I only just managed to finish my 2018 project, having missed a few months in the middle of the year I had a crazy catch up in October. Then in November, I had to make another change to my plans, but in December, for the last stretch, I managed to get back on track.

I dragged my Bigger Half with me, he generally is not a big fan of Shoreditch and we haven’t been there for a few years, but I bribed him with a promise of going to Rough Trade East after we finish at the Libreria. As we got near to Libreria and he got a chance to look into the bookstore he exclaimed: “You told me it was small!” with indignation. And indeed the bookshop seemed enormous which surprised me too. Until I realized that either there are a lot more people wearing two coloured hair and bright turquoise jackets, or the back wall is, in fact, a mirror extending the bookshelves into infinity.

The bookshop is very narrow, with lovely sunny-yellow shelves, that also have a few nooks and crannies where we can sit and take a closer peek at the books. I loved the idea of curated shelves and they definitely seem to be carefully curated. It was absolutely lovely to spend 40 minutes in this warm and friendly space, especially that it was cold outside.

When I finally selected my books and went to pay I was asked if I’d like them stamped with the bookshop stamp, I know this may not work for everyone, but I happily agreed. This bookshop was a fantastic way to finish the year, it felt warm and friendly, cosy but not too small, the books had their space, but it was not overwhelming. I’ll definitely be back.

Here’s what I bought:

Grief is the Thing With Feathers – Max Porter (r)

Milkman – Anna Burns (r)

Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less – Alex Soojung-Kim Pang (r)