I love books, and there's no better place to buy them than an independent bookstore. It increases…read morethe feeling of discovery and intimacy that goes with book-buying - makes it more special, and of course helps out your local community, rather than one of the mega chains. This shop is pretty small but has an excellent selection. You'll find bestsellers alongside some classic treasures and unusual lesser-known finds. The only problem is that as an independent shop, they don't offer the discounts that others do. The staff are always friendly and totally helpful. I went in there looking for a copy of Pessoa recently and they ordered it within a few days. They also accept book tokens if you happened to get any for christmas (yes, I am a geek, but I love getting that present!).

Clapham is what a bookstore should be: floor-to-ceiling books and a knowledgeable staff willing to…read moreanswer questions. I wish we had more bookstore like this in the States. Over here bookstores have morphed into a weird coffee shop/greeting card store/music outlet hybrid with a smattering of Oprah's Picks displayed in a bin just so they can keep the bookstore pretense alive. Depressing. Anyway, this is not Clapham.

A proper bookshop...but more importantly, and independent one!…read more I really like this place and am so happy that they still exist despite the convenience of online shopping. But it's actually at shops like this where I get inspired for a next book. I'm pretty much fed up with the personalisation of Amazon; while they probably know what I like, they cannot tell me what I might also like. And this is where the independent book sellers like The Stoke Newington Bookshop have a real margin: they have passionate and friendly staff who love to read themselves and they in turn can recommend their customers something totally unique...as long as you're willing to let them take you to undiscovered territory.

This large and popular bookstore is a good place to pick up a weekend's worth of reading. I find…read morebookshops cozy places to browse around in, and I enjoyed the experience of this small but well stoked local bookstore. Frequented by many of the literati that live in the whereabouts of Stoke Newington, this spacious store also hosts book readings by local authors, and an occasional poetry night. They have a good range of children's books, as well as several magazines on arcane and current subjects. I found an interesting philosophy journal here, with short articles on the most challenging ideas of our times by eminent philosophers. Another addition to the overflowing bookshelf!

The Woking Hospice Bookshop in Horsell is a great find (and far better than their general shop in…read moreHorsell). The shop itself is a bit tucked away and you'd be forgiven for not noticing it as you drove past. If you do drive you'll need to find street parking or park in one of the few spaces reserved for the other shops in the High Street. Once inside you'll find a well organised shop with plenty of good books in great condition. The bookshop is laid out like a well organised regular bookshop or even a library and so the traditional sorting through piles of books that seems to happen in charity shops is but a distant memory. All manner of books are carried from popular fiction through to rarer antique books. There are sometimes a few music manuscripts too. There's an excellent children's corner too, with a small table and chairs. You'll pay a slight premium for the books here but I think it's worth it as they tend to be in great condition and they've done the sorting for you. If you fancy the latest chick lit or blockbuster title, wait a few months and I'll bet they have several copies here. Worth a trip to save a few pennies if you like to own your books rather than borrow them from the libraries.

The Woking Hospice Bookshop is on the premises of Jemima's Gift Shop, which closed several years…read moreago. It's not very large, but is nevertheless jam-packed with books that the friendly staff are very willing to help you navigate. They have a dedicated classics section as well as large areas for history and science fiction. The children's section is also very well-stocked. The prices are very reasonable and they encourage you to buy books and return them when you're done with them so that others can enjoy them, which is a great way of donating to a very worthwhile cause.

Oxfam Bookshop specialises in second hand books donated by the public. There is a decent selection…read moreof offer considering the shop's size, from mainstream fiction to humor and gift books at knock down prices. I have managed to get hardback books for as little as £2. The condition of the books varies but all are on good enough condition to make use of and you definitely get value for money. The store's layout is very clear and everything is organised making the books you're looking for easy to find. If you are going to visit the shop I would recommend taking a short cut through the shopping centre to avoid being bugged by the charity chuggers which line the main street on the route to the Oxfam Bookshop.

Buy books cheap and give money to charity…read more Can't argue with that can you. A little Oxfam bookshop just along the road from the Oxfam music shop just behind the Ealing shopping centre. This is a cracking little find with a good collection of first editions and special finds. There must be a lot of globe trotters in Ealing because there's always some really good travel novels and guide books. It's defiantly worth popping in to see what you can find.

Brilliant bookshop with a fabulous warehouse in Didcot! Chris, the owner, has been very generous to…read morethis bibliophile!

This is a first class used bookstore. I found a very nice edition of the chronicles of Henry James…read moretravels through Europe. Lovely gem of a book!

Super staff that was so helpful! Lovely children's section. Gifts, stationary..and of course…read moreBOOKS! Prices are very reasonable and all the new releases and classics are available. Can't find what you are looking ask them..they will find it for you.

I love Waterstones book stores. This shop on Kensington High street opened a few years ago after…read moremoving down the street. This is not a large store as compared to others in London (such as Piccadilly) but I can generally find what I need. The employees are usually very helpful. London is currently in Tier 4 Lockdown (all non-essential shops are closed) just days before Christmas. Waterstones has joined other merchants in a "Click & Collect" in which you can order what you need on-line; they confirm the inventory and purchase with an email; they call for payment information; and then you pickup. Genius!! Also, get a Waterstones Plus card to earn money back on your purchases. Waterstones.com

This is a great book shop in Notting Hill. I'm not a Notting Hill native but I'm a big fan of…read morelittle independent book shops. I needed a travel book once day whilst strolling through Notting Hill, this shop has such a big selection. Books are so expensive nowadays but the books here were so affordable, there were lots of discounted books, the atmosphere was friendly and relaxed and the staff were so helpful and friendly. It's a shame this isn't closer to my house or else I'd be in there all the time. It beats the big corporate book shops on atmosphere and friendliness alone.

YOU will find great bargains, on both old and new books at this book warehouse. They have a…read morecomplete range for all age readers, from childrens, religious, fashion, lifestyle, property, fiction, biography, etc. Also to be seen are gift and accessory articles for presents. So if you ever find yourself around Notting Hill Tube station then drop by 'The Book Warehouse'. Come rain or sunshine they always have a deadly table laden with the best bargains outside the shop. One really can't resist pausing to browse.

Great bookstore!…read more The selection is well-curated and there is something for everyone in here. The owners are friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to offer recommendations. Definitely worth a visit for anyone into books!!

Really, a lovely little bookshop with a long-standing history in this area. Where it could have…read moresuccumbed to the temptation to sell cool books to all the cool people that pass through this street (y'know how Fopp does it - bit of Orwell, bit of Camus, bit o' Kafka), they actually got a really well-stocked selection of fiction. The kind of fiction you've always wanted to read, or thought you should be reading. like Proust? And they do pretty greetings cards. There is a standard section on design, with big coffee table books about brazillian architecture or pictures of industrial decline. You do know them ones. But that's ok, their local history selection is beautiful and really appropriate for Brick Lane, where it would be easy to forget what it looked like last year. This bit's got nice books on the area's radical history, the stories of the Jewish presence in the area (I'd been looking for a Litvinoff book for ages) and the struggles against fascism and the National Front in London's East End. Which I felt really ties it to the area. It's definitely worth coming in 2 Eastside Books for a browse...