Well, three days is a long time to go without a bookshop, and sometimes you just need a break in the editing, and … well, Katie Clapham of Storytellers Inc. (more on that later) asked me whether or not I had been to Sam Reads, and I naturally changed my plans so that I could do so.

I am certainly grateful I visited. Such a beautiful bookshop, such a great selection of books, such a passion for poetry.

At Sam Reads I also got my very first poetry recommendation: Division Street by Helen Mort and Shadow Dispatches by Polly Atkin.

Sam Read Bookseller has existed for some 150 years in Grasmere, ever since Sam Read followed his name to the obvious conclusion and opened a bookshop.