love the outside of it as well - so quaint. I'll be interested in hearing what you think about Amenable Women. It keeps popping up on my Amazon recommendations.
Holy cow! Five stories?! That's definitely something for me, I think I can see myself sleeping there, lol.
*gasp!* I wanna live next door to it! No, wait... I want to live IN that bookstore. Seriuosly, you only bought one? I could almost cry, it's so beautiful!
Well, if your limiting it, good idea picking a book that's not available back home. :-)
I literally let out a little gasp when I got to the picture of the inside of the store. What a treasure!
Oooooh, I am totally geeking out right now. That sounds like heaven. Thank you for sharing that with us. :)
Wow! What a large store! I could be happily lost there.
wow, i could have spent a week in there!
btw, i just read about an exhibit that is now open in London ... not sure if you have time or are interested, but here's a link to the basic info: Dickens Museum New Exhibit
I've been to this bookstore! I was in Oxford a few years ago with my dad -- we went there mostly because I was on a family history trip and my ancestors (on my mum's side) lived nearby. I don't remember the basement though!
I don't know how you could control yourself in a 5-story bookstore with a large basement full of books to read. Amazing will power you have. looks like you selected well however.
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