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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Extremely boring and repetitive book. It lacks key components to an engaging story for me. No suspense, no build-ups to significant events, no resolutions. The way the author judges customers comes across as rude rather than humorous.
funny
relaxing
slow-paced
Oop I am not about to finish a book from someone he/she-ing people.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming, Transphobia
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
I actually bought this in Scotland -- sadly, not from him, but at least from another independent book store. Great fun to read!
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Even though the edition I read was super cute with blue sprayed edges and hardcover, it didn't really work for me. Yes, Shaun is a survivor in a big bad world that doesn't read and wants cheap books at the easiest way possible, quick and comfortable.
I started liking the undertone but grew bored with it after a while.
I started liking the undertone but grew bored with it after a while.
Loved, loved this book. As someone who has always wanted to open a used bookstore in a quaint town/village, I couldn’t wait to read this bookseller’s diary. The diary layout made this a quick and fun read
Full of wit and caustic observations, Shaun Bythell’s daily muses are brilliant. It may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but for me, his musings about people were spot on. Ones attachment and emotional value towards their books can blind them into thinking they are worth more than they are. On the opposite end, when purchasing a book, one can place little value on the book itself.
The book offers a look at the daily grind of running a business that finds itself competing against an online behemoth. Dealing with customers that can be obtuse, rude, and are rather disrespectful (“I can find that cheaper on Amazon”). But then there can be those customers whose deep love of reading and knowledge makes it all worthwhile.
I’ll repeat, this was fun and quick read and I would highly recommend it. I enjoyed reading about his adventures to evaluate book collections, assisting with the book festival, and the Festival bed! Wigtown is now on my “must” places to visit list.
As a side note, I was mystified as to why Shaun put up with his employee, Nikki. She seemed discontent, lazy, and filled with excuses as to why she sucked as an employee. As she is repeatedly mentioned throughout the book, I found myself thinking that he either needed to fire her or just accept her lazy attitude and stop complaining.
“I am going to get a mask and paint, ‘I DON’T CARE’ on the forehead and put it on when such occasions arise in the future.” (sorry, forgot to look at the page number).
Full of wit and caustic observations, Shaun Bythell’s daily muses are brilliant. It may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but for me, his musings about people were spot on. Ones attachment and emotional value towards their books can blind them into thinking they are worth more than they are. On the opposite end, when purchasing a book, one can place little value on the book itself.
The book offers a look at the daily grind of running a business that finds itself competing against an online behemoth. Dealing with customers that can be obtuse, rude, and are rather disrespectful (“I can find that cheaper on Amazon”). But then there can be those customers whose deep love of reading and knowledge makes it all worthwhile.
I’ll repeat, this was fun and quick read and I would highly recommend it. I enjoyed reading about his adventures to evaluate book collections, assisting with the book festival, and the Festival bed! Wigtown is now on my “must” places to visit list.
As a side note, I was mystified as to why Shaun put up with his employee, Nikki. She seemed discontent, lazy, and filled with excuses as to why she sucked as an employee. As she is repeatedly mentioned throughout the book, I found myself thinking that he either needed to fire her or just accept her lazy attitude and stop complaining.
“I am going to get a mask and paint, ‘I DON’T CARE’ on the forehead and put it on when such occasions arise in the future.” (sorry, forgot to look at the page number).
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced