28 Comments
Feb 23Liked by Katie Clapham

This was definitely worth interrupting my last piece of work for the day for, Katie. I've worked in both a large central London booksop and a tiny suburban London one – in a previous life, many years ago – and I remember that feeling in the little shop when I'd spent half my day's wage on books and that was also half the takings for the day. So you've prompted me to upgrade to paid. If I subscribe to any more Substacks I won't be able to afford to go anywhere, I'll just have to sit at home and read. There are worse fates ...

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Feb 23Liked by Katie Clapham

Eve is correct, the newsletter is a drop-everything-and-read-immediately piece of inbox matter. One of my favorites!

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Feb 23Liked by Katie Clapham

Very pleased to make a cameo appearance in this one 😁

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I just discovered your Substack and I think it's one of the best I've read around here. As soon as I read two sentences, I knew I wanted to subscribe. The way you narrate something that can seem so simple, it's amazing. It really feels like I'm physically there and I can imagine the atmosphere, the people.... Thank you for providing such high quality content!!

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Feb 23Liked by Katie Clapham

What are the Really Great Biscuits? Inquiring minds want to know…

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I wrote this comment about Starbucks in another context — in the US, Starbucks is ALWAYS wheelchair accessible. So I can use the bathroom if needs must. This is not true of many independent coffee shops here, at least once you get away from big metro areas.

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Feb 23Liked by Katie Clapham

It took me a while to see where you were going with the joy at a Starbucks opening 🤔 but I do get it! And I really hope that their presence sends some customers your way. Can you get business mum to leave some business cards on their counter or similar?! Or put a big arrow in their window pointing to Storytellers Inc. across the road? ⬆️

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For the sake of its identity, St Anne’s needs more independent shops like yourselves and No Filter. Boo to the tax avoiding Americanised coffee outlets and discounting Euromarkets. Why, you can’t even buy a decent loaf of sourdough in FY8!

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Hello! I just found this Substack and I am so excited... it is delightful and very encouraging! I own an independent used bookstore in Central Ohio and I honestly relate so much what you're talking about. I guess indie bookstores are much the same the world over. I'm looking forward to reading more installments of this lovely newsletter! ^_^

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Thank you for your writing and for keeping me company during my own day of work in the bookshop (in New Zealand!)

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As a "just outside Bristol" resident of over 20 years, I'm affronted that you would call Joe from Idles an "obscure musician" 😂

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QUESTION: I’m in the US. If I switch over to the US version of the booksellers link, will my purchase credit to you in the UK?

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And did the spectacle lady have 300 pairs in the bag?!

Loved this as usual.

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Yay! Can’t wait for Picture Book Club! 📖

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