An Author's Guide to Inspiration in Oxford
Blackwell's and the Bodleian Library = Book Utopia
Becoming a book author comes with perks.
Not a heightened sense of my own importance – I’m trying to avoid that one – but being able to use ‘research’ as an excuse to do fun stuff.
A couple of weeks ago, I went to Oxford. I haven’t been to the city centre for years, but now I’m practising at being an author, I’m seeking out inspiring opportunities.
So, on a chilly but bright Friday morning, I tootle down to the Park & Ride with the sole intention of soaking up books.
My aims for the next few hours are to wander around Blackwell’s – a jaw-droppingly amazing bookshop – and to enter the world famous Bodleian Library. That’s it. Books, books, books.
En route I make a quick detour into Blackwell’s Science Fiction and Manga shop to look for Christmas presents for my son. I’ve found a book, so it fits with today’s theme (a Pokémon book, if you’re wondering).
Across Broad Street is Blackwell’s proper. With its unassuming doors and ordinary looking entrance, its street-level floor is similar to other large bookshops. I love bookshops, so easily spend 30-plus enchanting minutes mooching, reading blurbs, and picking a Christmas gift for my mum (who loves Oxford) before moving onto the real magic of Blackwell’s Oxford.
As I go down the stairs, there’s magic swirling in the air: push through the doors at the bottom and the mini balcony overlooks a majestic room full of books.
Mind-blowing.ll
Magic.
(A)Mazing.
(couldn’t quite get a third M-word!)
My plans don’t currently involve getting published by a publishing house and ending up in bookshops (self-publishing is more achievable), but this view does stir up the dream of having my book displayed in this book utopia.
[Aside: If I’m honest, that is the secret dream, although maybe a dream too far at this point (for the record, any publisher reading this, I’m very open to talking about a book deal!)].
Needless to say, I spend a while exploring the layers of this delicious bookshop layer cake.
Next on my list is the Bodleian Library. I’ve been a University of Oxford staff member for over 20 years, but I’ve never been brave enough to enter this mighty building.
It’s intimidating!
An imposing building full of high-achieving scholars, I’ve no right to be wandering around soaking up the atmosphere to write a book on football.
Nah. Balls to that (pun intended). Life’s short, so I stroll in and pretend I belong.
The lady at the entrance is lovely, giving me a quick rundown of what I should visit. I take in the first two pieces of information and promptly forgot the rest because of my excitement.
The first place I visit in this historic establishment is the toilets. Well, not everyone gets to do that!
I wander, I admire, I get a bit lost. Through the modern tunnel that looks like a London Underground station (except it’s completely empty and a little spooky), up some old stairs, down some old stairs: it’s a librarial (definitely a word) labyrinth. I go into the Lower Reading Room, I go into the Upper Reading Room. I’m totally out of place in both and quickly scurry back out.
Then I find Duke Humfrey’s Library.
Wow.
The security guard looks knowingly as I stand ths a truly breathtaking sight. I’ve found my inspiration.
Rows of huge, ancient, faded books. Ladders to upper levels, views over the Radcliffe Camera, history and brilliance oozing out of every corner.
And then there’s the rest of the library tucked behind a security gate. Literally a scene from Harry Potter (Hogwart’s Library was filmed here).
As I gawp, the security guard asks if I have a university card.
“You can go in then, if you like”.
“Yes, please!”
More mouth open gawping, sprinkled with some wide-eyed wonder like a kid in a winter wonderland.
Grand paintings of important people line the walls (Henry VIII isn’t sure he approves of me being there), shelves of books provide sheltered study areas for scholars, and at the far end, the room opens up into a large study area with a giant table. The winter light dances through a grand window and over the laptops of students soaking up the atmosphere of this amazing building.
Apparently, I could bring my laptop in here to write my book.
But I won’t touch the books - it’ll trigger the alarms!