Foyles

Considering I went out of my way to come here I was a bit disappointed in the service. These days, I sort of expect book stores to be a bit more of an experience — I don’t *need* to go to any book store, I do so because I want to be around book people and places that *get* book people.
I spotted the first guy at a computer and told him the name of the author (who’s book name I couldn’t recall exactly) I was after. He seemed excessively put out about this task, as if I’d said I «Wanted that one book … you know? With the blue cover?» He found it in the system but I was told they didn’t have any in stock but «one should be coming soon.» And then stared at me.
Just one? Coming «soon»? No mention if that «one» was ordered by someone else. Or when «soon» might be. No offer to take my info and notify me when the book came in. Apparently this has what kindle has done to book stores, made them forget how to provide customer service.
Not to be deterred, I then asked after Lena Dunham’s book. He didn’t have to look it up; I was told «second floor.» At which I got a little frustrated and asked «Anything more specific?» To which he replied «TV section.»
Off I went, even though I didn’t think a memoir would be in the TV section — and I was right. There were loads of books *about* TV and film, etc. So I had to wander up to another floor to find someone and ask again where this book was, and simply told to go ask on the floor I just came from. Seriously?! Went back down to find a guy now at the desk that had been empty minutes before. He pointed directly behind me to a giant display. Finally got my book and got the eff out.
Get it together Foyles.

I love Foyles! Nothing can keep me away form Foyles. Their philosophy section is INSANE, my mind has been blown many a time and as a result I’m permanently changed for having browsed those shelves.
This store is huge and each of its sections are thorough in their stock. Foyalty offers a generous incentive to customers and on top of that students get a 10% discount.
There’s even a café so you can enjoy your new Ian McEwan novel INSIDE the bookshop. If that’s not heaven I really don’t know what is.

Gute Buchhandlung in ordentlicher Größe, erstreckt sich über fünf Etagen. Mehr Personal würde aber nicht schaden. Wenn die Kassen auf einer Etage über längere Zeit komplett unbesetzt sind, ist das dann doch etwas nervig, zumal die Kassen auch für Auskünfte da sind.

Beautiful bookshop in the middle of London. The display windows are inviting, and once you walk in, it’s such an oasis. The layout of the shop is interesting and fun, and staff picks change and vary so you should be able to find anything to your taste. The café on the 5^th floor is a great place to relax and hang out, too!