Reviews

En bokhandlares dagbok by Shaun Bythell

sminismoni's review against another edition

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4.0

Written over the course of 2014, this diary form memoir follows the irascible yet likeable owner of a second hand bookshop in Scotland. Shaun Bythell has owned The Book Shop in Wigtown since 2001 and writes about the trials and tribulations of running a bookstore with wry humour, personal observations and a sprinkling of sales figures. The idiosyncrasies of staff and customers are a common topic, as are rants against the behemoth Amazon and it's evil spawn, the Kindle. This book was witty and entertaining, and has increased my appreciation of bookstores worldwide. I'll now try to buy something every time I enter a bookstore, as this is the only way of keeping them alive.

sc_willmott's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

jcoryv's review against another edition

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5.0

Listened to this on Audible... narration was excellent!

It’s exactly what the title says it is, and quite entertaining.

jp_priestley's review against another edition

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4.0

An absolute joy of a book. Now on to Shaun's Seven Kinds of People You Find In Bookshops, which I anticipate will be equally full of memorable Wigtown wit!

beesbooktok's review against another edition

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4.0

honestly it was pretty good, i’m not gonna complain

jpnge's review against another edition

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slow-paced

2.5

Kinda boring 

jaclyncrupi's review against another edition

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3.0

Bookshops are on my mind for various reasons and this was a relatable and funny read. Bythell managed to make a fairly repetitive job memorable and I especially enjoyed accounts of quirky customers. Secondhand bookshops are in a world of their own and I enjoyed crossing the threshold.

lbmaughlin's review against another edition

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funny hopeful informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.0

kenmullo's review against another edition

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slow-paced

1.0

Extremely boring and repetitive book. It lacks key components to an engaging story for me. No suspense, no build-ups to significant events, no resolutions. The way the author judges customers comes across as rude rather than humorous.

alexdai's review against another edition

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funny relaxing slow-paced

3.5