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lilrusski's review against another edition
4.0
it has been said in several pieces i’ve encountered of late that there is no reason to rationalise why something appeals to one’s nature. when you contemplate a painting, it inspires something profound within you, but there is no pinpointing what in particular arouses this feeling. it is the overarching concept rather than the singular detail which inspires awe and remains imprinted upon the mind’s short-term memory. the same is true for this book, overflowing with small town charm and amusing anecdotes from a cynical bookseller who proudly hung an amazon kindle he’d destroyed by way of shotgun.
shaun bythell, accompanied by jehovah’s witness nikki who perpetually wanders into the shop late for shift with a snack scavenged from a bargain bin, runs scotland’s largest second-hand bookshop, purchased on a whim from an ageing partner in polite conversation. the diary chronicles a year of his life and documents the online as well as in-person sales of the various books from his inventory, ranging from ‘70s erotica to train catalogues (apparently lucrative sales!).
i picked this up in florence on a quiet and idyllic getaway from the tumult of a capriciously loud life. the margins are overflowing with personal anecdotes i found myself sharing with bythell as we looked back on our impressions of the books we picked up from various second-hand shops (in his case, his own) on a pure readerly instinct. the pages fly by, as does the time with a book that enwraps you in warmth as a stone-pit fire on a bitterly stormy night.
— full review @grandepoque instagram!!
shaun bythell, accompanied by jehovah’s witness nikki who perpetually wanders into the shop late for shift with a snack scavenged from a bargain bin, runs scotland’s largest second-hand bookshop, purchased on a whim from an ageing partner in polite conversation. the diary chronicles a year of his life and documents the online as well as in-person sales of the various books from his inventory, ranging from ‘70s erotica to train catalogues (apparently lucrative sales!).
i picked this up in florence on a quiet and idyllic getaway from the tumult of a capriciously loud life. the margins are overflowing with personal anecdotes i found myself sharing with bythell as we looked back on our impressions of the books we picked up from various second-hand shops (in his case, his own) on a pure readerly instinct. the pages fly by, as does the time with a book that enwraps you in warmth as a stone-pit fire on a bitterly stormy night.
— full review @grandepoque instagram!!
fernandoyataco1991's review against another edition
4.0
Una reseña de la vida de una persona dedicada a los libros, muy entretenida y con situaciones bastante peculiares. Ideal para toda persona interesada en los libros.
PD: Me encantó el personaje de Nicky =)
PD: Me encantó el personaje de Nicky =)
mintly's review against another edition
2.0
An easy read. Repetitive in parts, almost to the point of copy-and-pasting sentences. Still, an interesting insight, just not a particularly funny one despite the blurb.
natsgonenuts's review against another edition
4.0
First it was good, then it was great, then it was good again. Unlike the year 2019 that was, or how Chinese food feels halfway through. Another point to note is that nothing happens in this book, which is perfect for reading in 2020 when too much is happening around.
Recommend reading this in the toilet progressively, you will know why 10 pages in.
Recommend reading this in the toilet progressively, you will know why 10 pages in.
aurelie617's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
4.5
Quite a funny read (largely sarcastic humor), diary format allows you to put it down and pick it back up again. Quick and lighthearted read that's great for getting out of post-exams blues. Surprisingly does a great job with introducing and building characters as well.
joanaff17's review against another edition
3.0
Fiquei interessada neste livro por ser o diário real de um livreiro numa zona remota da Escócia, um dos meus países favoritos. Shaun Bythell decidiu dedicar-se à venda de livros usados na terra onde nasceu e cresceu, uma zona menos turística e onde, por isso, é preciso dar largas à imaginação para promover a leitura e a compra de livros entre a população. Desde feiras do livro, a festivais literários, até várias iniciativas relacionadas com a leitura, Bythell entrega-se a uma série de esforços. As vendas nem sempre são particularmente elevadas, mas as entradas do seu diário revelam uma livraria aberta a todos os interessados e por vezes apresentam-nos uma visão conhecedora do negócio de livros online versus em livraria, e todas as dificuldades e vantagens associadas. Bythell tem um sentido de humor sarcástico e por isso frequentemente faz comentários sobre coisas que os clientes lhe dizem ou pedem, ou situações que vivencia enquanto vendedor de livros.
Isto tinha potencial humorístico, mas na verdade não achei o diário particularmente engraçado, por isso não recomendo a menos que queiram muito saber mais sobre o dia-a-dia de uma livraria em segunda mão. Nesse tópico, recomendaria muito mais A Minha Pequena Livraria de Wendy Welch.
Isto tinha potencial humorístico, mas na verdade não achei o diário particularmente engraçado, por isso não recomendo a menos que queiram muito saber mais sobre o dia-a-dia de uma livraria em segunda mão. Nesse tópico, recomendaria muito mais A Minha Pequena Livraria de Wendy Welch.