Our Independent Bookshop of the Month for November is Kemps Books, in Malton, North Yorkshire. We spoke to owner Liz and perpetual employee of the month, Bookshop Dog Bruno.
Tell us the story of your shop.
I’m Liz, a shopkeeper’s daughter, and I founded Kemps General Store in the North Yorkshire town of Malton in 2017. What began as a gift shop grew into something much bigger, expanding into a bookshop in 2020. Since then, we’ve gone from a small store to Malton’s only independent bookshop, a journey fuelled by passion, resilience and a dash of good fortune. Later, when Wetherby’s long-standing bookshop closed unexpectedly in 2024, this aligned with our plans to grow. We took the leap, guided by our love of books, our customers and our community.
What are the booksellers reading at the moment?
We proudly read widely and with enthusiasm, which is so valuable when it comes to offering recommendations. We have a wall of rotating Team Choices that currently features Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart, A Life’s Work by Rachel Cusk, From Caucasia, with Love by Danzy Senna, The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead, So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan, Mission France by Kate Vigurs and The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell.
What’s your favourite thing about your shop?
Although it’s a delight meeting customers who are visiting for the day (most recently all the way from California!), we cherish the familiar faces within our community and happily know them by name. We are also very proud of our prize-winning window displays and distinctive book arch, and the many little treasures – stationery, candles, fuzzy socks, greeting cards – tucked into every corner, which make Kemps a truly special and inviting space.
Tell us your ideal day in your neighbourhood – especially other local independent businesses you’d love visitors to discover.
Malton is a foodie haven brimming with indies. If it’s market day, a stroll through the stalls (with plenty of nibbles along the way) is a must. Otherwise, we’d start with a coffee and pastry at the Purple Carrot Café or the Malton Patisserie. From there, it’s a wander through our neighbouring shops – like the eco-friendly Cosy Cottage – and a trip down Talbot Yard for artisan treats, from Rare Bird Distillery to Chef Florian’s macarons. Then a leisurely browse through our shop, where one book somehow always turns into three. And the perfect finish: tickets to an author event. We’ve been in conversation with Rev. Richard Coles, Daisy Buchanan, Ian Moore, Angela Harding, Dan Jones, Victoria Hislop, Dan Atherton and more!
Do you have a favourite type of customer?
We do admire customers who are happy to slow down and indulge in whimsy. We’re also dog-friendly, so we’re quite fond of our furry customers! We often feature them: #furriendsofkemps
What’s the best book recommendation you’ve ever given?
Definitely the first in a children’s book series, because it is so exciting to see them eagerly return again and again for the next book – Percy Jackson, Skandar, Pages And Co., A Series of Unfortunate Events . . .
Who’s your dream author to visit the shop – dead or alive?
Daphne du Maurier!
Will you tell us a shop secret? A mystery is also acceptable.
The walls can talk! Well, sort of. We are currently in the process of expanding our Malton shop, and the builders recently discovered a newspaper from 1866 hidden within the adjoining wall.
What do you still find surprising about being a bookseller?
In two bustling Yorkshire market towns, we run book clubs, host author events and work closely with other independents; every day is about celebrating books in all their forms, from beloved classics to the latest prize-winners. And so, while we love sharing our own recommendations, the real surprise is when a customer asks for (or suggests) a book we’ve never come across. Those discoveries and collaborations are so special.
You can visit Kemps Books at 11 Market Place, Malton, YO17 7LP, or visit their website at kempsgeneralstore.co.uk.
Think we should feature your local independent bookshop? Tell us about your favourite indie bookseller here.
