Book of the Month, November 2022 - The All Night Bookshop by David Belbin

Book of the Month, November 2022 - The All Night Bookshop by David Belbin

Posted on - 1st December 2022

Hi, there. Maggie Shaw here, proud owner of Eregendal and author.

As a lifelong lover of reading, each month I choose one of my favourite books – and tell you all about it.

For November’s Book of the Month I have chosen The All Night Bookshop by David Belbin. This was published by the Candlestick Press in October 2018 and is available from their website https://www.candlestickpress.co.uk/. The charming short story with two supporting poems by Jim Burns and Jackie Kay, and is one of the publisher’s range of 74 poetry and short story booklets. Designed for people to send as a more enduring form of greetings card, the booklets cost between £5.95 and £6.95 for a quality print product. The range covers many themes including animals, children, Christmas, hobbies, nature, occasions, people and places, so there is sure to be something suitable for everyone among them.

The All Night Bookshop is a gentle mystery told from the perspective of the assistant working in the shop. The images created by the author’s descriptions reminded me of several bookshops I have known and love, including Michael Moon’s Antiquarian Bookshop in Whitehaven, Copnal Books in Crewe and Scriveners Books and Book Binding in Buxton. The booklet also encourages readers to keep such bookshops going on our highstreets by visiting them and buying from them.

I bought The All Night Bookshop at one of the arts and crafts fairs I attend each year. It reminded me of a similar booklet my grandmother sent me for my 8^th birthday, about a child saving up her pocket money to buy her ailing mother a special gift, and how the store keeper helped her when she did not have enough to pay for it. Though that booklet has long since gone, I still remember it dearly nearly sixty years on. I an sure these attractive booklets by the Candlestick Press will also be remembered with love by those who receive them.

So there we have it, November’s Book of the Month! Be sure to check back in December as I’ll be revealing another must read.

Take care,

Maggie x