Tell us a bit about the new shop – what’s appealing about it?

I’m delighted that the British Museum bookshop will be reopened on 19^th June in the Great Court where it will be at the very heart of the museum, easily seen by all of our visitors who we hope will enjoy browsing our exciting new range of books. The new bookshop will be bright, spacious and modern, offering a selection of titles that is relevant to the vast collection of the British Museum.

What has inspired you to sell books?

I started buying books for the British Museum bookshops and exhibition shops in 2008 at the time of the Hadrian exhibition, after a brief interlude at the Natural History Museum as a bookseller. What inspired me to become a bookseller was the many hours spent in my local bookshop in Italy when I was a teenager, where I was allowed to read, and encouraged – by the extremely knowledgeable bookseller there – to explore the packed shelves.

Can you describe your earliest memory of reading?

One of my first memories of reading on my own is when I was about 7 years old, sitting close to a coal stove to ward off the cold temperatures of the pre-Alps winters. The book which offered me that ‘magic experience’ was Antoine De Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince, a book that I still recommend to anyone – it is my favourite book ever.

Any other favourite books?

The Little Prince is the one that allowed me to have the first true flight of imagination; from the static words on the page to the amazing possibilities of different worlds. Choosing others is very difficult but I would certainly mention Capote’s The Grass Harp, Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose and Keep Calm and Carry On!

Job satisfaction?

Selecting the books to offer customers at the British Museum is a challenging and humbling experience, but also very rewarding.

What made you decide to buy Forum Books?

I’ve always dreamed of running a bookshop because simply I love them – they have always been my friend on the high street, somewhere I could go, discover something new, find something almost forgotten. This one was pure luck & timing as we knew the previous owners were going to retire and we always knew it would be great to be in a beautiful Northumberland.

What lessons have you learnt from selling books?

Customers are a great source of recommendations & should never be underestimated – their knowledge, breadth of reading interest is more often than not second to none. Be a bit thick skinned to comments about Amazon, kindles or “can’t remember last time I read a book” comments. And I find it’s best if I read what I like & not what I feel I should.

Could you describe your earliest memory of reading?

Reading Mr. Tickle tucked up in bed, imaging my arms were long enough to go down the stairs, into the kitchen and grab a biscuit, just like Mr. Tickle does.

What are your 3 favourite books?

Just three!? I love Jim Dodge, George Orwell & Oscar Wilde so lets say Stone Junction, Coming Up For Air and The Picture of Dorian Grey. And if I could sneak in three new favourites – Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler and Terms & Conditions by Robert Glancy.

Independent bookshops pride themselves on their ability to connect with their customers, the readers. What advice would you give to authors who want readers to find them?

Start by making friends with local independent bookseller, be their customer and supporter – we’re all ( writers, publishers, booksellers) working towards same goal of finding readers & selling books!

Aside from your own, could you name your favourite bookshop anywhere in the world?

Type Books in Toronto – if you haven’t watched their Joy of Books film you’ll love it – there’s nothing quite like a real book! And nothing quite like a real bookshop.

Could you describe your earliest memory of reading?

I learned to read far too young by making my brother read The Beano to me while I followed the words with my finger.

Which author would you most like to appear at a LRB event?

Living: Thomas Pynchon in conversation with Kazuo Ishiguro

Dead: Elizabeth Bishop in conversation with Turgenev

Independent bookshops pride themselves on their ability to connect with their customers, the readers. What advice would you give to authors who want readers to find them?

Write the best book you can; be patient.

In an ideal world, what improvements would you like to see made to the bookselling industry?

Next day delivery from all suppliers; returns magically to evaporate from the shelves to be replaced by credit notes; all invoicing to be made electronic; a ban on discounting for 12 months after publication.

The LRB is famous for its café, what’s your favourite drink / cake / book combination?

Some days, tisane de tilleul, a Madeleine and Proust’s A la recherche du temps perdu, on others a cup of strong black tea, a treacle tart and an Eric Ambler.

Aside from your own, could you name your favourite bookshop anywhere in the world?

Can I name two? Strand Bookstore, 12th Street and Broadway in New York, because they always seem to have everything I want, even if it takes an age to find it; and Dom Knigi, Nevsky Prospekt – I can’t actually read Russian, but being there makes me feel intelligyent.

The Muswell Hill Bookshop is a long established independent bookshop in the picturesque suburb of Muswell Hill in North London. This wonderful bookshop is beloved by locals and book-lovers alike, for providing excellent customer service and book knowledge in a relaxed and friendly environment. The shop stocks a large selection of books, and if a particular volume is not in stock, they will be more than happy to order it in (usually within 24 hours).

The shop also hosts a wide variety of author events and book signings with both local and internationally known authors (the programme of forthcoming events can be viewed on their website). So, if you love books and love talking about them with like-minded people, Muswell Hill bookshop is a must-visit.

With its friendly atmosphere and substantial array of books, Topping’s is well-known to residents of Bath as one of the best independent booksellers in the region. Situated in the heart of Bath’s picturesque city centre, a stone’s throw from the Assembly Rooms and a few minutes walk from the Roman Baths and the Abbey, Topping’s caters to a city famous for its literary legacy and thriving book community.

The staff are very helpful and happy to order specific books for customers and the store carries a wide range of books from Yale Representation’s prestigious portfolio of client publishers. Topping & Company also hosts an impressive programme of author events.

For those looking to explore the countryside surrounding the small market town of Leek on the edge of the Peak district, Picture Book is a must-stop shop. Specialising in local history and wildlife books, Picture Book also has a great selection of bestsellers and children’s books, perfect for a trip out to the country. For a more active visit to the Staffordshire region, Picture Book also stocks books on local walks, climbing spots, railway and military sights, maps and local architecture books, such as Yale’s Pevsner Architectural Guides.

Picture Book has been trading as an independent bookshop for 28 years and is situated right in the centre of Leek.