{"id":780778,"date":"2026-02-22T04:14:22","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T04:14:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/780778\/"},"modified":"2026-02-22T04:14:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T04:14:22","slug":"merseyside-independent-book-stores-you-need-to-know-about","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/780778\/","title":{"rendered":"Merseyside independent book stores you need to know about"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you love books we have some suggestions for you<\/p>\n

Anna Mclaughin<\/strong> and Isaac Jackson<\/strong><\/p>\n

15:38, 21 Feb 2026Updated 15:38, 21 Feb 2026<\/p>\n

\"Paper<\/p>\n

Paper + Word in Bebington VIllage(Image: Ray Bonsall)<\/p>\n

Aldous Books<\/p>\n

Located in the heart of Liverpool\u2019s oldest surviving building, The Bluecoat, Aldous Books (formerly Kernaghan Books) specialises in antiquarian titles and the promotion of local authors. The shop was taken over and rebranded by owners Steve and Gina Aldous in 2024. \u201cSteve and I have always been huge readers,\u201d Gina said. \u201cWe really wanted to encourage others to share that interest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite its small and intimate setting, Aldous Books offers a wide and carefully curated selection of literature, spanning multiple genres and hundreds of years. Gina described how they built the collection, saying they inherited about 15,000 books and now source stock through donations, purchases and even from schools \u201cwanting their library to go to a good home.\u201d<\/p>\n

The shop has dedicated reading nooks \u201cwhere people can have a breather away from their busy day and pick up a book,\u201d Gina added, and customers often stay for long periods. \u201cWe often get comments face to face and online about our warm, welcoming and calm atmosphere,\u201d she said. \u201cOn occasion, we have found people just sitting and reading quietly in the reading area for over an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aldous Books also supports local creators by stocking books and art from local authors and hosting live reading sessions for all ages, helping it remain a destination for lovers of books old and new.<\/p>\n

The Bluecoat, School Ln, Liverpool L1 3BX<\/strong><\/p>\n

Paper + Word\"Abby<\/p>\n

Abby Munro, owner of Paper + Word<\/p>\n

This Bebington Village bookshop has quickly become a favourite destination for fantasy and romance readers. Paper + Word is the UK\u2019s first brick-and-mortar fantasy specialist<\/a>, drawing visitors from across the country with its wide selection and immersive feel.<\/p>\n

Owner Abby Munro said the idea grew from years of running the business online. \u201cI\u2019ve always been a huge reader and fantasy has always been my go-to genre. At first it felt risky to focus only on fantasy, but actually people are travelling to us from all over because of the selection.\u201d<\/p>\n

The shop\u2019s design is central to the experience. \u201cI wanted it to feel cosy, like stepping into an elven or high fae personal library,\u201d she said. \u201cPeople always tell us how beautiful it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Books are organised into subgenres including romantasy, epic fantasy and magical realism, alongside harder-to-find titles and independent authors. Abby added: \u201cRomantasy has brought so many new readers into fantasy, and we love helping them explore the genre.\u201d<\/p>\n

The store also runs a popular book club and is planning more author events and collaborations with local schools to \u201ccelebrate the joy of reading.\u201d<\/p>\n

20 Church Rd, Bebington, Wirral CH63 7PH<\/strong><\/p>\n

Still Out-of-Print\"Naomi<\/p>\n

Naomi Frisch in Still Out-of-Print bookshop on Smithdown Road in Wavertree<\/p>\n

This Smithdown Road bookshop is a haven for lovers of antiquarian and second-hand books, with availability ranging from collectible editions to everyday reading. Still Out of Print is owned by American-born Naomi Frisch<\/a>, who moved to the UK in 1972 and opened the shop after lockdown disrupted her partner\u2019s long career as a Liverpool bookseller.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t really inspiration, it was Covid,\u201d Naomi said. \u201cAll his books went into storage and venues were shut. When I found a handy shop in a great location, it just grew from there.\u201d<\/p>\n

A lifelong reader, she said books have shaped both her life and the shop\u2019s identity. \u201cI can\u2019t remember learning to read, just always reading,\u201d she said, listing authors from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to Doris Lessing and Toni Morrison. The collection now reflects her interests, including politics, poetry, local history and feminist writing, alongside classic literature and modern voices.<\/p>\n

Most of the books are second-hand and priced under \u00a310, with a focus on accessibility. Naomi also supplements stock with new titles to ensure \u201cBlack writers, feminist works and local authors\u201d are represented.<\/p>\n

She said interacting with customers is the highlight of running the shop. \u201cThe Liverpool village often means there is common ground where you might not expect it,\u201d she said, recalling moments when visitors have discovered unexpected local connections or shared personal stories.<\/p>\n

For readers searching for hidden gems, her advice is simple. \u201cIf you read the first page and want to turn to the next, that bodes well.\u201d<\/p>\n

282 Smithdown Rd, Liverpool L15 5AJ<\/strong><\/p>\n

Henry Bohn Books\"Nestled<\/p>\n

Nestled in between The Empire Theatre and a furniture store is a beautiful traditional bookshop called Henry Bohn Books<\/p>\n

Henry Bohn Books is Liverpool\u2019s destination for the unexpected and the antique. Located on London Road adjacent to the Empire Theatre, this two-story hidden gem specialises in a vast, floor to ceiling collection of second handbooks, classical CDs, and vinyl. It is a sanctuary for those who value the hunt, offering everything from rare volumes dating back centuries to substantial sections on history, art, and philosophy. With its atmosphere and incredibly fair prices, it is the perfect stop for readers looking to lose themselves in a world of literary oddities.<\/p>\n

12 London Road, Liverpool L3 5NF<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pritchards Bookshop\"A<\/p>\n

Amy Wright, the owner of Pritchards Bookshop, Crosby.<\/p>\n

Located in Crosby<\/a> for over 40 years, Pritchards Bookshop is a beloved independent staple<\/a> that has served the community since 1975. When founder Steve Pritchard retired in 2021, current owner Amy Wright took over, fulfilling a lifelong dream. Growing up with a love for books and a background in sales, Amy felt it made total sense to lead the shop into its next chapter.<\/p>\n

Despite the rise of digital retail, Pritchards offers a carefully curated selection of literature, from trending ‘BookTok’ hits to rare special editions. Amy meets with publishers monthly to find titles that are \u201cbeautiful and unique,\u201d ensuring a variety you won’t find at a typical supermarket. The shop also sources second hand titles and provides a next day ordering service, remaining a comprehensive resource for local readers.<\/p>\n

The shop is famous for its people-centred atmosphere. “We don\u2019t just sell goods, we provide a service,\u201d Amy explains. \u201cWe get to know our customers and actually make time for everyone.”<\/p>\n

This welcoming environment has made it a favourite for many, including local resident and Children\u2019s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce, who Amy describes as a wonderful presence ‘on our doorstep’. Pritchards also supports the community by hosting a men\u2019s book club, story and craft times, and school visits. By participating in initiatives like the National Year of Reading, the shop encourages people of all ages to read for pleasure. Amy hopes every customer feels appreciated, noting that independent shops like hers rely entirely on the support of their loyal community.<\/p>\n

Unit 3, Glenn Buildings, 17 Moor Ln, Crosby, Liverpool L23 2SE<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If you love books we have some suggestions for you Anna Mclaughin and Isaac Jackson 15:38, 21 Feb…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":780779,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[8815],"tags":[748,5765,393,4884,179,246,22136,128051,16,15],"class_list":["post-780778","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-liverpool","tag-britain","tag-crosby","tag-england","tag-great-britain","tag-liverpool","tag-shopping","tag-smithdown-road","tag-the-bluecoat","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/116112344786151203","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/780778","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=780778"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/780778\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/780779"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=780778"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=780778"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=780778"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}