Continuing our amble round London's independent bookshops
Amid the kosher delis and unbelievably good bakeries of Temple Fortune sits Joseph's Bookstore. As you'd expect from the location they carry a large selection of Jewish titles, covering history, faith, politics, popular culture, art and texts in Hebrew. Students of theology or history who're struggling to find decent books (you know, the kinds of history books that don't send you to sleep) should have a browse round here.
For a (relatively) small shop in the zone 3 suburbs they also have an impressive events list. Previous guests include David Baddiel, Andrew Marr, Jonathan Freedland, Maureen Lipman and Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. The art on the walls is for sale and, in a nice twist on wedding lists, should you wish to mark your passage into adulthood in literary fashion you can set up tailored Bar/Bat Mitzvah lists.
But don't go thinking this is a "Jewish bookshop". There are large sections of fiction, art, science and Islam. In addition, Joseph's is one of the fine bookshops to eschew a Starbucks and have its very own eaterie. Cafe Also serves tasty Mediterranean food to fill your belly while browsing your purchases.
Joseph's Bookstore, 1257 Finchley Road, Temple Fortune. Closed Saturdays. Map after the jump, images author's own. Know a good bookshop? Email us at londonist (@) gmail.com.
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