Studious Saturday: exploring bookshops in Bath
During my holiday in the UK last week I visited family in London and friends in Bath, which I also decided was the perfect opportunity to explore a few bookshops in both cities along the way. This week I will summarise my thoughts on two lovely but very different bookshops in the beautiful city of Bath.
Hidden on a side street in Bath’s city center, Mr B’s emporium is a wonderful celebration of books of all genres. I was immediately drawn to the general fiction area upon entering and spent some time looking through the new releases. I already had my eye on several acclaimed novels but the staff were also kind enough to ask if I needed any help in choosing a book, which I really liked.
I was also excited to learn that Mr B’s Emporium would be one of the stops on Markus Zusak’s book tour of Bridge of Clay, although unfortunately several days after my visit when I would no longer be in Bath!
The ground floor has several fun features including a heart shaped collage of other readers’ favourite books and a guestbook gallery full of recommendations. I loved reading other’s recommendations and was touched to find that I also share the same tastes as other book lovers who had previously stopped at this shop.
The top floor is beautifully decorated with a reading nook at the very end and many fascinating non-fiction books as well as an area with books written in different languages. I loved the comfortable armchairs and tray of tea and coffee on the side for readers to help themselves after choosing a book to read. I could have spent the whole afternoon here! Later on I also discovered that the owners hold their book signings, talks and other events on this floor and I can already imagine how cozy this must be, especially on a cold winter’s day.
I really liked the personalised service that this bookseller offers and enjoyed the beautifully decorated and unique interior. If you have a stopover at Bath in the future I fully recommend visiting this bookstore!
Bright and bold on one of the main streets in Bath, Topping & Company is the perfect place to visit if you are looking for a specific book. They hold book signings almost every day and have a wide variety of literature, from poetry to non-fiction. My favourite aspect was the signed first editions, which are highlighted on almost all book covers upon entering.
I had a great time looking through the various genres and found several books that I had not previously heard of that are now added to my TBR list. The classical music in the background was the perfect touch to a relaxing afternoon. I recommend visiting to anyone looking for a specific signed first edition as a gift to a loved one, as well as those hoping to meet their favourite author, as this bookseller hosts several book signings each week (full list of events available on their website).
Thank you to my friends for their company during our visit to these two bookshops, especially to Ioli for recommending them!
16 Comments
jennifertarheelreader
Oh, this is such a wonderful post, Darina! I’ve always been curious about the inside of Mr. B’s, and now I know! I definitely want to visit there and Topping would be fun, too! I have traveled to Bath, but not to Mr. B’s! One day! It looks like you had an amazing visit!
facingthestory
Thank you, Jennifer! Mr B’s was just lovely and the interior decor is beautiful. If you ever go back to visit Bath I recommend it!
thenoveldiaries
Oh wow, I think I could have spent hours there! What a shame that when I went to the UK I wasn’t able to visit Bath. Next time, I suppose!
facingthestory
I nearly spent several hours there! I definitely recommend Bath as a stop in the UK, and not just for these 2 bookshops although they are wonderful!
thenoveldiaries
It will definitely be a priority on my next UK trip!
Stephen Writes
Topping and Company is a wonderful bookseller! There are so many good bookshops in Bath, I was there just the other day and visited several of them.
Glad you had a great time, Darina, and I loved reading this post 🙂
facingthestory
Thank you! I really liked the Classical look of Topping and Company and they just had so much choice! It was great to look around 🙂
Inge | The Belgian Reviewer
Wonderful to see and would definitely be on my list if I ever went to Bath! I’d so be reading everything on that heart-shaped collage, such a great idea! So could you resist buying any books in these two bookstores? If you could then waw 😉
facingthestory
Ah I did manage to resist it although it was difficult, especially with Bridge of Clay laying around! I am definitely looking forward to coming back to these bookshops during my next visit to Bath 🙂
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Michelle Booksonthebookshelf
Wonderful photos. Looks like you had a wonderful time. Thank you for sharing them with us. 🙂
Kristina
Oooooh I love the vibes of the first one !! feels so much more lika a home than a shop 😍 Also that litte “tell us about a book you love” section !!! eek
facingthestory
Ah yes, that one was so cozy and the little touches with the boards and people’s comments was so thoughtful!
Kristina
Yes!! Ive never see anything like this before (though right.. havent seen many different book stores xD)
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