Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed reading this year in the life of a bookseller in a Scottish bookshop. It was a bit repetitive at times but had me laughing out loud at the deadpan humour. Would definitely love to visit the shop one day!
2 stars.
This is an easy read, somewhat enjoyable and a great insight into running a book shop in the shadow of Amazon and the rise of e-books. The writing style grows on you, as does the author's particular tone, though he sometimes ends up on the wrong side of the sarcastically funny/downright rude line. I found Nicky to be one of the most grating characters in the memoir initially, and couldn't understand why the author kept on someone who seemed to do so little work and at times seemed to actively undermine the author just for the hell of it. However by the end 50 pages I looked forward to his interactions with her, her eccentricity definately grows on you.
This is an easy read, somewhat enjoyable and a great insight into running a book shop in the shadow of Amazon and the rise of e-books. The writing style grows on you, as does the author's particular tone, though he sometimes ends up on the wrong side of the sarcastically funny/downright rude line. I found Nicky to be one of the most grating characters in the memoir initially, and couldn't understand why the author kept on someone who seemed to do so little work and at times seemed to actively undermine the author just for the hell of it. However by the end 50 pages I looked forward to his interactions with her, her eccentricity definately grows on you.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
My mum and my sister both sent me this book for my birthday, and it was an absolute delight. I ordered his other books while I was still halfway through this one.
Probably a word overused by me, and by other reviewers of this book - charming. Yep. How could I not love a book written by and about a curmudgeonly book shop owner, with a full cast of interesting characters?
It is a fun read for the tube, not much more. Which is a lot. A few laughs and curiosities too. And you may get a few good recommendations for your to be read list.
Molto carino e, per quanto mi riguarda, il libro perfetto da leggere sotto l'ombrellone!
A very quirky read written in diary format about the day to day experiences of a second hand bookshop. There is subtle and not so subtle humor in this book, an odd cast of characters that can be hard to keep straight, and I think Nicky would drive me nuts. You can look them up on google maps to get a feel for Wigtown.
I cannot remember the last time I slowed down my reading of a book to savour it for longer. I am genuinely sad to have finished reading it, but very glad I bought it. The author has a wonderful tone and his ability to portray seemingly mundane events as riveting is just brilliant. I found myself right there in the bookshop and town for every day of the diary; the descriptions of the places and people were beautifully captured and I felt physically transported - I could see and feel the fire, I could read Nicky’s bookshelf signs, I could taste the Morrison’s Friday treats, and I have such strong images of Sandy the Pagan’s sticks. Not since the Quiet American have I felt so much a part of a book, though this one was a lot cosier a feel! This is probably going to be my stand out read of 2021.