Archive for June, 2011

Photos are coming in – here are a selection of the range of bookshop events last week – congratulations to all the bookshops who worked so hard!  If you have photos you haven’t sent in yet, please do send them in – to meryl.halls@booksellers.org.uk

This looks like fun too…

Here’s a selection of some of the best Overheard in a Bookshop comments.  If you have any more, send them in to meryl.halls@booksellers.org.uk - winners will be announced shortly!

Simply Books, Bramhill, Greater Manchester

Elderly chap came in on Saturday and asked whether we had one of Delia Smith’s books called Cooking for Sluts… didn’t bat an eyelid when I said the book I thought he was looking for was  called How to Cheat at Cooking.

Grove Bookshop, Ilkley, West Yorkshire

Customer: I’m looking for a book, all I know is that it’s by a Scottish archaeologist who is on television

Bookshop Owner: Might it be this one, The History of Scotland, by Neil Oliver?

Customer: Oh, no, this was a much taller gentleman.

Forest Bookshop, Coleford, Gloucestershire

Customer: Do you have the latest book by Jackie Collins?

Ian (bookseller): Well there’s Lethal Seduction , her latest in paperback.

Customer: I’ve read that.

Ian: Or, ‘Goddess of Vengeance’ which is in hardback only.

Customer: No, I won’t bother with that one, the hardbacks are all dearer, for some reason…

The Mainstreet Trading Company, St Boswells

Customer: I’d like a Where’s Wally book please.

Bookshop owner: Our system says we have one in stock, but I, ah, can’t find it!

Falmouth Bookseller, Falmouth, Cornwall

Customer: Have you got Lionel Ritchie’s Wardrobe?  (Lion, Witch, Wardrobe, geddit?)

(Same customer): Also, do you have the AA book of Milne?

Ripping Yarns, London

Customer (to their friend): God, the Famous Five titles really were crap, weren’t they?  Five Go Camping…Five Go Off in a Caravan…If it were Five Go Down to a Crack House it might be more exciting.

****

Customer: Do you have a copy of Jane Eyre?

Bookseller: Actually, I just sold that this morning, sorry!

Customer : Oh. Have you read it?

Bookseller: Yep, it’s one of my favourite books.

Customer: Oh great (sits down), could you tell me all about it? I have an essay to write on it by tomorrow.

****

Customer: Do you have any books on star signs?

Bookseller: Yes, our esoteric section is over here.

Customer: Good. It’s just I really need to check mine – I have an overwhelming feeling that something

bad is going to happen.

****

Customer:  Do you have a book that lists aphrodisiacs?  I’ve got a date on Friday

Devizes Books, Devizes, Wiltshire

Bookseller: Do you need a bag for your books?

Customer: No, it’s OK, I have a cardigan.

Buy the Book, Oakham, Leicestershire

Bookseller: Good afternoon, Buy The Book in Oakham, how may I help?

Gentleman: Can I book a double room please.

Bookseller: (after brief, confused pause): I’m sorry sir, I think you have the wrong number – we are a

bookshop.

Gentleman: (undeterred):  OK, can I have a twin then?

A Novel Idea in Great Yarmouth has some very keen members of staff, anxious to fit in…

Here’s Katie Fforde at Falmouth Bookseller.

Rob Penn was in Rossiter Books, Ross on Wye talking about It’s All About the Bike last night.

Hungerford Bookshop is luring people in…

Now THIS looks like it was fun…

Kibworth Bookshop in Leicestershire held a moving event last night with Jean Binta Breeze.

Event with Sheila Quigley at Hambleton Books.