The Diary of a Bookseller

Praise

”Among the most irascible and amusing bookseller memoirs I’ve ever read.” —Dwight Garner, THE NEW YORK TIMES
 
“For anyone who has ever dreamed of owning a bookstore. Bythell’s hilarious account will have those in the industry crying and those otherwise employed dropping their resume off at their local indie.” —THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
 
“Bythell writes with biting humor . . . [He] is a man on a mission, and a year seen through his eyes convinces the reader that it is a mission worthy of undertaking.” —THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE
 
 
“Warm and funny, and deserves to become one of those bestsellers that irritate [Bythell] so much.” —THE MAIL ON SUNDAY
 
“Entertaining and dryly humorous . . . the book is fascinating.” —THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE
 
 
“With wit and humility, Bythell, owner of a used bookshop in Wigtown, Scotland, chronicles a year in the life of a bookseller . . . Bythell’s narrative is lively and intelligent.” —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
 
“Sure to bring book lovers chuckles, nods of recognition and a surge of hope for bookshops everywhere.” —SHELF AWARENESS
 
“Excruciatingly funny.” —BOOKLIST
 
“Makes for entertaining reading . . . he has a keen waggishness which makes his reflections funny and memorable and this book a hoot.” —THE MEMPHIS FLYER
 
“A cheerfully depressing account of independent bookselling today—deadpan, ruthless, poignant, and at times, so charming it’s almost unbelievable . . . surprisingly touching.” —QUARTZ
 
“Warm, witty and laugh-out-loud funny…will stay long in the memory.” —THE DAILY MAIL
 
“Wonderfully entertaining.” —THE OBSERVER (London)
 
“Peopled with fascinating characters . . . laugh-out-loud funny.” —THE SUNDAY HERALD
 
“It is hysterical. Anything that anyone ever wanted to know about what a bookseller really thinks is in here.” —Caitlin Luce Baker, University Bookstore
 
“Outspoken, hilarious and thought-provoking . . . It’s the best inducement I’ve ever come across to set aside my occasional flirtation with e-readers, walk into a bookstore and get my hands on the real thing.” —BOOKREPORTER
 
“Often hilarious . . . The Diary of a Bookseller is a charming mix of wacky characters and caustic diatribe, an ode to that perilous trade.” —THE RECORD