Shropshire book shops gearing up for one of busiest weekends

Coming just two days after Super Thursday – where 503 new titles were released – shops in the area say they are expecting a rush of customers.

It comes at a time when e-book sales have started to fall.

Carrie Morris, from Booka Bookshop in Oswestry, said she was preparing for a busy weekend.

She said: "Super Thursday was a very busy day and was a good day for us. There were so many well anticipated books out and it really started the Christmas market.

"I expect it to be busy this weekend as well as people come and snap up the latest on offer. It is great to see so many people passionate about print again."

Some of the titles released this week included ones from former footballer Robbie Savage, Alice Roberts, Nigella Lawson and Ben Fogle.

Typically, celebrity memoirs, commercial fiction and cookery titles are published on Super Thursday to give book buyers ideas for Christmas lists.

The drop off in e-book sales has been welcomed by Ludlow MP Philip Dunne, who was one of the founders of the Ottaker's chain, which was sold to the HMV group in 2006.

Mr Dunne said: "I am really delighted to learn that book sales have started to increase while Kindle and e-reader sales have flattened.

"As a former bookseller and a former founder of Ottaker's it has been a tough time for the industry the past few years.

"Technology has made it easier for people to download a book, but now there is a real excitement again about picking up a book.

"Readers are re-discovering the pleasure of actually picking up a book, looking at the cover and appreciating the feel of holding one in your hand again.

"I think it is fantastic that the industry is being re-energised and long may it continue."