November writing place: Bookcase/Bookends, Carlisle
I’m sure that this is the biggest independent bookstore in the UK. Correct me if I’m wrong. I asked the people working there and they weren’t too sure if this is the case. Maybe it’s something they should capitalise on. It’s my favourite anyway.
It’s could quite easily be called Bookmaze, with a basement and three floors of secondhand and antiquarian books. There’s also a small new book section, stationery, and a lovely café named Cakes & Ale, where book launches are occasionally held.
Cakes & Ale was this month’s location for writing away from home. There were few customers there on this particular Wednesday afternoon, although it was far from quiet as the three members of staff were having their own happy hour. They have a lovely selection of cakes, and sometimes there’s a vegan option, though not today so I just bought a flat white. I enjoyed an hour in the café and spent another hour scouring the bookshop for fantasy books to spend my £25 voucher on. In the end, I settled on a first edition of book 12 of the Wheel of Time series. A beautiful hardback written by Brandon Sanderson using Robert Jordan’s notes and plotting, (he passed away in 2007 before the series was completed).
Photos below are of the upper floor. Can you find your way out of the book maze?
I also bought some Trudi Canavan, Garth Nix, and George R. R. Martin.
Have you ever visited this bookshop, and where’s your favourite indie bookshop?
Recent Comments