Shaun Bythell has become one of my favorite authors. Confessions of a Bookseller is about a year in the life of an owner of a used bookshop in Scotland. It follows his ups, downs, and the crazy events of his daily life in the bookshop. Filled with many humorous stories of his staff, customers, and his cat. Most who work in libraries may be able to relate to his adventures like customers asking for a book, and, then explaining why they need it, or the customer who commented about that there are only books in the shop. If you want to laugh, read this book. ( )

In this installment of the Bookseller series (okay, I know it's not officially a series, but whatever), life goes on at The Bookshop in Wigtown. I felt like this book holds more personal details than the original book, as Shaun mentions the deterioration of his relationship, the death of a friend, and the loss of a colleague, in more intimate terms than would be expected from such a sardonic fellow. I suppose it's only natural, since his readers have now seen quite a lot of his day to day life, which is really more profound than how we're used to hearing about people's lives, such as on social media, where only the most extreme highs and lows are highlighted. The things I love about these books are the mundane details -- maybe it's because as a cataloger, details are my stock in trade -- such as the daily till totals, and which of the rotating cast of characters has shown up in the shop that day. I write a short journal entry every evening as I'm unwinding, possibly as a way of unburdening my mind as I prepare for sleep, and maybe that is why I'm attracted to the format of this book, since that's basically what Shaun does (and I call him by his first name because I feel like I know him). I think I said after I read the first book that I want to go to Wigtown and visit his shop, and be the ideal patron that, well, even if he didn't love me on sight (I don't think that's possible, for him), at least wouldn't bug him too much. I still feel that way. I hope we get to read more about the shop, though I suspect life over there has changed a little, since these books were published. All the more interesting! ( )

While I found the first one funnier, this one was definitely just as engaging and riveting. I love Shaun's writing and hearing about his day to day life in the shop. I also love hearing about what books he's reading. Although this book is a work of non fiction, it honestly feels like a proper sequel to a book with the introduction of new characters like Granny or the bringing back of old ones like Anna and Nicky. Shaun writes with a mastery that makes even the truest of true stories seem like something carefully crafted. ( )

There are several hings that one notices immediately.. The Scots do a lot of Drinking. The second thing that I notice is that Amazon it hurting the book trade in Scotland just as it has hurt the trade in the United States.

Shaun is an astute of observer of his patrons and I think that he may has taken the liberty of making his customers a little more eccentric than they really are, though the British Isle are full of eccentric characters. Essential the book is a daily diary of what Shaun does each day in this bookstore and his observations of the people that he deals.with.

From this book one gets a look into a small vibrant town (population less than 1,000 people) ( )

Interesting look at life as a bookshop owner but not as humorous as the first book. ( )