Mr B's is possibly one of the most exciting things to have ever happened. Ever. It is probably worth starting though, at the beginning of the story, with what and where Mr B's even is. In the beautiful old city of Bath in west England, just off the main shopping street, is a small independent book shop called Mr B's Emporium of reading delights. It is a rather unassuming, small but densely shelved book shop, complete with baths filled with books (this makes sense later). |
I had first heard about it around eight years ago on Youtube and had often thought of going since then. At the end of my first year at university, a mere half decade later, I decided enough was enough, I was going to get on a two hour train just to go to a bookshop. I tried to justify the, quite frankly over priced train ticket, (I promise you, First Great Western makes your Oyster card seem cheap), by crafting a romantic trip with my partner for the day. I tell you now, he knew true enough, that despite both he and Bath being very lovely, I was there for one thing only. Some people may think this is a bit much, and perhaps it is. But I will say one thing to you, READING SPA. Yes. Read it again. READING SPA. As a little early congratulations or commiserations (I didn't know at the time) present from me to me, I had booked into one of the reading experiences Mr B's offers.
Effectively, it is a one on one chat with one of their book-wizards, to help you discover new books to buy, all whilst eating cake and drinking tea. I can't even. For anyone who likes to read, or really anyone with a functioning pulse, this is just the epitome of all things cosy and lovely. It is worth adding as a disclaimer that the cheaper of the |
packages (my choice), involves a fifty pound fee, forty of which is redeemable on the cost of books on the day. It's probably therefore best to wait until you need a summer pile to do this. It is also true that the wizards are always happy to talk books and recommend books, even if you just pop in.
I was worried at first that the recommendations may be, "Amazon recommends"-esque and I would be pointed through a variety of obviously similar titles to ones I had previously enjoyed. You enjoyed Wool you say? How about the next book in the trilogy? To say I was not disappointed is an understatement. Though I use the word Wizard too liberally (it's a great word which deserves more attention), I use it not lightly. Bar one obscure Japanese author, the wizard in question knew and had read nearly all the books I mentioned. She had some interesting questions to ask, in aid of helping her and me choose my books, but after a few minutes, it developed into a free flowing discussion about all the books we loved and why. Basically all the fun parts of english literature lessons without the essay.
I was worried at first that the recommendations may be, "Amazon recommends"-esque and I would be pointed through a variety of obviously similar titles to ones I had previously enjoyed. You enjoyed Wool you say? How about the next book in the trilogy? To say I was not disappointed is an understatement. Though I use the word Wizard too liberally (it's a great word which deserves more attention), I use it not lightly. Bar one obscure Japanese author, the wizard in question knew and had read nearly all the books I mentioned. She had some interesting questions to ask, in aid of helping her and me choose my books, but after a few minutes, it developed into a free flowing discussion about all the books we loved and why. Basically all the fun parts of english literature lessons without the essay.
Needless to say, one piece of lemon drizzle and a cup of milky brew later, I was sat in a leather chair, pouring through a pile half my height of potential candidates. (Second disclaimer, you definitely spend more that forty pounds on books!). Having made my way through the winners, I can say, that we got a near perfect hit rate. I am a fairly fussy reader, or rather there a certain genres or |
writing styles that I cannot do. But somehow the wizard was able to understand all the main aspects of why my favourite books where the ones I listed and suggested a list of entirely different genres and authors that still held the thread, exposing me to knew areas and books, ones I would never had picked up on my own. Some of them have become firm favourites of mine, and many have opened up the way to more wonderful books.
In case it was hard to tell, I love Mr B's. I love the incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff, the cosy details such as the quite room for rent to read in peace, and above all the cumbersome bag of hours of entertainment I carried home with me that day. In short, go there. Make up that you have a burning desire to see the Abbey (actually do go there too though, it's nice) and treat yourself to a candle-less, massage-less spa experience.
I have returned twice since and I have never been lacking in good reads since. In fact, this Christmas, I received a very special gift, something I will soon talk about... Imagine that, never being without a great book.
I have returned twice since and I have never been lacking in good reads since. In fact, this Christmas, I received a very special gift, something I will soon talk about... Imagine that, never being without a great book.