The Aardvark Blog

Last day for Catherine; great trip to London Bookfair; New Books in Stock
17/04/2015

Catherine gave her notice in months ago and at the time it seemed like it wouldn't happen for months. But today the day of her final day has finally arrived, and feelings of joy at the new life she is building in Sussex and blended with sadness that we won't see her here every morning in the bookery.

A number of regulars have dropped in over the last few days to say goodbye, and it is moving how much of a difference she has made to people.

Yesterday Arthur Aardvark was up at the London Bookfair, feeling very much like a country mouse in the big city. The whizzy world of big publishing is always fairly alienating, but it was good to catch up with old friends. The main point of going however is to pick up some wonderful books, and the truck came back loaded up to the gunnels with terrific new titles ( why when you are loading up does it always start raining ! ). The Picture shows just a few of the titles that we bought. All art books.

Finally the other reason we were at the Bookfair was to talk to the Booksellers Association about the James Patterson Bursary we have just been awarded, to help us encourage young people to read. This is a cause that is very close to our hearts and it was great to have national recognition. Other bursary winners were bookshops from across Britain and Ireland large cities and market towns (including the wonderful Wenlock Books in Much Wenlock). However Aardvark were the only rural bookshop to win an award, and the only shop from Herefordshire. We are deeply honoured, and will make sure that we spend James Patterson's money wisely.