Hello Readers,
I would like to start by saying thank you again to The
Barrister’s Book Chamber for the invite to the launch of their True Crime and
Crime fiction floor. The event was gifted. I would also like to say thank you for sending me home
with a blind date with a book. This was honestly one of the cutest events I’ve
been invited too, nothing was too much for our lovely hosts. I honestly can’t
think of the last time I went into a bookshop and felt like I was being
welcomed back by friends I have known for years, despite only just meeting
everyone.
This mind-blowing bookshop is hidden way in Retford, from
the outside you wouldn’t believe the wonders and magic that are hidden inside.
The Barrister’s Book Chamber is at 33 Churchgate, Retford, and behind its
magical doors, you will find the floors of pure literary magic and its a
must-visit for any book worm. As soon as you walk through the door your eyes
are drawn to the books there is a book tree as you walk in and if you look up
you will see books swirling on the ceiling…. yes, real books, it is remarkable. Also, on the ground floor, there is a
wonderful little tearoom that is surrounded by vinyl records. The café has
scones and homemade cakes, as well as coffee and proper tea with a strainer.
I’m going to stop going on about the shop for a minute
and talk about the event. We were treated to a screening of the film Clue in
the fiction room on the second floor. I’m so sorry but I have to do it, it was
The Barrister, in the fiction room with the cupcake. I will be honest Clue is
one of the only Tim Curry films other than IT I haven’t seen and I was
surprised at how much I actually enjoyed it. Considering the film is based on
the board game Cluedo, I think they did a good job and I can see why it is
called a cult classic. The murder cupcakes were the cutest they had a
blood-stained glass (melted glacier mints with red icing) sticking out of the
frosting.
All I can say is that even though we were in a bookshop
it was an intimate screening without feeling claustrophobic it that makes
sense, it felt like I was with a bunch of friends at a sleepover with snacks
and popcorn. After the movie, we were treated to a guided tour of the upstairs
floor, on the way up I recognised the names of the streets on the wall but
we’ll touch on that later and we passed a collection of the green penguin
classics. On the top floor, you have a small room the first left off the stairs
that is currently themed Agatha Christie but it will be changing to Jack the
Ripper closer to Christmas.
The next room was the crime fiction room while here we
were told about the history of the building and possible plans for the future.
The next room was a meeting space that people can book out when required it’s a
large enough space without taking too much away from the bookshop, the room is
also relatively out the way so people using it won’t be disturbed.
The next room is the true-crime room and this room was my
favourite in the bookcase there were little displays on a serial killer but the
ones that jumped out to me were Ian Brady, Mary Rose Cotton and John Christie.
On the right-hand side of the room, we have the courtroom memorabilia there was
a stenotype machine, law books, wig and gown. During the talk for this room, I
learnt a lot about being a barrister and it was honestly fascinating. It was in this room that I realised the names
of the streets on the stairs where the locations of Jack the Rippers crimes.
After visiting the top floor we started working our way
back down to the ground floor while talking on the second floor their other
shop The Barrister in Wonderland came up and myself and another blogger who
wasn’t local were invited to go take a look after everyone was finished at The
Barrister’s Book Chamber.
I was in love with The Barrister’s Book Chamber imagine
how excited I was when I saw The Barrister in Wonderland this shop is honestly
the best children’s bookshop I’ve ever been too. This bookshop well and truly captures
wonderland and I would love to see the shop through a child’s eyes because even
at 26 I was full of wonder and magic. I loved the book archway as you enter and
seeing everything topsy-turvy, there was a chess set on the ceiling as well as
the white rabbit and the mad hatter's tea table. There is also a fairy door and
the door to wonderland yes, I did try both of them you never know.
Both the shops are magical and even at 26 years old they
felt me wonder and magic and It is worth visiting Retford just to visit both of
the bookshops. I honestly can’t recommend visiting The Barrister’s Book Chamber
enough. Also, keep your eyes out for some blind date with a book they have a couple
of books wrapped up with a description.
L x
Comments
Post a Comment