Biblio-Text: Clerkenwell Tales

Rachel Holdsworth
By Rachel Holdsworth Last edited 177 months ago
Biblio-Text: Clerkenwell Tales
Tasteful sage paintwork of Clerkenwell Tales
Tasteful sage paintwork of Clerkenwell Tales
A lovely selection of Londony books (may we take the opportunity to recommend Ghost Map by Steven Johnson?)
A lovely selection of Londony books (may we take the opportunity to recommend Ghost Map by Steven Johnson?)
Foody books beyond the flowers
Foody books beyond the flowers
Bookish wrapping paper for your gifting needs
Bookish wrapping paper for your gifting needs
A full view of the shop (plus Jake Arnott's back)
A full view of the shop (plus Jake Arnott's back)
Greeting cards and deluxe editions
Greeting cards and deluxe editions
Local author Jake Arnott popped in to buy a book from owner Peter Ho
Local author Jake Arnott popped in to buy a book from owner Peter Ho

Continuing our amble round London's independent bookshops

We've visited some quite old and venerable bookshops over the last few months, so perhaps it's fitting that this week we bring you a newborn. Clerkenwell Tales on Exmouth Market has only been open three - three! - weeks. It's already proving itself popular with the locals; owner Peter Ho has been taken aback by the number of books that have flown off the shelves (any gaps in our photos will have been filled by now) and authors who live nearby keep popping in to do impromptu signings. In fact, Jake Arnott wandered in when we were there and we were apparently a few hours too early for Nick Hornby.

It's only a small space but the titles are well and interestingly chosen. Browse for fiction, crime, art, food, travel, film and a whole case of London books. (The gift cards also come from London manufacturers.) Peter plans to host reading groups and lots of events when the shop's more established, so keep an eye on the website. For now though, he's too knackered to think about it; but not too knackered to stop him having lovely chats with his customers. You should pay him a visit.

Clerkenwell Tales, 30 Exmouth Market EC1. Opening times aren't on the website yet, but they're Monday-Friday 10am-7pm, Saturday 11am-5pm. Continue reading for a map, images author's own. Know a good bookshop? Email us at londonist (@) gmail.com.


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Last Updated 28 July 2009