- Restaurants |
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- Nearest Transit:
-
Holborn (Central, Piccadilly)
Tottenham Court Road (Central, Northern)
Covent Garden (Piccadilly)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
££
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
8 reviews for London Review Bookshop
I like books.
I like tea.
I like cake.
I like the London Review Bookshop.
It really is that simple. I like simple.
Is there a term for having a book fetish? I am not talking about being a bibliophile. I'm talking about opening up books and taking a big whiff, stroking spines lovingly, maybe casting a shy sidelong glance whilst batting eyelids and whispering, "Do you come here often?"
There are so many great books crammed into a relatively small space. Forgive the comparison, but it's how I imagine Foyles began. LRB does them one better, if only because one of its employees actually smiled at me. My only teeny-tiny complaint is the categorization of certain books. A Gramsci reader was in politics and Lacan was in psychology...which *is* correct, but I would have liked to see a copy of their books in Cultural Studies, as well. Guess who's a CS major? Guess who sometimes gets a wee bit tired having to explain that Cultural Studies is not anthropology/ethnography?
That little quibble aside, if I could make sweet, sweet love to the London Review Bookshop, I would. The only reasons I don't are potential arrest for public nudity and paper cuts.
Don't come to this bookshop unless you like to read.
Because, honestly, you won't find much to like about it unless you do. The place doesn't masquerade as a stationery shop or a newsagent and it won't give you an opportunity to unload your kiddies in any dedicated children's area.
It's all about the books. And only the good ones, be they fiction, non-fiction, history, religion, philosophy, literary criticism, classics...
The space isn't large. And the selection isn't huge. But the obviously selective book-buying team ensures that every book you'll pluck off the shelves will reward your mind (punish your purse). You'll read the back cover and think, 'I must have this'. And you will.
This little bookstore is so cozy! I was drawn in by the coffee shop, which makes you remember the experience of sitting down for tea and cake before Starbucks rushed us through it. The lady who manages this area is friendly and gives everyone personal service. It is a great place to explore a range of fresh and different teas with the comfort of some old favorites (the bread and butter pudding brightened my day to no end). The book selection also isn't bad for exploring either. My only complaint is that a place is never guaranteed (even on afternoons during the week).
Exactly the kind of small shop a book fanatic would love to own.
London Review Bookshop is an independent store, passionate about a good read and a good slice of cake. The bookshop itself holds an eclectic offering, stacked high, and you can help yourself to stair ladders to reach the top shelves. They have an interesting range of off-the-wall titles including good sections on politics, current affairs, travel writing and 'memoirs' as well as a solid classics library. There is a specialist magazine section well stocked with copies of 'Wire', 'Stimulus Respond', the 'Eye' and 'Freize' type reads.
To reach the small café you have to pass through the bookshop and it's crowded with literary types (of course) all dissecting their way through the latest read. It has a very knowledgeable 'book-club' kind of atmosphere and the cakes are delicious home made little numbers. They also make artisan sandwiches in focacia bread. Even if you can't get a seat, I'd recommend trying the food to take out. If you can spot the blueberry crumble cake in the window as you pass by, DO NOT miss it! Scrummy!
It had a coffee shop, which looked like it sold pretty cakes, which is what attracted me in, in the first place. Errm, as a bookshop, it's not that big so obviously doesn't have as many books as your average Waterstones or what not. And I've been looking for a number of novels for me and other folks, and hence, I didn't find any of the earlier Murakami. Oh well.
Yeah, a bit of an academic vibe - there were two profs chatting prof stuff that I can no longer recall outside the shop. But hey, I'm still a student so I should be down with all that no? No. Loads of books on politcs and current affairs so this'd be a good venture for all you social scientists you. And the teas are just sublime, so take your girls or your friends and sup on some Lapsang as you debate iek, you'll love it.
By the Way: Hello to the pretty South African girl behind the counter!
This little bookstore next to the British Museum has a fantastic collection of books, as well as a cafe which is worthy of these five stars. The cafe is in a separate room to the bookstore, and serves a variety of fresh teas such as Darjeeling, Assam and Lapsang, as well as Oolong, White and Green teas. These are accompanied by some wonderful cakes - from I can recommend not one to single out from its comparable peers. They're all yummy in other words.
The sandwiches are also pretty good, made with very fresh ingredients and always tasty. The narrow space near the counter is very cosy, and I could easily spend an afternoon surfing the books and reading with a large pot of tea with cake.
Located only a stone's throw from the British Museum, in a ferociously academic area of London, The London Review Bookshop is one of London's best stocked, most intellectually rewarding and stimulating bookstores in the capital. As you might expect from a store closely associated with the London Review of Books, many of the publications of this small bookshop are aimed specifically towards students, armchair and real academics. A lot of these books will be hard to find anywhere else so if you're a student struggling to find something for a course then this could be the answer.
With excellent sections in literature, philosophy, history and politics, the London Review Bookshop has a distinctly contemporary outlook without foresaking the past. As such you will find very new release publications across all fields as well as more classical pieces.
In keeping with the grand tradition of intellectuality, there is also a little cafe located within the shop where one can purchase refreshments at pretty reasonable prices. The staff are wonderful and really know what they are talking about so if you find yourself lost or unable to find something they will do their utmost to help you out.
A really first-rate bookstore.
