LOCAL bookshops have so much competition from the internet but there is nothing like speaking to a person and getting their help.
I was stuck, waiting in for someone to come and repair my fridge, so I had to telephone to try and find a book for each of my two granddaughters, 200 miles away in Burton on Trent.
I had visited the Westbourne Bookshop occasionally in the past, so I telephoned a very helpful lady (Kirstie), explained the ages and interests of Sarah (11) and Rosie (eight) and after discussing possible books, she found our agreed choices for each of them (both reasonably priced paperbacks), and agreed to pack each individually, and post it all to their Mum, to hold for the weekend or a rainy day.
After speaking to the girls, I had to report back to Kirstie the bad news that Rosie had given her choice 10/10, but a very critical Sarah had marked hers at 9/10. Kirstie has promised to try harder in future!
You just do not get this sort of service on the internet, and the fewer books we buy for our children/grandchildren, the more each and every one of us is to blame for the poor literacy levels in England.
PETER BINGHAM
Bournemouth
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