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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
I didn’t mind this book. I actually found it kind of soothing- but that might be the narrator. It was exactly what it said it was —-a diary of the author’s life.
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Oh the irony, as I read this on my Kindle. Must read a real book next, and make another visit to one of my favourite second hand bookshops sometime soon.
Quite entertaining. 3 1/2 stars.
Quite entertaining. 3 1/2 stars.
I love book shops and second hand bookshops most of all. I struggle to leave without at least 10 books and now I am determined to visit The Bookshop. Honest, funny, fascinating; I loved this glimpse into the mind of the owner. I also felt some mild guilt that I read the kindle version and think I’ll try and order the sequel in hard copy direct from him.
funny
Det här är en dagbok från en bokhandlare på en liten skotsk ort, en av Storbritannien ”Book towns”. Under ett år skriver han humoristiskt om sin vardag, om kunder som kommer in, och om bokbranschen i allmänhet.
Det är en underhållande bok, men jag kan tänka mig att Shaun är en ganska irriterande person att möta i bokhandeln, om man inte beter sig som det passar honom.
Det är en underhållande bok, men jag kan tänka mig att Shaun är en ganska irriterande person att möta i bokhandeln, om man inte beter sig som det passar honom.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It had lived on my shelf for a little over a year already, before, a couple days ago, I looked at it with renewed interest. I wasn't disappointed. On the contrary. I found myself laughing out loud at certain scenarios, something I rarely do when reading. Bythell's sarcastic comments and overall demeanour were highly amusing.
I understand some people's opinion that it could be a bit repetitive, but - take it from someone who also works in a book shop - working in a book shop, or any other form of retail I imagine, is truly that repetitive sometimes.
I will definitely be picking up his other books.
I understand some people's opinion that it could be a bit repetitive, but - take it from someone who also works in a book shop - working in a book shop, or any other form of retail I imagine, is truly that repetitive sometimes.
I will definitely be picking up his other books.
You don't have to be a bookseller to enjoy this book but if you ever worked in retail, it will be great. If you're a librarian like me then it's even better. Shaun Bythell keeps a diary for a year of everything that happens in and around his bookshop. He has the driest sense of humor and I loved it all. His stories of his eccentric customers, the people who came into his bookshop and never bought anything but spent hours in there, and his odd phone calls. I've experienced so many of the same people! It doesn't matter where one goes for books, there's going to be weird people everywhere! He even speaks about a depressing woman (who turns out to be a man) who calls him every couple of months for the most mundane information, which is hysterical because I had a man who called every couple of weeks to do the same thing. This book is so relatable, it's witty, and it's entertaining to read about a year in the life of a bookseller. I highly recommend this book to anybody who loves bookstores, books, or retail stories.
Although I enjoyed this book and it's wittiness up until the halfway point, I subsequently found the author's tone and moaning in his daily entries so annoying (it really grated on me in the end) that I was glad when I finished it. I won't be rushing to read his Confessions of a Bookseller.
Although I agree the survival of bookshops depends on the purchase of physical books (or indeed book-related goods, for bilingual readers like me, who do not live anywhere near a bookshop which sells books in one of their languages, Kindles or other E-readers are essential to have access to books in foreign languages. Owning a Kindle doesn't mean I don't buy paper books.
I also did not understand the author's criticism of library books (the copy I read was from my local library). I totally get his point about bookshops relying on people buying books (though his appeared rudeness towards customers would totally put me off going to his bookshop), but I think he should also praise the fact people are reading and attending book festivals and events such as the ones in Wigtown.
The book does give a good glimpse in the world of bookselling and bookshops.
Although I agree the survival of bookshops depends on the purchase of physical books (or indeed book-related goods, for bilingual readers like me, who do not live anywhere near a bookshop which sells books in one of their languages, Kindles or other E-readers are essential to have access to books in foreign languages. Owning a Kindle doesn't mean I don't buy paper books.
I also did not understand the author's criticism of library books (the copy I read was from my local library). I totally get his point about bookshops relying on people buying books (though his appeared rudeness towards customers would totally put me off going to his bookshop), but I think he should also praise the fact people are reading and attending book festivals and events such as the ones in Wigtown.
The book does give a good glimpse in the world of bookselling and bookshops.