Shoptalk is a new initiative from the Guardian newspaper.

They are asking readers - and visitors to their web site - to nominate their favourite independent bookshops, so more people can discover the gems of the bookselling world.

From GuardianUnlimited (20th January 2005):

"We all know the joy of stumbling across a real gem of a bookshop. Whether your tastes run to cracked leather sofas and piles of first editions or wall-to-wall Peruvian poetry, nothing beats a browse in a truly fine emporium.

"But shops like these are becoming hard to find. Borders and Waterstone's are great if you want to pick up the latest bestseller (or a decaff skinny latte) but they've taken much of the independents' business without offering any of the real pleasures of book buying - rummaging through nooks and crannies, unexpected discoveries, magic, dust - in return.

"In a bid to slow the domination of the big chains and put the independents in touch with potential customers, we're launching Shoptalk. The idea is simple: we want you to email us the names and details of your favourite bookshop, along with a 100-word explanation of why you love it, to books.editor@guardianunlimited.co.uk. For a shop to qualify, there are just two rules: it must be within the British Isles and have no more than three outlets. The results will form a database of independent bookshops compiled by bookworms for bookworms."

We're not asking you to nominate us - unless you really want to! -- But we know that as booklovers, you will want to contribute to the database and take advantage of the best service that independents can offer.

For more information visit: http://books.guardian.co.uk/shoptalk/