Meet the Team
Westwood Books is run by Paul and Heather Thomas plus a small team of staff. Here's a little bit more about them .
Heather - Co-Owner
I’m Heather, I grew up in Birmingham and we moved to Sedbergh as a family in 2014. I’ve had a love of reading since I was a child and studied art, philosophy and English language and literature up to A level. I don’t have a particular favourite author or genre and tend to go through phases of devouring a certain topic or author then changing to another. Some books that I have particularly enjoyed are Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson, Where the Crawdad Sings by Delia Owens, and Swimming with Seals by Victoria Whitworth. I read a lot more nonfiction these days and enjoy reading about philosophy, psychology, mental health and cultural trends like Hygge and Lagom. Helen Russell’s book The Atlas of Happiness is really good for a quick insight into some of these. I’m trying to read more poetry and I love Nikita Gill’s writing. I’m also partial to a bit of Shakespeare but definitely no expert!
You will see me around the shop but I will also be the one behind our social media and other behind the scenes stuff.
Paul - Co-Owner
Paul was born in Essex, but spent most of his childhood in Solihull. Paul has had a career of twenty plus years in IT before deciding that a book sellers life was calling. He travelled a lot in his past roles but is happy to be more settled at the shop.
His favourite author is Terry Pratchett and we have almost all of his books on our shelves at home. He also enjoys reading historical fiction such as the Candace Robb Owen Archer mysteries and science fiction like Jack Campbell’s Lost Fleet series.
Paul has a great memory for stock and is learning fast what we have in here so just ask if you are looking for anything in particular.
Penny - Staff Member
Regular customers will recognise me as I have been at Westwood Books for over 10 years.
I was brought up in Dollar, Scotland which is remarkably similar to Sedbergh. I lived in the Hebrides for a number of years where my last job was working for the National Trust on the Isle of Canna. I was assistant to the eminent scholar Dr J L Campbell when he was writing his history of the island. I spent several years crofting on the Isle of Lismore before coming to Garsdale near Sedbergh.
I’ve always enjoyed books - favourite authors are Ian McEwan, Margaret Forster, and Lionel Shriver. I also like books on travel, Scotland, Polar and horses. I look forward to welcoming you to Westwood Books.