Talking Location With…… author Helen Cox – YORK: a book-lover’s wonderland

19th December 2019

#TalkingLocationWith…. author Helen Cox -York: A Book-Lover’s Wonderland

With all the tourist-oriented publicity driving people to walk the city walls, visit the Minster or have lunch at Betty’s Tea Rooms you’d be forgiven for missing the fact that York is nothing short of a book-lover’s wonderland. Having lived in one of the city’s snickelways however, I am acutely aware of the hidden treasures that can be found off the beaten tourist track and York has a much more intricate book trail than most visitors realise at first glance.

Whilst writing the Kitt Hartley Mystery series, I created a fictional library for my librarian protagonist but the real-life library and archive next door to Museum Gardens is definitely worth a visit for anyone of the bookish disposition. Not only does the library boast an extensive catalogue and friendly staff but there are reams of book-inspired displays and author events to enjoy. The library is without doubt the city’s literary hub and also has a charming café space. It’s the perfect place to pour a cup of tea and take a pit stop from the general bustle of the city outside.

In terms of bookshops, residents and tourists alike are spoilt for choice. Fossgate Books  is an often overlooked gem. I have spent many a rainy afternoon in this secondhand bookshop arranged across two floors. There are volumes on every imagineable academic subject and a staggering selection of fiction works. The service is friendly but not intrusive so you can browse the stacks undisturbed, safe in the knowledge that help is at hand if you need it. Also, because it’s a secondhand bookshop it smells incredible! Filling your lungs with the scent of aging pages comes recommended.

Walk along The Shambles in the direction of the Minster and keen eyes will soon spot The Minster Gate Bookshop, which sits in the shadow of York’s most iconic building. Any readers with an interest in folklore or Arthurian literature would do well not to pass this one by. Inside you’ll find five floors of books, making it the kind of space a book lover could get giddily lost in for some hours. Given its proximity to the Minster it is also possible to pick up York-inspired ephemera such as maps and prints if you’re looking for a unique souvenir of your trip.

Just a few minutes walk away on High Petergate, you’ll find yet another secondhand bookshop called The Grimoire Bookshop. Just like the shops previously mentioned, the sheer size of the catalogue is staggering. Readers interested in esoteric literature will find a stunning selection here and their science-fiction section is one of the most impressive I’ve ever seen.

Although the secondhand bookshops are all worth a look-in, shoppers wishing to pick up the latest releases will not be short-changed in York either. Alongside the Waterstones on Coney Street, which has an excellent local literature section and an array of literary gifts that would cause any book lover’s heart to skip, The Little Apple Bookshop on High Petergate is a book enthusiast’s haven. It’s excellent place to shop for signed author copies of new releases, childrens classics and book-inspired collectibles. Playfully designed and conceived, this bookshop a delight, they stock such a varied range of products that is often possible to find Christmas gifts for several family members in the space of one outing.

Fans of comics and graphic novels are also served well in the city of York and should head straight for the branch of Travelling Man on Goodramgate. The staff there are specialists in their field and will be able to help you locate titles of your choice but the shop is also great for browsers looking to discover something quirky and new.

Though the above shops are decided highlights on any book-oriented York adventure, they are by no means the whole story. If you’ve got the stamina for it you could also visit Taiko Books on Bootham for its range of out-of-print books on Africa and the Orient. You could have a walk over to Pitch 22 on Fishergate to explore their range of records, books, ephemera and art. Or saunter up Micklegate so you can check out Ken Spelman books and the Oxfam Bookshop.

If after all this you find yourself in need of a sit down and a scone, you can always visit Rowntree Park Reading Café – which is also overseen by York’s library service. Decorated with colourful bunting and overlooking the lake, there are few places more tranquil to take stock of all your purchases and maybe read a chapter… or five.

Thank you so much to Helen for this wonderful literary journey through the bookshops of York. You can of course by Murder by the Minster through the TripFiction database

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