Where new writing finds its voice
My Favourite Bookshop

Bookmongers

James Blackman

Illustration

My favourite bookshop is Bookmongers situated on Coldharbour Lane in Brixton, south-west London. Coldharbour Lane is infamous: if you wanted crack, you would go there. And you can find those destroyed by it on this street – in near-rags, with yellow teeth, loitering outside cafés and corners, always looking as if they need something, always looking as if they don’t like everyone else. The
lane has improved over the past few years – there is less drug-dealing going on, it seems. And for every unfortunate soul, and every unnerving drug dealer, you can find all sorts of other people – from well-heeled swift-striding professionals to happily careerless hippies, to spruced-up and fleshy clubbers.  

The bookshop on Coldharbour Lane is one of those second-hand exchange numbers – stacks of books in all kinds of conditions. The music the owner plays seems be of the acoustic singer-songwriter variety. There are seats for people to sit on and relax and read, yet I’ve never seen anyone take up the offer. The bookshop always seems to only have a few people browsing the shelves.    

Why is it my favourite? Well, I think purely because my years of living in Brixton were very enjoyable; and if the bookshop had not been there, they would have been less enjoyable. I really needed that bookshop to be there to help me to feel settled in Brixton. It was a reason to go into town, away from my small bedsit. I would buy a book then find a café, sit and read, listen and watch the busy streets. The bookshop was thus integral to the whole experience of living in the area. 

As for its dangerous location, I think it would be far more dangerous if the bookshop were not there; books have a calming, civilising, mind-broadening quality. It’s there as an option.

 

Bookmongers
439 Coldharbour Lane
London SW9 8LN

 

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