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r/books
Posted by u/SadLittleJay 2 years ago
London book shop recommendations?
Hi everyone! Not sure if this is the right subreddit for this, but I just moved to London and I'd like to support some of the more local book shops that are around here! Any good suggestions?
EDIT: Thank you for all the suggestions! I will definitely be checking them out :)
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buttscotchzzz · 2 yrs. ago
Are you looking to actually take home the books?
SadLittleJay OP · 2 yrs. ago
yes... I think that's the purpose of bookshops?
buttscotchzzz · 2 yrs. ago
Yes, obviously, sorry. I just live close to this book store called A.Z. Fell & Co, and it's the loveliest place. It's very cosy and the collection of books there is honestly unbelievable (I think there are some texts dating back to the 16th century? Not sure why those are in a book shop instead of a museum). The owner is a lovely man too, but he refuses to sell his books. Not sure why.
Yeah so, for looking around and sitting?? Fantastic place. Actually purchasing books?? Probably not so much.
SadLittleJay OP · 2 yrs. ago
No apology needed, sorry if I came off too harsh :) Sounds wonderfully strange!! I'll make sure to check it out (even if I won't get to take any of the books back home lol)
r/London
Posted by u/SadLittleJay 2 years ago
Strange soho bookshop that doesn't sell books?
Hello! I've recently been recommended this bookshop called "A.Z. Fell & Co" in Soho. It's quite nice but also... Kinda weird? Not sure how to describe it. So I know it might be quite niche, but I just wanted to know if anyone knows anything about it?
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DollieDollie · 2 yrs. ago
Lived in Soho all my life. The shop is kinda infamous with the locals because nobody knows what the hell is going on with it. Weird as hell opening and closing hours too.
Miriiriram · 2 yrs. ago
I live in Covent Garden and I've also heard some stuff about the bookshop. Never been able to figure out how the man keeps his shop open in central Soho since there's no way he's turning a profit - It's been here for as long as I can remember though.
SadLittleJay OP · 2 yrs. ago
Huh, how weird. Well, the shop owner seems nice so I'll keep digging!
r/London
Posted by u/SadLittleJay 2 years ago
Update on strange soho bookshop that doesn't sell books
Hi everyone! Me again. Not sure if anyone is still keeping up, but I've had a few more trips to "A.Z. Fell & Co" and here are my experiences:
- I've had some people mention weird opening and closing hours, and from what I can tell that is 100% true. The sign at the front door almost melted my brain, but I've figured out the timings pretty good by now.
- The books kept there are very very strange. From what I can tell, most of them are published before the 1930s, and I swear I've seen some ancient texts around... I did find this one book with some pictures of earth and space though, so that's pretty cool.
- Nearly no one comes into the shop! Foot traffic outside is crazy, but every time I've been inside, I'm always the only one there. I understand that bookshops aren't the most interesting things around, but it's still a shop in the smack dab middle of Soho, so the pure emptiness of it is a little weird (take a shot every time I say weird or strange in this post lol)
- Mr Fell, the shop owner, is very very lovely!! There was this one time when I just sat and read for what must be hours, and he didn't even bat an eye - even offered me tea! We sat down, had a little chat about Jane Austen, and I could really tell that he is really passionate about his books - couldn't stop smiling and everything.
He did mumble something weird about Jane Austen being a spy, however, so still quite a weird fellow.
- Mr Fell still doesn't sell books. I asked him the first time I came into the store for some books and he said no, but I just assumed it was maybe because I didn't know him well enough? Anyways I asked him again and he just stared at me like I just asked to take his firstborn. So no luck on that yet.
- I think Mr Fell has a partner but I'm not quite sure about it. There's this man called Crowley that seems to be the only other person that comes into the bookshop, and he's got what is possibly the coolest sense of fashion in the world - I'm talking full two-piece suit, sunglasses on indoors, and bright red hair. Not ginger hair, RED hair.
Mr Fell calls Crowley "My dear" and Crowley calls him "Angel". They act like an old married couple, bickering and everything, but I really don't wanna assume so...
That's pretty much all I can think of off the top of my head, I think. I'll keep you guys updated (if anyone is still reading lol) if I find something new!
PS. unrelated but there's this coffee shop that's really nice - "Give Me Coffee or Give Me Death", just across the street from the bookshop. Really good coffee if anyone is looking for a drink!
EDIT: Okay well, this post blew up more than I expected. Good to see that other people are also strangely obsessed with this little bookshop lol! Thanks for the awards and I'll definitely keep you guys updated!!!
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r/snakes
Posted by u/SadLittleJay 1 year ago
Does anyone know what this snake is?
Found this GIANT snake on the floor of a bookshop!!! Does anyone know the species or anything??
[Attachment: 1]
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SSssssBoys· 1 yr. ago
Oh my god that thing is huge! You found it on the floor of a BOOKSHOP?
SadLittleJay OP · 1 yr. ago
Yes!!! Crazy right?? I think it must've snuck in or smth because I'm a regular at the shop and I've never seen it before. Is it venomous????
liveweire837· 1 yr. ago
Purely based on the size it has to be a ball python or an anaconda - Can't really tell from the photo quality. Neither are venomous but are still dangerous. Call animal control ASAP.
SadLittleJay OP · 1 yr. ago
Sorry for the quality - I was a little busy screaming lol. But the store owner just came out and told me that it's apparently his pet? I knew some people keep snakes for pets but I've never seen them in real life, so huge too! Anyways thank you for the advice! :D
r/London
Posted by u/SadLittleJay 1 year ago
Update on "A.Z. Fell & Co"
Hello, I'm back with some more news!
- First news: Mr Fell has given me his first name! I asked him what the A stood for, and he thought for a while like he doesn't know his first name? Anyways his name is Azira, which I think is quite a cool name.
I tried looking him up on Google but nothing came up, so I tried asking him for his middle name and he got this weirdly panicked look on his face. I didn't push it further because he was turning a little red trying to think.
- Mr Fell owns a giant snake. I think he's some sort of Python? Not quite sure about it yet. His name is Crawly (ha, like Crowley) and I found him on the floor one morning - gave me the fright of my life! Anyways, he's cute but he has this weirdly human look in his eyes sometimes. He also really likes curling himself next to or just on Mr Fell - didn't know snakes could be clingy lol. Sometimes I feel like I'm intruding on the two of them, which is kinda crazy because one of them is literally a snake.
- Crowley is still coming into the shop fairly often, and he's still just as intimidating as ever. He does, however, do this thing where he kinda melts when he talks to Mr Fell. Kinda hard to explain but you can really tell the difference in his body language. I can't see his eyes because of the sunglasses, but I swear they go soft and everything.
Maybe they're dating, maybe they're not. All I know is that when I ask Mr Fell about Crowley, he talks about him like how he talks about Jane Austen books.
- I've finally managed to lend (heavy focus on the word LEND) a book!! Returned in perfect condition :)
That's all I have for now! Will continue to update if anything else interesting comes up.
EDIT 1: Some people didn't believe in the whole snake shenanigan, which I completely understand (sounds ridiculous to myself too), but I've attached a picture of Crawly just as proof. You can see him curled up next to Mr Fell, which I still think is pretty cute.
[Attachment: 1]
EDIT 2: I've asked Mr Fell (in a very awkward conversation), and Crowley is in fact not his partner. I know people have been debating in the comments but Mr Fell says they're just best friends. Will investigate further on the matter.
EDIT 3: I've asked Mr Fell and Crowley if they mind me posting about them, and I am proud to say that I now have the official go ahead from the both of them to post updates. I've also made a subreddit since I feel bad spamming r/London with nothing but A.Z. Fell & Co content lol. I'll be posting future updates at r/AZFellAndCo :)
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PollyPirate · 1 yr. ago
Everyone in agreement that there's definitely some HEAVY pining going on between Mr Fell and Crowley say aye
WonderfulWorld· 1 yr. ago
aye
cooliosoolio23 · 1 yr. ago
AYE
nothankyou845 · 1 yr. ago
aye
> 56 more replies
peanutbutternnut · 1 yr. ago
a bookseller named azira w/ a fucking python sounds like a video game character. badass as hell
SadLittleJay OP · 1 yr. ago
He's actually kind of the opposite of badass - dresses like he just stepped out of the Victorian era. He's got a bowtie and everything!
peanutbutternnut · 1 yr. ago
even MORE badass
Lilypadwfrog · 1 yr. ago
wait so mr fell is dressed like a gentleman from the victorian era, and crowley is dressed like an 80s fashion icon??? literally the most blatant example of opposites attract i've ever seen. next thing i know you'll be telling me that they have contrasting colour palettes LMAO
SadLittleJay OP · 1 yr. ago
You're not gonna believe this lol
HmmmmMMmM· 1 yr. ago
"He talks about him like how he talks about Jane Austen books." my GOD bruh
abbygotback· 1 yr. ago
i need someone who talks about me like how mr fell talks about crowley NOW
r/AZFellAndCo
Posted by u/Mimimeow 1 year ago
Has anyone actually visited A. Z. Fell & Co. ?
Basically just the title. I keep seeing posts about people trying to visit the store but always getting 'interrupted' by one thing or another. Has anyone actually managed to visit the place other than SadLittleJay?
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mirandapanda · 1 yr ago
I was one of the people who got 'interrupted' on their way there. I found a little kitten on the side of the road and just couldn't leave her there, so I took her to the vet instead. Not too fussed about it though, since now it helped me meet the absolute love of my life, Luna.
[Link]
Mimimeow OP · 1 yr ago
oh my god SHE'S SO CUTE 😭 Maybe I'll try visiting the bookshop so I can get a cat
Edit: Holy fucking shit
r/AZFellAndCo
Posted by u/AnthonyJC 9 months ago
Why do people think they're in love
It's all people are talking about. Can someone explain this.
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MillieRockers96· 9 mo ago
well i mean,,, mr fell talks about crowley like he talks about books (which i think r basically his life and soul), and from the last update we got crowley was literally giving mr fell houseplants in what i can only say is domestic hell. if u see some videos of them u can also see that they look at each other like the other one's the sun when the other not watching, so yeah we're pretty sure they're in love just INCREDIBLY oblivious
Lilypadwfrog ·9 mo ago
100% in love. also talking about the whole "he talks about crowley like he talks about books", its lowkey crazy how much mr fell talks about crowley. like that man NEVER stops i think. but honestly just give the pinned post a look and you'll get it.
AnthonyJC OP· 9 mo ago
Oh
r/AskReddit
Posted by u/porlrlrlr 2 months ago
What are some of the weirdest things that you've seen on reddit?
Very broad and basic question, but I'm bored and need temporary fulfilment
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yeahsolikeuhh · 2 mo ago
A while back there was this bookshop that blew up because of a reddit post. Apparently the shop's been around for three hundred years, and apparently had shit like the first edition of the Great Gatsby and stuff trailing back to the 16th century or something - But that's not even the weird part.
People tried to visit the bookshop because of the popularity obviously, but every time they try, stuff just happens at random and they never actually get there. Everyone knows the bookshop is there, but no one except OP for that first reddit post has ever actually managed to get in. Sometimes they find a stray cat and get distracted, sometimes a giant storm just instantaneously starts, but literally ZERO people have gotten into that book shop except for OP.
The bookshop owner is called AZIRA (not fucking kidding), with a pet python (also not fucking kidding), who is also apparently dressed like he came out of the Victorian era (still not fucking kidding). Now I'm not saying he's a wizard, but I'm pretty damn sure he's a fucking wizard.
Also apparently he's also in love with his best friend and there's this huge pining thing happening the last time I checked, but I think OP stopped updating a while back so yeah.
Cauliflourpanfried· 2 mo ago
Holy shit I completely forgot about that. Genuinely the weirdest shit. Hope they finally got their shit sorted eventually tho.
r/IAmA
Posted by u/MrAziraFell 6 days ago
I am Azira Fell, the owner of A.Z. Fell & Co. A sk Me Anything!
Hello everyone! I hope you all are doing well. I am Azira Fell and I happen to own A.Z. Fell & Co. I've recently been informed of just how popular my bookshop has become, so here I am! Here is a picture of me, Crawly, and this sign I made for proof.
[Attachment: 1]
I'm still not very good at technology, so I truly do apologise for the slow responses. I will try my best :)
- AZF
Edit: Thank you for all your questions! As much as I'd love to just sit and chat with all of you, I still have the calls of thousands of wonderful books to tend to. I hope you all have a lovely day :)
- AZF
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MariaMessierxx · 6 days ago
Hi Mr. Fell! I've been following the story since the first post and can't believe you're actually on here! I just wanted to ask what the Z in your name stood for?
MrAziraFell OP · 6 days ago
Hello, Maria! I can't believe I'm here either! Currently still figuring out Reddit myself because things are a little confusing for an old fellow like me. But as for your question, to take the words of a very, very dear friend of mine, it's just a Z, really. - AZF
PollyPirate · 6 days ago
Are you and Crowley finally together???? (feel free to not answer if its too personal or anything like that)
MrAziraFell OP · 6 days ago
Hello, Polly! Thank you for being so considerate. In short, yes we are together now. Now looking back on it, I suppose it was a little silly that we waited that long to be together. Well, that's all over now, and Crowley and I are as happy as ever - AZF
PollyPirate· 6 days ago
oh my god the scream i just scrumpt
JooolyRancher· 6 days ago
Congratulations! What made you guys take the last step, if I may ask?
MrAziraFell OP · 6 days ago
Well, it's actually quite funny since apparently Crowley had found the subreddit (I believe that is what it's called) that Jay had made while looking for the bookshop on the Internet, saw the posts that all of you made about us being obliviously in love with the other, and finally decided to tell me how he truly felt. So, if I have to be honest, it was all of you that helped us take the last step, and I am very grateful for that :) - AZF
cooliosoolio23· 6 days ago
ok well now im crying
monsteriaLoe· 6 days ago
Are you aware of the weird phenomenon where, when someone tries to come to your shop, they always seem to get distracted or pulled away by another thing? And, being completely honest, were you involved in any of these? I understand the question sounds silly, but it's just so strange that I have to ask.
MrAziraFell OP · 6 days ago
Thank you for the question! And it's not silly at all. I actually was not aware of this until today! And if I had the ability to summon stray cats at will, my bookshop would already be overwhelmed with kittens.
I suppose it must just simply be some sort of magic, or maybe even a miracle ;) - AZF
wormieboyyyyyy · 6 days ago
Why don't you sell your books? Also do you have a favourite? (a favourite book I mean)
MrAziraFell OP · 6 days ago
Well those two questions actually are quite interlinked, if I do say so myself. My answer to the first is because I simply love them all too much, and can't bear to part with them. My answer to the second is also I simply love them all too much, so I cannot pick just one. I do, however, especially adore the work of Terry Pratchett. - AZF
wormieboyyyyyy · 6 days ago
Ain't that the truth. Have you ever thought of selling a book, tho? Like ever? You do run a bookshop.
MrAziraFell OP · 6 days ago
Well.... I suppose I could sell just one. - AZF
r/AZFellAndCo
Posted by u/SadLittleJay 1 day ago
Oh my god
MR FELL SOLD ME A BOOK!!!!!!!
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