Quote- “Maybe I’ll open a bookstore,” he smiled. “New and used books – so everyone has a chance to see the world through the pages of a story” -Karen Kingsbury
Welcome to the first blog of 2026 and I hope it is a happy, healthy and (literature) heavy year ahead for you. I am doing another first for my blog- a review of a beautiful new bookshop in York. Books & Bevs opened on the 5th December, and when I am writing this, it is still within its first week of trading. The photos, for the first time, are my own and I hope to share more of my own (hopefully good!) photos across this year in my blogs. I had the opportunity to visit Books & Bevs on their first day and I feel there is a magical atmospheric feel about any new business on opening day, especially a bookshop. The promise of all that is to come and potential of being a bastion of literary activity and enjoyment, is present from the moment the new bookshop opens. Books & Bevs have all the signs of becoming a much-loved part of not only the local Acomb community but also York, as a literary city. As a young writer I loved the warm inviting feel of the shop. It is cosy, cheerful and calming to see the way the space has been used. The quote for this month by Karen Kinsbury perfectly describes Books & Bevs- “New and used books” which allow people to “see the world through the pages of a story”. I love the trio of new books, pre-loved (or used) books and the chance to enjoy a hot drink and cake. What more could you want. I also love the shops bright colours, which invite a feeling of fun and happiness.
I feel passionate about sharing widely and really supporting Books & Bevs to have the most success and visitors possible. They are a six-star bookshop in my opinion. It takes so much time, effort and vision to bring any new business together, and for them to become a key part of a local community and work with other local shops. I think it is vital as a young writer and avid reader to enjoy all formats of bookshops, so they can encourage customers to visit other shops nearby. Books & Bevs have something for everyone and you can simply go to enjoy a hot drink in a welcoming literary environment. I hope both my photos and words do it justice and you feel inspired to share, check out Books & Bevs online and on Instagram and visit them as soon as possible. Like the way we wish a happy new year, I wish Books & Bevs a long prosperous and happy chapter in York. I highly recommend their lovely shop and feel thankful that they are in the York community. We all have a bookshop that we hold close and love to visit and for me, this is one of those shops.
From next month, I will be starting an occasional series of reviewing The Thursday Murder Club series. I hope it will be something you look forward to every two or three months, throughout 2026. Now, has Books & Bevs got some chocolate cake and some R.F. Kuang?
Books & Bevs: 89 Front St, Acomb, York YO24 3BU
Work Cited- Photos- Cameron Stewart Own Photography
Quote- Kingsbury, Karen. “quotefancy”. quotefancy. Date accessed: 9th December 2025. URL: https://quotefancy.com/quote/2331010/Karen-Kingsbury-Maybe-I-ll-open-a-bookstore-he-smiled-New-and-used-books-so-everyone-has.