The Bookshop Book

My abiding love affair with books began some thirty-five years ago when as a young child, I accompanied my mom to a used bookstore. We lived on a tight budget and books were considered a luxury, but my mother, bless her heart, would save up to take me book shopping (we didn't have a public library close by) at the local used bookstore, which was really more a room that had been let to the bookstore owner. I remember being in raptures when I was able to find Nancy Drew hardcovers for bargain prices like 50 cents. Those bookstore visits inspired a lifelong affinity for books, especially old books, found in dusty nooks and crannies in used bookstores, and I have never stopped acquiring and collecting books since, and THE BOOKSHOP BOOK is one that all bibliophiles like me can easily relate to. THE BOOKSHOP BOOK by Jen Campbell captures the love of books by focusing on bookshops around the world and among the famous and easily recognizable names such as The Tattered Cover in Denver, CO and Shakespeare and Company in Paris, there are lesser known, yet no less beloved bookstores in various regions around the world. The author also includes impressions of authors and their opinions of their favorite bookstores, as well as interesting "Bookish Facts" that make this an engaging read. I read this book in one sitting, no mean feat considering my busy schedule, but I was that engrossed. I plan to re-read it too and make notes. There are treasures to be unearthed within such as titles of books that had escaped my attention previously, names of bookstores that I would definitely like to look up such as the Alabama Booksmith and more. If you love books, the tangible and intangible pleasures of book selling and book buying, then this book is definitely a must-read.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic I found myself wishing that I could pop into some of my favorite bookstores, and so I did the next best thing. I read a book about bookstores all over the world. While it centers primarily on the UK, I found it a delightful read for all of the wonderful quirkiness found all over the world. The booksellers and their stories were fascinating as well. If only we could get a while book about George. Personally, it did hurt that the Africa, South America, and Asia sections were so brief. I can confirm that after the pandemic is over I will definitely be able to add some great book destinations to any trip that I go on. I can only hope most of these independent stores will still be there for all of us.

Okay, now I want to grab a bucket or five of cash, my passport and visit as many of the bookshops mentioned in this book as I possibly can and buy books! And spend at least one of those buckets shipping them home *grin* Of course, since the book was published in 2014, some may have closed their doors. But there are some gorgeous as well as ingenious bookshops out there. From biblioburro and barge/boat to a van and bicycle. Re-purposed warehouses and theaters and banks. Even former mines. Lots of little bookstore facts, some wonderful things and bookish facts. Like the only Biblio-Mat, a book vending machine is in The Monkey's Paw in Toronto. The word abibliophobia (noun) is the fear of running out of things to read - so apropos on GoodReads. Some so-called 'Booktowns' across the world. Interviews with owners and authors. And lots more. Campbell mentions over 300 different bookshops across the world - only place not mentioned was Antarctica. No bookstore on that continent. We'll see how long before there is one. It was a fun and interesting read that didn't take long. Since it's unlikely that I'll get the opportunity to visit some of these bookshops, I guess, I'll just have to go to the independent bookstores in the area and maybe give a book or two a new home. Note: This review is identical to that posted on GoodReads.com

I live in the UK - I ordered The Bookshop Book for my son and it was sent to him directly to Virginia: It was a present and he was pleased with it. It arrived in good time for his birthday, thank you.

As an online bookseller, I basked for days in the light of this book, following Jen Campbell around the world as she visited a seeming unending number of "brick and mortar" independent book stores. A few of the stores that she shares about are now closed (I was sad but hardly surprised.) However, the vast majority of the stores she "visits" are open and dare I say thriving?! (I was thrilled and very surprised by this fact.) In fact, I had to revisit the publication page to confirm that yes, indeed, this book was published in 2014 and that many of these stores have opened since 2000. I smiled every night as I read, remembering my life long dream to have a "brick and mortar" bookstore, coffee shop, gathering place for booksellers and lefty political activists. My husband was scared witless by my nighttime smiling episodes, afraid that one morning I would wake and up and declare that "Yes! There was room in our smallish town for another struggling bookshop." We have two at present and he thanks his lucky stars that I have been content to sell online for, lo, these many years. Still, Jen Campbell's book gave me that sense of warm, long ago hope in my gut and allowed me to hear whispers of "maybe....maybe" once again. Read this book if you love books, bookstores and, especially, if you've ever bought books rather than food. You are the person who will love this book as much as I do.....

and I don't really like to travel. :) This book may very well become one of my favorites. The subject matter is bookstores across several continents--Europe, Africa, North America, Central and South America, Australasia, and Asia. It is full of interviews, anecdotes, and quirky book and bookshop facts. Most of the bookshops highlighted are in Europe/UK, but that makes sense since she lives in London. The layout makes for an easy read; I read my copy during several cold winter days. It is lively and also contains color photos of some of the bookshops Jen Campbell writes about. What stood out to me is no matter the difficulty of an area, there seemed to be someone bringing books to people--be it by camel or burro. Some shops have been in existence for generations, and one shop in particular only sold one book. Campbell is the author of Weird Things Customers Say in Bookstores ; a book I am looking forward to reading.

Giving as a gift. Think he'll like it. Would recommend. Four stars because I have nothing to compare to, in terms of books on bookstores.

I loved the title & premise of the Bookshop Book and it did not disappoint. I never write reviews but perhaps I should. The author describes book shops that are all over the world, how the bookshops look, the types of books some owners carry, the quirkiness of both the owners of the bookshop and the setting of each bookshop visited from hobbit size places to large & modern "shops." Halfway through the book, I googled bookshops in my state and now have a large list of shops to visit. The concern of e-books versus regular books is mentioned and after reading Ms. Campbell's and other bookstore owners thoughts I am no longer worried about disappearing bookstores. This book is interesting, has a few fun tidbits tucked inside and well worth reading. I am a reading addict and now, armed with new places to visit I hope to never recover!