Visit our bookshop in Hay-on-Wye
Selling shiny new books plus beautiful cards, ceramics, candles, tote bags and more, North Books opened in the autumn of 2022.
We offer cosy spaces to browse and comfortable nooks to nurture your love of reading.
We host regular author events, book signings and two book groups and operate a coffee bar. For all our up to the minute news, please follow us on Instagram and Facebook. We send quarterly newsletters - please do sign up - simply scroll down and add your name and address.
Explore our eclectic selection
Find inspiring new fiction including contemporary women's voices, fantasy, young adult and children’s. Browse our range of non-fiction titles focusing on the environment, nature, sustainability and politics, plus our selection of Welsh literature and books by local authors.
If you can’t visit in person you can buy from us online via bookshop.org.
Search on bookshop.org
We have regular additions in the shop so do pop by and say Hi
As well as the hundreds of new titles that arrive on a monthly basis in the bookshop I am always on the look out for enhancing your reading and browsing experience. New additions to the shelves/walls for the festive period are audiobooks in a card by Spiracle, meaning independent bookshops can be part of the audiobook business.
Launched in 2022, Spiracle is a new, British-based audiobook e-commerce platform. The idea of the audio book in a card means that you send a downloadable book in an attractive card for the cost of a normal stamp. RRP £12
The library room has a small selection of original watercolour ink sketches by local artist, Stef Thelwell including several notable landmarks of Hay.
Discover our new gift idea
Are you looking for a special gift for that bookish friend or relative? In which case, we are delighted to present The Bookshop Breakfast voucher which entitles you and your guest to spend time together in the bookshop ahead of opening hours. Read more…
North Books recommends…
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Found in Translation
A brand new book group for 2025, focusing on literature in translation.
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Fantasy
The hottest fantasy titles available instore and at Bookshop.org.uk.
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Stitches & Stories
Stitches & Stories book group’s winter choice is Close Knit by Jenny Colgan.
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The Paris Express - Emma Donoghue
Out in paperback on 26 February 2026, this gorgeous, sprayed edge edition of Paris Express. Email us to reserve an indie special edition.
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Pre-order New Titles
Pre-order this year’s hot releases, such as Imani Thompson’s Honey (published 7 May 2026).
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New Releases and Special Copies
We regularly have signed or indie special copies of new releases in the bookshop (at no extra cost). Or you can purchase from North Books through
Bookshop.org.uk now!
Committed to sustainable business
It's really important to us that all of our suppliers and the goods that we sell are as sustainably sourced as possible.
This includes things like packaging and display materials as well as the miles that an item has travelled to reach us.
When we can, we buy locally and would encourage you to as well. Where we spend our money matters. An example of this policy is with our in-house tote bag which was designed by Hay-based print designer Prints of Hay and printed by a Cardiff-based community-based screenprinting workshop Printhaus. The bags themselves are made from ethically sourced organic cotton which is lighter on the planet.
