In the old days, let's say 20 years ago or so, you could stand in Radcliffe Square over the bookstack vents, and smell an enticing smell of musty old knowledge. That same intoxicating odour is surely present in Hogwart's, Uncle Quentin's study, Mr Norrell's house, and no doubt also in the Oxford Book Fair, which takes over Brookes' main hall this weekend.
There'll be an eclectic and wide-ranging selection of books, covering a lot of history and a vast swathe of topics. There are children's books, modern fiction, particulars of Shakespeare's house for an auction in 1847, 20th century classics, and an extremely desirable guide to Oxford published in 1785. (Daily Info will fight you for that last one.)
As well as books there are maps, prints, and a handy circular slide rule for working out nuclear radiation and fallout quantities, and how much shelter you'll get in various different types of bunkers.
Whether you want to tantalise yourself witha selection of 1920s menus from a Printers dining society, or sit back to read a signed first edition of The Alexandria Quartet, you'll find it at the Fair. Browse online for a glimpse of what's on offer, and a floorplan of the exhibitors.
Oxford Brookes University Gipsy Lane Site Headington Campus Oxford OX3 0BP
