Confessions of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell review – a brilliant sequel

A heart-warming love letter to books and bookshops, by an amenable fellow turned antisocial old misanthrope“I was in here two years ago and you had a book by Roger Penrose. Do you know what happened to it?” Shaun Bythell – owner of the Book Shop in Wigtown, Galloway – has 100,000 books in stock, sells 20,000 a year, and has handled nearly 1m second-hand books since he bought the shop in 2001. Unsurprisingly, the Roger Penrose volume had not stuck in his mind.Before he entered the book trade at the tender age of 31, he was “amenable and friendly”. Now, after many years of fielding bizarre questions, constant haggling over prices (why is it “acceptable to try to screw the profit out of struggling small businesses” but not supermarkets?), and struggling to survive despite Amazon’s “icy grip” on bookselling, he has been forced to embrace the stereotype of the “impatient, intolerant, antisocial proprietor”. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2019-08-24 10:58:38 UTC ]
News tagged with: #book shop #shaun bythell #tender age #book trade #bookseller

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[ PC World | 2014-11-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Still looking for a scary story post-Halloween? Booksellers have a suggestion for you

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[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-11-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2014-10-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Engadget | 2014-10-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Betanews | 2014-10-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bookselling Roundup, Week Ending October 24, 2014

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Reviews of New and Forthcoming Religion and Spirituality Books, October 22, 2014

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bookselling Roundup, Week Ending October 3, 2014

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ PC World | 2014-10-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-09-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-09-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Guardian | 2014-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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