UK shopping guide - bookshops cheap books magazines and audiobooks

Highstreet Bookshops Online

Reading is one of the greatest pleasures in life. For a while in the modern age it looked like it was taking a serious hit with the advent of the internet and mobile devices. However, reading a book has an enduring quality and the act of turning a page is not easily replace with a pixelated screen. To get drawn into a story and escape between the pages of your imagination is lasting enjoyment. The memories and layers of a story remain solid for longer inside your mind.

Book Shops

Like most businesses’ bookshops have migrated to selling books online. There remains a few independent and the odd bookstore chain still on the high street and the lirary i should add. But on the whole the bookselling trade is now via the internet.

Magazine Subscription

Magazine subscription can be much more than just flicking through a mag, it can be informative and give life enhancing knowledge. All interests are catered for including film, food, retirement, and sport along with kids magazine subscriptions.

Audio Books

Audiobooks or talking books is a out loud reading of the text. All the classics have been narrated and educational books. They are becoming more popular along with podcasts for listening to when occupied doing something else but free to use your ears.

Online Book Stores

Amazon Books UK

Amazon started out as a book seller before expanding into everything and anything. It is still one of the major players in book retail online. In fact, book for book they are the planets biggest bookshop across a range of media.

Prime membership access to Kindle library and free delivery on eligible items
Amazon Kindle electronic e-book reader download books and magazines
Audible books, Kindle books and the physical paper book

The UK's best book shops

Top 5 shopping websites for online bookshops, magazine subscription and audiobooks.

Waterstones.com best reads

1: Waterstones

About: In store and online the highstreet book specialist selling books gifts and stationary. Explore their comprehensive variety of books at the website Waterstones.com. Buy online with free delivery if purchase is over twenty pounds or collect from your local bookshop. Book selling is a passion for them and the shops are a relaxing place to visit some with wonderful little coffee shops.

History Summary: Tim Waterstone established this bookshop in 1982. Over the following decades they have become a firm fixture in UK shopping centres. Waterstones employ over 3000 excellent booksellers spanning over 280 bookstores. Physical bookshops like libraries are an endangered species in this climate Waterstones defy the trends. They continue to sell books giving knowledge and enjoyment to thousands of customers.

Best Buys: Books everyone is talking about

Talks and book signings
Local high street bookstore presence
Book competitions and prize draws

Thebookpeople.co.uk

2: The Book People

About: Cheap book purchases online from The Book People the UK’s best loved independent book retailer. Explore a host of handpicked quality books on all subjects for sale at cut-rate prices. Discover a great variety of youngsters’ books from the classics to new bestsellers. They have now extended the stock range beyond only books, now you can also order toys, presents and stationery.

History Summary: Ted Smart and Seni Glaister founded The Book People in 1988 they are both book fanatics. The basic principle was to make books obtainable and affordable to everybody. How very noble you might think and you would be right. They started by hand delivering books direct to school and people’s workplaces at incredible prices. In 1990, they had 140 local booksellers all over the UK wearing the red Book People shirts and delivering books to every kind of workplace possible from banks to hospitals. This was followed by the website bookstore in 1998 which is an easy to use website for buying books. Today they are the UK’s preferred independent bookshop selling books to customers all over the world with savings up to 3/4 off RRP – from cheap books to the newest bestsellers.

Best Buys: Wonderful choice of kid’s books

Become a VIP member and collect points
Full range of educational school books
Special offers and clearance section

Audible.co.uk books that speak to you

3: Audible

About: Audible have an extensive catalogue of audiobooks on every topic across all genres. Including classics and educational documentaries. Explore the world’s biggest collection of titles by best-selling authors. Audible.co.uk have faith in the spoken word and understand in todays modern world time is becoming more precious than ever. Using time correctly is imperative for getting the most from life. Audio books allows you to multi-task whether your running, walking, driving or having a bath. Transforming that valuable time when you are busy but your mind is free. Get started with a free trial today and receive a free audiobook.

History Summary: Formed in 1995 Audible is a provider and producer of spoken audio books and audio information covering all genres. Its audio file system has been developed over the years. Audible has now become the biggest producer and supplier in the world of down loadable audiobooks. In 2008 it was bought out by Amazon for 300 million dollars. They have increased the number of audiobooks being produced with narrators from A lister Hollywood stars and the likes of Steven Fry covering the great Sherlock Holmes books. They have made audio books mainstream with their own recording studios employing many actors and voice overs.
Best Buys: Classic Audio Books. Don’t like the audiobook you’ve chosen just swap it. Thirty day free trial membership period. Listen to educational or story books while driving.

Taschen.com more than coffee table books

4: Taschen

About: Followers of beautiful books adore Taschen a name one knows publishes fine looking art books. Shop for visually inspiring books people might call them beautiful coffee table books. Taschen publish and create eye-catching books on art photography, architecture, fashion and film. Explore their 100 contemporary series covering art, buildings and clothes fashion. Published alongside more mainstream books are the more adventurous titles. They have a possibly controversial series of books relating to physical pleasure.

History Summary: Taschen is an art book producer and publisher created in 1980 by Benedikt Taschen in Cologne, Germany. The company started as Taschen Comics so a visually inspired book company from its beginning. The art book publishing as gone into risky areas like sexual sub cultures alongside it’s conventional art books. It is still run by the same owner Benedikt Taschen and his daughter Marlene Taschen.

Best Buys: Beautiful visual books

Limited edition art books
View Taschen magazine archive
Free shipping for orders above £20

GreatMagazines.co.uk

5: Great Magazines

About: At Great Magazines you are guaranteed the best prices on printed and digital subscription for all the greatest magazines from across the globe. Getting your regular mag deal is simple from Practical Photography to Modern Gardens. Not only does Great Magazines sell magazine subscriptions they also give the opportunity to buy earlier back magazine issues and special editions in digital and hard copy issues. If you’re looking for gift ideas, they have a dedicated gifts page to help you pick the right magazine for a friend or family.

History Summary: Bauer Media UK owns Great Magazines so you can be sure of the best possible service regarding your subscription. They personally own some of the well-known magazines in the UK. Their group of magazines include Empire, KISS, Grazia, TV Choice, Parkers, Motor Cycle News, Take a Break, Closer and Bella. Bauer Media Group is the biggest privately-owned media group in Europe.

Best Buys: Purchase single copies and specials.

Magazines subscription gift cards
They are a publisher so guaranteed best price
Subscribe to print and digital copies

Great savings on books and magazines, all the best UK book shops with an online presence. Books make great gifts for friends and family or a treat for yourself.

UK bookshops online – Our aim is to provide a directory of the best UK book shops so you can compare book prices and find the best reading deals available. Visit Good Reads for book reviews.

A deeper look at UK shops

Our reviewed shops provide a brief history and breakdown of what they sell. If you would like a shop added to our review section please contact us with suggestions UK Shopping Guide.