My favourite little indie bookshop, Mostly Books in Abingdon, is twenty years old this weekend! I’ve been going there since it opened, made many, many purchases and attending author events. It’s a compact shop, but the selection of books, and some gifts and stationery, is great and the staff lovely.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Joining current owner Sarah and her team on Saturday, were founders Mark and Nicki Thornton. I’d not seen them for some time, so it was lovely to be able to catch up with them both. Mark now works for Bookshop.org where he’s graduated from running 1 bookshop, to looking after 600 who are signed up with them. Also helping the celebrations were authors Matson Taylor and SJ Poyton, and there was fizz, cake, and 10% off purchases – naturally I made the most of the latter!
New in to the bookshop were these lovelies – from Foundry Editions. A newish (founded 2023) publisher of books in translation, concentrating on countries around the Mediterranean. I love the covers, with patterns designed to reflect the ‘visual heritage of the Mediterranean’. There are currently fifteen to choose from, I picked two by Spanish author Esther Garcia Llouet, one from French author Cécile Tlili, and one from Greek author Makis Malafekas. I liked the look of these so much, I’ve signed up to a subscription!
I’ll add the Garcia Llouets to my pile for WIT Month in August, and the Tlili – a novel about a Parisian dinner party is just perfect for Paris in July.
Twenty years is good run for a bookshop I have had a foundry subscription for a couple of years there covers are so eye catching
This was my first encounter – I’d like to read the whole series now.
There worth trying I’ve just posted on deepfake today
Yay, many happy returns to Mostly Books! Thank goodness for the indie bookshops on our high streets. Long may they continue.
What a lovely celebration! I really like the Foundry Editions, they look great and really stand out in bookshops.
First time I’ve seen them – I want them all!
My local favourite indie is also celebrating its twentieth. A good year for bookshop openings!
Yep, the very same weekend as Mr B’s in Bath!
Aha! I wondered if that was the bookshop Susan was referring to.
Excellent news – long live indie bookshops!
Good to see a UK bookstore doing well.
By the way, don’t think I am ignoring #20booksofsummer2026.
I have actually already read 10 books, and hope to post my June recap soon!
Several times this past week, when I was going to plan a post, I had to turn off the computer because of violent thunderstorms. It’s been insane, and I hear more rain coming. Sigh…
Gosh! We’re just going into heatwave #2 in the UK south.
My favourite book shop – No Alibis in Belfast – turns thirty next year. It is so great to hear of independents thriving.
what a lovely celebration and I’ve recently finished Just a Little Dinner so yes I can review it for Paris in July! I hope you enjoy it, it’s quite a ride!
It’ll be good to compare notes!
How lovely! Our local indie is only a few years old but flourishing, so I hope it’ll still be around in 17 or so years!
Lovely! I always buy books in indie bookstores. There’s no need going elsewhere here, the price of books cannot be discounted by more than 5%.
Long life to Mostly Books!
I’ve met the English translator of Deepfake in Lyon, at Quais du Polar, our crime fiction festival. We had coffee and a wonderful chat.
We don’t have that pricing arrangement in the UK any more, so our indies have to compete against online prices, but their expertise and the selection of titles stocked will always win in my book.
I hope to get around to Deepfake sooner rather than later.
A belated thank you for coming to show your support and for writing this post. It’s wonderful to have you as a customer!