This isn't the best photograph that I have ever taken and it also doesn't do justice to the cavernous space of Foyles bookshop but I did promise an indoors image for my Bookshops series of posts. This is an appendix to my first post of the series. I love wandering around this shop, especially the General Fiction, some of which (F-H) are shown above, along with the Graphic Novel section and some great display tables; the table directly facing the camera currently hosts a lovely selection of Pushkin Press texts, which I had never paid much attention to before.
Around the corner, display bookshelves can be found including this one. The rainbow table was the inspiration for my bookshelves of many colours series and this has moved to a bookcase. I think that striking and creative displays in bookshops are an inventive use of resources and excites me as a book buyer. Do you find that interesting displays -tables, shelves, or gondolas by colour, prize-winners, or setting- are more likely to attract you to a book and make you more inclined to buy it?
Around the corner, display bookshelves can be found including this one. The rainbow table was the inspiration for my bookshelves of many colours series and this has moved to a bookcase. I think that striking and creative displays in bookshops are an inventive use of resources and excites me as a book buyer. Do you find that interesting displays -tables, shelves, or gondolas by colour, prize-winners, or setting- are more likely to attract you to a book and make you more inclined to buy it?
14 comments:
*sigh* It's like looking at a photograph of an old home! I think Foyles is one of the things I miss most about not living in London anymore. I'm not sure displays work on me, in all honesty. I like looking at them, but I have a rule about not going into a bookshop unless I know what I want to buy (it's safer that way) and tend to just skim over them. I memorise where my favourite authors are then make a bee-line for them, just to make sure they haven't snuck anything out!
Stormfilled, Foyles is definitely a highlight to my new London life and the bookshop that I visit most often.
I like your approach to book buying... I can see it being safer. However, I enjoy being taken by surprise and coming across a book that I may not have come across otherwise; a lot of my time in bookshops is simply spent browsing and exploring new authors. I also check like you do that favourite authors haven't published something whilst I've been living under a rock! You never know.
I think it's a good pic - considering I recognized the pic, without reading the post.
I love going to Foyles - if for nothing else, to see their displays and their overwhelming collection of books. I'f love the "library" at home to look like that, but with single copies of each book, only.
Glad you recognised the shop from the photo, anothercookie! It seems like a central hub to me. I also like the part with the stools at the new releases and literary criticism.
I would also love to have a "library" like their collection; it's sprawling.
When I go to a bookshop I look at every single thing but a display table marked 'Sale' will usually having me making a bee line straight for it.
I wish that I could teleport myself into your photograph, sigh.
Darlene, I can't resist offer stickers!
I wish you could teleport yourself into the photograph (and by that I mean London) too. I'm sorry if I'm making you hopelessly nostalgic for the city.
I love the rainbow shelf! I think it's a great strategy on their part as I'm sure many readers find it appealing!
Whenever I go into bookstores, I always dash to the Sales tables first! But then I like to wander around through the shelves and see what's there, since in my mind, nothing beats browsing in a real-life (not virtual) bookstore!
The rainbow shelf is eye-catching and appealing.
I love browsing and can easily wander in my favourite bookshops for hours. Online prices are great but nothing beats an actual visit to a bookshop and being able to actually see and touch all of those books!
I agree - nothing beats a real bookshop and I was so excited when you pointed this out to me when we visited!
You're welcome; it was great to walk around a bookshop with someone who loved browsing as much as I do.
Ooohh Ooohh I've been there (waving hand frantically!). That is if it's the one on Charing Cross Road in London and not another that is set out exactly the same ;-) I thought it a very good bookshop and my husband and I tried to squeeze into the cafe but it was just sooo packed - maybe next visit.
It is one and the same! The cafe is always busy (and serves bitterly strong coffee) but it is my favourite bookshop in London so far, excluding Persephone of course.
Oh, your photos took me back to various short breaks in London (haven't been up there in several years) where the first thing I do after checking into the hotel is head off to Foyles. I then have to go back at least twice before we go home. The Borders just across the road is pretty good too, and I have a very soft spot for The Forbidden Planet for sci fi and fantasy. *Now* I need a holiday in London!
Cath, glad I could provide a virtual trip at least and apologies for tempting you! The Borders across the road is a good one and Forbidden Planet is great although there's a tiny one at home in Glasgow that I have a soft spot for.
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