Collected

Collected is a new independent bookshop now open in Durham City, specializing in work written by women. At Collected, the only thing we love more than talking about books is reading them, and we can’t wait to talk and share books with you.

We have all sorts of reading delights for you to discover here on our website as well as in our new bookshop in Durham’s Riverwalk, unit 44. You will find the shop a warm and welcoming place to visit, where you can browse and buy from our carefully curated collection as well as sit and read while enjoying a delicious coffee and cake . We are always happy to talk about and recommend books, and you can purchase in store, online, or via our affiliate site on bookshop.org. Alternatively, take a look at our subscriptions and book bundles – an ideal way to keep your own book supply well-stocked or to gift to others.

Our history…

Collected grew from the heart and dreams of Emma Hamlett – lifelong bookworm and inveterate recommender of books. Describing herself as a “Covid cliché”, Emma exited stage left from her career as a museum curator in 2020 and began to explore what else might be possible. But, in everything she did and tried, there was no getting away from books. And so, in late 2021, the decision was made and Collected was born. Starting as an online and mobile shop, with Cordelia the bookshop van, the business moved into a ‘bricks and mortar’ shop in September 2022.