Bookshop Blurbs by Amy Wilson - a #BookshopDay post

As A Girl Called Owl by Amy Wilson was one of my favourite books of 2017, I was absolutely delighted to hear about the forthcoming release of Owl and the Lost Boy. I'm equally delighted to host a guest post from Amy about Bookshop Day, which takes place on Saturday 3rd October.

Amy Wilson’s favourite bookshops

Oh, a bookshop! Naturally one of my most treasured haunts, just stepping in through the doors is an adventure. I quite often get lost in them, forgetting what I came in for and wandering on until I’m rescued by a bookseller, or one of my children. Here are some of my local favourites:

Books on the Hill, Clevedon: A gorgeous bookshop, really active in the local community. The children’s section is bright and welcoming, and Alistair is a book-loving wizard who always makes time to chat.

Website: https://www.booksonthehill.co.uk  Twitter: @booksonthehill

Chepstow Books: I love this bright, warm bookshop, tucked at the bottom of St Mary Street. Bookseller Matt has supplied books for several of my author events, and always has a warm and friendly welcome – and a lot of knowledge to help a lost reader!

Website: https://chepstowbooks.co.uk  Twitter: @ChepstowBooks

Max Minerva’s, Westbury Park, Bristol: One of the area’s newer independent bookshops, cosy and so helpful. I turned to bookseller Jessica during lockdown when I wasn’t sure what I wanted to read, and having mumbled vaguely about things I liked I very soon had a beautiful pile of previously undiscovered treasures.

Website: https://maxminervas.co.uk  Twitter: @maxminervas

Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights, John Street, Bath: A palace of a book shop, recently expanded and heaving with goodies. There are some lovely twisty book-crammed corridors to explore, and the children’s section has been beautifully designed and decorated. Look out for author’s pens on the ceiling!

Website: https://mrbsemporium.com  Twitter: @MrBsemporium

Waterstones Cribbs Causeway, Bristol: A bustling bookshop, always welcoming. Children’s bookseller Mary is a star, so friendly and on a mission to help young readers find their next adventure.

Website: https://www.waterstones.com/bookshops/cribbs-causeway  Twitter: @WaterstonesCC

Bookshop Day is on Saturday, October 3 and exists to promote all high street bookshops. Do support your local bookseller this week, if you can, and if you’re not planning to visit a shop this weekend why not tweet about your favourite shop. Be sure to tag @Booksaremybag and use #ChooseBookshops.

For anyone who doesn’t know where their local bookshop is, you can use this handy link to the Bookshop Search: https://booksaremybag.com/bookshops.

Amy Wilson

Amy Wilson is the author of several magical middle grade stories, including A Girl Called Owl, published by Macmillan Children’s Books. Her new story, Owl and the Lost Boy, can be enjoyed as a standalone or companion to A Girl Called Owl.

To find out more about Amy and her books, or to book her for a virtual or real-life visit to your school, please go to her website https://amywilsonbooks.com. Amy tweets at @AJ_Wils.