An Author’s Guide To East London’s Best Bookshops

Is home a place or a person? This is the question at the heart of Homesick, British-Italian author Silvia Saunders’ debut novel, out later this week (30 January). Set in East London and centring on a librarian, this fresh and funny novel is all about moving out, growing up, falling out of love and putting yourself first, and contending with London’s fickle housing market – perfect for the modern book-loving Londoner. With a burgeoning art, food and culture scene popular among twenty-to-thirty-somethings, the rich East London Silvia writes in Homesick draws on her own experiences living there. Ahead of Homesick‘s release, we asked Silvia for her picks of the best bookshops in East London.

Silvia Saunders’ Pick Of The Best Bookshops In East London

Pages of Hackney, Clapton

The baby-blue shopfront of Pages is a Clapton staple. Inside, you’ll see that they have an indecently cute resident dog, a pay-it-forward scheme, and impeccable taste in books. It’s homely, with a thoughtfully curated collection of secondhand books in the basement, which doubles as an intimate event space. It was by browsing the shelves of Pages that I discovered Natalia Ginzburg, Meg Mason, and Bryan Washington. Buy a book, get a coffee from Casey’s, and spend half an hour by Clapton Pond – if you can zone out the dulcet tones of the 253 zooming past.

Find It: 70 Lower Clapton Rd, Lower Clapton, London E5 0RN

Church Street Bookshop, Stoke Newington

A secondhand gem in cutesie Stoke Newington, where all the stock feels brand new. Whoever’s donating the books has great reading etiquette: there are no folded spines here! I’m convinced an editor or reviewer must live in the area, because for only a few quid, you can find titles that came out mere weeks ago. The two booksellers have an encyclopaedic knowledge of every genre; whenever I buy anything, they have facts ready to spout about either the author, the book, or the historical context. I always leave smiling, and so will you.

Find It: 142 Stoke Newington Church St, London N16 0JU

The Broadway Bookshop, London Fields

An essential stop for me on my Sunday walk. Situated on trendy Broadway Market, you’ll pass many a well-dressed whippet, and can stock up on empanadas, crocheted hair scrunchies, and a stack of novels from Broadway Books. The main body of the shop is a joyful labyrinth of paperbacks, but my favourite nook is right by the tills, where they have tons of novellas by authors you’ve definitely heard of, and authors you’re about to become obsessed with.

Find It: 6 Broadway Market, London E8 4QJ

Stoke Newington Bookshop, Stoke Newington

Stoke Newington Bookshop’s huge window displays are always stunningly seasonal, and often colour-coordinated. Last time I went past, it was a sea of cheerful yellows, and how can that fail to make your day? The staff are constantly changing the placement of genres so you’re encouraged to look where you normally wouldn’t. I recently found Helen Garner featured on one of their tables, and picked up Monkey Grip (1977) on a whim. Now I can’t believe I didn’t know her work, and will be deep-diving into her back catalogue.

Find It: 159 Stoke Newington High St, London N16 0NY

Burley Fisher Books, Dalston

Wander far enough down the Kingsland Road in Dalston, and you’ll soon discover the classy navy-blue awning of Burley Fisher. With a particular focus on literary fiction and indie presses, you’re bound to find something stimulating to read. I must give a special mention to the owner, who once filled both windows exclusively with his own novel.

Find It: 400 Kingsland Rd, London E8 4AA

Brick Lane Bookshop, Shoreditch

You’ve probably already heard of this one, but it’s worth the hype. Once you’ve finished browsing the well-stocked local interest section and the BookTok tables, head to Backyard Market for affordable secondhand cashmere jumpers, get a swift half at The Pride of Spitalfields, and finish your outing by doing your big shop in the Whitechapel Sainsbury’s (OK, maybe that last tip is just for me.)

Find It: 166 Brick Ln, London E1 6RU

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