Thanks for dropping in. At Coaldrake’s we’ve been introducing
people to fine books for over ten years. We love books and enjoy sharing
that passion with our customers. As well as offering a comprehensive booksearch
facility, this website highlights a selection of new books that we really
like, and gives you the opportunity to buy them if you wish. It also tells
you about the bookshop, the people who work here, and the different services
we offer.
Nestled among the cafes of Park Road and at the heart of the Milton business
precinct, Coaldrake’s is known for its outstanding range of literature,
history, travel and children’s books. We also carry the best in biography,
art, architecture, food & wine, interior design, current events, business,
and crime fiction.
The philosophy here has always been to create a bookshop where browsing is not just pleasant, but exciting, and to support that with outstanding service. The enthusiastic and friendly team of booksellers at Coaldrake's all share this passion. It's an approach to bookselling that is summed up by the store's motto... for the sheer love of books.
Our
logo has a suitably literary heritage. It was inspired by a passage in The
Lord of the Rings.
In Appendix A, when outlining the history of the Dwarves, Tolkien wrote this:
But there were dragons in the wastes beyond; and after many years they became strong again and multiplied, and they made war on the Dwarves, and plundered their works. At last Dain I, together with Fror his second son, was slain at the door of his hall by a great cold-drake.
Was far too bookish at school to ever carve his name on the desks, so put his own name on the business to give himself the opportunity of splashing it in big letters above the door. Once spent a lot of time on a bicycle in Europe researching the minimum expenditure required to sustain human life. Now spends time trying to hide his wallet from his two children.
Favourite books include: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Gulag Archipelago, My Brother Jack, The House of the Spirits, Les Miserables, The Civil War (Shelby Foote), Narziss and Goldmund.
Favourite book from childhood: The Coral Island
Lyn works at the Barracks store 3 days a week now, having been at the Milton store for years before it closed. She is our resident expert on children's literature and works closely with the schools.
Favourite books include: This year - David Malouf's Ransome
Favourite book from childhood: Any by Enid Blyton
Chris is the manager of Coaldrake's Emporium.
Favourite books include: The Library at Night
Favourite book from childhood: Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
Andrea is the Manager of our new store at The Barracks.
Favourite books include: The Slap - Chris Tsolkias, Should I be Laughing at This - Hugleihkur Dagsson
Favourite book from childhood: Anne of Green Gables - L M Montgomery
With Coaldrake's for 6 years, John formerly worked at Milton and now moves between stores
Favourite books include: Day After Night - Anita Diamant, The Forgotten Garden - Kate Morton, The Library of the Dead - Steven Cooper
Favourite book from childhood: The Coral Island - R M Ballantine
Janine works at both The Barracks and Emporium stores.
Favourite books include: The Kiterunner - Khalid Hosseini The Book Thief - Marcus Zusak The Steig Larssen Series
Favourite book from childhood: The Magic Faraway Tree - Enid Blyton
Studying Science and IT, Jordy works at both stores , usually on the weekends.
Favourite books include: The God Delusion - Richard Dawkins
Favourite book from childhood: We're going on a Bear Hunt
Favourite books include: Spontaneous story telling of Hayley's favourite children's books may occur at any moment when the cafe is quiet - often about 2pm if you want to join her!!
Favourite book from childhood: The Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Graham
Favourite books include: x
Favourite book from childhood: x