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General Recommendations

EPL Picks: An Ode to the Booksellers

By:

EPLPicks

Edmonton Public Library

Staff-created list

Like authors and libraries, bookstores (of all kinds) play a role in connecting readers with great titles. We're celebrating National Book Day with tales from the book business!

By:

EPLPicks

Edmonton Public Library

20 items

20 items

Once Upon a Tome

Once Upon a Tome

The Misadventures of a Rare Bookseller

by Darkshire, Oliver

eBook - 2023

In this recent discovery recommended by a customer, Oliver Darkshire describes his foray into the world of selling rare books at the oldest British rare b...Show more In this recent discovery recommended by a customer, Oliver Darkshire describes his foray into the world of selling rare books at the oldest British rare bookstore Sotheran’s in London which was established in 1761. Tucked away on the same quiet street in Central London since 1935, Darkshire weaves hilarious tales of regular customers, the eclectic stock that has become part of the furniture, secret cellar storage spaces and adventures to the country estates to evaluate potential acquisitions. Also available as a delightful audiobook read by the author. Show less

In this recent discovery recommended by a customer, Oliver Darkshire describes his foray into the world of selling rare books at the oldest British rare b...Show more In this recent discovery recommended by a customer, Oliver Darkshire describes his foray into the world of selling rare books at the oldest British rare bookstore Sotheran’s in London which was established in 1761. Tucked away on the same quiet street in Central London since 1935, Darkshire weaves hilarious tales of regular customers, the eclectic stock that has become part of the furniture, secret cellar storage spaces and adventures to the country estates to evaluate potential acquisitions. Also available as a delightful audiobook read by the author. Show less

Not Currently Available.Holds: 7 on 2 Copies

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A Factotum in the Book Trade

A Factotum in the Book Trade

A Memoir

by Kociejowski, Marius

Book - 2022

This memoir of Canadian in the rare book trade recalls Kociejowski's move from rural Ontario to London, where he finds himself in the trade which helped l...Show more This memoir of Canadian in the rare book trade recalls Kociejowski's move from rural Ontario to London, where he finds himself in the trade which helped launch his career as a poet and travel writer. This book takes you behind the scenes of your favourite overstuffed bookshop - revealing stories of the feuds, friendships, losses and triumphs in the business of books! Show less

This memoir of Canadian in the rare book trade recalls Kociejowski's move from rural Ontario to London, where he finds himself in the trade which helped l...Show more This memoir of Canadian in the rare book trade recalls Kociejowski's move from rural Ontario to London, where he finds himself in the trade which helped launch his career as a poet and travel writer. This book takes you behind the scenes of your favourite overstuffed bookshop - revealing stories of the feuds, friendships, losses and triumphs in the business of books! Show less

All copies in use. Availability details Holds: 1 on 1 copy

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The Bookseller at the End of the World

The Bookseller at the End of the World

by Shaw, Ruth

Book - 2022

In this bookseller memoir, we travel to the remote village of Manapouri in Fiordland in the deep South of New Zealand. Ruth Shaw tells tales of sailing th...Show more In this bookseller memoir, we travel to the remote village of Manapouri in Fiordland in the deep South of New Zealand. Ruth Shaw tells tales of sailing through the Pacific, being held up by pirates, working with people at Sydney’s Kings Cross in the drug and sex trades, campaigning on environmental issues as well as the day-to-day workings of her two small bookshops. Mixing stories of deep losses and long-held pain of a romance and the humorous stories of the two bookshops, this book will make you laugh, cry and want to read more books. Show less

In this bookseller memoir, we travel to the remote village of Manapouri in Fiordland in the deep South of New Zealand. Ruth Shaw tells tales of sailing th...Show more In this bookseller memoir, we travel to the remote village of Manapouri in Fiordland in the deep South of New Zealand. Ruth Shaw tells tales of sailing through the Pacific, being held up by pirates, working with people at Sydney’s Kings Cross in the drug and sex trades, campaigning on environmental issues as well as the day-to-day workings of her two small bookshops. Mixing stories of deep losses and long-held pain of a romance and the humorous stories of the two bookshops, this book will make you laugh, cry and want to read more books. Show less

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The Diary of A Bookseller

The Diary of A Bookseller

by Bythell, Shaun

Book - 2018

Written in daily diary entries, this book recounts the experiences of the owner of Scotland’s largest secondhand bookshop. Containing 100,000 books housed...Show more Written in daily diary entries, this book recounts the experiences of the owner of Scotland’s largest secondhand bookshop. Containing 100,000 books housed in over a mile of shelves in a beautiful rural town by the edge of the sea. While the setting is idyllic, the stories from the bookshop recount the trials and tribulations of life in the second-hand book trade from eccentric customers, disputes with staff and traveling to old estates on book buying trips. Show less

Written in daily diary entries, this book recounts the experiences of the owner of Scotland’s largest secondhand bookshop. Containing 100,000 books housed...Show more Written in daily diary entries, this book recounts the experiences of the owner of Scotland’s largest secondhand bookshop. Containing 100,000 books housed in over a mile of shelves in a beautiful rural town by the edge of the sea. While the setting is idyllic, the stories from the bookshop recount the trials and tribulations of life in the second-hand book trade from eccentric customers, disputes with staff and traveling to old estates on book buying trips. Show less

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The Pope's Bookbinder

The Pope's Bookbinder

A Memoir

by Mason, David

Book - 2013

An absorbing memoir of a giant in the antiquarian book trade and the Canadian rare book market. Mason recounts how he found himself working with rare book...Show more An absorbing memoir of a giant in the antiquarian book trade and the Canadian rare book market. Mason recounts how he found himself working with rare books and some of his surprising deals such as outfoxing L.M. Montgomery’s cousins at an auction or blackmailing the head of the Royal Ontario Museum! Who knew rare books could be so exciting and hilarious? Show less

An absorbing memoir of a giant in the antiquarian book trade and the Canadian rare book market. Mason recounts how he found himself working with rare book...Show more An absorbing memoir of a giant in the antiquarian book trade and the Canadian rare book market. Mason recounts how he found himself working with rare books and some of his surprising deals such as outfoxing L.M. Montgomery’s cousins at an auction or blackmailing the head of the Royal Ontario Museum! Who knew rare books could be so exciting and hilarious? Show less

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Stories About Storytellers

Stories About Storytellers

Publishing Alice Munro, Robertson Davies, Alistair MacLeod, Pierre Trudeau, and Others

by Gibson, Douglas

Book - 2011

Gibson guides us through forty years of editing and publishing some of Canada’s greatest storytellers. A great storyteller himself, Gibson provides an ins...Show more Gibson guides us through forty years of editing and publishing some of Canada’s greatest storytellers. A great storyteller himself, Gibson provides an inside view of Canadian writers, politics and publishing which are rare to be told. This is unforgettable literary tour of Canada from behind the scenes and between the covers. Show less

Gibson guides us through forty years of editing and publishing some of Canada’s greatest storytellers. A great storyteller himself, Gibson provides an ins...Show more Gibson guides us through forty years of editing and publishing some of Canada’s greatest storytellers. A great storyteller himself, Gibson provides an inside view of Canadian writers, politics and publishing which are rare to be told. This is unforgettable literary tour of Canada from behind the scenes and between the covers. Show less

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The Bookshop

The Bookshop

A History of the American Bookstore

by Friss, Evan

Book - 2024

This history of American bookshops starts at the very beginning with Benjamin Franklin’s first bookshop in Philidelphia. Evan Friss takes us through oral ...Show more This history of American bookshops starts at the very beginning with Benjamin Franklin’s first bookshop in Philidelphia. Evan Friss takes us through oral histories, archival collections, municipal records to build this history of the wide range of bookshops along the storied history from bookshop giants like New York’s the Strand to smaller specialty shops like Oscar Wilde and Drum and Spear. This book charts how the books have been sold for over more than two centuries in the U.S.! Show less

This history of American bookshops starts at the very beginning with Benjamin Franklin’s first bookshop in Philidelphia. Evan Friss takes us through oral ...Show more This history of American bookshops starts at the very beginning with Benjamin Franklin’s first bookshop in Philidelphia. Evan Friss takes us through oral histories, archival collections, municipal records to build this history of the wide range of bookshops along the storied history from bookshop giants like New York’s the Strand to smaller specialty shops like Oscar Wilde and Drum and Spear. This book charts how the books have been sold for over more than two centuries in the U.S.! Show less

All copies in use. Availability details Holds: 21 on 3 copies

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Avid Reader

Avid Reader

A Life

by Gottlieb, Robert

Book - 2016

This memoir from long-time editor Robert Gottlieb starts with his role at the Columbia Review and charts his career history as he continues to Simon &...Show more This memoir from long-time editor Robert Gottlieb starts with his role at the Columbia Review and charts his career history as he continues to Simon & Shuster and then onto run Alfred A. Knopf. At Knopf Gottlieb was able to edit and publish an astonishing list of authors from Toni Morrison, John le Carré, Michael Crichton, Katharine Graham, Nora Ephron and the irrepressible Miss Piggy. This memoir doesn’t limit itself to Gottlieb’s career, but expands to his friendships, collaborations, family psychoanalysis and bakelite purses. Show less

This memoir from long-time editor Robert Gottlieb starts with his role at the Columbia Review and charts his career history as he continues to Simon &...Show more This memoir from long-time editor Robert Gottlieb starts with his role at the Columbia Review and charts his career history as he continues to Simon & Shuster and then onto run Alfred A. Knopf. At Knopf Gottlieb was able to edit and publish an astonishing list of authors from Toni Morrison, John le Carré, Michael Crichton, Katharine Graham, Nora Ephron and the irrepressible Miss Piggy. This memoir doesn’t limit itself to Gottlieb’s career, but expands to his friendships, collaborations, family psychoanalysis and bakelite purses. Show less

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Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san

Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san

1

by Honda

Graphic Novel - 2019

A comedic manga series, the author Honda-san has worked in the Japanese bookstore for 10 years and collects his wildest stories. He finds himself at war w...Show more A comedic manga series, the author Honda-san has worked in the Japanese bookstore for 10 years and collects his wildest stories. He finds himself at war with business, dealing with out-of-print books and with the eccentric people who love manga. He is not good at English and will only deal with one English word when dealing with customers. Show less

A comedic manga series, the author Honda-san has worked in the Japanese bookstore for 10 years and collects his wildest stories. He finds himself at war w...Show more A comedic manga series, the author Honda-san has worked in the Japanese bookstore for 10 years and collects his wildest stories. He finds himself at war with business, dealing with out-of-print books and with the eccentric people who love manga. He is not good at English and will only deal with one English word when dealing with customers. Show less

All copies in use. Availability details Holds: 3 on 2 copies

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Weird Things Customers Say in Bookstores

Weird Things Customers Say in Bookstores

by Campbell, Jen

Book - 2012

Anyone who has worked in retail knows there are some strange questions that customers ask. This book reveals that booksellers receive equally unusual ques...Show more Anyone who has worked in retail knows there are some strange questions that customers ask. This book reveals that booksellers receive equally unusual questions. Questions like "Did Beatrix Potter ever write a book about dinosaurs?" Or “Is this book edible?” This book collects some of the strangest questions and combines them with quirky illustrations from booksellers in the U.S., Canada, and the UK. Show less

Anyone who has worked in retail knows there are some strange questions that customers ask. This book reveals that booksellers receive equally unusual ques...Show more Anyone who has worked in retail knows there are some strange questions that customers ask. This book reveals that booksellers receive equally unusual questions. Questions like "Did Beatrix Potter ever write a book about dinosaurs?" Or “Is this book edible?” This book collects some of the strangest questions and combines them with quirky illustrations from booksellers in the U.S., Canada, and the UK. Show less

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The Booksellers

The Booksellers

DVD - 2020

This documentary gives us a glimpse into the world of American rare book sellers. Executive produced by Parker Posey, the film features prominent book dea...Show more This documentary gives us a glimpse into the world of American rare book sellers. Executive produced by Parker Posey, the film features prominent book dealers, collectors and prominent writers such as Fran Lebowitz, Susan Orlean, and Kevin Young. We also get to see some of the most precious books such as Da Vinci’s Codex Leicester, handwritten Borges manuscripts, jeweled bindings and books bound in human flesh. Show less

This documentary gives us a glimpse into the world of American rare book sellers. Executive produced by Parker Posey, the film features prominent book dea...Show more This documentary gives us a glimpse into the world of American rare book sellers. Executive produced by Parker Posey, the film features prominent book dealers, collectors and prominent writers such as Fran Lebowitz, Susan Orlean, and Kevin Young. We also get to see some of the most precious books such as Da Vinci’s Codex Leicester, handwritten Borges manuscripts, jeweled bindings and books bound in human flesh. Show less

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Hello, Bookstore

Hello, Bookstore

DVD - 2022

A portrait of a beloved beatnik bookstore gem in Lenox, Massachusetts. Run by Matt Tannenbaum, this film documents the family at the heart of a true local landmark that the whole town rallied to protect in the shadow of the pandemic. A portrait of a beloved beatnik bookstore gem in Lenox, Massachusetts. Run by Matt Tannenbaum, this film documents the family at the heart of a true local landmark that the whole town rallied to protect in the shadow of the pandemic. Show less

A portrait of a beloved beatnik bookstore gem in Lenox, Massachusetts. Run by Matt Tannenbaum, this film documents the family at the heart of a true local landmark that the whole town rallied to protect in the shadow of the pandemic. A portrait of a beloved beatnik bookstore gem in Lenox, Massachusetts. Run by Matt Tannenbaum, this film documents the family at the heart of a true local landmark that the whole town rallied to protect in the shadow of the pandemic. Show less

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BookWars

BookWars

Streaming Video - 2000

Winner of Best Documentary at the 2000 New York Underground Film Festival, BookWars showcases the gritty world of street booksellers in a first-person doc...Show more Winner of Best Documentary at the 2000 New York Underground Film Festival, BookWars showcases the gritty world of street booksellers in a first-person documentary style. Made during then Mayor Guiliani’s “Quality of Life” campaign that sought to limit informal economic activities on the streets of New York City. Show less

Winner of Best Documentary at the 2000 New York Underground Film Festival, BookWars showcases the gritty world of street booksellers in a first-person doc...Show more Winner of Best Documentary at the 2000 New York Underground Film Festival, BookWars showcases the gritty world of street booksellers in a first-person documentary style. Made during then Mayor Guiliani’s “Quality of Life” campaign that sought to limit informal economic activities on the streets of New York City. Show less

Access online through Kanopy

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My Life With Bob

My Life With Bob

Flawed Heroine Keeps Book of Books, Plot Ensues

by Paul, Pamela

Book - 2017

Pamela Paul has a grungy, frayed, anonymous looking notebook called Bob that she has carried with her from Paris to London to Thailand. In this notebook s...Show more Pamela Paul has a grungy, frayed, anonymous looking notebook called Bob that she has carried with her from Paris to London to Thailand. In this notebook she has recorded EVERY book that she’s ever read from her childhood years into adulthood. Her reading provides a snapshot of what she needed in that moment, escape, solace, information or entertainment. This memoir is about the relationship between the books we read and the reader that reads them. Show less

Pamela Paul has a grungy, frayed, anonymous looking notebook called Bob that she has carried with her from Paris to London to Thailand. In this notebook s...Show more Pamela Paul has a grungy, frayed, anonymous looking notebook called Bob that she has carried with her from Paris to London to Thailand. In this notebook she has recorded EVERY book that she’s ever read from her childhood years into adulthood. Her reading provides a snapshot of what she needed in that moment, escape, solace, information or entertainment. This memoir is about the relationship between the books we read and the reader that reads them. Show less

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Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore

Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore

by Sloan, Robin

Book - 2012

After being laid off from a Web Design position, Clay Jannon finds a new gig working the night shift at a 24-hour bookstore in San Francisco where he’s en...Show more After being laid off from a Web Design position, Clay Jannon finds a new gig working the night shift at a 24-hour bookstore in San Francisco where he’s endlessly climbing the ladder to fill customer requests. There are few customers who don’t seem to be buying anything but instead “checking out” books? The store must be some kind of front for something larger... Show less

After being laid off from a Web Design position, Clay Jannon finds a new gig working the night shift at a 24-hour bookstore in San Francisco where he’s en...Show more After being laid off from a Web Design position, Clay Jannon finds a new gig working the night shift at a 24-hour bookstore in San Francisco where he’s endlessly climbing the ladder to fill customer requests. There are few customers who don’t seem to be buying anything but instead “checking out” books? The store must be some kind of front for something larger... Show less

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The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks

The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks

by Robinson, Shauna

eBook - 2022

Maggie finds herself unexpectedly at loose ends and in a quaint small town bookshop to pass the time. As reader interests surface and appear at odds with ...Show more Maggie finds herself unexpectedly at loose ends and in a quaint small town bookshop to pass the time. As reader interests surface and appear at odds with the classics heavy titles approved by serious and influential local historical society, Maggie rebels with an underground book club. Fans of Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa may also enjoy this title. Show less

Maggie finds herself unexpectedly at loose ends and in a quaint small town bookshop to pass the time. As reader interests surface and appear at odds with ...Show more Maggie finds herself unexpectedly at loose ends and in a quaint small town bookshop to pass the time. As reader interests surface and appear at odds with the classics heavy titles approved by serious and influential local historical society, Maggie rebels with an underground book club. Fans of Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa may also enjoy this title. Show less

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The Bookshop Book

The Bookshop Book

by Campbell, Jen

Book - 2014

This book surveys an eclectic, charming set of bookshops that have sprung up around the world in seemingly unlikely places: barns, abandoned factories, converted churches, and all manner of conveyances including boats and buses. This book surveys an eclectic, charming set of bookshops that have sprung up around the world in seemingly unlikely places: barns, abandoned factories, converted churches, and all manner of conveyances including boats and buses. Show less

This book surveys an eclectic, charming set of bookshops that have sprung up around the world in seemingly unlikely places: barns, abandoned factories, converted churches, and all manner of conveyances including boats and buses. This book surveys an eclectic, charming set of bookshops that have sprung up around the world in seemingly unlikely places: barns, abandoned factories, converted churches, and all manner of conveyances including boats and buses. Show less

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Days at the Morisaki Bookshop

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop

A Novel

by Yagisawa, Satoshi

Book - 2023

Takako has had the rug pulled out from under her when her boyfriend declares that he’s been cheating on her with a woman from their office and plans to ma...Show more Takako has had the rug pulled out from under her when her boyfriend declares that he’s been cheating on her with a woman from their office and plans to marry her. She loses her job, her friends and spirals into depression. Until her distant uncle phones with an offer for her to live rent free above his bookshop in exchange for help at the shop. She used to look down on her uncle’s life, but now during her own lowest point, her perceptions of the small secondhand bookshop are about to change. Show less

Takako has had the rug pulled out from under her when her boyfriend declares that he’s been cheating on her with a woman from their office and plans to ma...Show more Takako has had the rug pulled out from under her when her boyfriend declares that he’s been cheating on her with a woman from their office and plans to marry her. She loses her job, her friends and spirals into depression. Until her distant uncle phones with an offer for her to live rent free above his bookshop in exchange for help at the shop. She used to look down on her uncle’s life, but now during her own lowest point, her perceptions of the small secondhand bookshop are about to change. Show less

All copies in use. Availability details Holds: 22 on 9 copies

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What You Are Looking For Is in the Library

What You Are Looking For Is in the Library

A Novel

by Aoyama, Michiko

eBook - 2023

What are you looking for? The classic question from Tokyo’s most enigmatic librarian, Sayuri Komachi. She has the uncanny ability to find the perfect book...Show more What are you looking for? The classic question from Tokyo’s most enigmatic librarian, Sayuri Komachi. She has the uncanny ability to find the perfect book that is exactly what you need but never knew was missing from your life. Each visitor comes at a different point in their lives and through a conversation with Sayuri and the surprise book she lends them will change their lives forever. Show less

What are you looking for? The classic question from Tokyo’s most enigmatic librarian, Sayuri Komachi. She has the uncanny ability to find the perfect book...Show more What are you looking for? The classic question from Tokyo’s most enigmatic librarian, Sayuri Komachi. She has the uncanny ability to find the perfect book that is exactly what you need but never knew was missing from your life. Each visitor comes at a different point in their lives and through a conversation with Sayuri and the surprise book she lends them will change their lives forever. Show less

Not Currently Available.Holds: 30 on 7 Copies

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Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop

by Hwang, Po-rŭm

Book - 2024

Yeongju is burned out on her life. Though she has all the trappings of a successful person in Seoul, she just feels drained. What about her abandoned drea...Show more Yeongju is burned out on her life. Though she has all the trappings of a successful person in Seoul, she just feels drained. What about her abandoned dream of running a bookshop in a quiet neighborhood? She decides to give up her high-flying life and marriage to open a bookshop in the residential neighborhood outside the city. At first all she does is cry, but she slowly gets on her feet and starts to work on becoming a good bookseller and store. Show less

Yeongju is burned out on her life. Though she has all the trappings of a successful person in Seoul, she just feels drained. What about her abandoned drea...Show more Yeongju is burned out on her life. Though she has all the trappings of a successful person in Seoul, she just feels drained. What about her abandoned dream of running a bookshop in a quiet neighborhood? She decides to give up her high-flying life and marriage to open a bookshop in the residential neighborhood outside the city. At first all she does is cry, but she slowly gets on her feet and starts to work on becoming a good bookseller and store. Show less

All copies in use. Availability details Holds: 21 on 16 copies

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