On a recent trip to Eastbourne we took a diversion. It wasn’t actually on our route at all but I’m so glad we did. At the beautiful village of Alfriston, as below,

we found this amazing bookshop, called ‘Much Ado’ books. For the writer and lover of books, it was like entering a mega world of enchantment.

The entrance to the shop suggested something amazing and the inside did not disappoint. Although not big, there were books of every kind for every interest. Most of the books had a little tab inside them with a review from someone who had enjoyed the book. A great recommendation.

Then heading up the stairs, there were pictures of book spines on the edge of every stair. Once upstairs, second hand books were mixed in with the new titles and there were comfy chairs placed at various strategic places, suggesting that you could stay all day and read. I certainly could have done, except that we had to go on the Eastbourne to meet up with my aunt and partner. Actually, I was very proud of myself in that I managed to limit myself to just one book about Jane Austen entitled ‘Miss Austen’, supposedly written after Jane’s death by her sister, Cassandra, though in truth by contemporary author, Gillian Hornby. I was sorely tempted by a second hand copy of one of my favourite books of the ‘Anne’ series by L.M. Montgomery and a small booklet about writings of the seaside but resisted after seeing the prices. My husband, Angus, won the prize for his purchases, with a vegan cookbook, a Shakespeare card game and several cards, sourced from the separate card room found at the back of the shop.

Sadly then it was time to leave. But I simply had to write this blog and share my appreciation of independent bookshops. Aren’t they a joy? Buying books on Amazon cannot compare in any way.