Reading Corner - Bibliomaniac by Robin Ince: Review

"Packed with witty anecdotes and tall tales, Bibliomaniac takes the reader on a journey across Britain as Robin explores his life long love of bookshops and books - and also tries to find out why he can never have enough of them"

My discovery of this book was entirely by accident - by seeing a tweet written by local bookshop owner in Hull, Julie of J.E.Books in Hepworths Arcade.
She'd tweeted that she'd just spent the day hosting an author doing signings of his new book, a hot pink hardback that apparently was a ode to the independent bookshop.
The detail that really drew me in was an ink illustration (by Natalie Kay Thatcher) of J.E.Books itself, which featured in the book, no less.  As a northener living at the end of the road (the M62, to be specific), this is exactly how you reel me in, by giving our underrated home a mention, and it's own little moment of fame.

So I ordered the book, and it arrived in all of its hot pink splendour, with gold foil details on the slip cover.  
Each chapter is a leg of the authors journey across Britain, helpfully illustrated with a hand drawn map at the beginning of each, so that you could take this trip yourself if you so desired, and after reading this book, I absolutely do (maybe over several years though).

Robin is a very likeable author to take us on this journey, and he inserts much of his own comedic social commentary into the pages. He also shares anecdotes of his collecting habits, painting us a detailed picture of what his libary-esque house must look like, with his patient wife presumably climbing around his various stacks of literary treasures.

Because the bookshops visited are independent, we get to see a version of Britain that is almost off the beaten track, with insider knowledge from Robin and the very helpful and always friendly bookshop owners.  Many of the locations are not cities, but small towns and villages that often fly under the radar, but in reality are home to buzzing communities of artist, authors, and of course collectors.

At the end of the book, there is a list of all the bookshops mentioned and visited, as well as a very comprehensive index of every book Robin mentions, purchases, or reads on his journey.  This list is extensive to say the least, and eclectic in taste, as their is no genre that Robin shys away from it seems.

This is a book that ultimately serves two purposes; a book to read and savour and enjoy the story of bookshops, and also a book of books.  A perfect 'what to read next' resource, with this book on your shelves you can never claim to be in a reading block.
I truly enjoyed this book and the journey, and no doubt will be back to pick it up anytime I'm taking a holiday in this country, finding which independent bookshops I may come across on my own travels.

Bilbiomaniac* by Robin Ince
*This link is an affliate link, which means if you purchase the book I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.  A great way to support my review.

Rachel Anderson