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guybrarian133's review
3.0
(Note: I received an advanced reader copy, admittedly a few years back, courtesy of NetGalley)
As an avid reader and unashamed bibliophile, a collection of essays by an array of writers waxing fondly over their respective favorite bookshops is immediately a cozy home run. However, due to my decision to finally read this several years after being provided an advanced reader copy and about two years into a worldwide pandemic, Browse is also significantly more. In an era of reduced travel, this book is a chance to travel around the globe without leaving the safety of one’s home. In an era of significantly increased risk while merely being out and about in public, these essays allow me to visit new shops unburdened by anxiety. And in an era absolutely thick with uncertainty, Browse manages to bring me comfort by simultaneously transporting me back to a seemingly simpler time not too long ago, and enthusing me for a hopefully not-too-distant future where I can once again casually saunter around shops free of and unease, and happily take my time as I glance over titles and wonder if anyone of them will call out to me.
As an avid reader and unashamed bibliophile, a collection of essays by an array of writers waxing fondly over their respective favorite bookshops is immediately a cozy home run. However, due to my decision to finally read this several years after being provided an advanced reader copy and about two years into a worldwide pandemic, Browse is also significantly more. In an era of reduced travel, this book is a chance to travel around the globe without leaving the safety of one’s home. In an era of significantly increased risk while merely being out and about in public, these essays allow me to visit new shops unburdened by anxiety. And in an era absolutely thick with uncertainty, Browse manages to bring me comfort by simultaneously transporting me back to a seemingly simpler time not too long ago, and enthusing me for a hopefully not-too-distant future where I can once again casually saunter around shops free of and unease, and happily take my time as I glance over titles and wonder if anyone of them will call out to me.
pearl35's review
3.0
Moving collection of global authors thinking about the bookstores that shaped them as readers--choosing Anne of Green Gables from a shelf in Nairobi, Communist book collections being liquidated by impatient grand-children in 1990s Ukraine, eating noodles to save lunch money in order to acquire a Chinese-English dictionary, volunteering in a charity shop and the personal detritus stuck between pages as bookmarks.
msdee57's review
5.0
Totally enjoyable stories about some of the most wondrous places on earth, bookstores, by some of the best authors from around the world. Worth the read if you love your corner bookstore or just the feeling of a 'real' bookshop.
sohxpie's review against another edition
5.0
In a really bizarre and strangely fitting act, I found this book in the sale section of my local Waterstones and decided to take a chance on it. I am so glad I did because this is such a great collection of essays. The impact of bookshops, especially local, independent bookshops is almost unfathomable and this book perfectly encapsulates that fact. It was lovely to see how all of these authors fell in love with books and were aided in that by their local bookshop. The way they talk so fondly about the shops and their owners was honestly just so enjoyable to read. It was sad to read about some of the shops closing, especially when they were open for so long and had such a positive impact on so many people. I honestly think this is such a fantastic collection of essays and I could read it several times over and still get the same joy from it.