If there are Fifty Ways to leave Your Lover, as Paul Simon explains, there must be at least the same number to acquire a book. At the Black Gull Bookshop they have their unique way – they love everything they sell and basically sell their love of books. The experience they offer is unlike that of Amazon or Waterstones, it’s more like facilitating a meeting – a meeting between you and a surprising volume which you just stumble upon but can’t wait to get to know. All the titles are second hand or antiquarian: they have lived a life but are all in great condition. The displays are artlessly artistic making you feel like you are discovering something very valuable for the first time – a sort of bibliophile archaeologist. Pop in when you’ve got some time to spare and have fun.
Black Gull Bookshop 121 High Road, East Finchley, N2 Open Mon-Sun 9.30am – 7pm. They don’t have a website but most of the stock is listed on Abe Books.
