It’s new, so it gets to go first (also, pictured here). The owners of Queer Lit we were finding it tough going to discover great Queer literature. With a lack of shops stocking it and websites bothering to dedicate areas towards it, they felt it was time for a change. Head to Tib Street to browse over 1500 titles. Their website has a great LGBTQ+-matters blog too.

Rare Mags is an absolute gem of a shop, in Stockport’s old town. They would probably hate us to say this, but if you liked Magma (sob!), then you will love this place too. ‘Rare Mags and books’ would have been way too long a title, but in fact that’s exactly what you’ll find inside this recently expanded shop. Put simply, they sell the best independent magazines out there, a cracking selection of books and some fine stationery.

Blackwell’s has had a makeover. The new shop is bright and airy, with an on-site cafe. Specialising as ever in academic reading, the shop also stocks most other books. It has some great author events too, so keep an eye out for those.

Small but perfectly formed, the bookshop in the foyer at HOME sells carefully-curated books, magazines and gifts, appealing firmly to the arts crowd.

Open since 1987, Waterstones Manchester Deansgate has become an integral part of the cultural tapestry of Manchester City Centre. Opposite the Grade II listed Art-Deco building that now houses House of Fraser, and within a Victorian-built store open since 1873, you’ll find all the expected big hits in here plus a large range of carefully-curated titles.

Travelling Man has a huge choice of visual books, comics and graphic novels and is considered by many in the know to be THE go-to place for all of the above. The staff are nice too: none of the intimidating snootiness you may worry about in such a specialist shop.