The Unbanned Books
For as long as literature has existed, it has been a multifaceted tool for humanity. Literature has consoled the inconsolable, housed the homeless, stumped the thinker, and fed the hungry. All world movements – whether useful or horrific – have been documented in literature as a driving force for social and political change across the chasm of time. Edinburgh, a UNESCO City of Literature, is known for its appreciation of literacy as a fine craft – which is why it is hardly surprising to find bookshops gracing every corner of the city. What is surprising is the recent uptick in bookshops housing political conversations and their transformation into more than just bookshops. But why is this happening?
In a departure from the traditional role of bookshops and booksellers and a rare initiative, particularly among independent businesses, more booksellers in Edinburgh are attempting to cater to specific schools of political thought, using varying degrees of discretion. Lighthouse Bookshop is one of these, describing itself as ‘Edinburgh’s Radical Bookshop’. This progressive shop identifies itself as left-wing and features texts of all genres, with focus areas displaying books relevant to current affairs – such as literature regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict – while making their stance on the issue quite clear. The bookshop is known to support the political leftist ideology, and many works available here mention that. Lighthouse Bookshop is known to host book events – some of them political. Here, political discussion is welcomed and encouraged, and social issues are whispered about between bookcases. There are no openly right-wing bookshops, though many are more conservative than activist, stocking classic books and swerving away from the subject of politics and the ideology behind conflicts.
Every reader is different – from their interests in various genres to their preferences in certain styles of writing. From the shift towards Edinburgh’s more politically aligned bookshops, it is clear that Edinburgh’s readership is evolving. But why? Mairi at Lighthouse Bookshops said, “I think bookshops, whatever it might be, being a hub where people can come in and talk about ideas and be exposed to new ideas makes us very important culturally for the wellbeing of our communities.”Bookshops have, in their resurgence, become “third spaces”, something that is rare in this age of social media and interconnectivity. This is neither one’s home nor workplace but a third location at which to spend time. Mairi talks about the importance of third spaces and how younger activists might consider such a location a safe space to express their opinion about a political way of life or their personal political beliefs.
Whenever a space is made, some raise concerns about this space of people becoming an echo chamber, much like what we’ve seen with news outlets: people who align with a specific political view subscribe to a specific newspaper. However, Mairi states that “I don’t think there is a real concern that bookshops engaging more politically has a risk of being a vector for polarisation”, based on the premise that “more general bookshops are selling books with ideas which 5 years ago would have felt radical. Like you will see… you might come across books on abolition in Waterstones now in a way that you wouldn’t have 10 years ago, so I think general bookshops are shifting a bit”, showing that this is an observable shift and need not call for polarisation but further community building.
The future of bookshops was believed to be over, yet the resilience of these establishments speaks to a deeper societal need for community and connection. As Edinburgh navigates its unique position within global dialogues, its bookshops may not only survive but thrive, adapting to readers’ evolving preferences and remaining vital cultural hubs. Ultimately, the future of bookshops is not just about selling books; it’s about sustaining the conversations that shape our world.
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“I feel hopeful that somewhere on these shelves are seeds of revolution and liberation that people then take with them into their own lives or into the wider world.”