Blackwell’s is like the wise old sage of bookshops, with over one hundred forty years of literary history in the industry.

Though they might not be the most indie entry on our list, we have to admit their selections and overall offerings are unmatched in terms of variety and that’s exactly why we love them.

Furthermore, we were also happy to find that they also sell signed copies of bestsellers—which is a pretty sweet deal if you ask us!

For a big bookstore chain, we love that they’ve somehow managed to make it easy as pie to find your way around. Less wandering, more book finding.

One thing that we’re a bit iffy about is that they’re a bit far off the city centre, so it may take a couple of tram stops to get to their store.

But what keeps us positive about them is that they offer online ordering which helps with the issue that we mentioned.

Lastly, we have to admit that even though we were initially impressed with their offerings, we’ve noticed a lack of non-fiction genres.

That said, even though Blackwell’s isn’t the best place to find the most unique fantasy novel, we’re still impressed by what they offer and that’s why they deserve a spot on our list.

Chorlton Bookshop is a quaint bookshop near Chorltonville that caught our attention because of their impressive customer service.

During our visit, we were glad to find that they didn’t disappoint. Whether you’re hunting for a specific title or just browsing, they’re always ready with a friendly smile and killer recommendations.

We were also further impressed by the wide range of genres they have available. They’ve got age-turning thrillers to heartwarming romances, and even classics to contemporary gems.

Additionally, we liked that they also have a book club for those who are looking for reading groups to chat about famous books and discover new ones. Plus, they hook up NHS heroes with a sweet discount – major props.

A downside to them is that they’re located pretty far from the city centre, but what kept us positive about them is their bike deliveries.

They’ll zip your new books to your doorstep on a bike, keeping things eco-friendly and efficient which we think deserves additional brownie points from us.

Lastly, we’ve found that some of the regulars we’ve talked to mentioned that there are some cases of delayed responses from them. However, we think it’s a small hiccup in an otherwise stellar experience.

As allies of the LGBTQ+ community, we also live to dive into a rainbow of stories that celebrate the spectrum. This is why Queer Lit initially caught our attention to them.

During our visit, we were glad to find that Queer Lit proudly boasts the largest selection of LGBTQ+ titles in Europe.

We’ve seen everything from heartfelt coming-of-age stories to steamy romances and everything in between, we think there’s something for every reader under their vibrant umbrella of genres offered.

Additionally, their overall floor layout is pretty easy to navigate with wheelchair accessibility which we think deserves bonus points!

That said, given the niche market of Queer Lit, we think it’s worth noting that they don’t carry non-LGBTQ+ titles and this might disappoint some potential customers.

Furthermore, we also want to note that their service levels are a bit of a mixed bag. 

Despite the stellar service that we’ve experienced, there are some patrons that we’ve talked to who weren’t big fans of their staff, particularly when it comes to communication. 

Though we had a good experience with them, some mentioned delays when inquiring about titles they’re interested in.

On a brighter note, we do appreciate that they have their very own book club. We love that this extends the inclusivity of this bookshop and also why we still believe that they are worth adding onto our list.

We found it interesting that House of Books & Friends was established during the 2020 pandemic to help individuals with social isolation and loneliness.

They’re now one of the most popular bookshops in the city that also donates to not-for-profit partners of the same cause.

That said, we also liked that they’re located within the city centre which makes them an easy option for those looking for a new read.

Another unique thing about them is that they offer venues for hire which aren’t usually offered by quaint bookshops their size.

We did notice that the overall space of their shop is a bit cramped which can make browsing books a bit of a hassle, however, we appreciate that their layout is easy to navigate and that keeps us positive about them.

On the topic of their offerings, we have to admit that it’s a bit limited. In our opinion, this might come as a disappointment for some folks who are looking for more variety.

Even so, we have to highlight that their staff impressed us by catering to our requests and engaging in lively discussions about our favourite reads.

For us, their offerings still make them a solid choice for those looking for a bookshop that’s easily accessible with great service levels.

Like any other book lover out there, we like to tuck into our books with a good cup of coffee or tea, and Greenhouse Books gives their customers a place to enjoy that.

At first, we were a bit iffy to make the journey to Stockport because of how far it is from the city centre. However, we were pleasantly surprised that they didn’t disappoint!

During our visit, we appreciated that their staff were friendly and attentive. They even curated a reading list that matched our tastes in genres, and which merits them some extra points in our books!

Additionally, we also want to highlight their cosy and relaxing ambience. They have comfortable seating, ample natural light, and a cafe that serves artisanal coffee and homemade cakes!

Moreover, we also loved that they provide delivery services that proved to be quite convenient since they have limited opening times.

We do have to note though, that because of their limited opening times, this might deter potential patrons from visiting them, especially since they have shorter hours on Sundays.

That said, we still love Greenhouse Books and everything that it stands for. We recommend them for bibliophiles who are looking for a quiet and cosy place to enjoy their next absorbing read.