Indie Advent: Kirsty on Gullivers Bookshop in Wimborne Minster, Dorset

Thank you Kirsty for today's fab Indie Advent post on Gullivers Bookshop!

Gullivers Bookshop, courtesy of Gullivers’ Facebook page

 My best friend, Stacey, was the one to introduce me to Gullivers. We had both been selected as World Book Night givers and Stacey was electing to collect her books from Gullivers. I chose to collect mine from the local library because Wimborne was too far away (i.e. I didn’t know how to get there - it really isn’t that far from Poole).

It took at least another year for her to actually drag me there - we went for a World Book Night evening with book swapping, tea and cakes. I’ve been back a good few times now, sometimes on my own too.

Photo of me enjoying a drink on WBN, courtesy of Gullivers’ Facebook page

Gullivers was established in 1969 and it is family-run by angels (literally, that’s their surname). As well as stocking a variety of books, Gullivers can order for you within a couple of days usually, and always advertises when they have signed copies through their social media accounts. If you do decide to make return visits they also have a loyalty card (which reminds me I have a full one to use). And, because Gullivers is steps away from the historic Minster you are guaranteed a lovely setting to visit if you are coming from further afield.

Gullivers organises the annual Wimborne Literary Festival (WiLF) and this year I was fortunate to attend a number of events: writing workshops and author interviews. The staff really are passionate about books, reading and writing and they have been a wonderful support to a community group I organise. They were a collection venue for our Accio Books campaign, the success of which, meant we were able to pass around 700 hundred books to a local mental health in-patient unit.

Myself, and the rest of Phoenix Rising are also looking forward to hosting Harry Potter night with Gullivers in February. I’m sure between us we’ll conjure up some magic.

Merry Christmas to all the team at Gullivers - thanks for everything…and books!


What one book would you buy from there as a Christmas present, and who would you give it to?

Hmmmmmm, tricky choice. I’m going to speak about a future Christmas present. I would choose George RR Martin’s next Song of Fire and Ice book for my Mum, because she keeps asking me when it is being released. I do try and remind her that it needs to be written first.

Kirsty is at Kirstyes - Books, Occupation - Magic! and on Twitter.

Gullivers website is here and they are also on Facebook and Twitter.