I thought I would share my favourite Waterstones stores.
They are important to the UKs publishers, authors and readers as Waterstones is now the biggest book selling chain in Britain now Borders has gone.
I have to admit I liked the Borders book stores more as they seemed bigger and had way more choice. The Borders at Birstall was huge.
Anyway now Waterstones is the biggest book chain and has improved a lot since HMV sold it and James Daunt took over as CEO.
I will be basing which Waterstones is my favourite by size, amount of my favourite genre they have which is Sci-fi, Fantasy and Horror, cafe experience, signings and Events they have and I've attended and how many books they have of my favourite author David Gemmell. Plus service.
So from best to worst here are my favourite Waterstones stores.
1 - Leeds Waterstones.
I love Leeds store as it's the one I use the most plus I have been to loads of author events here including seeing my favourite author David Gemmell. Plus I've seen Justina Robson, Alastair Reynolds, Peter F Hamilton to name but a few.
The store has a good size Sci Fi and Fantasy section although it was bigger when it was upstairs.
The cafe is good with nice coffee and the service both at the coffee shop and Waterstones is very good.
At last count they had 8 David Gemmell and 2 Stella Gemmell books.
2 - York Waterstones
I love York not just the Waterstones but everything about it including the Shambles, Jorvik viking centre, the pubs, independent book shops.
Every time I visit York I love spending time in their Waterstones. It's as big if not bigger than Leeds store and the Sci Fi and Fantasy section is about the same.
Sadly not been to any events here but hope to in the future.
It also has a great cafe and good staff .
Last count of DG Books - 3. SG books - 1.
3 - Bradford Waterstones
You guessed it I love Bradford Waterstones.
Again it has quite a good range of Sci-fi, Fantasy and Horror. Plus the service is good also and I've had good food from the cafe.
I've also been going to Bradford Waterstones for years on and off.
A main attraction is the building itself. As you can see from the last picture it is huge like an old church.
I am slightly worried as some times when I go the store is dead.
Come on people of Bradford get to Waterstones. Especially if you're going to get isolated with Cova Virus. Grab yourselves some books.
Zero DG books but 1 SG book.
4 - Harrogate Waterstones
I liked Harrogate Waterstones although I've only been once. Similar to York it is quite big and also has a big Sci-fi section.
Once the virus situation is over will definitely go again and this time use the cafe.
DG and SG books - can't remember!
5 - Derby Waterstones
I think Derby Waterstones is great as I've visited each time I've attended the excellent Edge-lit festivals. Fingers crossed it is still on for July!
It's a big Waterstones and would have been fourth on list if it had had a cafe.
The Sci-fi section is very big with great choice and the interior is beautiful with a great staircase.
Will definitely be going back once Edge-lit is on again.
DG and SG books - forgotten.
6 - Huddersfield Waterstones
Used to love the big Waterstones on New Street in Huddersfield that used to be Ottakers book shop.
Sadly that shut and it was quite big. Now Huddersfield is left with the smaller shop in Kirkgate centre which is too small. There isn't a big section on Sci-fi either. No cafe too.
DG books - 0 SG books - 1
Well folks hope you've enjoyed my run down of my favourite Waterstones stores although I'm sure I've been in more like Blackpool branch but it's been so long ago I've not included it.
I hope after the Pandemic, Waterstones is a company that survives. As I said in the intro it is Britain's biggest book chain where Authors, Publishers and readers rely on it.
Then I will visit these branches again plus do a UK tour of Watertones and do a larger list.
Stay safe x
