‘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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Unnamed Press and Rare Bird Now Double as Indie Booksellers

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October Religion Bestsellers: David Jeremiah Tops in Nonfiction; ‘Deception’ Rules Fiction

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Julie Powell, bestselling author of 'Julie & Julia,' dies at 49

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The Art of the Hand-Sell: 31 Spooky, Eerie, and Uncanny Books for Halloween

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“A Ghost Is a Memory.” On Bodies, Belief, and the Places Ghost Stories Live

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Boundaries from a Biblical Standpoint: PW Talks to Lysa TerKeurst

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Religion and Spirituality Books Preview: November 2022

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Padma Lakshmi will host this year’s National Book Awards.

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‘Miracle find’: rare Don Quixote and short stories could sell for €900k

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Alex George Named 2022 Midwest Bookseller of the Year

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Ideapress: Where Quality Meets Innovation

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Miss Marple is Agatha Christie’s best character. A new book reminds us why.

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DOJ v PRH: Jonathan Karp and Stephen King Take the Stand

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PRH Announces Michelle Obama's New Book

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Kwame Alexander to present new reality show America’s Next Great Author

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