The brilliance of BOOKS

There's a reason this simple pleasure has so many of us hooked

- ZOE WEST

As parents everywhere send their children off to school dressed as their favourite characters for World Book Day, mini Harry Potters, Gruffalos and Matildas battle it out for the title of 'Best Dressed'. Taking place in more than 100 countries around the world, the charity event's aim is to promote reading for pleasure to young children, a noble cause with reading deemed the single biggest indicator in a child's future success.

For adults, it is just as important. Aside from the enjoyment they bring, books can increase brain power, reduce stress and create connections.

During lockdown, people rediscovered their love of books, spending more time reading than ever. And if the rise in the number of independent bookshops-which climbed to a 10-year high in 2022-is anything to go by, it's not slowing down. According to the Booksellers Association, there are now 1,072 of them in the UK and Ireland.

The power of books to connect people, inspire and even change lives is clear. Here, we celebrate that joy.

'OUR BOOKSHOP IS A DREAM'

Antonia Smith, 27, and her mum Clare (both pictured) were inspired to open a bookshop following a trip away.

While we were on holiday in Fowey, Cornwall, my mum saw a bookshop for sale. It had always been my retirement dream, but obviously a lot further into my future. Mum was a photographer and hadn't really considered it before.

It was the first time we thought of co-owning a shop. Once the idea took hold, it didn't really leave us. Six months later, when we saw an empty retail unit in my mum's home city of St Albans, we jumped at the chance and Books on the Hill was born.