Tuesday, 12 February 2013

In search of more Penguins (& heading to the UK again)...

(A fraction of the Penguins I found on my last UK trip.)

It may be that there are only so many snow-blanketed images of London and Europe I can view on Instagram, while sweltering in above-40 degree heat, without wanting to be anywhere but here. But it also seems to be an opportune time to take a holiday, as my PhD thesis has been submitted and it will be months until I can expect to hear from the examiners, and just now no one in Perth seems to be looking to hire a biostatistician, so today I booked a flight to the UK for middle of March.

My plan is much the same as it was this time last year. I am heading off alone and looking forward to spending a couple of weeks doing little other than visiting secondhand book shops in the UK in search of the vintage Penguin titles I haven't yet found, although this time I intend to make it to some of the places I missed last time. I think I will spend a few days in Belgium, catch the ferry to Hull, and then travel to Edinburgh and Manchester, before re-visiting Hay-on-Wye. Beyond that I am yet to decide.

I found hundreds of old Penguins last year, which was many more than I expected to find. The success of that trip was almost entirely built on the assistance I was given by readers of this blog in tracking down book shops which carried a decent stock of vintage Penguins (together with the opportunity I had to meet Simon, and Adam, and Pam). And this was also true of my trips later in the year to Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney: each time I was guided to wonderful book shops I otherwise wouldn't have found.

And so I thought I would take the opportunity to pose the same question I asked last time. Is there any village I should particularly head to? Any shop that I shouldn't miss? If you have any advice or recommendations, I would love to hear them, and if you have seen a stash of old Penguins for sale anywhere in the UK I would love to know.


Posted by Karyn Reeves at 21:23
Labels: , , ,

41 comments:

  1. harriet12 February 2013 at 21:32

    I'm sure Simon will have told you about the lovely little shop in Oxford that is crammed with them. I can't remember the name but he will know -- next the The Nosebag. Also sells very pretty gifts, cards etc. Good luck! I live in France and won't be in the UK in March, otherwise it would have been great to have met you. And congrats on submitting the thesis.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karyn13 February 2013 at 10:44

      Thank Harriet, it would have been great to have been able to meet. Simon took me to that bookshop - from memory it was called Arcadia, and I'm glad you've reminded me of it, for it may be worth a deviation through Oxford on the way to London.

      Delete
  2. Unknown12 February 2013 at 22:16

    I had a few old penguins, and always thought they were lovely, but it was only after discovering this blog on friday that I thought I would start looking out for them properly. Since friday I've found 6 just in the local charity shops. It's very satisfying, isn't it? So thanks for inspiring me, and good luck when you come hunting over here :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karyn13 February 2013 at 10:51

      Thanks Kevin. You almost never find old Penguins in charity shops in Australia these days, but I have had better luck in the UK. There is an Oxfarm on Kentish Town Rd which I'm particularly fond of - I found my first copy of Ariel (no. 1)there many years ago, and last year they had about 10 Michael Innes titles at only 50 pence each. Good luck with your collecting.

      Delete
  3. jackofgrey12 February 2013 at 22:48

    Lincoln is good for Penguins. And Astley Book Farm, near Bedworth - tricky to find, but has a fair selection :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karyn13 February 2013 at 12:38

      Thanks Stephen. That's great to know. I'll add Lincoln to the list of places to consider, and if I cannot get there this time, I'll keep it in mind for my next trip.

      Delete
  4. Tom13 February 2013 at 00:06

    Have you been to Wigtown in South-West Scotland (http://www.wigtown-booktown.co.uk/)? It will be a bit chilly at this time of year but has a great selection of bookshops and a good selection of penguins (though not always extremely cheap).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karyn13 February 2013 at 11:07

      Tom - I haven't heard of Wigtown before, and I see that a photo of shelves filled with Penguins is one of the first images you see on their webpage. This is wonderful to know about, and if I cannot make it there this time, I will keep it in mind for the future. Thanks.

      Delete
  5. Lysias13 February 2013 at 02:03

    You might like to take a detour to Glasgow. Voltaire and Rousseau is an experience no bibliophile should miss! And Caledonia Books always has a healthy selection of penguins, they are within 100 yards of one another and near the underground.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karyn13 February 2013 at 10:56

      Thanks for the suggestion. I've never been to Glasgow, and if the bookshops are that good, I'll definitely head there after Edinburgh.

      Delete
  6. Lysias13 February 2013 at 02:06

    Oh and... I'm afraid you'll miss it but the St George's annual Christian Aid book sale is in Edinburgh in May would be worth a trip in itself.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Steve Lowe13 February 2013 at 03:48

    This site has details of all the book fairs.
    http://www.inprint.co.uk/thebookguide/index.php

    Barter Books is one of the largest 2nd hand stores in europe
    http://www.barterbooks.co.uk/

    This is my local favourite
    http://www.keelrowbookshop.co.uk/

    Cheers Steve

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karyn13 February 2013 at 11:30

      This is wonderful, Steve. I had this idea that I might stay in Whitley Bay on the day I go to Newcastle, and I can see that your favourite book shop is very close. And Barter Books looks as though it may not be too difficult to reach by public transport on the way up to Edinburgh. Thanks.

      Delete
    2. Tom14 February 2013 at 23:49

      You should be able to do it by train (the station is Alnmouth for Alnwick) and get a bus/taxi into Alnwick. It really is worth a visit - and it's the place where the original 'Keep Calm and Carry On' poster was discovered!

      Delete
  8. Desperate Reader13 February 2013 at 05:13

    I second the Astley book farm suggestion - it's fun, they don't specialise in Penguins but always have a really good selection of all sorts of everything.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karyn13 February 2013 at 12:41

      Thanks for the suggestion, Hayley. It looks like a wonderful place to browse for books.

      Delete
  9. Unknown13 February 2013 at 07:06

    Don't know where you could get any more books but have a look at Penguin's contribution to the Big Egg Hunt. It's my egg of the day.

    http://articulatelondon.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/lindt-big-egg-hunt-day-1.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karyn13 February 2013 at 12:42

      Thanks for the link, Rebecca. Penguin's Peter Rabbit egg is lovely, and I am delighted to see that the display will be returning to London before I get there. I look forward to seeing them.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous13 February 2013 at 16:58

    I guess you already know about Skoob Books in London - when I was there in November there were stacks of Penguins. They're not the cheapest I've seen but there were many! Happy holidays and happy hunting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karyn14 February 2013 at 17:42

      I have been to Skoob Books, Karen, and was invited down to an underground storeroom (along with Pam, of the blog Travellin' Penguin) to search through the shelves and shelves of old Penguins they have in reserve. Chris is easily the most accommodating secondhand bookstore owner I have met.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous18 February 2013 at 02:18

      Wow! Lucky you - what fun that must have been!!

      Delete
  11. MikeP13 February 2013 at 17:35

    Hello - you could do a lot worse than spend a couple of days on the Sussex coast. Worthing, Brighton, Lewes, Eastbourne and Hastings are all happy hunting grounds, and there are more besides. Have a look at http://bit.ly/V80DbD. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karyn14 February 2013 at 17:48

      Thanks for the link, Mike. The cheapest Penguins I have ever found were in a small and untidy charity store in Brighton (I bought 6 at 10p each). I have stayed in Brighton and Hastings before, and loved them both; the other towns you mention I haven't been to.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous13 February 2013 at 18:16

    If you would like to head down to the south-west, Penzance is a lovely place with some lovely bookshops. I've picked up quite a few Penguins there. Congratulations on finishing the PhD, and I hope you have a good trip!

    ReplyDelete
  13. skiourophile13 February 2013 at 19:20

    Congratulations on submitting your PhD - and I am reading the list of suggestions above with a great amount of envy: it sounds like you'll have a ball!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karyn14 February 2013 at 18:05

      Thanks, Vicki. I am really looking forward to it: to both the experience of being alone for a while and freed of responsibilities, to being in the cold, and to think on nothing other than books and bookshops. But with so many options, I keep on thinking if only there was more time...

      Delete
  14. StuckInABook13 February 2013 at 22:37

    Wow, well done on submitting your thesis, Karyn!
    Do let me know if you're coming to Oxford again...

    I can't remember if I mentioned it last time, but there a couple of secondhand bookshops in my nearest town in Somerset (Crewkerne) and they both have quite a few Penguins, separated from the rest of their books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karyn14 February 2013 at 18:01

      Thanks Simon,

      I've organised the first week of the trip, which is all up north, and I've yet to organise the second. Oxford is tempting because of you, and Arcadia, and the possibility of experiencing another choral service at Magdalen College (although I expect you must be busy now with your fulltime position). I will let you know.

      Delete
  15. Rob White13 February 2013 at 22:39

    Happy Penguin hunting in the UK. OXFAM Books and Music are a great source for vintage Penguins, Puffins etc and you help support a worthwhile charity. If you are up in the UK midlands, south of Birmingham,drop into into Knowle branch, both I and the manager would be delighted to meet you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karyn14 February 2013 at 18:14

      Thanks, Rob. I have been to some wonderful Oxfam bookshops - the one on Kentish Town Rd in London is my favourite, with the one in Chester coming a close second. We have nothing similar here, and even worse, I suspect the charity shops here discard books they consider unlikely to sell, because you almost only ever find large format, recent paperbacks. And thanks for the welcome - if I am near Knowle I will definitely call in.

      Delete
  16. Anonymous14 February 2013 at 02:46

    I was going to suggest a visit to Glasgow and a couple of bookshops I use whenever I'm there. But I see that Lysias beat me to the punch! There is a large Oxfam bookshop on Byres Road in the university district and that might be worth a visit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karyn14 February 2013 at 17:54

      Thanks, Colin. I've been to Edinburgh before, but never to Glasgow, and now that I've looked into it, I've decided to definitely include it in the itinerary. And if I only had more time, I would include Wigtown as well.

      Delete
  17. teamgloria14 February 2013 at 11:01

    just wondering (because we love following your blog and you on instagram) - do you know people at Penguin itself? because we do and we'd love to do an introduction - your site is gorgeous......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karyn14 February 2013 at 17:57

      Sophia, I know no one at Penguin; I'm certain they know nothing of this blog. It is lovely of you to think of an introduction, and of course I would love one.

      Delete
  18. Unknown15 February 2013 at 05:07

    Hi Karyn

    I love your blog! I also have a bit of a thing for old Penguins though I have no where near as many as you do!

    I have some of your missing ones if you would be interested in them?

    I have numbers: 319, 408, 543, 787, 857, 926, 931, 1162, 1395 and A245

    Email me at mikeward3@gmail.com

    Regards, Mike

    http://0651frombrighton.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  19. Alex in Leeds16 February 2013 at 02:28

    Yay! Congrats on submitting the PhD. I'd recommend the visit to Glasgow as well, Wigtown is a good suggestion too. You can reach it from Edinburgh and Glasgow easy enough and it's a mix of bookshops and book searching services/niche book warehouses. With a couple of emails you might well be able to arrange appointments to meet some of the sellers as well as visit the shops. :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Chris17 February 2013 at 07:31

    Camilla's and Tome (http://www.tomebooks.co.uk/index.asp)in Eastbourne both have loads, Camilla's maybe have the edge in Pelicans.

    Tome are very helpful as well and would be worth contacting in advance. They put some stock online: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/publisherscloth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karyn17 February 2013 at 17:33

      This is such a timely comment, Chris. I had been looking at Eastbourne as a possibility - the accommodation seems relatively cheap there - and wondering if it would be a good option, so it is great to learn that it is. Thanks.

      Delete
  21. Unknown22 February 2013 at 18:48

    Highgate in North London has a couple of bookshops that sell Penguins though the stock is completely variable, sometimes very little, sometimes perfect condition ones, usually in the window displays. I have got a few very good condition things that can be hard to get in there like Gatsby and Nabokov's Dozen, but limited stock on occasion, so it can be a disappointment.

    Ripping Yarns bookshop on Archway Road, opposite Highgate Station on the Northern Line, a 10 minute walk away is Highgate village with an Oxfam bookshop. There is another Oxfam bookshop in Crouch End a few miles away (though a 25/ 30 minute walk as the bus routes would involves about 3 buses and it can be a nice walk along a disused railway line called ParkLand Walk). Also very good boozers in Highgate village and Crouch End.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous23 February 2013 at 19:05

    ooh Hay on Wye - I love Hay - I have had to limit myself to infrequant trips there - as I have been known to buy a ridiculous number of books when visiting. Have a wonderful trip. So many great bookshops there - the Cinema bookshop is a must, I also love the castle bookshop because of its quirkyness - lots of shelves open to air (I know yikes) in an old ruin of a castle - and an honesty box on the wall for payment. I once rescued a bedraggled copy of Jane Eyre from there - I love Jane Eyre and couldn't leave her to freeze.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Paul16 March 2013 at 19:12

    This may already be on your radar since you have Manchester on your itinerary, but you should give this place a try if you have an opportunity: http://didsburyvillagebookshop.co.uk/ It's Manchester's best bookshop, I think, and usually very well stocked with vintage Penguins.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...