If there’s one thing I enjoy buying as much (if not more) than clothes and shoes, it’s books. There’s something so satisfying about that feeling you get when you’re holding a new book- the smoothness of the cover, the smell of the pages and the way their perfect edges turn as you absorb their captivating words. In this digital age, now, more than ever, books are the epicenter of a somewhat rebellious renaissance. While iPads, iBooks and every kind of iWhatsit you can imagine predominates our transmission of information, a quiet but formidable nostalgia has upped the ante- and the eternal allure of books.

So if you’re a book lover, or a technological Gen-Y die hard just looking for the kind of escapism that can only be found by huddling under the covers  or in a quiet corner of your favourite café with a huge mug of something warm and delicious, it’s time to visit Metropolis. While I’m always espousing the wonders of Curtain House (and yes, they are many), Metropolis is a book haven that is an unavoidable visit when you’re in the building. Indeed, as soon as you step into Metropolis books, the bustle city fades away. 

Quiet, intimate and inviting, Metropolis is a bookstore designed for taking your time. Focusing on art, graphic design, architecture, photography, fashion and textiles, culture, film, music and the performing arts and with an array of cute bits and bobs, handmade cards and artworks as well as quirky gifts and things for your house, I challenge you to leave Metropolis empty handed.