Next up on the independent bookshop feature, music and film journalist Nick Dunn (@laidbackinsong on Twitter) explains why Troutmark Books in Cardiff is worth a visit. I love Cardiff so I'll definitely be stopping by Troutmark!
As far back as I can
remember, reading has provided a safe haven. I can remember sitting down by the
book-box at nursery, a little island in the stormy sea of childhood chaos
around me, and picking out books at random. So it is with bookshops.
It’s certainly true of Troutmark, a second-hand
bookshop here in Cardiff. Located in the Castle Arcade, it’s a quit oasis in
what is normally a bustling city centre. Situated across three floors, its
shelves tower over customers. As you progress from the front door, it feels as
if it has been grown organically from nooks and crannies. Books fill every
shelf: some are even stacked on top of smaller shelving units on the floor. Above
all else, it’s quiet. Even with other customers, the shelves seem to
absorb all sound, and with no easy view of the daylight outside the arcade, it’s
quite easy to pass several blissful hours in an interesting tome. It’s an ideal
bookshop, in other words.
The ground floor is for general and children’s literature, as well as
some poetry, but most excitingly, there are historical (and if you’re lucky,
first!) editions of books like Wisden Cricketer’s Almanack or those by
writers like Charles Dickens or Dylan Thomas. These are situated
behind the counter, giving them a faintly exciting air of elusiveness.
Downstairs, in the windowless basement are most of the non-fiction books on
various subjects, while up the suitably creaky stairs are sections reserved for
music, sport, comics, and my personal favourites: the sci-fi/fantasy shelves.
My own collection of Terry Pratchett books has been largely filled from
those donated to Troutmark – buying clean and brand-new copies of Discworld
books seems somehow wrong. But it was also here that I discovered the Broken
Earth trilogy by N. K. Jemisin and the Kill Shakespeare
comics by Anthony Del Col and Conor McCreery hidden away in the
stacks.
The staff are also incredibly friendly, happy to discuss your purchases or,
as once happened to me, lock you in momentarily if you happen to be quietly
engrossed in your reading when they want to make a cup of tea.
Sadly, the Covid-19 lockdown has reduced the opening hours and number of customers allowed in at a given time. You can help support them when the Arcade reopens by visiting responsibly, wearing a mask on the premises, and using hand sanitiser. If you’ve powered through your reading list during lockdown, consider selling those books you can bear to part with to Troutmark. Their contact details are listed below.
Address
39-43 Castle Arcade
Cardiff
CF10 1BW
troutmarkbooks@gmail.com
Phone
029 2038 2814
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