Advertisement
Books

The Big Issue’s top 5 books about bookshops

The Big Issue’s books editor Jane Graham picks the best reads to get you in the spirit for Bookshop Day on October 5

Browseedited by Henry Hitchings

In 2016 esteemed editor Henry Hitchings asked 15 of his favourite authors to pen an ode to the bookshop which had most impacted their life and work. The result is this magical carpet ride around the globe, stopping off to visit the beloved hermitages of the likes of Ali Smith, Andrey Kurkov, Dorthe Nors, Elif Shafak and Iain Sinclair. Dreamy.

The Booksellerof Kabulby Åsne Seierstad

For more than 20 years Sultan Khan endured interrogation and imprisonment by the Afghan authorities for smuggling books to grateful readers. Seierstad tells the fascinating story of Khan and his family in the most febrile
of environments.

The Bookshopby Penelope Fitzgerald

Through the story of Mrs Green’s modest little new bookshop in Fifties Suffolk, Fitzgerald charts the politics, rivalries, and memory jolts of a small town. This is classic Fitzgerald; funny, warm, understated, and ultimately very touching.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertisement

The Thirteenth Taleby Diane Setterfield

An elegantly written homage to the classic romance/mystery mash-up. The pleasure of Setterfield’s beguiling tale is that much of its allure comes from the books which populate its setting.

Bookshops by Jorge Carrión

This brilliant tour of notable bookshops around the world – from Paris’ famous Shakespeare & Co to the historic Librairie des Colonnes in Tangiers – not only serves as a mouthwatering travelogue, but as a thrilling centuries-spanning literary history. Carrión delves into the rich history of books, libraries, bookshops and the legendary characters who owned them, browsed them and wrote the books which filled them.

Celebrate Bookshop Day on Saturday October 5.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

SIGN THE PETITION

Will you sign Big Issue's petition to ask Keir Starmer to pass a Poverty Zero law? It's time to hold government to account on poverty once and for all.

Recommended for you

Read All
Top 5 books about climate grief, chosen by Aerth author Deborah Tomkins
Books

Top 5 books about climate grief, chosen by Aerth author Deborah Tomkins

Bob Dylan: Jewish Roots, American Soil by Harry Freedman review – other Dylan books are available
Books

Bob Dylan: Jewish Roots, American Soil by Harry Freedman review – other Dylan books are available

I Love You, Byeee by Adam Buxton review – catnip for comedy nerds
Books

I Love You, Byeee by Adam Buxton review – catnip for comedy nerds

Labelling toxic masculinity as 'incomprehensible' is a cop out – here's why
Toxic masculinity

Labelling toxic masculinity as 'incomprehensible' is a cop out – here's why

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue