Skip to main content

The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell

The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell {Goodreads}
Published by Profile Books in 2017
Hardback edition; 320 pages {BookDepository}

The Diary of a Bookseller came out last September and I just had to have a copy. And so I bought one. The title is pretty much self-explanatory: a diary written by Shaun Bythell, who owns The Bookshop - Scotland's largest second-hand bookshop; and who decided to narrate what it is like to work in his bookshop during a whole year. 

Spoiler alert: it isn't easy. From February to February we get to see how he acquires the titles in the bookshop, what kind of customers they have to put up with everyday and how the people who work in the bookshop are. It is also about what they have to do to survive in the Amazon-era among many other things. 

I was fascinated by all of it. It was great, and sad sometimes, to hear about Bythell's experiences in the book trade, his struggles, travels, personal relationships and everyday life in general. I laughed quite a lot with some of the interactions they have with customers and the constant banter between Nicky (who also works in the bookshop) and Shaun was also pretty hilarious - he tells her to do something, she will do as she pleases. At the same time it made me angry to discover how much damage Amazon does to the book industry, especially to second-hand bookshops. I was aware of some of it but not all and it made me feel bad because I use the platform to buy books. I wish I didn't have to though but I still haven't found a physical bookshop in Madrid that stocks all the titles I'm interested in.

The whole diary made me feel more appreciative of second-hand books which aren't something I tend to buy and they kinda have some sort of charm when you think about it. Where did the books in the shop came from? Who read them before you? What kind of reader was their previous owner? Are the books there because the owner passed away or because they didn't enjoy the books? And, more often that not, I found myself wondering: where would my books go when I'm gone? What kind of reader will take them home?

All in all, The Diary of a Bookseller is a very interesting, easy and funny read; and if you like books and/or are interested in the book trade, pick this up. You won't be disappointed. And you might find a few recommendations along the way. I visited Urueña, a book town in Spain, a few years ago and I wouldn't mind visiting Wigtown, where The Bookshop is, in the future.

Follow
Etiquetas:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Book Review // The Improbability of Love by Hannah Rothschild

The Improbability of Love  by Hannah Rothschild { Goodreads } Published by Bloomsbury in 2016 Paperback edition; 479 pages { BookDepository } The Improbability of Love follows a bunch of different characters all involved in different ways with the art-world scene in London when a very famous painting –which gives name to the novel – is found by Annie, the main protagonist we could say, in a thrift shop. Don’t be fooled by the cover which screams chick-lit through and through; the novel deals with so much more.
Post a Comment
KEEP READING >>>

Book Review // Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

Because of Mr. Terupt  by Rob Buyea { Goodreads } Published by Yearling in 2011 Paperback edition; 288 pages { BookDepository } " Features seven narrators, each with a unique story, and each with a different perspective on what makes their teacher so special.  It’s the start of fifth grade for seven kids at Snow Hill School. There’s . . .  Jessica,  the new girl, smart and perceptive, who’s having a hard time fitting in;  Alexia,  a bully, your friend one second, your enemy the next;  Peter,  class prankster and troublemaker;  Luke,  the brain;  Danielle, who never stands up for herself; shy  Anna,  whose home situation makes her an outcast; and  Jeffrey,  who hates school.  Only Mr. Terupt, their new and energetic teacher, seems to know how to deal with them all. He makes the classroom a fun place, even if he doesn’t let them get away with much . . . until the snowy winter day when an accident...
Post a Comment
KEEP READING >>>

How I Rate Books

For quite a while now I’ve seen loads of people talking about how they rate the books they read. And so I thought about doing my own post because it is true the way I rate books has changed and so I wanted to discuss it with you guys. The main thing that inspired me to do this post is Helene’s Jeppesen video about it.
Post a Comment
KEEP READING >>>