The rare beauty of books
by Ellis Cochrane
When you step through the door of the Rare Birds Book Shop, you’re met by a message that’s echoed in everything they do: that "all are welcome and respected here".
Curiosity is immediately piqued by the inviting glass store front, with the motto Great Books By Great Women emblazoned in gold. With entire walls filled to the brim with books just begging to be picked up, as well as fresh flowers and the store's signature Book Smells candles wafting throughout the space, the Rare Birds team has created a book shop like no other.
It's all too easy to lose yourself (and a good chunk of time) in this space, dedicated entirely to women’s literature. Originally operating as Rare Birds Book Club (a monthly subscription inviting readers to choose books written by women for home delivery) the Rare Birds Book Shop recently opened its doors in Edinburgh to the delight of book lovers.
It’s the brainchild of Rachel Wood, who says she built what she was looking for but couldn’t find. As an avid reader, she had a strong sense of what was out there so simply began to wrap and deliver her top literary picks to subscribers. “Women’s literature has always been really important to me on a personal level and when I started Rare Birds Books it just felt like a natural place to start,” she says.
Located at 13 Raeburn Place in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge, Rare Birds Book Shop isn’t just a book store. It serves as Rare Birds HQ — the hub in which they work, run their subscription business, host events and showcase the books and authors that they love.
It's always hard to know what to read next... Rare Bird Books bundles are handpicked by the team: simply let them know what genres you like and they select something brilliant to suit your tastes. Each bundle comes enclosed in a charming slipcase and with a personalised reading guide. You can choose a bundle in store, or buy online (for UK delivery) through Not On The High Street.
Rachel is always more than happy to recommend some of her favourite reads. “There are so many great books out right now! Some I’ve been loving recently are Caroline Mackenzie’s One Year of Ugly, Lex Croucher’s Reputation, Nazanine Hozar’s Aria and Cherie Jones’s How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House.”
With plenty of space in which to peruse bookshop favourites like bookmarks and notebooks (and a range of scented candles inspired by true crime fiction, romantic comedies and ghost stories), Rare Birds is truly a book and decor lover's paradise. I mean, just look at the dreamy colours, beautiful bouquets and brilliant books!
If you can’t make it along in person to the flagship store, a brand-new website hosts both the subscription service and all of the products available to buy in-store.