Is there anything more exciting than books about bookshops? Probably, but for bookworms, it’s the ultimate type of book.
Every bookworm’s dream is to work in a bookshop. I asked several of my bookish friends, and they all agreed. But fate will have it that most of us bookworms do some other, non-bookshop-related jobs, and that is where books about bookshops come in. They take our gentle hearts on a joyful ride that will leave us wanting more.
Here is my pick of my personal favorite books about bookshops:
- The Diary of a Bookseller
- The Bookish Life of Nina Hill
- The Bookshop on the Corner
- The Bookshop of Yesterdays
- The Bookshop on the Shore
The Diary of a Bookseller – Shaun Bytell
The Diary of a Bookseller is the first-person account of Shaun Bythell, owner of The Bookshop, a large second-hand bookstore in Scotland. Over the course of the year 2014, Bythell keeps a diary of daily encounters from the shop. Some days are better than others.
The only non-fiction book on this list. I have to admit that I bought this book in Zurich because of its beautiful cover. I didn’t even look at the synopsis, I saw a pretty book with a bookseller in the title, and I bought it.
Book itself is hilarious. It tells the life of a real person, a real bookseller in Wigtown, Scotland. Running a bookshop is not as easy as most of us bookworms imagine, but it’s also funny and satisfying.
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill – Abbi Waxman
Meet Nina Hill: A young woman supremely confident in her own…shell.
Another book on this list that I bought because it had a beautiful cover and the word bookish in the title. I was not disappointed. I read this book in one sitting while I was having a bath. It was so good I couldn’t put it down.
This book tells a story of an LA bookseller (Nina) who suddenly learns about her father’s death, who she never met. This is when a true adventure begins for a humble trivia-loving bookseller.
The Bookshop on the Corner – Jenny Colgan
Nina Redmond is a librarian with a gift for finding the perfect book for her readers. But can she write her own happy-ever-after?
If you like the British feel-good books, then the name Jenny Colgan is probably familiar to you. She writes books about the cafe, sweet shops, bakery, chocolate shops, and the bookshop. This is the first installment in her Scottish Bookshop series.
If you want to read a book set in the Scottish Highlands with a dreamy Scottish lad, this is the perfect book for you.
NOTE: In the UK this book is published by the name The Little Shop of Happy Ever After.
The Bookshop of Yesterdays – Amy Meyerson
A woman inherits a beloved bookstore and sets forth on a journey of self-discovery in this poignant debut about family, forgiveness and a love of reading.
It’s every bookworm’s dream to inherit a bookstore, and for the main character of this book, it’s a dream come true. Miranda must finish a scavenge hunt left to her by her uncle to unlock her past mysteries and come to terms with her present. Filled with literary clues and family secrets, this is a perfect book for an autumn day.
Bookshop on the Shore – Jenny Colgan
A grand baronial house on Loch Ness, a quirky small-town bookseller, and a single mom looking for a fresh start all come together in this witty and warm-hearted novel.
The second installment in Colgan’s Scottish Bookshop series is a comfy and heartfelt story of a single mom looking for a fresh start. The Scottish Highlands, widowed father, and tumbledown castle make a perfect setting for this cozy book. Don’t forget to drink a cup of tea and eat some biscuits while you are reading this book. Many characters from the first installment, The Bookshop on the Corner, make an appearance in this book.
Do you have a favorite book about a bookshop? Please share your favorites in the comments below, and I will see you soon in a new blog post.
Persephone.