The Reader

Donlon Books is an independent bookshop located in the diverse creative community of London’s Borough of Hackney. Owner Conor Donlon opened his shop – which is considered the best in London according to those-in-the-know- in 2008, where he collects mainly art and photography books. You can always find something special there because he goes to amazing places around the world and brings back beautiful things he’s found in countries like Japan and elsewhere, as Donlon Books hand picks much of their stock directly from independent publishers, book fairs, or research trips.

Donlon is an elusive character in London’s world of books, and although he came to London from a small town in Ireland to study fashion in 1994, he likes to collect books as a way to express himself. He sells an eclectic mix of counterculture and his selection of books are appreciated by the art and fashion set. Donlon has developed a reputation for offering an idiosyncratic selection of books, periodicals, and printed matter where he aims to stock hard to find titles. Donlon Books supports and promotes a culture of artists’ book publishing by regularly hosting book launches, readings, screenings and curated window displays at the shop. He loves Tokyo, Los Angeles and Paris for their amazing specialist bookstores yet is most excited about Berlin, as he feels there is a much more evolved specialist bookshop culture in Germany. It’s nice to know there are still places you can find a good read that doesn’t require a trip to the Amazon.   www.donlonbooks.com