“We’re located in the heart of Linlithgow, a historic market town in central Scotland,” says Sally Pattle, who was shortlisted as bookseller of the year in this year’s British book awards. “Our name reflects our ethos of providing an escape from the hustle and bustle. It’s a family business,” she says. “My mum bought the shop when it was tiny. Now we also run two festivals, including a free schools festival – last year, over 1,500 kids attended. It was hugely rewarding. Every independent bookshop is a bit different, that’s what makes us such interesting places. Our storytelling rabbit, BB, is the most loved member of staff!”
Top five sellers
•Waiting for the Last Bus
Richard Holloway
•The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
•Women & Power Mary Beard
•The Jam Doughnut That Ruined My Life Mark Lowery
• Bodyguard 6: Fugitive Chris Bradford
Five recommendations
• Far from the Madding Crowd Thomas Hardy
“It inspired the name of our shop! We love Thomas Hardy here, but I’m not sure a shop called Jude the Obscure would feel as welcoming to customers”
•Daniel Deronda George Eliot
“It deals with themes such as anti-semitism, the power of the ruling social elite and the role of women.”
• Painter to the King Amy Sackville
“Looks at Diego Velázquez, in the court of Philip IV. It’s a fascinating period of history. Very clever.”
•The Long Take Robin Robertson
“I’ve admired Robin Robertson’s spare, lyrical poetry for many years, but The Long Take is in a different league. An epic tale of a D-day veteran with PTSD.”
•Nevermoor Jessica Townsend
“Many series claim to be the successor to Harry Potter; for me, Nevermoor nails it. Townsend has constructed a world I would happily live in and a cast of characters you are rooting for from page one.”
• Far from the Madding Crowd, 20 High St, Linlithgow, Scotland EH49 7AE, maddingcrowdlinlithgow.com
