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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
I couldn't put this down for the first 100 pages. After that it just felt like those pages were repeated. Same story, different day.
If you've ever dreamed of owning a book store, read this book first.
Shaun Bythell lives in Wigtown, Scotland, also known as the Book Town of Scotland, where he owns a second hand book shop. This is the diary of a year in his life with quirky co-workers and unusual customers, finding new stock for the store, planning for the annual book festival, and trying to run a financially viable business in a world dominated by Amazon.
There was a good deal of humor and it was fascinating to get a behind the scenes look at how a book store is operated.
Shaun Bythell lives in Wigtown, Scotland, also known as the Book Town of Scotland, where he owns a second hand book shop. This is the diary of a year in his life with quirky co-workers and unusual customers, finding new stock for the store, planning for the annual book festival, and trying to run a financially viable business in a world dominated by Amazon.
There was a good deal of humor and it was fascinating to get a behind the scenes look at how a book store is operated.
It was alright but not more than some quick impressions every day. It does add up to a good idea of what he does, but there was obviously no arc or wider narrative or much context.
When I was in Scotland, I clearly remember the feeling of entering one of Scotland’s largest second-hand bookshops. I visited Leakey’s Bookshop, which is located in a 1793 church in Inverness, in 2019 and remember the twists and turns of the building, spiral staircases, employees that were as warm as the wood-burning stove that was at the centre of the shop, and the feeling that that were many surprises to be found within those walls. If only I wasn’t on a student budget and could have bought every wonderful item that I saw there. So, for my Scottish read in my journey to read books from every country in the world (@BeyondPageOne on Instagram), I reached for a copy of The Diary of a Bookseller by Shawn Bythell, the owner of another large second-hand bookshop in a rural town by the edge of the sea in Scotland. Bythell’s anecdotes from the shop provide a less glorified view into the used book trade and the modern battles with digital books, social media, and Amazon. At times, his diary entries are a bit dry as you can imagine not every aspect of this work would be exciting; however, a wry humour, tales of his staff and family, and stories of eccentric customers are relatable to anyone who has worked in customer service. Each month begins with a quotation from George Orwell's Bookshop Memories and compare’s each author’s experiences in their respective bookshops giving brilliant perception into the ways the industry has changed, but as well the crucial ways that it has not.
I for one will always have a soft spot for second-hand book stores (with their sense of mystery, community, and their sustaining nature) and the efforts made by the people who help them to survive. This book will not be for everyone as it doesn’t have the most exciting or remarkable events. While parts of this book were slow, repetitive, and a bit tedious, I found this enjoyable to read and gave some insight into the places that many of us hold close. If you are able, go out and support your local second-hand book store: as you can see, it makes a great difference to the people who own them and will keep them in business fur future generations!
I for one will always have a soft spot for second-hand book stores (with their sense of mystery, community, and their sustaining nature) and the efforts made by the people who help them to survive. This book will not be for everyone as it doesn’t have the most exciting or remarkable events. While parts of this book were slow, repetitive, and a bit tedious, I found this enjoyable to read and gave some insight into the places that many of us hold close. If you are able, go out and support your local second-hand book store: as you can see, it makes a great difference to the people who own them and will keep them in business fur future generations!
It was fun to "dip a toe" into the life of another bookseller in a different country. Apparently bookstores, and book buyers, have much in common no matter where they are in the world.
This book is literally a diary, so it will not read like a novel. There is no plot arc; this is just life in a book shop in Scotland. The people are real, and as quirky and lovable and irritating as only real people can be. After you read the book, you can find photos of the shop and some of its denizens on the Facebook site.
This book is literally a diary, so it will not read like a novel. There is no plot arc; this is just life in a book shop in Scotland. The people are real, and as quirky and lovable and irritating as only real people can be. After you read the book, you can find photos of the shop and some of its denizens on the Facebook site.
I think the reason I like these types of books is because I like reading about people. People can be so incredibly weird, rude, and stupid that they always make me laugh. This book is no exception.
People always say that until you have worked in either food or retail, you have no idea of the level of stupid in the world. And unfortunately, they are absolutely correct. That’s what makes these diaries so much fun to read.
People always say that until you have worked in either food or retail, you have no idea of the level of stupid in the world. And unfortunately, they are absolutely correct. That’s what makes these diaries so much fun to read.
This was enjoyable - it was always going to be since it was a book about books. I liked the diary format up to a point, though it could have done with a bit of an edit (lots of repeated phrases that weren't really necessary).
I recommend anyone who reads this to visit Shaun's YouTube channel and watch videos of him and Nicky, it makes you realise she's definitely in on the jokes he makes about her.
The book has also made me never buy another book from Amazon again - I love bookshops and want them to stay alive, I don't think I'd fully realised the impact Amazon has had on them until I read this.
I recommend anyone who reads this to visit Shaun's YouTube channel and watch videos of him and Nicky, it makes you realise she's definitely in on the jokes he makes about her.
The book has also made me never buy another book from Amazon again - I love bookshops and want them to stay alive, I don't think I'd fully realised the impact Amazon has had on them until I read this.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
It does not disappoint. Shaun Bythell is a wonderful writer who makes his 'characters' jump off the page. Picturing them is so easy and they are such fun. Although I think Nicky wouldn't last a week working for me ! lol
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced