Even in a digital age of e-readers and apps providing whole libraries of books at the touch of a button, it seems you still can’t beat good old fashioned printed copies.

The joy of books and reading is celebrated annually on World Book Day (1 March).

So, what better time to round-up some of the Liverpool City Region’s best and most unique bookshops, events and initiatives.

Top bookshops

News from Nowhere
Bold Street

Since opening in 1974, this not-for-profit bookshop has become a stalwart of Liverpool’s thriving offering of independent businesses. Stocking a range of radical literature to inspire people to make “positive changes to the world,” and showing support for campaigns over the years including that of the Liverpool Dockers, News from Nowhere is more than a bookshop – it’s an inclusive community hub. Run by the Workers Co-operative, the store also stocks socially-conscious fiction and children’s books to titles required by students of Liverpool’s universities and colleges.

Kernaghan Books
Bluecoat, School Lane

The oldest building in Liverpool city centre provides a fitting home for this sprawling shop, which sells books from over 400 years of publishing. Recent arrivals include a Liverpool local history collection of books published between 1760 and 1850. While away your spare time browsing through the shelves of rare, antiquarian and classic books in the bookshop run by Bryan and Alwyn Kernaghan, which may have only been in Liverpool for a few years but previously spent almost 30 in Southport.

Gladstones Bookshop & Cafe
Slater Street

This stockist of new and second-hand Christian books also doubles up as a haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, as an in-store cafe rustles up homemade soups as well as cakes and hot drinks. Operated by The Gladstones Trust, a charity founded in 1820 by John Gladstone, father of former Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone, the Slater Street outlet is also supportive of work to help homeless people.

Pritchards Bookshop
Moor Lane, Crosby

Steve Pritchard has been running this varied bookshop at the heart of Crosby Village for almost 41 years. Expect something for all ages, as well as a mix of big name best sellers to local literature and works by new authors. Plus in-store events, promoted across the shop’s social media, provide opportunities to meet writers and pick up signed copies.

Henry Bohn Books
London Road

There’s sure to be some gems in this Aladdin’s cave of second-hand books in Liverpool city centre. As well as stocking up on good reads across all subjects, visitors can also pick up some new music collection additions as the shop also stocks CDs and records across its two floors.

Bluecoat Books
Gostins Arcade, Hanover Street

It may be tucked away inside the alternative Gostins Arcade, but Bluecoat Books stands out as one of Liverpool city centre’s go-to bookshops. Alongside a selection of art materials, the store’s new book offering covers a wide range of specialist subject areas from arts, crafts and music to fiction, travel and history.

Broadhursts of Southport
Market Street, Southport

With four floors accommodating new books for all ages, including a dedicated children’s section, and rooms packed full of thousands of second-hand, rare and antiquarian books, this long-standing Southport town centre bookshop is certainly worth a visit. It also plays host to special events and book signings, with big literary names including the late Terry Pratchett and ‘Monty Python’ star Michael Palin among those who have previously visited.

Write Blend
South Road, Waterloo

Currently gearing up to host its own Blend of Words literary festival, culminating in a visit from novelist and screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce to mark Write Blend’s first anniversary, the store has quickly established itself as a place to take advantage of life’s simple pleasures – a sofa, a cuppa and a good read. Downstairs the bookshop mixes books for all ages from new and established writers, while the Coffee Room upstairs serves a mouth-watering selection of cakes with a bespoke blend of coffee. Plus there are regular events including book club sessions, poetry nights and art classes.

Linghams Booksellers
Telegraph Road, Heswall

There’s more to this award-winning bookshop than just books – although its selection suits all tastes and titles can be ordered in for customers. Venture over the water to this independent shop and enjoy a hot drink, milkshake or bite to eat in its coffee bar ‘Toast’. Then there’s the monthly book club and poetry evening and weekly children’s story time sessions, as well as a host of other one off events such as the forthcoming sold out visit from social media sensation and writer ‘The Unmumsy Mum’.

Reid of Liverpool
Mount Pleasant

This bookshop may be a stone’s throw from Liverpool’s iconic Metropolitan Cathedral but it shouldn’t be overlooked as a striking city attraction itself. Specialising in a varied selection of antiquarian and out of print books, this shop within an old Georgian building was established in 1975.

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