2. The Big Green Bookshop

The owners of this independent claim to be just "two blokes with one bookshop and no idea", but they could have fooled many a book lover, says Lisa. "Green by name and green by décor", this small but well-stocked store attracts a wide fanbase to its events – "be it children's story times, author signings, comedy nights or organising the world's first online reading group."

Where: 1 Brampton Park Road, London N22 6BG (020 8881 6767; biggreenbookshop.com)