THE DIARY OF A BOOKSELLER

Robin Laing strikes a matter-of-fact tone with his narration--a choice that is both smart and on point. It has the dual benefit of taking the edge off author Shaun Bythell's more acerbic comments while simultaneously highlighting the eccentricities Bythell encounters among his customers and staff at his bookshop in Wigtown, Scotland. Listeners get an impression of a man who, despite his laments, would not wish to live any other life. Since the book has no narrative arc--it is just diary entries covering approximately one year--it's important to feel like you want to accompany this man through his day. Laing's narration style makes it seem as if you are meeting up with a companionable, if a bit irascible, old friend. K.W. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2018]