BOOK HAUL || bookshopping and Jane Austen day in Bath // cosy day out

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to a very exciting post! On the day that I am now writing this, I went to the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, and (of course) took the opportunity to spend the day bookshopping too. It was such and amazing and special day, and I went with a close friend, so if you are reading this then thank you so much for coming along with me and making the day even better!

The first bookshop we went to was Mr B's Book Emporium, where I bought two books. I really liked this bookshop and it had a great YA section. I love supporting independent bookshops and I don't have that many near me, so it was a great opportunity today! The two books I got were Any Way The Wind Blows by Rainbow Rowell (the third book in the Simon Snow series) and a book called The Bilingual Brain by Albert Costa, as I am bilingual and very interested in learning about the science and everything behind it. 

We then had our slot in the Jane Austen Centre. I had already been, but it was the first time for my friend, a big Jane Austen fan! We also had Elizabeth Bennet as our tour guide! Out of all the characters we could have had, Lizzie was my top choice and that's who we got! We did the talk which was fascinating (especially to hear it for a second time) and went into the portrait gallery and heard all about that too. The actress was so enthusiastic and confident too, which made the whole talk so exciting! It was incredible to go back and experience it all again, so if you are ever in Bath, or in the South West of England then it's really worth making time for. 

We then headed to the gift shop, where I bought a STUNNING copy of Emma, of course by Jane Austen, in the Vintage Classics edition, a Jane Austen figurine to go on my bookshelf, Jane Austen's History of England (part of her juvenilia), and an I ❤ Jane pin badge. You could say I like Jane Austen rather a lot.

Such a stunning edition!

Jane Austen goodies!

Next, we headed up to the Regency Jane Austen Tea Room, and I went for the Tea With Mr Darcy. It was really nice and very atmospheric - we could have been in Regency England!

After debating it for a long time, I went back to the gift shop and got a BEAUTIFUL poster celebrating 200 years of Pride and Prejudice! I can't wait to put it up in my room! You can see it rolled up in the photo of Jane Austen goodies!

We then looked up a few other bookshops, and firstly visited the Persephone Bookshop, which I've been to before and LOVE. They are an independent publisher, who publish underrated or forgotten women authors. I love everything they stand for and got my hands on Lady Rose and Mrs Memmary by Ruby Ferguson. It sounds absolutely fantastic, and is a great addition to my Persephone Books collection!

Next we went to Bath Old Books, which was a beautiful second hand bookshop. They had an 1898 edition of The Professor by Charlotte Brontë which tempted me, but it was very expensive so I didn't get it. 

We then walked past Waterstones and had a quick look in there. I found Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, which one of my friends loves and has been wanting me to read for ages! 

All the books I got!

Lastly, we decided to visit Topping and Company Books. And just WOW. It was honestly the most beautiful bookshop I have ever been in! I cannot put the beauty in to words, so here are a few photos, all taken by me.

It was absolutely massive! We would get to what we thought to be the last room, and realise there was another room and another section and just WOW. It was just the most incredible bookshop, so cosy and full of SO MANY BOOKS. I sent a photo on a group chat, and one of my friends described it as BOOK HEAVEN, and I couldn't agree more.

So with a bag full of five new books and a bunch of Jane Austen goodies, we went back to the station and on the train home.

Overall, this was truly a fantastic day and I am so grateful for it all. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post, and I hope some of you will visit Bath someday!

Have you been to Bath and the Jane Austen Centre? Do you want to? What do you think of my purchases?

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p.s. casual magic of the day:

(If you are new here and have no idea what I'm on about, click here to find out more)

Just this whole day. Elizabeth Bennet. Walking the streets of Autumnal Bath. Topping and Company Bookshop. Good chats with my friend. Jane Austen. Just everything. What an incredible day!