Interesting Books+ Zines, Berwick-upon-Tweed

Based in the borderland melting pot that is Berwick-upon-Tweed, Interesting Books + Zines is Northumberland’s most recent independent bookshop to open its doors. The small 16 square metre space is found on West Street - an idyllic cobbled lane sloping down towards Berwick Old Bridge and the banks of the Tweed. It is run by husband and wife duo Ben and Nicola Lewis, along with help from Ben’s father, Gareth. Inside the bookshop is an open, comfortable atmosphere where customers can enjoy the sensual, tactile experience of a colourful array of titles. Giving prominence to visual perception, the bookshelves display predominantly covers, not spines, arranged like artwork in a gallery. Numerous desk lamps and oversized hanging bulbs add a further visual layer to a gratifying bookshop experience. 

The couple’s idea for Interesting Books + Zines emerged from a decades-long passion for discovering new and unusual authors. As a result, the texts you will find in this bookshop are extraordinarily diverse and are all sourced and curated from small press and independent publishers. Since the arrival of website cookies, we have slowly been losing our exposure to different literary voices, as powerful algorithms nudge us toward mainstream profitable new releases. By Ben and Nicola personally introducing customers to titles and authors they have never heard of, Interesting Books + Zines is helping to preserve a varied bookish landscape for local people, whilst also creating opportunities for Berwick’s emerging writers and creatives.

Interesting Books + Zines, 36 West Street, Berwick-upon-Tweed