Muswell Hill Bookshop

by Alan Perkins (subscribe)

I am a freelance writer, editor and teacher based in north London.

Published October 31st 2012

Of all the Davis-vs-Goliath tales that exist in modern London, few are worthy of as much focus as the plight of independent bookshops.

Independent bookshops are the heart of the community

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While it is always important to support your local high street by backing the independent merchants over the faceless mono-chains, there is a special place in my heart for booksellers. Muswell Hill Bookshop is one of the best, small, indie bookshops around and contains all the ingredients for a great browse on a wet weekend. There is something about these places that sums a greater total than its parts.

Firstly, there is the friendly, knowledgeable service from people who seem to actually enjoy reading. This should not be taken for granted. The staff here are happy to suggest new titles, understand the latest titles and even contribute reviews for the shop website.

There are plenty of corners to tuck yourself into while looking through the well-stocked shelves. The sections are tidily arranged and contain all the best sellers, along with some less well known titles. I was particularly impressed by the art section, which contained everything you could want, along with plenty of titles that I would not have considered until I saw them.

Local bookshops are a vital part of our communities and provide a place to discover new interests and indulge in existing ones. It would be a tragedy if places like the Muswell Hill Bookshop did not exist.

Thankfully, they are going strong and have plenty of author events and loyal customers. They have been here for over 25 years and show no sign of giving in as the kindle generation takes hold. No trip to Muswell Hill is complete without a stop here.