Birmingham has been home to some of the world’s best writers like J.R.R. Tolkein, Steven Knight, Lee Child, Kit de Waal - and of course William Shakespeare lived just up the road in Stratford-Upon-Avon.
And it’s also home to some amazing independent bookshops - along with the huge Waterstones in the city centre - which are like cornerstones of their community.
And, whether you are a reader or not - it’s always great to support the local businesses around us. In exchange, the bookshops provide us with creative nourishment.
For Independent Bookshop Week - which is from June 17-24 June 2023 across the UK and Ireland - bookshops around Birmingham have some amazing events lined up, including workshops and meets and greets with famous authors.
So, here are the nine independent bookshops in Birmingham that are a must-visit and the events they are hosting for Independent Bookshop Week:
And, whether you are a reader or not - it’s always great to support the local businesses around us. In exchange, the bookshops provide us with creative nourishment.
5. Bear Bookshop, Smethwick
Bear Bookshop (Birmingham) will be running a prize draw for all their customers during IBW – a bag of books for one lucky winner! At 11:00am on Thursday, June 22 they are hosting acclaimed actor and author Clive Mantle for an informal Q&A session on everything from Casualty to Game of Thrones, Vicar of Dibley to Thomas the Tank Engine! He will also be reading from his fabulous series of children’s books The Adventures of Freddie Malone and signing copies. (Photo - Google Maps)
6. Mybookbasket, Aston
Mybookbasket on Potters Lane in Aston has a large collection of diverse books for children. Their collection mostly covers the African diaspora in Britain, America, the Caribbean, Africa, and beyond. They also have a book club you can join. (Photo - Google Maps)
7. Ikon bookshop, Brindleyplace
This book is located inside The Ikon Gallery and it’s a specialist book shop where you can find the latest titles on design, art theory, and more. (Photo - West Midlands Growth Company)
8. Court 15 Books, Birmingham Back to Backs
The Back to Backs is a carefully restored, atmospheric 19th-century courtyard of working people’s houses. It has a second-hand bookstore - Court 15 Books - as well. The second-hand bookshop at the Birmingham Back to Backs stocks a wide range of both new and used books. Including fiction, non-fiction, children’s, young adult and a variety of local history books, you’re bound to find your next read at Court 15 Books. (Photo - NotFromUtrecht / Wikimedia Commons)