Last summer, we traveled around Scotland and spent a few days in St. Andrews. While the boys enjoyed some golf and the local aquarium, the girls decided we would find a bookstore to wander in. When we walked past Topping & Company, an independent bookstore in St. Andrews with several other locations, it seemed like the perfect shop for our book-loving hearts.

Initial Reaction: 

My initial reaction, as it should be in a good bookstore, was wow, look at all the books! You could instantly tell that Topping & Company had a lot to offer, but not in an overwhelming way. The books were organized in a way that immediately felt warm and welcoming.

Pretty Rounded Snapshot

🕯️Cozy Factor – This bookstore certainly felt cozy with sections and rooms, rather than one big open space. There were spots to sit and read in the back.

🌹Charm – I found this spot very charming! Especially if you say yes to the tea or coffee service. We did this after browsing the store, and were surprised to be given a full spread at a little table with the cutest teapots and cups. This added so much extra charm to the experience and was a highlight for us.

📚Selection– There was such a large selection of books here that I had a hard time deciding what to bring home. Never mind that I barely had room in my luggage, I couldn’t help myself. The rooms were divided into categories and offered a variety of genres for anything you might need or want.

💚Browsing Experience – The layout of the different rooms made it pleasant to shop here. You could casually browse through all the different sections, but if you were looking for something more specific, it was easy to find the section you were looking for.

🛋️Linger Level– Definitely a perfect bookstore to linger in! Especially when you get to sip a hot beverage on a chilly day and talk about the new books you picked up.

💰Price– The books here were actually much cheaper than back home, particularly the hardcover! That may have been why I ended up bringing so many home.

🛑Worth the Stop? – Yes! Stop by if you’re in St. Andrews and get a serotonin boost from some fresh books.

Books I Left With

I’m not leaving a bookshop without at least one book. That’s just the name of the game. This time, I left with three books:

The Versions of Us – Laura Barnett
Graveyard Shift – M.L. Rio
The Darlings of the Asylum – Noel O’Reilly

Two out of three of these books were pretty good reads, so I’d call that a success. The second was one of those with potential but was not executed well.

Would I Return to This Bookshop?

I would 100% visit this book shop if I ever visit St. Andrews again. Which I hope to do, because I also loved our stay at Rufflets St. Andrews.

Pretty Rounded Rating

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Topping & Company Booksellers of St. Andrews was a cute bookstore with a variety of options for any book lover. It was a wonderful way for us to spend the afternoon while the boys in our group were otherwise occupied. They created a special experience with their optional coffee and tea service from quaint, decorated teapots and mugs. This is a perfect addition to the shopping experience if you’re visiting with a group or want to linger and get a head start on your new book.

Have you visited this bookshop? What did you think? Are you reading any good books lately?

This post is part of Pretty Rounded Finds, where I share little snapshots of places I’ve stayed, sipped, and read. All in the quest for that warm, cozy feeling.