Diagon Alley

Finally getting my arse in gear - I've started to edit the pictures I took on my visit to the Harry Potter studios

'Hagrid, meanwhile, was counting bricks in the wall above the dustbin. "Three up...two across..." he muttered. "Right, stand back, Harry.' He tapped the wall three times with the point of his umbrella. ' 

- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, J.K Rowling 

Harry Potter at Primark

If you're a fan of the boy wizard and want to show your school pride, get down to Primark pronto. Hogwarts and House T-shirts are selling for a tiny £6.00 (1 gallon, 3 sickles and 11 knuts)

I'm about 5"6 and the shirt nearly covers my bum, they come in the usual range of UK sizes and have a relaxed fit with rolled sleeves.

Scarthin Books

If you're in the area of Cromford or Matlock, you should take the time to go to Scathin Books. It is a bibliophiles heaven, thousands of new and second-hand book, plus a vegetarian cafe.

I did find the second-hand books a tad over priced, but there is a huge selection to choose from. Our itinerary was busy, so I couldn't spend as long as I wanted browsing, plan to spend a good couple of hours here.  

Literary Clothing

I've previously mentioned in other gift guides places to buy literature related clothing, and I've just found another one to add to the list:- The Affair. This company takes a more abstract approach rather than bog-standard book covers printed on t-shirts.

George Orwell, Animal Farm

The t-shirts retail for £29.90, which is quite responsible considering that they only produced in small runs. Also at the moment they're doing a really good deal of 3 mystery t-shirts for £44.8

If these aren't your style, but you still fancy some novel clobber, have a browse on these sites:-

• TruffleShuffle: for Roald Dahl, Wizard of Oz and Harry Potter t-shirts and hoodies
• Out of Print Clothing: literature related apparel, bags and accessories- I can't decide if my favourite is the 1984 t-shirt, or the Great Gatsby jumper. If you want to buy Out of Print Clothing in the UK have a look on amazon
• The Literary Gift Company: so many great titles to choose from, including children and adults books
• Litograph: These are really clever, the entire book it printed on the t-shirt with an illustration. For example Bullfinch's mythology is illustrated with a picture of Medusa. 
• Skreened: 'I party with Jay Gatsby' is my favourite t-shirt slogan, they also have Catcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mocking Bird and The Perks of Being a Wallflower items.
• Red Molotov. This Atticus Finch one is my favourite.
• Rupert and Buckley. This t-shirts include funny literary puns, 'Annoy me and you'll get the Bronte of my sisters', 'I'm no plain Jane I'm Austentatious! 

Sugar Sin

I love the name of this shop 'Sugar Sin', it sums up treats perfectly- sweet and a little bit wicked. It sells traditional British sweets, licorice comforts, chocolate raisins and mint humbugs. They're a little bit pricey but are good quality and beautifully presented. I can vouch for the chocolate and yoghurt coated nuts.

 
The interior of the shop is Willy Wonka territory, black and white stripy floors, pastel shelves and huge jars of pick and mix.

Sugar Sin is near to Covent Garden if you fancy dropping in, or alternatively you can shop online.

Buying Books & Booksellers

After recently visiting The London Book Review I started thinking about how I actually buy books. Ebooks have been a phenomenon, and according to an article I read this week an estimated eight million Brits now own an e-reader (17/04/13 Evening Standard). Although I own a kindle, and appreciate the convenience of  been able to cart around hundreds of books in my handbag without putting my back out, I will never stop buying physical paper books.

 I will also never stop supporting book stores, yes the internet is marvellous, but online shopping is impersonal. I find it easier, and more enjoyable to leisurely browse for books in a shop. You can read the blurb, feel the weight and appreciate the cover design in a way that is not possible when just clicking on links. 

I find it a real pleasure to spend hours in a bookshop, my arms overflowing trying to make a decision. It is one of the simple joys in my life to open a book for the very first time, the pages fresh and the spine crisp and unbent, you cannot experience the same sensory delight reading from a screen.