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A Bookshop of One’s Own: How a Group of Women Set Out to Change the World
The captivating true story of an underdog business – a feminist bookshop founded in Thatcher’s Britain – from a woman at the heart of the women’s liberation movement. An Independent and Stylist Best Non-Fiction Book for 2024
What was it like to start a feminist bookshop, in an industry dominated by men? How could a lesbian thrive in Thatcher’s time, with the government legislating to restrict her rights? How do you run a business when your real aim is to change the world?
Silver Moon was the dream of three women – a bookshop with the mission to promote the work of female writers and create a much-needed safe space for any woman. Founded in 1980s London against a backdrop of homophobia and misogyny, it was a testament to the power of community, growing into Europe’s biggest women’s bookshop and hosting a constellation of literary stars from Margaret Atwood and Maya Angelou to Angela Carter. While contending with day-to-day struggles common to other booksellers, plus the additional burdens of misogyny and the occasional hate crime, Jane Cholmeley and her booksellers created a thriving business. But they also played a crucial and relatively unsung part in one the biggest social movements of our time.
A Bookshop of One’s Own is a fascinating slice of social history from the heart of the women’s liberation movement, from a true feminist and lesbian icon. Written with heart and humour, it reveals the struggle and joy that comes with starting an underdog business, while being a celebration of the power women have to change the narrative when they are the ones holding the pen.
What was it like to start a feminist bookshop, in an industry dominated by men? How could a lesbian thrive in Thatcher’s time, with the government legislating to restrict her rights? How do you run a business when your real aim is to change the world?
Silver Moon was the dream of three women – a bookshop with the mission to promote the work of female writers and create a much-needed safe space for any woman. Founded in 1980s London against a backdrop of homophobia and misogyny, it was a testament to the power of community, growing into Europe’s biggest women’s bookshop and hosting a constellation of literary stars from Margaret Atwood and Maya Angelou to Angela Carter. While contending with day-to-day struggles common to other booksellers, plus the additional burdens of misogyny and the occasional hate crime, Jane Cholmeley and her booksellers created a thriving business. But they also played a crucial and relatively unsung part in one the biggest social movements of our time.
A Bookshop of One’s Own is a fascinating slice of social history from the heart of the women’s liberation movement, from a true feminist and lesbian icon. Written with heart and humour, it reveals the struggle and joy that comes with starting an underdog business, while being a celebration of the power women have to change the narrative when they are the ones holding the pen.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published February 29, 2024
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1984 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
July 15, 2025
"We read books to find out who we are." Ursula K. Le Guin.
While in the UK, I purchased A Bookshop of One’s Own. Jane Cholmeley and her partner, Sue Butterworth, opened a bookstore focused on women and lesbians. The bookstore was called Silver Moon, and it was located at 68 Charring Cross Road in London. It opened in 1984 and closed in 2001.
A Bookshop of One’s Own is a love letter to Silver Moon, feminists, thinkers, women, writers, authors, publishers, and their customers. The bookshop opened against a backdrop of misogyny and homophobia in Britain.
This book captured my soul because my BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal) is to own a bookstore. I was able to live vicariously with Jane and Sue within this book.
Favorite passages include:
* The power of women to change the narrative when they hold the pen.
* Bookshops are always places of power.
* At the time, we didn't think much about legacy; we were more concerned with survival and laughter.
* It was a place of total involvement: heart, soul, and brain.
* Books became my refuge.
* A woman's bookshop could link writers to readers and get our voices heard.
* We combined the mundane with the magnificent.
* Visibility is politics in action.
* Author Rebecca West: I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat.
I wish I had known about Silver Moon and been able to visit it when it was opened. Other women owned independent bookstores that I have visited include:
1. Changing Hands (Tempe and Phoenix, AZ): Originally founded in 1974 with Gayle Shanks, Tom Broderson, and Bob Sommer. Gayle Shanks is now the sole owner.
2. Tattered Cover (Denver, CO): Purchased in 1974 by Joyce Meskis. In 2000, a warrant was served to provide a reader's purchasing habits. Meskis refused based on the First Amendment. She took it all the way to the Colorado Supreme Court where she won. In 2024, Tattered Cover was sold to Barnes and Noble.
3. Parnassus (Nashville, TN): Owned by author, Ann Patchett and Karen Hayes. Hayes retired in 2022. Patchett is a prolific author; some of her books include Tom Lake, The Dutch House, Bel Canto, and The Patron Saint of Liars.
There are other bookstores with women and BIPOC owners that I hope to visit when I am in their cities.
While in the UK, I purchased A Bookshop of One’s Own. Jane Cholmeley and her partner, Sue Butterworth, opened a bookstore focused on women and lesbians. The bookstore was called Silver Moon, and it was located at 68 Charring Cross Road in London. It opened in 1984 and closed in 2001.
A Bookshop of One’s Own is a love letter to Silver Moon, feminists, thinkers, women, writers, authors, publishers, and their customers. The bookshop opened against a backdrop of misogyny and homophobia in Britain.
This book captured my soul because my BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal) is to own a bookstore. I was able to live vicariously with Jane and Sue within this book.
Favorite passages include:
* The power of women to change the narrative when they hold the pen.
* Bookshops are always places of power.
* At the time, we didn't think much about legacy; we were more concerned with survival and laughter.
* It was a place of total involvement: heart, soul, and brain.
* Books became my refuge.
* A woman's bookshop could link writers to readers and get our voices heard.
* We combined the mundane with the magnificent.
* Visibility is politics in action.
* Author Rebecca West: I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat.
I wish I had known about Silver Moon and been able to visit it when it was opened. Other women owned independent bookstores that I have visited include:
1. Changing Hands (Tempe and Phoenix, AZ): Originally founded in 1974 with Gayle Shanks, Tom Broderson, and Bob Sommer. Gayle Shanks is now the sole owner.
2. Tattered Cover (Denver, CO): Purchased in 1974 by Joyce Meskis. In 2000, a warrant was served to provide a reader's purchasing habits. Meskis refused based on the First Amendment. She took it all the way to the Colorado Supreme Court where she won. In 2024, Tattered Cover was sold to Barnes and Noble.
3. Parnassus (Nashville, TN): Owned by author, Ann Patchett and Karen Hayes. Hayes retired in 2022. Patchett is a prolific author; some of her books include Tom Lake, The Dutch House, Bel Canto, and The Patron Saint of Liars.
There are other bookstores with women and BIPOC owners that I hope to visit when I am in their cities.
March 19, 2024
Well *of course* I gave this five stars. I spent some of the best years of my life working at Silver Moon Bookshop, with a group of wonderful women. It was a place of huge significance to the rise and successes of feminist and lesbian publishing; its events were legendary, and the shop & its staff meant so much to so many people.
Jane & Sue’s vision of a women’s space that was also commercially viable didn’t suit everyone in those political days and the book explains wonderfully how they walked that tricky line. There is a wealth of history in this book, hopefully one of many that will capture the excitement of those days, when we had bookshops, publishers, and book fairs of our own. I miss it, and this brought it all back. ❤️
Jane & Sue’s vision of a women’s space that was also commercially viable didn’t suit everyone in those political days and the book explains wonderfully how they walked that tricky line. There is a wealth of history in this book, hopefully one of many that will capture the excitement of those days, when we had bookshops, publishers, and book fairs of our own. I miss it, and this brought it all back. ❤️
March 5, 2024
I loved reading this book.
Part memoir, part collective history, part archival work / documentating the evolving UK feminist movement from the late 80's onwards / part tribute to everyone who took part in the Silver Moon Women's Bookshop journey. And obviously, a love letter to literature, to the crucial importance of bookshops, and to the lesbians who paved the way. It was such a heart-warming read. I was moved multiple times, one of them was the encounter between a young Malorie Blackman & Alice Walker, gosh, my heart. The power of feminist and queer communities. Being a feminist bookseller, this resonated on so many levels. Thank you Jane Cholmeley for telling us this incredible story, thank you to Sue Butterworth, and everyone who made Silver Moon.
Part memoir, part collective history, part archival work / documentating the evolving UK feminist movement from the late 80's onwards / part tribute to everyone who took part in the Silver Moon Women's Bookshop journey. And obviously, a love letter to literature, to the crucial importance of bookshops, and to the lesbians who paved the way. It was such a heart-warming read. I was moved multiple times, one of them was the encounter between a young Malorie Blackman & Alice Walker, gosh, my heart. The power of feminist and queer communities. Being a feminist bookseller, this resonated on so many levels. Thank you Jane Cholmeley for telling us this incredible story, thank you to Sue Butterworth, and everyone who made Silver Moon.
March 8, 2024
I must admit I had never heard of the Silver Moon Bookshop. I decided to give this book a go for two reasons ; one being to add more non-fiction to my reading diet and to find out more about feminism. Well I'm a male after all.
Jane and her partner at the time Sue decided to open Silver Moon in Margaret Thatcher's Britain. They were brave women, not only was their bookshop championing the cause of feminism through literature but they were also lesbians. So the odds were stacked against them but they decided to beat the system and go their own way.
Part memoir, part collective history, part archival work / documenting the evolving UK feminist movement from the late 80's onwards / part tribute to everyone who took part in the Silver Moon Women's Bookshop journey.
This is also a love song to the power of literature to change lives and empower women and change the male attitude.
This is a book I'm glad to have read, glad Jane wrote and took the steps forward for women in literature. I recommend to everyone; especially the male of the species.
Jane and her partner at the time Sue decided to open Silver Moon in Margaret Thatcher's Britain. They were brave women, not only was their bookshop championing the cause of feminism through literature but they were also lesbians. So the odds were stacked against them but they decided to beat the system and go their own way.
Part memoir, part collective history, part archival work / documenting the evolving UK feminist movement from the late 80's onwards / part tribute to everyone who took part in the Silver Moon Women's Bookshop journey.
This is also a love song to the power of literature to change lives and empower women and change the male attitude.
This is a book I'm glad to have read, glad Jane wrote and took the steps forward for women in literature. I recommend to everyone; especially the male of the species.
October 19, 2024
RIP Silver Moon Bookshop, you would've loved 'I Who Have Never Known Men'.
This is a very inspiring and fun read, especially for someone like me who dreams of opening a bookshop of my own. It's sad that the bookshop had to cease operation due to greedy landlords. Still, 17 years of bookselling is definitely a worthwhile experience, one I would've been so proud and happy to have if I were Jane Cholmeley.
I now vow to always make an effort to purchase my books at independent bookshops (unless, of course, some serious discounts is offered... i mean, ive got to save my wallet too at some points)
This is a very inspiring and fun read, especially for someone like me who dreams of opening a bookshop of my own. It's sad that the bookshop had to cease operation due to greedy landlords. Still, 17 years of bookselling is definitely a worthwhile experience, one I would've been so proud and happy to have if I were Jane Cholmeley.
I now vow to always make an effort to purchase my books at independent bookshops (unless, of course, some serious discounts is offered... i mean, ive got to save my wallet too at some points)
March 6, 2024
This is a very personal book for me because I was lucky enough to work at Silver Moon in my first job out of university. It was an amazing time - I discovered loads politically and personally - and I also learned about the realities of trying to run a business and make money in an ethical way which have shaped my career ever since. Highly recommended.
February 9, 2025
A perfect read for booksellers, small business owners, and anyone who feels “at home “ in a bookstore. This lovely book was gifted to me and my wife by a friend - a fellow book-lover and former employee. While on the trip of a lifetime in Paris, she purchased this book for us at the well renowned Shakespeare & Co. knowing we were soon to open a store of our own.
As my wife and I embark on our very own indie bookshop in a small touristy town in northern New England (after owning and operating an insurance agency for the last 20 years), I am filled with emotions of excitement and cautious optimism. Deciding to open a bookstore is not a capitalistic venture, but one of purpose and passion.
An abundance of praise and respect to Jane Cholmeley and Sue Butterworth for their vision and persistence at Silver Moon - through the goods times and the difficult times - in making a sanctuary and building a community for women and lesbians. What you accomplished is an inspiration and a testament to the power of books and indie bookstores all across the globe!
As my wife and I embark on our very own indie bookshop in a small touristy town in northern New England (after owning and operating an insurance agency for the last 20 years), I am filled with emotions of excitement and cautious optimism. Deciding to open a bookstore is not a capitalistic venture, but one of purpose and passion.
An abundance of praise and respect to Jane Cholmeley and Sue Butterworth for their vision and persistence at Silver Moon - through the goods times and the difficult times - in making a sanctuary and building a community for women and lesbians. What you accomplished is an inspiration and a testament to the power of books and indie bookstores all across the globe!
February 11, 2025
3.5 stars
October 23, 2024
Jane Cholmeley's account of running Silver Moon, a bookshop selling feminist books and books by and about women, on Charing Cross Road, (not far from 84).
I had heard of the bookshop, but didn't know anything about it, other than it specialised in women's books, only the second one in London to do so.
I struggled with the first part of it which was about the idea, raising funds and trying to get hold of a premises. I found all this rather dull, but once the bookshop was open, it was a much more engaging read. The actual running of the bookshop, women's space, author events and the like was really interesting and was what I had come here for.
They seemed to have a lot of fun, but I was also shocked by the hostility shown towards them at times for having the audacity to run a feminist bookshop.
I listened to the author read this, and think that was probably the best way for me; that said, I may well but a hard copy as a reference book.
I had heard of the bookshop, but didn't know anything about it, other than it specialised in women's books, only the second one in London to do so.
I struggled with the first part of it which was about the idea, raising funds and trying to get hold of a premises. I found all this rather dull, but once the bookshop was open, it was a much more engaging read. The actual running of the bookshop, women's space, author events and the like was really interesting and was what I had come here for.
They seemed to have a lot of fun, but I was also shocked by the hostility shown towards them at times for having the audacity to run a feminist bookshop.
I listened to the author read this, and think that was probably the best way for me; that said, I may well but a hard copy as a reference book.
November 22, 2024
Well................... Jane Cholmeley may be good at selling books but someone should have told her she aint so good at writing them!
This book was so up my street it's untrue. It should have been the perfect read. Instead it was poorly written and edited, tedious, boring and banal. I've never seen so many financial statements in one book. I didn't know if I was Jane's reader or financial advisor! Honestly like, who wants to see a list of yearly rents and turnovers?? Are you serious?!!
There were moments of interest but these were interspersed with reams and reams of superfluous details that were totally unnecessary. And part of the book was tracking down ex-employees and having them write "what was good about working for us" 🙄🙄
I found this book really disappointing. Honestly, it was awful. Off to the library for donation as I'm certainly never gonna be looking at its sorry hide again!
This book was so up my street it's untrue. It should have been the perfect read. Instead it was poorly written and edited, tedious, boring and banal. I've never seen so many financial statements in one book. I didn't know if I was Jane's reader or financial advisor! Honestly like, who wants to see a list of yearly rents and turnovers?? Are you serious?!!
There were moments of interest but these were interspersed with reams and reams of superfluous details that were totally unnecessary. And part of the book was tracking down ex-employees and having them write "what was good about working for us" 🙄🙄
I found this book really disappointing. Honestly, it was awful. Off to the library for donation as I'm certainly never gonna be looking at its sorry hide again!
November 1, 2024
Great book! I found the writing really witty and funny. Meeting the author, hearing her telling the story of how Silver Moon started and listening to women explain how important this bookshop was for them, has made this book even more special. I wish I could’ve visited Silver Moon 🌙
February 24, 2025
Fascinating.
The story of Silver Moon, a prominent feminist and lesbian bookshop, how it came into being, the day to day life of the shop, and the lives of the owners. So much interesting detail, and so engagingly written.
The story of Silver Moon, a prominent feminist and lesbian bookshop, how it came into being, the day to day life of the shop, and the lives of the owners. So much interesting detail, and so engagingly written.
July 7, 2024
3.5 rounded up.
This one took me a while to get into to be honest. It was relatively well written, but I’m also not sure I loved the style? I don’t know.
I really loved learning more about the significance of Silver Moon and the impact it had on both queer and feminist culture, but some bits were very dry with lots of statistics. That being said, it did provide a full picture of the bookshop and the way it was run which I appreciated.
I’m really sad that I’ll never get to visit it, but it was such a wonderful place for so many people, and pioneering in many ways. Its closure basically boiling down to rent increases is incredibly sad, and the loss of Charing Cross as a book selling road is pretty tragic tbh.
Silver Moon was a much bigger part of history than I knew, and I’m glad that I read this and now know a lot more.
(This has only fuelled my fire though, and I really NEED to open an independent bookshop, so if anyone could give me a small (large) loan, that would be super sexy, cheers.)
This one took me a while to get into to be honest. It was relatively well written, but I’m also not sure I loved the style? I don’t know.
I really loved learning more about the significance of Silver Moon and the impact it had on both queer and feminist culture, but some bits were very dry with lots of statistics. That being said, it did provide a full picture of the bookshop and the way it was run which I appreciated.
I’m really sad that I’ll never get to visit it, but it was such a wonderful place for so many people, and pioneering in many ways. Its closure basically boiling down to rent increases is incredibly sad, and the loss of Charing Cross as a book selling road is pretty tragic tbh.
Silver Moon was a much bigger part of history than I knew, and I’m glad that I read this and now know a lot more.
(This has only fuelled my fire though, and I really NEED to open an independent bookshop, so if anyone could give me a small (large) loan, that would be super sexy, cheers.)
July 7, 2024
Got it as pre sale at Gay's the word, and then took forever to pick it up, but they had it saved for me :) So much to say about this book, so I'll just ramble below. But overall, so inspiring, so educating, so well written. Nothing but admiration for Jane and Silver Moon's team.
I live in London now, I wish I would've gotten to visit Silver Moon bookshop. I go by Charing Cross Road almost every day as is near my work - I have this book to thank for giving context and political history of what I see.
Coming from a remote and small town, in a Spanish speaking religious country, the selection for women ^ specially lesbian books was very very limited (non existent?). Thanks to ebooks and goodreads I discovered there were lesbian books, and even better, fantasy lesbian books, well into my twenties. I remember visiting London 4 years ago, and walking into Gays the word with so much curiosity but also feeling like I was breaking some rule for being there. Also walking into Persephone books and feeling like I was walking in a sacred place.
I honestly can't imagine how lame my reading life would be if I hadn't discovered these books. So I can't even begin to imagine how many lives Silver Moon impacted. Talk about scaling impact and making a difference in the world.
For me, buying from independent bookshops is not only about the price of the book, but you're also paying for the careful selection and the effort someone is putting into something that you love as well. Is sharing something beautiful. Like the difference between eating a homemade cookie a friend took hours to bake vs a supermarket one. I too sometimes fall to the ease of buying in Amazon, so thanks to this book for reminding me the importance of choosing where to buy.
Also, always good to be reminded of how much people fought for things I now take for granted.
I live in London now, I wish I would've gotten to visit Silver Moon bookshop. I go by Charing Cross Road almost every day as is near my work - I have this book to thank for giving context and political history of what I see.
Coming from a remote and small town, in a Spanish speaking religious country, the selection for women ^ specially lesbian books was very very limited (non existent?). Thanks to ebooks and goodreads I discovered there were lesbian books, and even better, fantasy lesbian books, well into my twenties. I remember visiting London 4 years ago, and walking into Gays the word with so much curiosity but also feeling like I was breaking some rule for being there. Also walking into Persephone books and feeling like I was walking in a sacred place.
I honestly can't imagine how lame my reading life would be if I hadn't discovered these books. So I can't even begin to imagine how many lives Silver Moon impacted. Talk about scaling impact and making a difference in the world.
For me, buying from independent bookshops is not only about the price of the book, but you're also paying for the careful selection and the effort someone is putting into something that you love as well. Is sharing something beautiful. Like the difference between eating a homemade cookie a friend took hours to bake vs a supermarket one. I too sometimes fall to the ease of buying in Amazon, so thanks to this book for reminding me the importance of choosing where to buy.
Also, always good to be reminded of how much people fought for things I now take for granted.
August 2, 2025
What a fascinating insight into the world of bookselling in London in the 1980s and 1990s. In the time before Amazon and online bookselling, the challenges of buying feminist literature, of buying lesbian literature, of finding a safe space to be a feminist and/or lesbian were met by the women of the Silver Moon bookshop in Charing Cross Road. I particularly enjoyed that this book didn't romanticise the hard work and grind of running a bookshop. It was equally useful and interesting to see cost, rental agreements and more discussed as normal everyday events. This book was alook at the life of Silver Moon but equally it's a useful prompt for any woman setting up a business as to things you should consider.
April 11, 2024
An interesting account of opening a feminist bookshop and reminder of how far we've come in terms of women and LGBTQ rights. Although I couldn't get over that they were able to pay their mortgage in West Hampstead on two minimum wage salaries, how times have changed.
I went to the book launch and saw Jane speak so it was nice being able to read it with her voice in my mind.
I went to the book launch and saw Jane speak so it was nice being able to read it with her voice in my mind.
April 19, 2024
Transported back to my early twenties and discovering wonderful authors at Silver Moon, Alice Walker and Maya Angelou to name a few.I have fond memories of some motherpeace tarot cards bought here, which I loved.
I went to Pages in Hackney for an author reading which was really enjoyable.
I went to Pages in Hackney for an author reading which was really enjoyable.
October 29, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this. It is charmingly honest and great reading. It feels like a time capsule, and is certainly an important work for feminist and queer history, and quite unique in its person-centered approach.
April 13, 2024
An important part of feminist and queer history, the story behind Silver Moon the women's bookshop that was in the heart of London's West End for nearly two decades, until rent increases caused its demise. The parts about the bookshop are the best, definitely bringing forth nostalgia for anyone who shopped there and important insight into their successes, failures and the misogynist abuse that women and women's businesses face. I enjoyed those parts of the book much more than the author's slightly prosaic style of memoir, more noticeable for what is mot included. Overall an enjoyable and important read.
May 15, 2024
Very interesting, inspiring and touching story of struggling and wins. I listened to audiobook narrated by author and would like to have also paper book to read it again.
June 26, 2024
This book is the story of Janes dream, how she lived it and how it ended. It is a love letter to taking the risk and the women taking it with her - especially Sue. And as a nice side effect it gives social and political context to these formative years in LGBTQI+ and womens rights. Even if I had to google quiet a bit about events being neither british nor alive for most of it and I wouldn't have it any other way.
December 31, 2024
another slow read but what a read! a beautiful homage to a place I wish I could’ve gone to, and through these pages feel that I have.
April 21, 2025
We need bookshops like this again. I’d grab anyone who uttered the phrase “I’m just a girl” and frogmarch them inside.
April 11, 2024
A book as special as the place it’s written about
April 14, 2024
4.5* rounded up - a fascinating look at the journey of a feminist bookshop in the UK and what it is to be a Bookseller, as well as a reflection on the changing culture of the UK and the world in relation to feminism and LGBTQIA+ rights.
Recommend the audiobook read by the author
Recommend the audiobook read by the author
June 12, 2024
Interesting and well written, I wish I could have visited Charing Cross Road as a literary hub!
February 11, 2025
Such a wonderful audiobook which I just didn't want to end - a story of feminist LGBTQ booksellers in London in the 80s, told so beautifully it made me laugh and cry! Highly recommend!
June 7, 2024
Wonderful memoir about books, and identity, and love, and running a bookshop through the good times and bad. Do go read 💜
June 3, 2024
TLDR: an essential part of feminist and queer history.
It's difficult to be objective about this book, because Silver Moon women's bookshop saved my life.
Coming to terms with my sexuality in the late 1980s was traumatic. The world seemed unrelentingly hostile from media to Parliament. Books were my escape and my lifeline and I was fortunate enough that I didn’t have to rely on libraries, either school or otherwise.
I was reading feminist magazine Spare Rib from early teens and discovered the Women’s Press book club for mail order and then Silver Moon. I had the economic means and the social freedom to get up to London a few times a year and to buy titles that would never have graced the shelves of Essex Libraries.
Silver Moon in Charing Cross Rd, Gay's The Word in Marchmont St, and The London Lesbian & Gay Centre in Cowcross St. These were my safe spaces, my touchstones for connecting with my community when the burden of closeted suburban life got too much. I never spoke to anyone - I browsed the shelves and made my quiet selection - but I left feeling bolstered by the visit, simply from knowing that there were other lesbians out there and they were living happy lives, that things would get better. That was enough to keep the darkest thoughts at bay for a while.
I never dreamt of the progress that was to come. I hoped to find love but never envisaged full legal recognition of my relationship. Now we're about to celebrate our 30th anniversary.
So it's hard for me to be objective about this book. But co-founder Jane Cholmeley offers an interesting and apparently honest, warts-and-all history of how the bookshop came about, and how it eventually fell victim to high rents and Bezos' bulldozing behemoth. Highly recommended.
It's difficult to be objective about this book, because Silver Moon women's bookshop saved my life.
Coming to terms with my sexuality in the late 1980s was traumatic. The world seemed unrelentingly hostile from media to Parliament. Books were my escape and my lifeline and I was fortunate enough that I didn’t have to rely on libraries, either school or otherwise.
I was reading feminist magazine Spare Rib from early teens and discovered the Women’s Press book club for mail order and then Silver Moon. I had the economic means and the social freedom to get up to London a few times a year and to buy titles that would never have graced the shelves of Essex Libraries.
Silver Moon in Charing Cross Rd, Gay's The Word in Marchmont St, and The London Lesbian & Gay Centre in Cowcross St. These were my safe spaces, my touchstones for connecting with my community when the burden of closeted suburban life got too much. I never spoke to anyone - I browsed the shelves and made my quiet selection - but I left feeling bolstered by the visit, simply from knowing that there were other lesbians out there and they were living happy lives, that things would get better. That was enough to keep the darkest thoughts at bay for a while.
I never dreamt of the progress that was to come. I hoped to find love but never envisaged full legal recognition of my relationship. Now we're about to celebrate our 30th anniversary.
So it's hard for me to be objective about this book. But co-founder Jane Cholmeley offers an interesting and apparently honest, warts-and-all history of how the bookshop came about, and how it eventually fell victim to high rents and Bezos' bulldozing behemoth. Highly recommended.
April 6, 2024
3.5 A wonderful memoir of one of the co-owners of one of Britain's first feminist bookshops from the mid 80s to early 00s, and pioneer of women's and lgbt writing. An inspirational read (listen technically, since I got the audiobook). I laughed out loud at the humor and political satite, and listened through gritted teeth and wept in impotent anger at the chapters detailing the years of Thatcher tyranny, that vilified lgbt people and ushered in a political landscape of ruthless greed and callousness that changed Britain forever, for the worst.
A wonderful insight into being a woman, queer, a book lover and a business owner for 17 years during a tumultuous time in British history.
Not being much of a maths person I found it a bit dull in places- the bits covering the numbers; revenue, costs etc. And I do feel like it would have been better if the audiobook had been narrated by someone other than the author.
But that didn't detract much from what is definitely a poignant and lovely book that is itself a celebration of women writers. Reading (listening to) this has grown my reading list exponentially!
A wonderful insight into being a woman, queer, a book lover and a business owner for 17 years during a tumultuous time in British history.
Not being much of a maths person I found it a bit dull in places- the bits covering the numbers; revenue, costs etc. And I do feel like it would have been better if the audiobook had been narrated by someone other than the author.
But that didn't detract much from what is definitely a poignant and lovely book that is itself a celebration of women writers. Reading (listening to) this has grown my reading list exponentially!
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