In my last article, I spoke about our trip to Berrima every year. Within that trip is a visit to Berkelouw’s Book Barn which is situated just North of the Village, Berrima.
On a November weekend, 25 years in a row we have visited the bookshop. As mentioned previously, it used to contain approx. 300,000 books, though these days it only holds approx. 200,000 due to the owner diversifying to keep the business afloat.
It has a Wedding Reception, a Wine-Tasting facility and a Coffee Shop/Restaurant within it’s grounds plus a small Colonial Cottage which is used as a Guest House. All-in-all a nice retreat.
Each time we go there, we set ourselves a budget so that we don’t ‘go overboard.’ Seeing how both my Wife, Susan an I are both ‘Book-Fiends’ this is a great idea.
They have books ranging from a few dollars to in the ’000’s, thus it caters for all tastes in price and indeed, subject matter.
For many years the Photography section would be my first point of call, followed by the Art section then, Poetry, Sci-Fi, Garden and Self-Development and Poetry.
For the past few years I have been hitting the Art section first, then Poetry and I will have a quick skim of Photography followed by other sections.
We generally spend 1 1/2 – 2 hours there and sometimes it takes a half or all of that before I find books I want to buy.
This visit saw me purchase three books:
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Matthew Arnold: A Selection Of His Finest Poems
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The Making Of A Poem: A Norton Anthology Of Poetic Forms
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How To Read A Poem and Fall In Love With Poetry: Edward Hirsch
I found all of them in the space of 20 minutes when I arrived at the Poetry section. All three books I love though I think the ‘How To Read A Poem’ book is my early favourite and possible one of the best book purchases I have ever made!
It looks such a beautiful read. I look forward to savouring it over time.
Three more books to add to the “Book Treasure” I have discovered at Berkelouw’s Book Barn, Berrima.
If you are in the area, why not pay them a visit or visit them online. You just might discover some “Book Treasure” of your own.
Great hunting!
Communicating Creatively 