Simply named Books, this second-hand store on a residential road in Peckham is a favourite of Cal Revely-Calder, The Telegraph’s literary editor.
He says: “Good bookshops that don’t double as bars, cafés or ‘hang-out spots’ come in two useful types: the comprehensive and the chaotic. Books is among the latter.
“It consists of two small rooms, walls fit to burst. The arrangement is incomprehensible, and the prices, pencilled on fly-leaves, are low. You should walk in with a crisp £20 note, and leave with four or five aleatory things.”
Cal was able to pick up a range of literary works: “I’ve found poetry, philosophy, little magazines and plenty of classic literature, and none of the purchases were planned.”
Peckham is home to creative centres Bussey Building and Peckham Levels, which host regular cultural events. There are also a good number of nearby bars and restaurants, including Nest and Vine Peckham, which is a three-minute walk from Books and operates as a community café, florist, wine shop and bar.
Website: books-peckham.com
Nearest tube or rail station: Peckham Rye
