An Edwardian book shop and Answers to January HPUD Guessing Contest

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Just before Christmas, I was in London and came across a very interesting book shop called Daunt Books in the chic part of the city on Marylebone High Street. The bookshop hasn't been around that long, only since 1990, but the actual building dates back to 1910. The shop front gives its age away, but not its sheer depth and character. That's something you need to go inside to experience.
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As soon as I walked in, the small shop area was jam packed with people. I could barely walk pass and had to slowly edge my way in. The fact it was the start of the school holidays and a few days before Christmas helped to fuel the frenzy buzz here.
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As I got to the back of the book shop it was like a totally different world. Above me was a gorgeous skylight, oak shelves lined both sides extending inwards towards the back of the shop. And there was a gallery one level up. Interesting.
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Whilst hubby was busy browsing (he loves books) I went to explore the gallery. Access to the upstairs was via a very narrow staircase just enough for one person to go or down. It was a bit of a squeeze if someone else was going the opposite direction. There were books lined up on both sides, which meant the books filled the entire floor space from top to bottom throughout the shop floor. As a person who 'likes' books but isn't a real book lover (sorry, I don't read much) I was more interested in the aesthetic of this place. The skylight allowed plenty of natural light to flush into the building, I wonder if book lovers would feel they're at the top of the world here.
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The U shaped oak gallery goes from one side to the other, and was quite narrow. There's no point in making it too wide, no one is going to be browsing too far away from the shelves. And if you're not careful, you might fall over as the rail is quite low!
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There's also a downstairs section leading down to America, Africa, Asia and Australia. Curious as to why these regions? Let's go downstairs to find out. Careful, being an Edwardian building, the staircase is quite narrow and steep compared to modern day buildings.
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Daunts started off as a travel bookshop, hence all their title are arranged by region rather than genre across the three floors. Even thougg they sell non travel titles now, they retain this system. Hubby said he found it rather difficult to find books but I guess that all adds to the character of the bookshop.
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Hubby ended up buying one of his favourite books recently called Chip War. He's read the electronic version already and was waiting for the soft back to come out. He always recommends it to people because it goes behind the geo political power and looks at how power is controlled by modern day critical resource. I'll have to sit down to read it sometime, and when I do, I'll probably do a book review but don't hold your breath for it.

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Answers to January HPUD Guessing Contest

First of all, the good news! What a great start to the first HPUD Guessing Content in 2024, there were 43 entries👍 Thanks to everyone for joining in the fun and your support. Now for the bad news. No one guessed the correct answer this month. The tip I gave was around 12 to 20 truffles and we had guesses for all these numbers but NOT THE CORRECT ANSWER!!! Scroll down and see what's missing!!!

NameHPUD Answer cmPower up ?
@hopestylist12-
@selflessgem13-
@cetb200813-
@adncabrera13-
@balikis9514-
@bereal4714-
@contestbox14-
@henrietta2714-
@micheal8715-
@gems.and.cookies15-
@lizelle15-
@nkemakonam8915-
@jhymi15-
@beeeee16-
@wongi16-
@leaky2016-
@crypticat16-
@pardinus16-
@xrayman16-
@svanbo16-
@luisdey16-
@blitzzzz16-
@incublus16-
@miljo7616-
@coquicoin16-
@grindle16-
@kathrynkw16-
@ctrpch16-
@aslamrer16-
@ladymisa17-
@emeka417-
@coolmidwestguy17-
@kungfukid55217-
@ellaturb17-
@nicklewis17-
@libertycrypto2717-
@dbooster18yes
@dewabrata18yes
@ahmedhayat18yes
@ablaze18yes
@ace10818yes
@soyunasantacruz20yes
@hoosie20yes

That is so frustrating 😟 There were 19 truffles but no one guessed the correct answer. Why?? Why??😭😭
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But that means we have 7 winners who guessed either 18 or 20, and all of them powered up on HPUD. In line with the HPUD spirit, this month I have changed the prize to 100 Hive power. I have just powered up 29 Hive to each of the winners. Congratulations to you all 🎉 🎉 🎉

Thanks to everyone who joined in this month, and look forward to you in the February HPUD Guessing Contest.

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marketfriday teamuk hpud books wearelegion contest
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(Edited)

Oopsie
Just missed it from a single to get that whole 100.

But (everything happens for a good), more people received the prize when no one guessed the right number. There are 7 people smiling instead of 1, so that's a good thing.

Thanks for the prize 😀

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Congratulations to the winners ☺️☺️

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So many people guessed 16, I wonder why 🤔

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I did some counting and thought it was 16, well turns out we were wrong😁

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Congratulations to all winners, I was guessing 19 but devil stops me 😂.

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The devil can be very evil 😈

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Yes, the devil was evil and not on my sight 😂. Thank you for commenting back.

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Wow, what a cool store. It definitely has a lot of light. Probably a bit too busy to really cozy up and check out what they have though. I've never been much of a reader myself, so I totally understand. My wife could probably spend a long time here.

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I noticed they didn't have that many seats for people to sit down, or maybe they removed them during the busy period, but yeah, book lovers like our other half would love it here

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I wonder if seating like that in book shops isn't as much of a thing anymore. Maybe Covid kind of nixed it. Or like you said the holiday's maybe. I haven't been in a bookstore in years, so that could be part of it too!

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I noticed in my local bookshop they've actually expanded the cafe area, which is a good way to kill two birds with one stone as cafes must be more profitable

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For sure! I think that's how it used to be at a lot of places back before all the craziness.

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(Edited)

The bookstore is looking very good, and I do like this statement;

I wonder if book lovers would feel they're at the top of the world here.

Haha, they surely feel they are, lol. Wherever I am reading a story, I imagine myself in the life showcased. The setting.

Congratulations to the winners ☺️.

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Tell the truth - there was 20 truffles, but someone ate one !
Many thanks for the prize award - thats awesome !!!!
That really looks like a lovely bookshop - my daughter would love to visit there !

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Haha! I had to quickly take a shot of the answer as hubby was going through them I was writing my HPUD post!

Is your daughter a book lover as well? Do you guys get down to London often?

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Yes, my daughter totally loves books and book shops. We get to London every few years, so I'll have to take a mental note of it as a place to see next time we are there.

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Oh dang, I'm not good at guessing at all!!!
What a lovely bookshop, funny that all the 'A' continents are all downstairs!
I'm always drawn to bookshops as I just love books. We have book racks in every room of the house; technical, biographies, nature, novels, whatever genre under the sun, you will find here!
Any truffles leftover?

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Any truffles leftover?

Are you joking? They were all gone before I could say bumble bee!

Apparently book shelves have become a big decor thing since Covid, when a lot of TV news interviews were done at home instead of in the studio, and people needed an "intelligent " backdrop. You're well equipped!!

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I always scold myself to make them last, but truffles dressed up so pretty are big teasers, who can resist opening up just one more!

That must have been good for bookshops then!
My son used the bookrack in my study as a backdrop when he was doing online English teaching during Covid while taking a hiatus from his regular job.

I love how they also use old books creatively in decor. That inspired me to use some of hubby's old technical books and other very old classics as well.

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Old books have so much character, I hope you keep all of Arthur's books

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I've not given any of Arthur's books away, but took most of his files for recycling. He was a meticulous record keeper, many shelves filled with old engineering projects for his own records. He'd already moved them to the garage to throw out, but I can't do that to the books.

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So it's better if I see a doctor for my eyes 🤣🤣

Btw that book shop is the biggest one I've ever seen. I want to visit it so bad. I love the smell of books.

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You'll be fine, don't worry. You just need a bit of luck, sadly doctors can't help with that.

Dauntsey isn't actually considered big, as its an independent book store. Our biggest chain Waterstone, has some very big stores in uk

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I love Daunt Books. For someone who loves traveling, I actually really dislike travel books (mostly), so the selection was a bit saturated IMO. But does it really matter? When you ve got that kinda building, you could be selling books in Greek only, and you'd still have huge traffic.

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I have to confess, i was drawn inside because it looked very interesting from the outside, and I'm guessing many were like me as well. That said, I believe there were also many genuine book lovers inside who wanted to support independent book shops as there aren't that many around nowadays, it's all big chains. And that's why my husband wanted to get the book there even if it was a little bit more expensive than Amazon and we had to carry it home ourselves

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(Edited)

Great to see a book store of nice size. Here in my area the larger book stores have closed or went out business.

This is a lovely building and it's nice to see it being used and getting so much traffic. I can imagine that skyline lights the whole place up. I love the wood work on the stairs and through our. Thanks for sharing.

Are you all truffled out now or are there still some left, hehe?

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Book shops are a tough business because many people seem to read ebooks nowadays, plus often you can get books cheaper online than in the shops.

Truffles? What truffles? They seem so distance now 😁

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Very true the digital age has taken over or has for quite some time now.

Haha.. All my holidays treats are gone, time to focus on what they did to me now 😲

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A really nice library. In my city, there are no such big and beautiful bookstores.
Congrats to the winners of HPUD Guessing Content
!LUV

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That's a pity. I think at the rate things are going, soon there will be no shops left. Our high street is quite dead especially after vivid, its do sad when I go out

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Greetings, congratulations to the winners, and thank you for the opportunity to participate in the contest

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Thank you 😃

Wow, that bookstore looks so nice. I could probably spend all day there plus some.

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I have always been considered a “bookworm”. I love bookshops, I love the “smell” of a new book. I am a regular reader. But with age, the frequency of reading a physical book has diminished and now I do it through a 42-inch screen; my visual acuity has diminished considerably. I'll keep an eye out for your competition.... Blessings everyone.

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I get what you mean with age and eyesight, in seems to happen to everyone at the same point in life

I run the HPUD guessing contest on the 1st of every month, look forward to seeing you in next month's

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That bookshop seems amazing! We have in Porto what is considered one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world... and I'm yet to visit it; and I also love books! !BEER

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Now you will have to visit and show us! I'm so intrigued!!

Actually, I just googled it. It is gorgeous 😍. I demand you go and post about it!!!!! Please😊

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Ahahahaha! :))

If I go to Porto again soon, I promisse I'll make an effort to visit and register the moments! !BEER

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Hehe!!! It's pretty crazy that no one got the exact amount of truffles right, lol.

What a beautiful bookstore reminds me a lot of the Lello e Irmão bookstore in Porto, Portugal. It's gorgeous too and became famous because it's the bookstore featured in the Harry Potter movie.

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Yes, it was so frustrating, someone guessed every number but not the correct one.

@pardinus just mentioned a beautiful book shop in Porto as well, it looks amazing!

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Woah #1: that's a serious book shop. I'd like to have a good browse around there for a day

Woah #2: 29 Hive Power to each of us. That's unbelievably generous of you, thanks a million!

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I'm so glad everyone powered up as well! But if just 1 person had won, I wouldn't have to do so many transactions!! Just joking 😄,. It's great to see many winners

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(Edited)

OK, who put one extra into the container?
Good participation anyway.
Thanks for the prize.

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Wuaoo what a surprise, I didn't receive the notification or I didn't realize it and it is when I read the end that I realize the gift of the 29 HP for a month 😆.

Notice that I liked the number 19 because I thought for sure he ate one before thinking about the photo and while I was fixing everything, then I did not want to trust my instinct and I let myself go by the logic that you like even numbers so I concluded that it was the 20. 🤦‍♀️

The only good thing is that you were generous and in the end many of us won, thank you @livinguktaiwan 🥰🫠

The bookstore is beautiful, I would have spent the day admiring everything from the ceiling to the books.

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When I was going through all the answer, I so wanted to tell you, yes, you've won this month!!
Well done, you done it at last !

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Daunt is what a bookstore should be, elegant. I loved it. And it's one of those where you get lost in that atmosphere where I'm sure there's a very nice smell, of books... I like the way books smell. In my case if I go to a bookstore like that, I already have something in mind or I go like you did to be interested in the place itself. Or if there is a literature event, as they usually do in these spaces.
No, I can't hold my breath hahaha... I would die! Although good poets will breathe a sigh of relief hahaha.... 🤣

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I can feel your excitement here!!

Sadly I'm not very well-versed in literature and don't read much, if i read three books a year, that's pretty good by my standards. However, I do enjoy browsing through the books.

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