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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
slow-paced
What question would I ask?
I loved reading about a year in this bookstore. I kept thinking about what question I would ask if I visited this book shop. Probably, “Do you have any gardening books?” Which I always ask. Ironically, I read this as a library book loan on a Kindle. I think I’ll buy an actual copy!
I loved reading about a year in this bookstore. I kept thinking about what question I would ask if I visited this book shop. Probably, “Do you have any gardening books?” Which I always ask. Ironically, I read this as a library book loan on a Kindle. I think I’ll buy an actual copy!
продавцям книжок не обов'язково бути цікавезними людьми. ба більше, вони навіть не мусять уміти захопливо розповідати про книжки – чи про будь-що. тож щодо цього у мене до байтелла нема претензій: у нього вийшов доволі приємний книгарський щоденник (рівно рік – від 5 лютого 2014 до 4 лютого 2015 року, з епіграфами з джорджа орвелла для кожного місяця – виявляється, він теж якось працював у книгарні). і, раз це щоденник, від початку зрозуміло, що ні тяглості, ні завершеності окремих ліній від нього теж не варто сподіватися.
зі справді приємного тут були кіт (його історія навіть мала сюжет: від ворожнечі з чужинцем, через кількаденне блукання й до фіналу, де поступове й неухильне товстішання виглядає як символ котячого добробуту) і «клуб випадкових книжок», передплатники якого щомісяця отримують поштою, власне, випадкову книжку. як на мене, це старшенно симпатична справа: відбирати й розсилати незнайомим людям книжечки; щодо адресатів не знаю, але наприкінці тексту їх було за півтори сотні, тож їм, вочевидь, теж подобається.
зі справді приємного тут були кіт (його історія навіть мала сюжет: від ворожнечі з чужинцем, через кількаденне блукання й до фіналу, де поступове й неухильне товстішання виглядає як символ котячого добробуту) і «клуб випадкових книжок», передплатники якого щомісяця отримують поштою, власне, випадкову книжку. як на мене, це старшенно симпатична справа: відбирати й розсилати незнайомим людям книжечки; щодо адресатів не знаю, але наприкінці тексту їх було за півтори сотні, тож їм, вочевидь, теж подобається.
Just brilliant. Love the dry wit and cynicism of Shaun’s narration & observation of the goings on in the bookstore & its customers (especially its customers)! He IS so much like the bookshop owner from “Black Books” (which he cites early on).
He just sets things down on the page next to each other & lets you make the connections. A lot of it is funny, hilarious, and satisfies readers’ voyeuristic craving to see what it’s really like to run a bookshop, and then occasionally slows down to be beautifully touching, about an old collection of books, or birds, or a sunset.
The worst thing that could be said about this book is that it is repetitive, but even that is supremely comforting rather than annoying. It’s part of the rhythm of life in the bookshop - opening the shop; boxing up orders; what will Nicky bring for Foodie Friday this week; what will Mr Deacon order next; what will the surly newsagent say today in reply to Shaun’s cheery greeting.
He just sets things down on the page next to each other & lets you make the connections. A lot of it is funny, hilarious, and satisfies readers’ voyeuristic craving to see what it’s really like to run a bookshop, and then occasionally slows down to be beautifully touching, about an old collection of books, or birds, or a sunset.
The worst thing that could be said about this book is that it is repetitive, but even that is supremely comforting rather than annoying. It’s part of the rhythm of life in the bookshop - opening the shop; boxing up orders; what will Nicky bring for Foodie Friday this week; what will Mr Deacon order next; what will the surly newsagent say today in reply to Shaun’s cheery greeting.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
The last book I read before this book was The Bookshop Book by Jen Campbell and it was all about the love for bookshops and the people who love books so much that inspired them to open bookshops. It was such a refreshing read and made me want to open a bookshop as well. I mean not for real just as something I wish I could do. However, after reading this book that feeling de-escalated pretty swiftly.
This book had a condescending tone vastly different from the magical one of The Bookshop Book. Nevertheless I did enjoy the day to day workings and going-ons of a bookshop.
The part where I rolled my eyes were when the author says: “I am quite convinced that Rockets has done far more for tourism in Wigtown than Visit Scotland ever will.” I mean I get he’s promoting his partner’s book and he’s exaggerating (a hyperbole, if you will) but come on this level of exaggeration was too much.
Anyway I didn’t realize reading someone else’s diary would be fun. It’s the first time I read someone else’s diary. It was neat and I enjoyed reading about all the people. Will check out more of this author’s books. And I would definitely like to see his shop one day. Hopefully.
This book had a condescending tone vastly different from the magical one of The Bookshop Book. Nevertheless I did enjoy the day to day workings and going-ons of a bookshop.
The part where I rolled my eyes were when the author says: “I am quite convinced that Rockets has done far more for tourism in Wigtown than Visit Scotland ever will.” I mean I get he’s promoting his partner’s book and he’s exaggerating (a hyperbole, if you will) but come on this level of exaggeration was too much.
Anyway I didn’t realize reading someone else’s diary would be fun. It’s the first time I read someone else’s diary. It was neat and I enjoyed reading about all the people. Will check out more of this author’s books. And I would definitely like to see his shop one day. Hopefully.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
It’s quite rare that I finish a book that has been on my “reading” shelf for three years. It doesn’t mean it was bad, I just forgot. My local antiquarian bookstore mentioned it and then I was like “aaah, let’s revert”. I had it on audio and that is not the optimal format. It becomes a bit repetitive with the “books found” and “books sold”, which you wouldn’t pay much attention to if reading a hard copy.
The book details a year in the life of a bookshop owner. It’s located in Wigton, Scotland, which is now on my bucket list. It’s also close to Dumfries, home to Painefree crafts, which makes it even more enticing.
Being the owner of a used bookshop is far more tedious in real life than us book lovers would imagine. Lugging tons of books, selling tons to recycling, competing against Amazon and not making much money. I will stick to reading and book peddling as a hobby. Do read the book, the author is very funny and snarky. He definitely prefers books to people!
The book details a year in the life of a bookshop owner. It’s located in Wigton, Scotland, which is now on my bucket list. It’s also close to Dumfries, home to Painefree crafts, which makes it even more enticing.
Being the owner of a used bookshop is far more tedious in real life than us book lovers would imagine. Lugging tons of books, selling tons to recycling, competing against Amazon and not making much money. I will stick to reading and book peddling as a hobby. Do read the book, the author is very funny and snarky. He definitely prefers books to people!
funny
reflective
medium-paced