Booked & Bound

A slow birthday journey through London

Jul 25, 2025

On a personal note
issue #11

This year for my birthday, I embraced slow living a bit more by resisting the urge to pack my itinerary from dawn to dusk. While I’ve gotten better at slowing down in my daily life, I still fall into the trap of wanting to see everything when I travel — because what if I never come back? The result? I often need a vacation to recover from my vacation.

But not this time. For my birthday, I treated myself to a solo trip to London, and honestly, it was the best birthday I’ve had in years. With no schedule but my own, I had the luxury of deciding each day’s pace on a whim. I wandered, explored, took buses to new neighbourhoods, revisited beloved spots like The British Museum, and finally made it to the Tower of London. I even reconnected with two dear friends from my backpacking days in Asia.

But the true highlight? A Ludovico Einaudi concert at The Royal Albert Hall. Pure magic. Easily the most moving musical experience I’ve ever had. There are no words to describe how amazing that concert was!

In search of stories: My favourite bookshops in London

What’s a trip to London without a few book- and stationery shops to visit? I had sworn I wouldn’t buy any more books, as my TBR is towering and my flat is practically a library already. I even brought a carry-on to help curb temptation. Well...I ended up with seven books and a few stationery treasures. And yes, I had to buy an extra backpack to get everything home.
Oops!

My first stop was Libreria: A Bookshop by Second Home, an independent gem in East London. It’s a small shop, but full of personality, with a strict no-phones policy I truly appreciated. The shelves are creatively arranged by themes like Wanderlust and The City, which made browsing feel more like a treasure hunt than normal.

I couldn’t resist picking up a book I’ve read before, A Death in Malta: An assassination and a family’s quest for justice by Paul Caruana Galizia, and was delighted to get it stamped with the shop’s seal. Naturally, I had them stamp my pocket notebook too. It’s the little things.

Just a short walk from Libreria is Brick Lane Bookshop, another independent treasure tucked into the heart of East London. The space has a warm, welcoming vibe, the kind that invites you to linger a little longer than planned. It was a bit busy when I stopped by, but never overwhelming. Their selection is thoughtfully curated, with something for every reader and a bit on local history too.

I walked out with The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker, the first book in her Women of Troy series, and of course, a tote bag I absolutely didn’t need but couldn’t resist. There’s something about a well-designed bookshop tote that gets me every time!

Later that day, I finally made it to Daunt Books, the iconic Edwardian bookshop in Marylebone. This has been on my list for ages, and it did not disappoint. The long oak galleries, skylit rooms, and old world charm made it feel like stepping into a dream — especially if that dream includes rows upon rows of beautiful travel literature.

I arrived early enough to beat the crowds and had time to soak in the atmosphere. Their travel section is a real standout, but honestly, the whole store is a joy to explore. I left with two books: Bookish: How Reading Shapes Our Lives by Lucy Mangan and The Ratline: Love, Lies, and Justice on the Trail of a Nazi Fugitive by Philippe Sands - an author I’ve really grown to appreciate lately.

I also picked up two more books at the British Museum as well, drawn in by their excellent selection on the Tudor dynasty; The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir and She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth by Helen Castor.

Paper, pens & the joy of browsing

No trip of mine is complete with a detour (or three) into a good stationery shop. Just like bookstores, these spaces always feel a little magical to me. Places where inspiration lives in the pleasure of a new notebook or the perfect pen. London, of course, did not disappoint.

I told myself I was just going to browse (famous last words), but as usual, I left with a few treasures tucked into my bag. From art supplies to fountain pens, these three shops stood out for their charm, quality and the kind of atmosphere that makes you linger a little longer.

My first stationery stop was Stuart R. Stevenson, a family-run, independent shop in Clerkenwell. It’s one of those old school art supply stores that make you feel like a kid in a candy shop — shelves packed with sketchbooks, pens, watercolour paints and tools for just about any creative pursuit.

I spent ages browsing, and the staff couldn’t have been lovelier. And I picked out some watercolour paper, a new sketchbook that works with my Copic markers and a few extras I didn’t know I needed until I saw them. It’s the kind of place where creativity feels contagious.

While walking to another destination, I stumbled across Fabriano Boutique, and what a beautiful surprise that was! I love Fabriano!

Fabriano has been making paper since the medieval era, and it shows in the craftsmanship of everything they sell. Their London shop is just as vibrant and inviting as the ones I’ve visited in Italy, with rows of colourful notebooks and shelves filled with leather accessories, pens and stationery items that feel equal parts practical and luxurious.

I’ve used Fabriano notebooks for a while now, I am very fond of their pocket notebooks and I love how well they handle both pencil and fountain pen ink (Looking at you Moleskine!). If you’re a paper lover, this store is definitely worth a visit.

One of the true highlights of my stationery hunt was Choosing Keeping, a small but exquisite shop that’s a dream come true for anyone who loves beautiful paper goods. They have a no-phone policy clearly posted on the door, and honestly, I love it. It creates a quiet, focused atmosphere where you can really take your time and soak in every detail.

The shelves are filled with handcrafted notebooks, fountain pens, calligraphy supplies, and papers that feel more like art than office material. One of the staff members spent time chatting with me about the best paper for different pens, and even showed me a few fountain pens I’ve now added to my wish list. Some of them are definitely investment pieces, but it’s the kind of store that makes you want to save up for something special.

An honourable mention to the Muji store in London as well! To my big dismay they do not ship to Norway, so whenever I am in a country that has a Muji store, I make sure to stop by so I can fill up with refills for my favourite pens, the 0.38.

It was a short holiday this year, thanks to the big move and the new job, but it was exactly what I needed. Slow, inspiring and full of quiet joy.
One a final note: Do you have any must-see bookstores or stationery shops, in London, or elsewhere? I’d love to hear your recommendations.

Until next time,
happy reading! ✨