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What's the Best You Can Do?: First-hand Recollections of a Second-hand Bookseller
as new unused
130 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 11, 2023
A terrific short biblio-memoir that predates the fantastic ones written by Shaun Bythell, and I can honestly say that I love them all. Mr. Rowlinson's career as a bookseller was one that seemed to be fulfilling, interesting and immensely entertaining. And his stories relayed in this book were charming tales. I don't know if he's still with us, but as a bibliophile and bookshop connoisseur I have to say, " Thank you for your service, good sir!" 😏🙂😁
March 18, 2024
As someone who has found many an intriguing volume in a second hand book shop, this insight into the workings of the trade through one book seller's memoirs was a kind of meta level of intrigue,
It's a short volume quickly digested and the author's experience being drawn from Northern Irelands more troubled times are speckled (and possibly self-censored) in their references to bombs and paramilitaries.
The memoir covers the general perils of retail - particularly the obnoxious customers.
"Before I began in the book business I found it difficult to be overtly rude to people. A few months on my own in a second hand bookshop in the middle of Belfast soon cured me of that."
There is the added poignancy - in a world that increasingly seems to eschew the written word - of asides like one customer remarking. "What d'ye want to buy him that for? He's already got a book."
However, I perhaps see something of myself in this quote. "For some reason. second-hand bookshop[s seem to attract more than their fair share of characters and eccentrics. I would almost dare say that there is more eccentricity per square foot in a used bookshop on a given day than in any other business ion the same town or city."
It's a gentle tale, gently told and replete with familiar locations from Norther Ireland. The most fascinating parts of Rowlinson's tale are of his dealings with rarer books from house clearances or owners disposal. To assess such volumes of b0oks at speed takes skill and knowledge, and the finding of a rare first editions and ancient texts must be the due reward in a business that always seemed to be operating on the slenderest margins of profitability.
It's a short volume quickly digested and the author's experience being drawn from Northern Irelands more troubled times are speckled (and possibly self-censored) in their references to bombs and paramilitaries.
The memoir covers the general perils of retail - particularly the obnoxious customers.
"Before I began in the book business I found it difficult to be overtly rude to people. A few months on my own in a second hand bookshop in the middle of Belfast soon cured me of that."
There is the added poignancy - in a world that increasingly seems to eschew the written word - of asides like one customer remarking. "What d'ye want to buy him that for? He's already got a book."
However, I perhaps see something of myself in this quote. "For some reason. second-hand bookshop[s seem to attract more than their fair share of characters and eccentrics. I would almost dare say that there is more eccentricity per square foot in a used bookshop on a given day than in any other business ion the same town or city."
It's a gentle tale, gently told and replete with familiar locations from Norther Ireland. The most fascinating parts of Rowlinson's tale are of his dealings with rarer books from house clearances or owners disposal. To assess such volumes of b0oks at speed takes skill and knowledge, and the finding of a rare first editions and ancient texts must be the due reward in a business that always seemed to be operating on the slenderest margins of profitability.
September 22, 2022
A delightful read
A lovely, soft read about the ups and downs of the pre-loved book trade. We are left with the impression that much of the stock was never more loved than when the volumes were gracing the shelves of Derek Rowlinson's own shop.
A pre-requisite for the book trader, it seems is a twisted sense of humour. "Is this a library?" enquired one gormless customer upon entering the shop stacked high with old books, all with their price tags. " Yes, " DR replied. "How does it work?" " Well, " he explained, "you choose a book you want, leave the deposit that's marked on it and take it away. The difference to other libraries is that you get to keep the book."
A delightful read to while away an afternoon.
A lovely, soft read about the ups and downs of the pre-loved book trade. We are left with the impression that much of the stock was never more loved than when the volumes were gracing the shelves of Derek Rowlinson's own shop.
A pre-requisite for the book trader, it seems is a twisted sense of humour. "Is this a library?" enquired one gormless customer upon entering the shop stacked high with old books, all with their price tags. " Yes, " DR replied. "How does it work?" " Well, " he explained, "you choose a book you want, leave the deposit that's marked on it and take it away. The difference to other libraries is that you get to keep the book."
A delightful read to while away an afternoon.
May 28, 2017
Anyone who has dreams of owning their own bookshop read this and weep. The highs and mostly lows of being a struggling second-hand bookseller. A perfect chillout on the beach or in the garden read for anyone who just wants to ' be ' in a bookshop at a time when they are not actually in one. I whipped through this lying in my garden in the sunshine - bliss.
March 3, 2023
A delightful and highly-entertaining quick read which offers insights into the highs and lows of owning a secondhand-books shop. It seems to me that the main prerequisites have to be having an absolute passion for books ... and the patience of a saint to deal with some of the customers who want to 'get a bargain'!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews