This Thursday March 2 is World Book Day and while the global event encourages children to read for pleasure, there's no age limit on a love of books.
As well as the National Centre for Children's Books in Ouseburn, Seven Stories (which has a shop too), the North East is packed with brilliant bookshops, from converted chapels to former rail stations. Since the coronavirus pandemic, many have defied the odds to cement their place in the industry amid competition from Amazon and chain bookstores.
But they need our support to keep going - especially when up against the pressures of the cost of living crisis. So, here are eight of the most highly-regarded independent bookshops in the North East which you can visit not just this World Book Day, but at any time of the year.
