Behind the Shelves
There's a quiet kind of magic in a bookshop. Every day people wander in searching for something — escape, comfort, understanding, or simply a way to fill an afternoon. It got me wondering: why do people read?

Where every delivery is a surprise party!
There is no greater feeling than the familiar rumble of the courier truck outside the shop. Suddenly the day gets a whole lot more exciting. Box after box is unloaded onto the shop floor,...
How to Choose a Thriller Without Scaring the Daylights Out of Yourself
I love a good thriller and it’s no secret that it has to be the ‘gritty’ kind. The kind that keeps me turning pages long after I should...
Playing Literary Matchmaker
Finding the perfect book for a friend can feel a little like matchmaking. Get it right and they'll be talking about it for years. Get it wrong and...
It’s right there. No, a little to the left!
If you’ve ever worked in retail, you’ll know this scene well. A customer walks up to the counter and asks where a particular stock item is, only for...
Reading Without Sitting Still
For many people, getting back into reading as we get older can feel almost impossible. Sitting still with a book and a cup of coffee for an hour...
When The Shelves Start Wobbling
Ever had that strange moment in a shop where the room feels slightly off balance? Not quite seasick, not quite faint - just a bit wobbly. You’re not...
Why We Need Third Spaces
Most of us spend our lives moving between two places: home and work. Home is where the washing piles up, the dog needs feeding, and there always seems...
Colouring in is Cheaper than Therapy
In a world obsessed with speed, productivity and endless scrolling, many of us are craving the opposite. Slow hobbies - puzzles, reading, colouring, knitting and journalling - are...
Just One More Chapter Please!
There’s a quiet kind of magic in a bookshop. Every day, people wander through the doors searching for something - escape, comfort, understanding, inspiration, or simply a way...
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New writing from behind the shelves, reading recommendations and a little of the Mackenzie light.