It’s tough to imagine a life without books. Either you’re a sucker for the written word and you pour over the pages in your spare time, or you’re not much of a reader, but are subjected to constant references everywhere you look; be it Shakespeare or Dickens or Austen. Or maybe you’re just somewhere in between.
What I’m trying to say is: it would all look very different without books, so they’re worth celebrating. And that’s exactly what Independent Bookshop Week does, taking place across the whole UK with some of the best bookish events between June 15-22.
Championing indie bookshops across the country, we can expect a lively week in the capital, with plenty of events slated to hit the capital. Here are some we can look forward to at the many bookshops around London.
Brick Lane Bookshop
Cast your minds back a few months and you’ll remember that Brick Lane Bookshop picked up the award for London’s Independent Bookshop Of The Year for 2024. That very space is hosting an evening with Shani Akilah – writer of short story collection For Such A Time As This due for release in June – in conversation with Jendella Benson, who releases her second novel, All That We’ve Got, this summer. You can find more details for the event, which takes place on June 20, and book your tickets here.
📍166 Brick Lane, E1 6RU
Pages Of Hackney
The lovely Lower Clapton bookshop is playing host to a Guardian Live online book club with CofE priest turned broadcaster Rev Richard Coles, who will be discussing his trio of whodunnits with Guardian columnist Zoe Williams on June 20. Find more information about the event here.
📍70 Lower Clapton Road, Lower Clapton, E5 0RN
Mystery London Bookshop Crawl
The title alone should have you hooked. Pub crawls are too loud, so let us hit the truly calming crevices of London: the bookshops. A ticket will gain you access to a mystery four-hour tour of the cities most charming and beloved slingers of novels, poetry, and more! More will be revealed later, but the start point will be accessible on the London Underground and will feature plenty of, you guessed it, bookshops. A literary hoot is sure to be had, and you can book your tickets here.
*Image shows Daunt Books for display, but this is not necessarily on the Mystery Bookshop Crawl.
Stanfords
Famous walker Jack Cornish will be strolling into Stanfords in Covent Garden to discuss his new book and provide insight on the pathways of Britain. The event runs from 7-8:30pm on June 20, and you can get the details here.
📍7 Mercer Walk, WC2H 9FA