Housmans

This is a brilliant book shop to browse in if you ever find yourself bored in Kings Cross. I didn’t realise it was meant to be ‘radical’ before I ventured inside… but the staff were lovely and there was a huge range of interesting sounding books.
Downstairs it seems a little dodgy, (it is basically an undecorated basement covered in shelves) but there are loads of second hand books for less than a pound… and some hilarious old flyers along with the random political books.

Fully justifying themselves as ‘radical booksellers’, Housemans are purveyors of (largely) political and sociological books. The largest section is entitled Political Thought, other sections include Anarchism, Gay and Lesbian, Socialism, Environment etc. As well as many more «regular» genres such as Graphic novels, Music, Poetry, Art etc. They have another large section for London Writing which has books both about London and books by London authors on many topics.
Although not the largest bookshop you’re ever likely to find, Housemans fit in quite a lot. They have a downstairs room devoted entirely to second-​hand books of all sorts which they sell at £1 each.
Housemans stock a large number of periodicals, newsletters and magazines from around the UK, Ireland and numerous other counties — far to many to list here as they claim to stock the largest range in Britain — very few of which stray far from Housemans main interest of political progression and radical issues. They also sell a number of t-​shirts with political and environmental slogans.
As well as all this they run events in-​store such as film screenings in the downstairs room, talks, musical performances and art exhibits, although I don’t understand how they manage to fit an art exhibition in their reasonably small store — but, apparently, they do.
Political awareness and radicalism isn’t going to be for everybody but there are sections of more general interest. I didn’t buy anything in my last visit here but I have my eye on a few things for next time.
Ian.