Dogs in Shops: The Canine Bookmonger on Coldharbour Lane

After London and dogs, next on my list of favourite things in the big wide world of everything would have to be books.

Why is when Ellen alerted me to this beautiful member of staff in Bookmongers – a second hand bookshop on Coldharbour Lane in Brixton – it was pretty much like all my blackberry mojitos arriving at once.

Best of all, he’s what I like to call a Proper Dog. (aka, big).

The shop is owned by Patrick Kelly, who opened it 20 years ago when he moved over from the USA – here’s a little video about him and Bookmongers. Their story, the character of the place and the general brilliance of second hand books pretty much sums up everything I love about London’s independent shops.

On which note, you’ll find Bookmongers at 439 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LN.

Thank you to Ellen Munro for the picture – she also runs one of my favourite blogs, Dogs on Trains.

Speaking of reading, this year I’m one of 20,000 World Book Night volunteers, which basically means that on 23rd April I’ll be giving out free copies of Damage to people who wouldn’t normally read, like some sort of London-based book Jesus.

So if you know anyone who could do with a push towards literature, let me know. I will hunt them down. 

There are more dogs in shops here – and please feel free to send me any you find.

Have you met this dog? Are you World Book Night-ing too? Let’s be friends. Friiiieennnnnd.