Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
I decided to merge Top Ten Tuesday with Blogtober for today, because with the weather the way it is, it feels like a great time of year to head into a bookshop. Maybe to pick up something spooky for Halloween, or get some early gift shopping in. I won’t be doing ten of these but I will be highlighting some of my favourites! Click on the bookshop names to be taken to the shop’s website (if available).
Top Five Favorite Bookstores
This particular space has been, for as long as I can remember, a bookshop, but when Griffin Books arrived it was completely transformed. It’s now a wonderful space with many more books – and variety of books – on offer than ever before, and the team put on so many different events, a few of which I have had the absolute pleasure of attending. It’s a wonderful addition to my hometown, and offers everything you could want from an independent bookshop.
The way I walk into Cardiff brings me right opposite this wonderful shop, and even just seeing it is a delight every time. Though not technically a bookshop, they do sell books, provided by Paned o Gê and the majority of time when I wander in I end up walking out with a book. As well as selling books, clothes, badges, pins, zines and more from LTBT+ creators, The Queer Emporium arrange many wonderful events, from dog walks to speed friendshipping. This shop only opened in June 2021, but it has quickly become an icon of the city. Their coffee is bloody delicious, too.
The Shelf Life, Corp Market – Cardiff
I have only managed to get here once but I absolutely love this place. It focuses on marginalised and under-represented voices, and I can’t tell you how many of the books I wished I could take home with me. I did pick up one, and definitely plan on returning in the future.
The Chapel – Broadstairs
This is a lovely bar that doubles as a bookshop, and the books are everywhere, covering almost every inch of wall! Some of them we could only skirt around as it was quite busy when we went, but it’s a place I really need to revisit, maybe during the day when it’s a little more quiet. There’s also some lovely nook areas upstairs that are perfect for sitting with a couple of friends.
Margate Books/The Old Bank Bookshop – Margate
Run by Pilgrims Hospices, this is an absolutely wonderful bookshop in a beautiful building. It’s very easy to spend time wandering about, and the selection of books on offer is huge. It’s the kind of place I have to be dragged away from every time I walk past!
I feel like I really could go on, mining my memories for bookshops I’ve really enjoyed visiting, or looking at ones I really want to visit, but I’ll leave it there for now. I think, overall, my experience is that Cardiff (where I live) and Margate and the surrounding area (where I have family) are both excellent places to visit as a booklover, and well worth a trip for sure.
Unwrapping Words 
Wow, they all look amazing!
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I can absolutely confirm they are!
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The Queer Emporium sounds so cool. I would love to visit!
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It really is! Definitely worth it, and Cardiff is just great (I might be a little biased)
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