The best kind of bookshop

Bookshops are always inviting, seductive places. Row after row of beautifully bound, immaculate books all carefully organised. An area is clearly labelled as History, and then within this area is a whole bookcase called UK History. This case contains a red tagged 17th century section. In this section is a whole shelf of History - Uk - 17th century - biography. I am guaranteed to find a book I like in there.

Online bookshops are the same, Amazon is even sub divided further and can be sorted by price or popularity. All very helpful if I am looking for a specific book.

But what if I just want something to read? In that case the best place is the charity shop, either a virtual one like Ella's garage or a real one in the High Street.

Here there is no organisation. Slightly battered UK History Biographies are right next to How To Raise Llamas and a pristine copy of Murder on the Orient Express. A glorious mix of every kind of book you can imagine, piled and shelved and displayed as one big mass of Interesting Things. Its not the best way to buy a book, but its the only way to buy something to read. I can dip into murder or gardening or romantic novels, try a quick sci-fi and grab a conspiracy theory or two. I might investigate vegan cookery, or try a book I had seen discussed somewhere about American politics.

No matter what I pick up, it will only cost a couple of quid and if I hate it, I can give it back to the shop for somebody else.

Long live the charity shop bookshelf. You never know what you like to read until you have tried everything.