Bookshops & Libraries in Oxford | Vlog & Book Haul | February 2023

[@cindyhaiken5644]

I loved the look of that hotel! And what a gorgeous day you had. I think I could spend hours in Blackwell’s. And I just adore that new coat you got. As you continue your travels, just keep bringing us along. Books, food, attractions, wonderful places to stay and walk and explore. It’s all a treat.

[@SavidgeReads]

Me and that coat struggle to be parted. I am surprised I’ve not worn it to bed frankly hahaha.

[@bookishbedlam]

Hello Simon, and thank you for the tour of bookish delights. I *love* your jacket!

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you. I’m pretty smitten too. And pretty inseparable from it. I’ve taken it out and about around town in Lucca this weekend.

[@Louise-hz8gl]

I have loved this vlog. I love Oxford such a change from Manchester. I feel so relaxed from watching.

[@SavidgeReads]

Glad you found it relaxing Louise.

[@krisprepolec5616]

I loved everything about this. Oxford looks amazing, and this spoke to my bookish soul❤

[@SavidgeReads]

Glad you enjoyed it so much Kris.

[@allisonryder4781]

❤❤ this was a delightful video, Simon! The music choice was beautiful. I do envy the bookshops you have there.

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m soooooo pleased you enjoyed it.

[@susprime7018]

A yummy full English breakfast, then you can skip lunch touring the shops and have tea at 2 p.m. Paccabel, nice. Reminds me that I still need to read The Son, I'll read that in June. Marriage by Susan Ferrier is a winner. Watched The Empire of Light last night, so fine. You should be excited by Strout. Have not read that Canfield, loved it.

[@SavidgeReads]

Skip lunch?!? Me!!? Have we met? I would never skip a meal. Actually in NYC I would do brunch and dinner. With snacks from 7/11 in between. Ha.

[@cathyg.9996]

I loved everything about this lovely vlog Simon - new and old books, art, food, beautiful scenery and your humor (milkshake brings the boys to the yard, running after doughnuts 😂😂). I really enjoyed it!! ❤

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thanks Cathy. I’m so glad you liked the small insights into my very random sense of humour. Hehe. Hope you enjoy the one coming on Sunday which has an Italian flavour to it.

[@dianedickson6366]

That was totally gorgeous. I have been through Oxford a few times and keep promising myself a trip there. Now I really really need to go.

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooooh you do!

[@bookinwithdebra]

I visited The Bodleian and did the tour a few years ago. Our guide was so good - passionate and informative. I really enjoyed the visit. Great vlog

[@SavidgeReads]

Yeah my guide was good. Lots of fab stories throughout the decades.

[@fathobbit6160]

Come to Cambridge Simon. You can make a trip to Amnesty Bookshop in Mill Road and Toppings in Ely.

[@SavidgeReads]

I did a video in Cambridge with Tom Reads Things a few years ago. We had a very fun time.

[@kathleenwalsh3556]

Hi Simon Loved this vlog. On my wall i have an Alice in Wonderland rabbit which i bought in the shop of the College Carrol attended. Oh and loved the jersey ( jumper).I' ve just started Eleanor Catton's Birnam Wood. 'I'm not reading it!' declared a customer as she, like many, didnt like The Luminaries. So far, so good. Birnam Wood is a collective using any real or acquired land to grow stuff. Bye from a country in a national state of emergency but here we have dodged a bullet- cyclone, that is.

[@SavidgeReads]

Glad you’ve avoided the cyclone. Stay safe.

[@meganshrum1928]

I loved this so much. ♥️ I'm American and went to school in Oxford and it was an amazing experience. To get our Bodleian library card, we had to say an oath promising to not bring fire into the library, etc.

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh I love that about the oath, gives mild secret librarian cult vibes. Which I am here for.

[@monicahira7936]

Hi Simon! Loved this vlog as always. We are off to Oxford for a few nights in just under 10 days with our little girl & I cannot wait to scout all the charity shops for books & head into Gulp Fiction. Waay too excited & the Bodlean looked gorgeous! We too are off for an Indian on the first night of our stay. Great minds! Xx ps that bookish hotel room oh em geeeee! 😍📚

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooooh you’ll have the loveliest time. Enjoy it!

[@kimberlyrichardson2848]

Lovely, as always.♥️ I laughed out loud at the “running for a donut”comment!

[@SavidgeReads]

Facts are facts 🍩 🏃

[@YourTrueShelf]

It was so nice to see Oxford, I've always wanted to visit. Amazing to see the Bodlien. I love the hotel wallpaper, so cool. You chose my wedding music for this vlog 😊 I order quite a lot from Blackwells, so good to see what it looks like! Oscar such a cutie pie X

[@SavidgeReads]

Glad you enjoyed it all. Blackwells is such an institution isn’t it? The Bodleian was a corker.

[@lucywells6579]

Hi Simon, loved this video I like looking at the book shelves with you, so more videos like this would be great. I live near to Oxford and a trip to Blackwells is always a treat.

[@SavidgeReads]

I shall see what I can do when I have trips around the country, if I’ve time for a wander I’ll make sure I bring you all along. Ha.

[@SueWard]

Thank you for this trip😁I can’t get out much (mobility) and carer for hubby and daughter. Thoroughly enjoyed

[@SavidgeReads]

So pleased that you enjoyed it and were able to have a little trip with me!

[@sheilar06]

What a beautiful Oxford and just loved this - the buildings, books, music and vibe !!😊

[@SavidgeReads]

So pleased you enjoyed it Sheila.

[@enidlacob1157]

Loved this I find Oxford such a great place Different every time I visit

[@SavidgeReads]

It’s a really nice city. Was nice to go back after so many years.

[@KateriRansom]

Could not have been a lovelier bookish vlog! I'm all for places and books and food and more books!!! :D

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwww thanks so much. Think you might like the vlog hopefully coming next weekend.

[@gaelliott61]

If you want more exposure to the Bod, consider the series A Discovery of Witches-fantastic interior shots and good fantasy storyline. The book stores seem interesting and I loved the book wallpaper at that hotel.

[@SavidgeReads]

I tried that once and I couldn’t get into it which (witch ha) is unusual because although I don’t love fantasy as a general rule I do love witches… yet it didn’t work for me and I DNF’d. Like The Subtle Knife. Maybe Oxford doesn’t work for me in books 😱 only IRL. LOL.

[@gayleelliott9948]

@@SavidgeReads I liked the DOW series better than the books and it improves over time and becomes increasingly layered. S2 takes them to the Elizabethan era with Christopher Marlowe (a daemon-ha!) as his roommate and his friends are Sir Walter Raleigh and Henry Percy. The actress playing a frail QEI is fantastic, with Matthew bringing her reassurance about her legacy--very touching.

[@karenmiddlebrook5069]

Oh Simon, you are living my dream day! Massive Inspector Morse fan, and my bucket list is to go to the Bodlean. One day! Watch out for the dons and any ancient Greek cults 🤣 it's a hot bed of intrigue there (if Colin Dexter is to be believed...)

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha. I had been and gone by the time this went live so I survived all the shenanigans you mention. Hehe.

[@janethansen9612]

Lovely vlog, thank you Simon.

[@SavidgeReads]

Thanks very much Janet.

[@Nickelini]

I loved this video - thanks for sharing. The music was perfect. I was lucky to have an English friend give me a bookish tour of Oxford in 2009. You've reminded me that I must get back there one day soon. I hope you have some bookish tours in Canterbury planned because I may be there in April ;-)

[@SavidgeReads]

Ha. I was there quite a bit in 2020/2021 but I don’t think I did any bookish content because… there wasn’t masses of bookish stuff there 😱

[@srinivasapoduri1920]

Thanks for showing Blackwell's book store. Never heard of it before watching ur video. One more reason to go to Oxford. :)

[@SavidgeReads]

In the interim if you want a book from them they do free shipping so they’re not only and institution but just fab!

[@paulawilliams9645]

What a lovely day out that was. The hotel looked lovely as well. The library tour is on my list.

[@suzannegagne8692]

My dream in to be a forgotten customer in a bookshop. I would spend all night just browsing books.

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha. What if all the lights were off though?

[@Dani_Saurusrex]

Always such a joy to follow along on your adventures. And you have such a keen eye for finding beauty in the everyday. I'm excited to see what else you'll get up to in the future. ❤

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwww that’s such a kind thing to say Dani. Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it. Hope you enjoy an Italy trip coming this weekend.

[@colleenandmark]

❤❤❤. Thank you Simon, I enjoyed coming along with you. Blessings from Colleen

[@SavidgeReads]

So pleased you enjoyed the trip with me.

[@susanschellberg4509]

I love Oxford and could spend days in Blackwells.

[@SavidgeReads]

It’s a lovely place. I think Bath and Edinburgh remain my favourite bookish cities. Well and NYC.

[@jenniferrosebruce6385]

A tour of Oxford through your lens Simon. How wonderful. A treat for me as I celebrate my birthday today. Thank you Simon. I will gift myself a Patroen account for your channel. Xxx

[@SavidgeReads]

Belated Happy Birthday!!!!

[@jenniferrosebruce6385]

@@SavidgeReads thank you!

[@angiemcdermid4845]

Exquisite. Great timing as I’m reading Babel. Hope to visit Oxford in the next few years!

[@SavidgeReads]

Hope you enjoy it loads when you get there.

[@juneclifford8377]

I want to go to Oxford now.

[@SavidgeReads]

Would highly recommend June!!

[@bookofdust]

That opening made me think of Lyra escaping with the Gyptians.

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m guessing that’s a Pullman reference. Lol. I’ve only read the first of those eons ago.

[@bookofdust]

@@SavidgeReads Well you missed the opportunity to go to the Botanical Gardens there and sit on her and Will’s bench, something most HDMers would KILL to do!

[@SavidgeReads]

@@bookofdust ha. Not a missed opportunity for me as I’m not one. Was very happy with all I ended up doing 😉

[@lindseypasifull]

Loved this so much, Simon. I want to head off to Oxford immediately!

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh I hope you get to visit at some point!

[@mpushify]

Thoroughly enjoyed this..Oxford looks ponderously sparse in winter, wonderful. Thanks🙏🏾

[@SavidgeReads]

Ponderously sparse… what a lovely way of describing it!

[@Elizabeth-Reads]

Fanning yourself after the statues. 😂 I’ve been grounded from travel as I’m super high risk, so I always love living vicariously through your beautiful travel videos! Thank you so much for bringing me along. 😊 (Oh my gosh, I want to live inside that library!)

[@SavidgeReads]

A pleasure to bring you along. I’ll be taking you on another trip this weekend… whether you like it or not 😉🤣

[@garyiles3482]

Thank you Simon, Albinoni and Oxford on a lovely day, so enjoyable. Oh well toodle pip must get back to Tom Crace

[@SavidgeReads]

Glad you enjoyed it Gary.

[@emmavd]

Thanks for the lovely vlog, Simon… and Oscar!🌷🐱

[@SavidgeReads]

A pleasure. I keep forgetting I had put that final shot with Oscar in 🤣

[@cathrineboysen1017]

💜📚🦄📚💜

[@lizdorrington2851]

Thank you so much for this absolute bookish delight Simon, I really enjoyed it. You scored some great books also !📚❤️

[@SavidgeReads]

So pleased you enjoyed it. I was so chuffed with all the finds… especially the Persephones.

[@dotscribblesreads]

I really want to go to Oxford now!

[@SavidgeReads]

Hope you managed to get there soon!

[@ametrinemoon]

Wow! You can have a series of vlogs with Simon Eats and Reads.....for places you recommend to eat and bookshops? for newbies going to that town. I was at the train station in oxford as I have family in nearby Wantage, and I'd like to go to the Bodleian as well and imagine I am in Discovery of Witches.

[@SavidgeReads]

My next ‘travel’ish bookish vlog has sooooooo much good food. Should be live in a week or two.

[@ametrinemoon]

@@SavidgeReads *Drools*

[@kentishmaid21]

Been meaning to visit Oxford for years. If only to compare it with Cambridge, which I loved. Makes sense to go to the Oxfams as I think that's where their HQ is? (I think the Oxf bit refers to Oxford, iirc.) Anyhow, fun vlog. Loved it. Btw, if you are on the Persephone mailing list, they send you a bookmark with each catalogue. Makes me happy as I love pretty bookmarks.

[@SavidgeReads]

I am indeed on the Persephone mailing list. It’s a lovely little extra isn’t it. Hope you enjoy Oxford when you make it there.

[@leeh4343]

Loved this - brought back memories, I was in Oxford for the first time last May and thought the Bodleian was fab 😊

[@SavidgeReads]

Glad it brought you some nostalgia! The Bodleian is quite something isn’t it?

[@LifeWithStefy]

What a fun video, I’m thinking about going to Oxford for my birthday for a short trip to do A Discovery of Witches Tour. Found some good rail fairs, just need to find accommodation.

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooooh hope you have a fabulous time when you get there. Next time I go I might do an Airbnb.

[@LifeWithStefy]

@@SavidgeReads yeah I’ve been looking at airbnbs and some look really nice and a good price too

[@angelajones129]

Loved that beautiful library! Also, the hotel wallpaper, the art museum 😳, and your "silence please" sign. 🤫You didn't say how you and your Instagram friend got along...

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha well I have to leave you all on tenterhooks sometimes don’t I Angela. Haha. We had a lovely time. I think I documented it on insta and then forgot on here.

[@HellzinB]

I too would only run after a doughnut

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha. I have found my people.

[@DaeronK]

Another enjoyable vlog, Simon. I hope, some day in my life, I'll get to visit such wonderful places. What was the beautiful classical piece of music in this? I've listened to it before, but can't recall the name and composer.

[@SavidgeReads]

It is Canon in D Major. That’s all the file I got from my copyright free music provider. Ha. Glad you enjoyed the vlog.

[@normanorourke3244]

Morning Simon have you done a book shop tour of Liverpool

[@SavidgeReads]

I haven’t. But there aren’t many. I have featured them all in previous videos here and there though.

[@creationspast.janebowell1903]

Oh this is wonderful as Oxford is my favorite well one of my favorite places ever ❤ can you tell me the hotel, please.

[@SavidgeReads]

It’s called the Head of the River. It’s a lovely little hideaway, though can imagine it gets rammed in the summer.

[@creationspast.janebowell1903]

@@SavidgeReads oh thank you, Simon then I ll have to note that one down

[@smittenforfiction]

Oscar 😻

[@SavidgeReads]

He’s a legend. Lol.

[@smittenforfiction]

@@SavidgeReads The cat. The myth. The Legend.

[@phoenixjones660]

You'll always get huge 🧡💛💚 from me for an OxonVlog, Simon! Fun fact, Mr Jones and I met at The Head O'the River pub. Love that you toured the Bodleian, and oh, the frost on Christ Church Meadows ❄️SOOOO atmospheric. I too have enjoyed the Ashmole's 🍆 display 😂 Agree with @Fat Hobbit below, you have to do a partner trip to Cambridge. This style of bookish pottering would suit many European cities too, eg Utrecht, Leiden, anywhere you fancy treating yourself to. Have fun in 🇮🇹 ❤️

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwww how lovely that you met in that very pub. It’s a really lovely place. Great breakfasts. Lol. I did a video in Cambridge with lovely Tom Reads Things a few years ago. So Cambridge has been covered I promise. Lol

[@phoenixjones660]

@@SavidgeReads yes, I remembered after I wrote this. Lucca looks lovely too 🇮🇹💚❤️

[@jenniferrosebruce6385]

Hi simon, or any followers who might be see this. Thailand does not have Paypal. Trying to be a patroen subscriber, and it doesnt take my bank details. Anyone else from Asia can help me to join please. Thanks lovelies..x

[@SavidgeReads]

Aha. I’ve just seen this. Hope Patreon sort you out but no pressure at all. If they don’t treat yourself to a book I’ve recommended instead 😉

[@jenniferrosebruce6385]

@@SavidgeReads ❤️