Bold Types: Indie Bookshops of Aotearoa New Zealand

Saturday 12 October was Aotearoa NZ Bookshop Day. It was the 10th anniversary of this fab event, and the theme was "Love your Bookshop". 

Here is a book that does just that. Bold Types - Indie bookshops of Aotearoa New Zealand is a beauty of a book, skilfully edited by Jemma Moreira. There are lots of photos by the legendary Jane Ussher, showing swoonsome shelves and book displays; interior and exterior shots of bookshops; bookshop people - customers, owners, and workers; and the occasional bookshop dog. 

The introduction by publisher Deborah Coddington celebrates the "beauty and quirk of bookshops". Her words are tinged with sadness too as booksellers suffered a lot from the impact of COVID, and two of the featured bookshops The Twizel Bookshop and Good Books in Wellington have since closed. 

But this is a happy book, about the particular pleasure of a good bookshop. Bold Types visits 32 of the best, all over the motu. What makes this book extra special is the owners themselves talk about their bookshops and their customers. Booksellers have a real love of books and their communities, and this shines through. There are sparkling bookselling anecdotes too, for fans of bookseller-authors like Shaun Bythell and Ruth Shaw.  

It's lovely to see local Ōtautahi bookshops featured: UBS Canterbury, Scorpio Books, and Piccadilly Books

You will add more Aotearoa bookshops to your must-visit list after reading this book. Spending time in Bold Types is up there with whiling away your time at a bookshop - it's time well-spent and an absolute joy. 

Favourite quotes

"Only a bookshop can give you that precious thing - what you never knew you were looking for."
Greg Hampton and Theresa Thompson, Carson's Bookshop, Thames

"We are a friendly lot who often bemoan the fact that there are too many good books and too little time to read them all".
Justin Edgar, The Little Book Shop, Remuera, Auckland

"Owning a bookshop consists of two distinct things - running a business and being a purveyor of magic."
Brenda Gale, The Martinborough Bookshop

"Coming into Unity is like joining a big party, a salon with different corners and nooks and crannies. You know there is something there for you even if you don't know what it is yet. That's the Unity experience; unexplored terrain, a myriad of options, and the frisson of the written word."
Jo McColl, Unity Books

Bold Types: Indie Bookshops of Aotearoa New Zealand competition

Thanks to Ugly Hill Press and Lighthouse PR, we had a copy of Bold Types to give away. We asked entrants: What's the best thing about your favourite bookshop? The randomly selected winner was Zac McCallum who picked Scorpio Books: "The atmosphere. It just feels so nice to be in there!"

Here are some other comments as to why people love their favourite bookshop:

They know my name !!
Suzanne

You can rummage and unearth treasures.
Anna

In a world seemingly full of strife, there’s a haven of peace and quiet with shelves full of books, books and more books where I can browse at my leisure and think about the many happy hours of reading they offer. The staff are super helpful and all proceedings are overseen by a friendly little dog who often sits on the shop counter.
Graeme

The 'new book' smell which promises such wonderful experiences.
Nono

So many things!
The quality of the books
The great NZ section
Knowledgeable and passionate staff, rather than people "just doing their job."
Wendy

Opening the door, walking through into the magic of Scorpio Books, and the disappearance of time. Wishing you were stronger so you could carry more books home.
Penny

Scorpio Books - The best thing is the diverse range of books, publications and all forms of literature they have on offer.
Kim

The atmosphere at Scorpio Books and Telling Tales. Rubbing shoulders with like-minded people.
Sandra

I love the Paper Plus and Whitcoulls book shop because the staff are always so welcoming. They love to help you pick out a book and always let you look through books and take your time. They have a wide selection of stories which include latest books and classic bestsellers. I love these bookshops for their unique atmosphere, where the scent of paper and ink creates a sense of adventure. Browsing the shelves offers a chance to discover new stories and ideas, often leading to unexpected finds. Plus, the community of fellow readers and the knowledgeable staff make every visit feel welcoming and enriching. These two Bookshops are enchanting places where time seems to stand still, allowing for a moment of escape into different worlds. The tactile experience of flipping through pages and the thrill of uncovering hidden gems make each visit exciting.
Mehakpreet

Affordable secondhand books with an amazing selection of topics. I could spend hours there looking through all the books on the shelves and in boxes. Plus, I inevitably meet other book lovers who are equally excited by all the book discoveries and there are fun exchanges.
Cushla

The bookshop cat! Even though she scratches me when I try to pat her 🙁
Waveney

Being surrounded by so many stories, both made up and true. And of course, the dogs. (Page & Blackmore Nelson, and the old Scorpio Books)
Carolyn

It makes me realize that I'm not alone in loving books that aren't necessarily the top sellers; it sells books about the obscure and the wonderful! (And to be really honest, I generally check the book out from the library first to make sure I want to buy it!)
Catherine

The cosy, eclectic atmosphere that feels like stepping into a different world of exciting adventures and possibilities.
Sheryl

Scorpio is always constant and comfortable where staff just know the title of a book that one cannot remember but they will know what it's called just by the few details given to them.
You want to sit down with a book and stay all day and somehow know you probably would not be moved on until closing time.
Pauline

The lovely owners Anne and Philip, and Mr Fitzgerald the friendliest dog in any book shop. All of Clocks Bookshop on Normans Road. So friendly and helpful.
Karen

Even though I live in Christchurch,my favourite bookshop is Wardinis in Havelock North.
My son and his family live in Havelock North, and I go up there at least 4 times a year ( usually to mind grandchildren).
The first thing I do is visit Wardinis, where the variety of books is incredible. The staff are helpful but are content to let you browse, and enjoy doing so.
I belong to a Book Group and often buy my selection for the group from Wardinis.The staff are always keen to help in this choice.
And my best birthday or Christmas gift, is a voucher from Wardinis.
Helen

The best things about a bookshop
are the books all stacked right there
they tell a lot about a shop
project an atmosphere

Sometimes I find a real surprise
lurking on a shelf
and once to my delight I found
a book I wrote myself!

So if you need a pick-me-up
head along your bookshop street
I'll guarantee, like me, you'll find
a wondrous reading treat
Barbara

Terms and conditions

• The competition is open from Friday 11 October to Sunday 20 October 2024.
• This competition is restricted to members of Christchurch City Libraries. Christchurch City Libraries staff may not enter this competition.
• The prize will be delivered to the winner's selected library for pickup.
• The winner will be announced on the Christchurch City Libraries website.
• Prize allocation is at the discretion of the Christchurch City Council. All decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• Prize is not transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.
• Entries must have all correct contact details.
• Entries will become property of Christchurch City Libraries.

Bold Types: Indie Bookshops of Aotearoa New Zealand

Aotearoa NZ Bookshop Day

• Read our post about Aotearoa NZ Bookshop Day 2024
• Visit our page about bookshops