This week we celebrate World Book Day, a much loved annual event with a mission to bring people together to celebrate the joys of reading.
Devon is lucky enough to boast a whole host of wonderful independent book shops and we are celebrating today by rounding up some of our favourites to shout about…
Liznojan Books, Tiverton
Liznojan is a small bookshop located on the highstreet of Tiverton. Owned by mother and daughter, Liznojan, has now been growing for 5 years and become a hub for the community. They employ 4 members of staff from within their town and work with several local schools. Liznojan is adorned with beautiful murals by a talented artist and they stock gifts and products from local makers and crafters.
Dogberry and Finch, Okehampton
Okehampton’s Independent Bookshop, opened August 2019, making it the first independent, locally-owned bookshop in the town for 30 years. They offer a wide selection of beautiful, carefully-curated new books for adults and children, and also showcase local artists, displaying regular art exhibitions. They have held numerous sell-out community & author events so it is worth keeping an eye on their up-coming events.
Archway Bookshop, Axminster
The Archway Bookshop started its life in 1966 and is located in Trinity House, a building that is home to a range of independent businesses. The shop offers a variety of beautiful books and the team love to chat about all things book related and offer great advice and ideas for your next favourite read.
Harbour Bookshop, Kingsbridge
This beautiful and well-stocked, independent bookshop in the heart of the South Hams boats a gorgeous location. It’s friendly and knowledgeable team make you feel very welcome and it is so easy to get lost in browsing it’s thoughtfully stocked shelves.
Paragon Books, Sidmouth
Paragon Books was founded over 20 years ago and is still going strong as Sidmouth’s only independent bookshop. They are well known throughout the town for their wide range of books to appeal to all ages and interests. We particularly love their range of excellent greetings cards created by local artists.
Westcountry Books, Newton Abbot
Westcountry Books is an independent bookshop in Queen Street, Newton Abbot. Their prime focus is on books about the West Country, both new and second-hand. This means they have books published roughly during the last 100 years ago on Devon and Cornwall, all in one place. They source much of this stock from auctions but are always pleased to buy West Country titles privately.
Dartmouth Community Bookshop, Dartmouth
Dartmouth Community Bookshop is run as a not-for-profit community co-operative, staffed by an experienced manager, with volunteer help. They work hard to be a focus for booklovers in the area and to help promote reading and literacy in all age groups. They are also keeping alive the connection with Christopher Robin Milne (who founded the Harbour Bookshop in the 1950s) by selling Winnie-the-Pooh books and cards, and some collector’s items.
Walter Henrys, Bideford
Walter Henrys thrive on good customer service and a love of good books. They stock all categories of books and have a huge range of local interest books too. They are known locally for their friendly and helpful staff and the wonderful homely feel to the shop.
The Bookery, Crediton
Any book lover will tell you that independent bookshops strive to be at the foundation of our communities. And within the category of indie bookshops there’s another very special category: those that are nonprofit and collectively-owned. The Bookery’s mission is to create an environment for enterprising, resilient and creative communities inspired by books and stories. They provide pioneering projects supporting literacy, community well-being and access to cultural opportunities for all, funded by sales from their bookshop and website. It’s a win-win: ‘buy books, grow community’.
Arcturus Books, Totnes
Nicknamed ‘Self-Help Central’, Arcturus Books are an independent bookshop, which is deliberately different, specialising in books that support the soul. Their range includes books on psychology, self-development, spiritual growth, health, nutrition and the environment. A consistent and inspiring presence in Totnes, the magical town that is twinned with Narnia, for over 30 years.
Book Stop, Tavistock
The Book Stop are a general book shop and stock all categories of books and audiobooks on two floors. They also stock a wide range of music on vinyl and CD in their dedicated Music Room. Their amazing Tudor building adds to the wonderful character of this place and seems to hide books and records in every nook.