• A BOOKSHOP is a place of words, and pictures sometimes. Some soft, occasionally loud music is good too.

Now Waterstones in neighbouring Camden has a chat programme, such as one can enjoy in a corner shop on a short visit and keep up with the news or weather.

I couldn’t believe it, a man’s voice coming out of the walls, then another joining in, interrupting the calm. People at tables reading, one with his head between his hands.

When I talked to the manager about it: “But it’s the BBC.” He thought that was an excuse. Not in a bookshop, please.

MARGARET PRYOR
Middleton Grove, N7