30 October 2017
Someone should write a book about the economics of bookselling. Nothing about Britain's 900 independent bookshops adds up.
I visited half-a-dozen on a book tour last week. Books have never been more beautiful and small shops never more creative in selling these lovely objects. Many indies have sofas or cafes. They all convene book groups (seven a week in the case of Simply Books in Bramhall, Cheshire). They work with schools, open late, host author talks and devote hours to free advice for the nation's army of aspiring poets, publishers and playwrights.
