Bibliomaniac An Obsessive's Tour of the Bookshops of Britain

"This is one of the most delightful books I have ever read.' —Eric Idle

"A unique, funny picture of Britain... A love letter to bookshops and the vagaries of public transport." Richard Osman

"Awhirlwind adventure around Britain's bookshops and inside the head of a bibliomaniac who also happens to be a fine travel writer and generous raconteur." —Ian Rankin

***A Waterstones Best Books of 2022 pick***

"Ince's love of books is infectious." "Books of the Year," Independent

Why play to 12,000 people when you can play to 12? In Autumn 2021, Robin Ince's stadium tour with Professor Brian Cox was postponed due to the pandemic. Rather than do nothing, he decided instead to go on a tour of over a hundred bookshops in the UK, from Wigtown to Penzance; from Swansea to Margate.

Packed with witty anecdotes and tall tales, Bibliomaniac takes the reader on a journey across Britain as Robin explores his lifelong love of bookshops and books - and also tries to find out just why he can never have enough of them. It is the story of an addiction and a romance, and also of an occasional points failure just outside Oxenholme.

Robin Ince is co-presenter of the award-winning BBC Radio 4 show and podcast, The Infinite Monkey Cage. He has toured his award-winning stand-up across the world, both solo and with his radio double-act partner, Professor Brian Cox. He is the author of I'm a Joke and So Are You and The Importance of Being Interested.

Tsundoku: An Introduction Out of Lockdown and Into the Wicker Man Wigtown to Laugharne It All Began at the End of the World Chorleywood to Bristol I Only Play in the Finest Freezer Cabinets Sidmouth to Birmingham Pity the Llama Oxford to Norwich Mermaids and Mermonks? Okehampton to Shoreham What is Avuncular Knitwear? Margate to Southwold Where Orwell Ate His Chips Southwold to Leeds Black Holes Drowned Out by the Bells of God Chippenham to London Hurricanes at the Benighted Inn Malvern to Malton Important Lessons from a Porpoise Edinburgh to Hull From the End of the Line to the Girl Guides’ Hall Hull to Hungerford Afterword Notes Thank You… ‘Last Night’ Index of Bookshops Index of Books