posted on 09 Jan 2019

Books Beyond Words, Dorchester

The way a shop front looks plays such an important part in enticing customers and this one is splendid. Located on busy High East Street in the pleasant historic market town of Dorchester, it is bound to grab the eyes of passing motorists as well as pedestrian shoppers and tourists.  Julian Nangle owns this magnificent old building and also lives above the shop. He is a very experienced bookseller who has had second hand book shops in many different places, including another shop in Dorchester some years ago, he certainly knows what works and what doesn’t.  When the shop recently became vacant he was determined to provide a beautiful place that would inject some life into the town which, like so many others, is beginning to be scarred with too many empty and temporary shop fronts. He has joined with two other booksellers to provide an interesting and eclectic variety of books to suit a range of tastes.

There is plenty to look at in the well- tended window display before stepping into the extensive,  light airy space with clearly labelled book filled shelves along both walls. I was immediately drawn to a section just inside the shop that was well stocked with a range of children’s books. These included many classics alongside some modern titles, all in fine condition and very reasonably priced.  There was also a good selection of literary fiction and an impressive array of some beautiful art, photography and illustrated books to browse through. There are plans to develop many other specialist sections to include Local Interest and Country Pursuits.

This is a comfortable place to spend time browsing. There was an elderly man engrossed in a book sitting on the huge sofa near the entrance and a young woman asking for advice from the very helpful and friendly person at a side desk.  Although it is usually only open for three days in every week (times and days are clearly displayed in the window) I was delighted to see that there were several people coming and going in the short time that I was there, and some were buying.  This is one of those second hand bookshops that needs to be experienced first- hand because it has been obviously designed with real care by someone who is an avid book lover.   

Karen Argent

January 2019