The Grove Bookshop

Hooray for independent bookshops! They are a dying breed. This one has many endearing idiosyncrasies. The classical music playing in the background gives it an austere feel and the window display of nature/​gardening orientated books reminds you are shopping amongst the middle aged. Maybe I’m old before my time as this is what dragged me in most recently but when it comes to bookshops I don’t even need a nudge.
There is a large local section with books and maps about Ilkley, the Moors and Yorkshire, in historical, fictional and photographic form. There is a fiction section and I liked the ‘our choice’ stand that had books mostly about — you guessed it — Yorkshire, on it. There is a large cookery and travel section and apart from books they sell penguin mugs and bags. I didn’t venture downstairs but I hear there is a classical music section selling sheet music and CDs, alongside British and foreign film DVDs. Their book-​ordering system is speedier than Waterstone’s too!

This bookshop is totally humungous, and being in Ilkley, in not without it’s quirks! The building outside is gorgeous and inviting, with stark royal blue woodwork, and it sits on one of the main high streets so it’s easy to locate. It sells a good deal of standard titles.
Selling a range of musical books, from contemporary, jazz, folk and more, as a musician (or budding musician) you couldn’t want for more! The staff are helpful if you get stuck, which is always a bonus, so have no fear if you’re not sure what it is you are looking for. They also have a whole host of fiction, classics, children’s books and a load of lovely Yorkshire related titles.
On a slightly more odd note, like I said — quirks, at the time of shopping they had a bunch of children’s titles in the window for Christmas. All looked normal, cute and such until I noticed one most peculiar title. It was a picture booked called «Santa needs a wee!» Possibly the funniest and most bizarre Christmas related child’s book I’ve ever seen. Awesome.