Quirky Shropshire postcards with a classic twist
They're some of the best-known story titles in the world. Or are they?
For in one Shropshire bookshop classic works such as The Wizard of Oz and Much Ado About Nothing have been given a definite local twist.
Titles such as Dial M for Murder and Sleepless in Seattle have been reborn as Dial M for Morda and Sleepless in Selattyn at the Booka Bookshop in Oswestry.
And if those are not to your taste, why not try The Wizard of Oswestry, Much Ado About Knockin, or All Quiet on the West Felton Front?
But sadly, although these works look like the classic old Penguin paperbacks of yesteryear, they're only postcards dreamed up by shop owners Carrie and Tim Morris.
They thought the range would be a fun way to put their business on the map.
"It's the latest in a range of home-grown products which have a literary and local link," said Carrie. "We have people coming in and asking for postcards and we wanted something people would remember our shop by.
"We have the Penguin range and we love the colours which are quite contemporary but the style has a lot of nostalgia. We just thought it would be nice to have our own range and personalise it to Oswestry.
"We are an independent business and members of the Oswestry Chamber of Commerce and know there are a wealth of opportunities to attract tourism to the area. It's giving people a reason to come to our shop but it's also something with wider potential.
"We've had some really positive feedback."
Carrie's husband Tim came up with the quirky collectables as part of his brand, Terri and Tim Designs.
He also created Shropshire Lad and Shropshire Lass logos which are available as prints mounted by The Oswestry Framing Company.
"They have been a real success," said Carrie. "One lady bought some of the Shropshire Lad postcards to send out to announce the birth of her grandson.
"People who have friends or relatives who don't live in Shropshire any more will send them as part of a present."
The couple have owned the bookshop and cafe for three-and-a-half years.
"I used to be a teacher at Ellesmere Primary School," said Carrie. "I really wanted to have a change but still have a literary connection. Oswestry hasn't had a bookshop for about 10 to 15 years so we thought there was a gap in the market."
The pair have arranged for TV wildlife presenter Kate Humble to give a talk at the Walls Restaurant on June 6.
Tickets cost £17 and will include a signed hardback copy of Humble by Nature, plus refreshments. People are urged to book the tickets in advance.
View the full range of themed gifts at www.bookabookshop.co.uk
