the look and feel of real bookselling
The London Bookfair has been fun, a great opportunity to meet up with friends and colleagues I've met here and around the world since setting up if:book and in my previous work at Booktrust. But trade musings on business models concerning apps and downloads seem to have less and less to do with the bigger discussion about how our literary culture can evolve through new technology.
On my way home from the fair it was wonderful to call in on the pub in Crouch End where Robin, bookseller at if:book's new Portable Bookshop, was talking books with drinkers around the excellent selection of stock provided through the Big Green Bookshop. 18th century anachronist Robin is proving to be an able bookseller, bringing coffee shops alive for the 21st century, and though sales are not at commercially viable levels yet, it feels like we're onto something. Here again is our first press coverage and latest post from www.portablebookshop.com
The Portable Bookshop is up and running, trialling a list of venues to pop up in around Crouch End.
The Hornsey Library Cafe, The Devonshire Arms, Railway Tavern and Kiss The Sky have all housed us so far. To keep in touch with where you can find us, follow @portablebooks on Twitter.
Tomorrow, Thursday 14th April we'll be at Coffee Circus from 9-5pm and the Bookshop will be in residence at the DEVONSHIRE HOUSE pub in the heart of Crouch End every WEDNESDAY FROM 2.00 - 9.00pm
On my way home from the fair it was wonderful to call in on the pub in Crouch End where Robin, bookseller at if:book's new Portable Bookshop, was talking books with drinkers around the excellent selection of stock provided through the Big Green Bookshop. 18th century anachronist Robin is proving to be an able bookseller, bringing coffee shops alive for the 21st century, and though sales are not at commercially viable levels yet, it feels like we're onto something. Here again is our first press coverage and latest post from www.portablebookshop.com
The Portable Bookshop is up and running, trialling a list of venues to pop up in around Crouch End.
The Hornsey Library Cafe, The Devonshire Arms, Railway Tavern and Kiss The Sky have all housed us so far. To keep in touch with where you can find us, follow @portablebooks on Twitter.
Tomorrow, Thursday 14th April we'll be at Coffee Circus from 9-5pm and the Bookshop will be in residence at the DEVONSHIRE HOUSE pub in the heart of Crouch End every WEDNESDAY FROM 2.00 - 9.00pm
Please come along to buy books and talk about what you're reading.
We stock a small but carefully selected range of titles including bestsellers, local interest and local authors, children's books, cult fiction, art and design and much more.
We can order books for you and also do our best to find the best next book for you. Tell Robin and I what you most like to read - see if we can seek out something that will grab you.
And when you've browsed our collection, please stay awhile and talk to us and other customers about books - and life.
Tell us about the writing you love and discuss the future of the book with us.
Anyone interested in promoting the bookshop, housing a pop up session in their shop, cafe, bar or any private functions where booklovers gather, in Crouch End and around London, or setting up a bookgroup to meet during Portable Bookshop pop ups, please contact @ifbook chris at futureofthebook dot org dot uk
COMING SOON:
Signings and drop-ins by local authors,
The if:book, Portable Bookshop Guide To Digital Reading,
Book of the Week - one title we will highlight, sell copies of and also sell titles we recommend to fans of the book.
And keep telling us what books YOU'D like to see for sale in the Portable Bookshop
- Robin and Chris, @raliel and @ifbook, @portablebooks
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