Remainders of the Day

“Another rollicking account of running The Bookshop . . . equal parts preposterous and profound, sure to prove irresistible to fellow bibliophiles.” —Publishers Weekly

New from the author of Confessions of a Bookseller and Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops, another hilariously grumpy year behind the counter at The Bookshop. Through diaries of daily life, Shaun Bythell has created an endearing and cozy world for booklovers, a warm and welcome memoir of a life in books.

The Bookshop in Wigtown, Scotland is a book lover’s paradise, with thousands of books across nearly a mile of shelves, a real log fire, and Captain, the portly bookshop cat. You’d think that after twenty years, owner Shaun Bythell would be used to his quirky customers by now. Don’t get him wrong, there are some good ones among the antiquarian porn-hunters, die-hard train book lovers, people who confuse bookshops for libraries, and the toddlers just looking for a nice cozy corner in which to wee. He’s sure there are some good ones. There must be . . .

Filled with the pernickety warmth and humor that has touched readers around the world, stuffed with literary treasures, hidden gems, and incunabula, Remainders of the Day is a warm and welcome memoir of a life in books.

If you’re new to Shaun Bythell’s bestselling series, this is a great place to start. If you’re one of Bythell’s legion of fans, welcome back to The Bookshop. 

CRITICAL PRAISE

“Delightful . . . the amusements are endless . . . set time aside for Remainders of the Day.” —Foreword Reviews (starred review)

“A charming look at a small-town bookstore, its owner, and the people he meets . . . Bythell’s dry humor and skeptical view of humanity make for a very funny take on his business.” —Library Journal

“Bythell’s understated wit is at its best in his observations of the many quirky people who find their way into The Bookshop . . . the author’s thoughtful eccentricity makes for entertaining reading. A refreshingly human narrative.” —Kirkus Reviews

“What comes through strongly is Shaun Bythell’s obvious love of books and affection for those who spend their lives reading them, buying them—or giving him material for his next volume.” —The Guardian

“Fans of [Bythell’s] first two books will be charmed once again by [his] snark and dedication . . . [he] shares one anecdote after another, all of them written with his delightfully caustic touch.” —Shelf Awareness