‘I’m giddy to be here’: the risk-takers who opened bookshops during Covid

More than 60 bookshops launched in the UK and Ireland in the past 18 months – but who would open one in a pandemic? We asked five to share their stories, while bestselling author Val McDermid remembers the bookshops of her youthWhen I was growing up in a small Scottish town, we had a bookshop that was utterly terrifying. The books were housed on high shelves behind counters staffed by intimidating assistants. If you didn’t go in knowing what you wanted, tough. There was no possibility of browsing. If I got a book token for my birthday or a school prize, I’d always pick a title I hadn’t read yet from a favourite author so I knew what to ask for. Chances were, they didn’t have it and it would have to be ordered. Cue pursed lips and a frown.Honestly, it’s a miracle that I ever managed to amass a book collection at all.Val McDermid’s new novel, 1979 (Little, Brown, £20), is published on 19 August Related: Shakespeare and Company: a 'socialist utopia masquerading as a bookstore' – in pictures Related: 10 independent bookshops you should visit worldwide: our readers recommend Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2021-08-15 11:00:06 UTC ]

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The Lost Books of Jane Austen by Janine Barchas review – how Austen's reputation has been warped

A deliciously original study of the cheap editions of Pride and Prejudice and other novels – ignored by literary scholars – casts new light on her readershipJane Austen aficionados think that they know the story of their favourite author’s posthumous dis-appearance and then re-emergence. For... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2019-12-11 07:30:31 UTC ]
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November Religion Bestsellers: Bob Goff Takes #2; Francine Rivers Dominates

Bestselling author of ‘Love Does’ Bob Goff’s 365-day devotional takes #2 on PW’s Religion Nonfiction chart amid the gift-giving season; while Francine Rivers takes three spots in Religion Fiction following the hardcover release of ‘Lineage of Grace.’ Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-12-10 05:00:00 UTC ]
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A Year in Reading: Shea Serrano

Bestselling author Shea Serrano shares his favorite 2019 reads, including an out-of-print travelogue about a pool hustler and Chuck Klosterman stories. The post A Year in Reading: Shea Serrano appeared first on The Millions. Continue reading at The Millions

[ The Millions | 2019-12-02 20:00:28 UTC ]
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The expert who predicted Trump’s 2016 win says we’re living in a “manufactured reality”

Four years after Sarah Kendzior forecasted Trump’s win, the bestselling author reflects on the rise of online propaganda, the need for transparent algorithms, and why social media is more dangerous than ever. Sarah Kendzior was a lone voice in the wilderness predicting the victory of Donald... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2019-11-28 09:00:16 UTC ]
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New Blue Bear Bookshop opens as 'thank you' to Farnham

A new bookshop has been opened in Farnham, Surrey, as a “gift” to say thank you to the town. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-24 14:46:01 UTC ]
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Tommy Orange adjusts to all the attention as a 'There There' sequel flows along

Bestselling author Tommy Orange talks about his 'There There' sequel and having to adjust to being the center of attention. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-11-21 21:19:30 UTC ]
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Malcolm Gladwell Talks to Strangers

The bestselling author returns with his sixth book, Talking to Strangers, and a little advice about trust, relationships, and the lies people tell. The post Malcolm Gladwell Talks to Strangers appeared first on The Millions. Continue reading at The Millions

[ The Millions | 2019-11-19 17:00:28 UTC ]
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Authors call out John Lewis for 'similarities' between Christmas ad and children's books

John Lewis' Christmas advert has come under fire as author and former bookseller Jen Campbell highlighted the similarities between the advert and her children’s book Franklin’s Flying Bookshop (Thames & Hudson). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-18 10:24:18 UTC ]
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Lin-Manuel Miranda is not throwing away his shot (to reopen the Drama Book Shop).

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[ Literrary Hub | 2019-11-12 21:44:15 UTC ]
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A Toronto Bookstore Amplifies Marginalized Voices

Another Story Bookshop is focused on social justice and diversity, continuing the mission its founder established over 30 years ago. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2019-11-09 10:00:11 UTC ]
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Here’s why you should preorder all your books from independent bookstores.

Who doesn’t love an independent bookshop? Think of the Shop Around the Corner in You’ve Got Mail! Think of the Travel Book Co. in Notting Hill! Embryo Concepts in Funny Face! Black Books from the British sitcom of the same name! Think of the real brick-and-mortar bookshop in your own community.... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-11-08 19:34:19 UTC ]
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Q&A with Erin Morgenstern, author of ‘The Starless Sea’

Erin Morgenstern, bestselling author of "The Night Circus," answers questions about her latest novel, including where she finds inspiration. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2019-11-05 11:00:00 UTC ]
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Q&A with Erin Morgenstern, author of ‘The Starless Sea’

Erin Morgenstern, bestselling author of "The Night Circus," answers questions about her latest novel, including where she finds inspiration. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2019-11-05 11:00:00 UTC ]
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What We're Reading – October 2019

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine EvaristoSince studying Lara as a student, I have been a fan of Bernardine Evaristo’s work, and am delighted to see her win the Booker Prize this year. Girl, Woman, Other follows the lives of twelve black characters with different backgrounds and experiences, most... Continue reading at British Council global

[ British Council global | 2019-10-30 09:49:28 UTC ]
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Hackney bookshop Telling Tales moves into canal boat

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[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-30 00:02:15 UTC ]
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'The Rise of Jordan Peterson' Doesn't Tell You What to Think

The documentary explores how the bestselling author has been both celebrated and reviled.  Continue reading at Wired

[ Wired | 2019-10-26 13:00:00 UTC ]
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Can Bookshop Become the Indie Amazon?

The soon-to-launch platform aims to give booksellers an edge against the e-tail giant. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-10-25 04:00:00 UTC ]
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We’re All Terrified of Turning Into Our Parents

Few are able to plunge the depths of familial complexity like Jami Attenberg, and even fewer are able to reflect the nesting doll of desires, secrets, and contradictions the individual becomes when put into the context of family. In her seventh novel, All This Could Be Yours, the New York Times... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2019-10-23 11:00:35 UTC ]
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Bernardine Evaristo doubles lifetime sales in five days after joint Booker win

Almost 6,000 copies of Girl, Woman, Other sold in the week after Evaristo’s win alongside Margaret AtwoodBernadine Evaristo’s Girl, Woman, Other more than doubled its lifetime sales in the week following its Booker prize win, with joint winner The Testaments by Margaret Atwood also flying off... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2019-10-22 16:25:45 UTC ]
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Religion and Spirituality Books Preview: November 2019

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-10-22 04:00:00 UTC ]
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