A review by ljm57
The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell

4.0

Shaun Blythell bought a second-hand book store in a rural Scottish village in 2001. This literally details the minutiae of bookshop ownership over the course of a year and includes both the mundane and the truly bizarre. If anyone thought running such a business would be heaven, have a go at reading this. I found it a fascinating insight into the obstacles bricks and mortar bookshops face from online rivals such as the Amazon behemoth, as well as the art of choosing stock from deceased estates, auction houses and downsizers. Then there was Shaun’s sardonic wit as he describes his regular interactions with customers, many of whom are stingy, ignorant, ill-mannered or downright crazy. Many laugh out loud moments. It was also delightful to slip into small-town life, getting to know the colourful array of locals and being immersed in the annual calendar of events. This won’t be a book for everyone as the repetitive style of diary entries may not be interesting to some, nor will they appreciate Shaun’s eye-rolling commentary. But for those in the book trade or those working in businesses that attract a certain type of clientele, it’s a gem.