ideafuel creative

I love a bit of reading matter. Not only that, but I love books, bookshops and the whole process of buying books. Imagine my joy as the new John Banville novel, River Cottage cookbook and Monty Don’s Ivington Diaries started appearing in the bookshops. (Santa, take note.) But how much has the way we buy books changed?

The experience of pottering around a bookshop, being seduced by the jacket design, or intriguing titles on offer is rare, particularly on the average high street. Books are piled high and discounted or available through online stores which remove the tactile experience of selecting a book (although the joy of ripping the package open when it arrives is akin to Christmas, and the convenience is undeniable). I read the Guardian’s article on high street book selling and I longed for the tiny little book shop in my home town, The Book Castle.