Stephen Power's Reviews > The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore

What an engaging book that pairs well with THE BOOK-MAKERS by Adam Smyth. I was particularly inspired by the chapters on Gotham Book Mart, Oscar Wilde and Drum & Spear, so much so that while visiting the UK I had to go to and buy something from The People's Bookshop Durham (a collection of poetry by a local poet). The chapter on Parnassus made me wish I'd schlepped all the way out there when I was in Nashville. And the chapter on sidewalk sellers is a nice compliment to the documentary "BookWars."

The chapter on The Strand cleared up a mystery for me: when did it stop looking like a giant, book-filled Red Apple grocery store and more like McNally Jackson? Not that I'm complaining; I found a copy of Ira Levin's SLIVER there recently. And I'm glad the author delves into the (imho criminal) sale of galleys.

The chapter in the Aryan Bookstore was good, but shouldn't have compared it to people's bookstores. The author might have also compared its products to those of today's rightwing imprints, which B&N mainstreamed (to its shame) as much as it mainstreamed (to its credit) gay and Black books.

Indeed, I wanted more from the chapter on B&N--a store I owe my publishing career to (specifically the one at 82nd and Bway) because its selection taught me the industry--on how the beancounters killed their customer promise, especially after the 2008 financial crisis; on how their still crummy website hamstrung their ability to compete with Amazon; and more on why the Nook failed (yet the guy who ran the program got an $8M buyout; I should fail so well at something!) And while Daunt seems to be doing a good job reviving B&N (by turning it into a clone of Waterstones), questions remain. I did appreciate the deep history, though.

Similarly I liked the Amazon chapter, but it could have also been more critical, given how awful the shopping experience has become, but the author does point out that books don't really matter to Amazon anymore.

The only missing chapter is on Borders, whose death demonstrated so many bookshop challenges of our time.

Now to read PARNASSUS ON WHEELS by Christopher Morley and maybe set up a stand outside my own house to sell off my excess inventory. Next time in the city near Avenue A and St. Marks, I'll have to visit Jen Fisher's sidewalk shop to learn the ropes.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early look.