Oxfam is an international charity organization that proves humanitarian relief around the world. But they also have a chain of secondhand stores where they sell donated items; the proceeds from which are what fund Oxfam. Anyways, they have these stores all across the United Kingdom, and seriously, this is the best case ever of not knowing what you're going to find. They have everything! Clothes, accessories, games, and books, many many books. I saw copies of Harry Potter in probably every Oxfam store I went to. You just kind of have to go in and see; sometimes, you'll find really beautiful old copies of classic stories, or almost brand new paperbacks. If you know what you want, you'll be able to find out if they have it. Oh, they also have an awesome childrens' books section. Just look for the green lettering, and it's time to go treasure hunting! Huzzah! So, sorry this is a short post, readers. Busy week! But seriously, I like the idea of mixing books with charitable donations. I am a big reader, and love books so much that I want everyone to have similar experiences. To be able read and experience things through the imagination is truly a gift. No wonder my roommates would start singing Belle as I'd walk in the door with my nose in a book... and I really can't think of a nickname I'd rather have.

Oxfam Books!

It's official via me: Bath is one of most unique cities in England. It's got a fascinating history, beautiful architecture, a really neat hostel, and, of course, a incredible amount of places to buy books. I got my copy of one of my favorites stories ever: The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. I went to The Guildhall Market (All about it here!), and wow, it was like a miniature world of jewelry shops, places to eat (delicious bakeries there), bookshops, and just about every other kinda of keepsake and knickknack you could ever hope to find. It. Was. Amazing!
 

Self-Explanatory...

I stayed in there for a while, and didn't even see everything. But, there is this place called Skoobs, which was paperback trading central. They had hundreds of books in this little space, and they were well priced too. It was so fun to peruse their selection, because you literally didn't know what you were going to find! You could tell they tried to keep it organized, bless them, but with all the people coming and going... there was no help for it. There are different general sections, like Fiction, Cooking, Current Affairs, and so on, so you could find the general topic pretty well. Otherwise, it was a browse-to-find experience. And we love that if we're not looking for something in particular. Right, guys?

Also possibly self-explanatory...

 I also found this video on The Marketplace Cafe, which is fascinating if you love local culture. And see if you can spot Skoobs! I kinda want to meet Dolly now... anyways, I thought this was excellent. And relevant. Let me know if you agree.



Oh, and have an awesome week!

Hello! This is kind of a special tribute to you artists. So one of my favorite towns in England is Keswick, home of the Cumberland Pencil Museum. Cumbria is the district where graphite was first discovered 350 years ago. Through words, pictures and carefully restored machinery, the museum traces the history of pencil making. This town is also where the famous Derwent Fine Art Pencils are made today. It's surprisingly interesting! Incidentally, it's also the home of Beatrix Potter, better known as the author of Peter Rabbit stories. Oh my goodness, for such a small town, there were a surprisingly awesome amount of bookshops! I mentioned the Cumberland Pencil Museum because they have a fabulous selection of art books and Beatrix Potter series. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure my favorite part of the Peter Rabbit stories are the illustrations. They are gorgeous!

So, back to the bookshops in Keswick... there are several there, but two that I really liked were called Henry Wilson Books, on Main Street. It was a fabulous mix of old and new. Here's the thing: this particular shop doesn't focus on fiction. They have a lot of military and social history books, as well as a large section of transport and industrial history (including subjects like the railroads, aviation, and so forth).  So it's a definite must if you're looking for those specific topics. It isn't as though there is no fiction section. I found Harry Potter there, which I almost bought just because I was in the mood to read it that day. Luckily, I'm not too bad of an impulse buyer. Here's the link for more information!

I want a library someday... wouldn't mind if it looked like this.

The second bookshop I really liked was called, simply, the The Old Bookshop, over on Market Street. I was drawn to this store because, first, the sign was adorable, and because I can't resist the words "book" and "shop." The place is somewhat of a hotspot for local and national authors, who often do book signings there. They have an enormous stock of new and antiquarian maps, documents, and of course, books. They did seem to be a bit more well established, even garnering attention in travel magazines and being featured in the national press. They're website has a great Search function, which is always nice if you know what you're looking for. As always, here's their website! All in all, this was probably one of my favorite towns we went to, and I think it was because there were so many fun shops (the best being the bookstores, of course... and that candy store...)

See! Great sign! Am I right?

"Women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts as much as their brothers do; they suffer from too rigid a restraint, too absolute a stagnation, precisely as men would suffer; and it is narrow-minded in their more privileged fellow-creatures to say that they ought to confine themselves to making puddings and knitting stockings, to playing on the piano and embroidering bags."  ~ Jane

So, the quote is in honor of one of my most favorite authors (superlative intended :); I decided I just had to feature Charlotte Brontë . Because she is that brilliant. I only wish that it were her birthday or something. But that's not 'til April, 'cuz I know now you're wondering. Anyhow, Jane Eyre literally changed my life. I know every girl you've ever known (including you, if you're a girl) might have told you the same thing. Well, hey. It's true. It's the quintessential story of the "Plain Jane" finding true happiness, however creepy it is that Rochester is waaaay to old for her. But hey! Happiness is happiness, right? I guess. But it's more than that. It's the story that gives the girl who is shy and uncertain of herself confidence, the story that makes a girl believe she is worth something. And also, aside from the fact that it is beautifully written and surprisingly entertaining, the incredibly human experiences that Jane endures resonate with the our own human nature.

For a long time, Jane was my hero. I don't know, maybe she still is. But either way, I was really excited to visit the moors around Haworth and visit the Brontë Parsonage. If you ever have been there, tell me: did it help you understand the Brontë sisters' writings? Because I feel like I understand Charlotte so much better after seeing the environment in which she grew up. The moors are a desolate, soul-sucking kind of place, but hauntingly beautiful at the same time.

Haworth Moors, Google.

But she also grew up next to a cemetery, which explain the somber tone in her stories, and her eerie and premature understanding of death.

Brontë Parsonage, Howard Carlilse.

Okay, so that wonderful painting makes the place seem a bit more cheerful than it really is, however pretty:

The Real Brontë Parsonage.

Um, yeah. I loved this day. It was like my own personal literary pilgrimage. It's worth it to note that right next to the parsonage is the Brontë Parsonage Museum... actually, it's kind of an extension to the house, of sorts. There is a really neat shop there, with a fantastic selection of every book about the Brontë sisters you'd ever need. There are lots of different versions of their novels and poetry, too; some I hadn't even heard of! The link to the museum's is here!

Oh, and bytheway, can I just say how excited I am for the new adaptation of Jane Eyre by Focus Features? I thought they did well with Pride and Prejudice, and now they are doing another of my favorite stories! Look it up on IMDB. It's got a stellar cast, with Jamie Bell, and Judi Dench. Huzzah! Here's a first look:

Mia Wasikowska as Jane Eyre.

Chaucer Head in Stratford-upon-Avon

What better way to start a blog about bookshops and English literature than in Shakespeare country, with one of the most prolific authors in the English language?

So I found this little book store walking along with my friend on our way to eat lunch at this fabulous restaurant called The Encore. If you ever get a chance, check it out. It's by the theatre for the Royal Shakespeare Company... trust me, those two together make for a really good evening! Anyways, the Chaucer Head is a fabulous secondhand bookshop with a great variety and excellent organization. The prices are really reasonable, too. Chaucer Head has over 12,000 titles in stock, and their online website (which, incidentally, is right here) has a really neat search feature that looks through their inventory for specific titles or authors. They have an entire nook for paperback fiction, as well as an entire bookshelf for antiquarian and collectible classics, like Austen, Dickens, and Twain. Ha, yes... Twain. Kinda awesome, right?

My favorite buy from almost my entire trip to England came from this shop: I got an 1899 copy of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, for about £12. It's beautiful! I love that story. It's so quintessentially Dickens! I was super excited to find this one. Go ahead. You can think I'm silly.

 Oh, and question for you today: What's your favorite Shakespeare play? For me, I can't decide. It's between Hamlet and Twelfth Night... and a little bit Romeo and Juliet. 
 
So, speaking of Shakespeare country, how many of you are Shakespeare and Doctor Who fans? Me!!! Here's a video that you can enjoy. Ah, the talent of Tennant!

I also want to get your insight! Have you been to one of these places? What are your favorite bookstores? What kinds of books do you buy? Are you looking for something in particular? Have you read any of the authors or poets that I talk about in a certain post? I know there are so many of you out there that love to read and love to travel. I wanted to combine the two! I'll start off right now in England, but there are thousands of amazing bookstores around the world. Maybe one day soon, your favorite place can be featured. So, here's to the cycle of sharing books: Pass it on.