Limestone Books
Limestone Books in Settle is our June Bookshop of the Month. Nestled in the breath-taking Yorkshire Dales, the shop was opened in 2019. We chat with Tanya the owner about how it's been, her love of books and what sells best!
1. When you set up Limestone Books in Settle in 2019, what was your vision?
I wanted to open a truly independent bookshop that looked beautiful, that reflected my taste and interests, and that was full of books that I could rave and be passionate about. I HOPED that this would appeal to the people of Settle!
2. What’s it like running a bookshop in the Yorkshire Dales?
It’s a lot of fun! My local customers are really supportive, and very interested and engaged in books. We have the best book chats. And because Settle is a tourist town, I get a lot of really happy people on holiday, looking to treat themselves to something interesting to read. I Have a great time recommending fab books to locals and visitors alike.
3. What types of books have your customers been buying recently? Have you noticed any trends?
Since I opened, nature writing and natural history have been really popular and this interest doesn’t seem to be waning. In non-fiction, I also sell a lot of outdoor adventure books, both guides and biographies. Fiction and crime fiction are also big sellers, and since COVID I’ve seen sales in these areas rise. I think people have definitely been looking for ways to escape reality!
4. How do you go about choosing the books that line the shelves?
I have lots of influences. For example, if a couple of customers order a particular book I’ll get it in for stock as there’s obviously local interest. Or if I see books are being reviewed well in the newspapers I’ll usually give them a go. But the main thing is, I have to think a book sounds interesting, or think it will be of interest to my customers.
5. And finally, do you have any exciting plans for the shop in the coming months that you’d like to share with us?
June is the month for independent bookshop week and I like to support independent publishers during this time. I ensure I get loads of stock in from one or two, (relatively local if possible), and offer them at a discount to promote their work to new readers. In July I’m really excited to be welcoming Robin Ince back to Settle as part of his Bibliomaniac tour. He’s such a huge book, bookshop and library lover and supporter, and his enthusiasm is infectious. Our Community Library is hosting the event and it’s great to be in partnership with them. And at the end of September it will be the shop’s fourth birthday. I usually bake a couple of cakes to share with customers, and put on a couple of promotions. Where does the time go?!