On 8th November I had the most wonderful time touring bookshops around Oxfordshire, along with Karen Sweetland (fabulous name!), who heads up Sales for Bloomsbury in the South West. There were so many books to sign, lovely booksellers to meet, yummy biscuits to eat, and beautiful bookshops to browse. It was such a special day and really made me feel like an author!
First up was Book House Thame (the late Roald Dahl’s local bookshop), hosted by lovely Louise and Brian. More than 50 years since it was founded, this beautiful trove of book treasures has been managed by a family of passionate booksellers ever since, most of whom I was told have worked together for decades. Brian gave me a tour, and told me fascinating anecdotes.
Next to visit was Mostly Books in Abingdon, where Imogen, a devoted Slytherin and writer herself, gave us fabulous treatment. Then after a delicious steak and chips lunch, we swept into Waterstones Oxford, then Blackwells Westgate and Blackwells Oxford, which I believe is the oldest bookshop in Oxford.
By the time I clambered back on the train my feet felt like London bricks, but what a day! This really was the stuff author dreams are made of.
