Booka in Oswestry has to be up there as one of my top five bookshops. Everything it does it has done well, from the selection of fiction books, to the children’s area and the coffee. It’s very spacious and welcoming with a relaxed atmosphere: the books are set amongst the coffee tables, everyone immersed in the bookshop experience.
There’s a strong selection of new releases, with many hardbacks and a Booker prize section, which is a nice touch. Although the fiction, fantasy and crime sections are on the small side, the selection is great and has been well thought through, covering all genres. The nature selection was a standout for me, including a wide range of fiction and non-fiction with some beautiful hardbacks. There’s also a big range of classics in MacMillan Collector’s Library editions (the smaller blue and gold versions).
Upstairs, there’s a large children’s section with lots of space for the little ones to play, and well stocked gifts. Along the way, books had been picked out and highlighted for Black History Month, given it was October, but there’s a good diversity of authors and themes throughout the bookshop too.
If you’re based near Oswestry or passing through, I’d recommend a visit. With such a great selection of books, and a cafe included, you won’t be disappointed!