Latham, a bookseller for 35 years, has put together a heady mix of history, philosophy, anecdotes and entertaining factsWhat most people know about the American librarian Melvil Dewey is his phenomenal classification technique, the Dewey decimal system, which is still used in 135 countries. Less well known is how he liked to classify people, too. In a chapter entitled “Dubious Dewey”, Martin Latham describes how the great librarian created groups from A to D, banning all in the D group – Jews, African-Americans, Cubans and the “new rich” – from his Lake Placid resort. He was also a prolific groper of women. Latham speculates that Dewey’s hypocrisy, and his “obsessively domineering persona”, were what caused his lifelong constipation and piles.This is a book that is down on banning, rigidity, abuse of power and all kinds of snobbery, bookish and otherwise. It celebrates stories, scribbling in margins and the collecting, cherishing and even kissing of books – something done with surprising frequency, apparently. Latham, a bookseller for 35 years, currently runs Waterstones Canterbury, where he proudly filed the biggest petty cash claim in the chain’s history to pay for the excavation of a Roman bath house under its floor. But this is not one of those funny “anecdotes from a bookshop” books that have recently been popular – though anecdotes there are aplenty. It is rather a history and celebration of all things bookish, from Alexander the Great’s unusual habit of reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2020-12-19 09:00:45 UTC ]
Anticipating the Apollo 11 anniversary, a bookseller appreciates the power of a great book about space for kids. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-06-21 12:00:33 UTC ]
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During Independent Bookshop Week, author Clare Mackintosh pens a letter in praise of bookshops and booksellers. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-06-19 07:08:54 UTC ]
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Independent Bookshop Week is in full swing with events up and down the country as Booksellers Association research reveals 82% of indie booksellers had a different career prior to owning or working in their bookshop. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-06-17 02:50:48 UTC ]
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Miriam Robinson, programmer for The Bookseller's Marketing & Publicity Conference 2019, shares what to expect from the day. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-06-16 23:44:09 UTC ]
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Speakers at The Bookseller's Marketing and Publicity Conference 2019 share how they maintain work-life balance and keep themselves sane when the pressure gets high. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-06-16 18:11:22 UTC ]
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Booksellers weigh in on the controversial issue of publishers postponing and pulling books in response to criticism. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-06-14 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Among the stories making news this week: veteran bookseller and library advocate Tim Coates releases a reader-focused survey; more drama over Drag Queen Storytimes; and what to expect from all the talk of antitrust action in the tech sector. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-06-14 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Close to 70 children’s book creators will be in Pittsburgh to meet with booksellers at educational sessions, signings, and receptions. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-06-14 04:00:00 UTC ]
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MVB US is offering a special promotion to independent booksellers who want to take advantage of the company's Pubeasy and Pubnet services for direct ordering and communication with publishers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-06-11 04:00:00 UTC ]
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