In hard times, the big booksellers squeezed out the small
January 27, 2024 6:08 AM Subscribe
Robert Darnton in 1982 on the history of books and bookselling.
The history of bookselling is fascinating, in very recent, recent, and less recent times. The 1990s saw a boom in literary sociology that included things like the study of books in the chapbook gift economy, or factors contributing to literary reputations. Black-owned bookstores have their own history of power and protest and community, as do once-tottering-but-now-resurgent feminist bookstores. Queer bookstores have faced their own struggles, including renewed attacks. And, of course, who could imagine a world without either dirty bookstores or new age bookstores? Bookstores near, bookstores far. For all that we love books' sensory aspects, you can get a different view of books through online exhibits.
The history of bookselling is fascinating, in very recent, recent, and less recent times. The 1990s saw a boom in literary sociology that included things like the study of books in the chapbook gift economy, or factors contributing to literary reputations. Black-owned bookstores have their own history of power and protest and community, as do once-tottering-but-now-resurgent feminist bookstores. Queer bookstores have faced their own struggles, including renewed attacks. And, of course, who could imagine a world without either dirty bookstores or new age bookstores? Bookstores near, bookstores far. For all that we love books' sensory aspects, you can get a different view of books through online exhibits.
I've only read one book (well, an issue of a zine, but it's Cometbus, so basically a short book) mostly about booksellers and quite enjoyed it. Recommended if you're interested in the history of Berkeley, CA bookstores.
Author Aaron Cometbus has apparently done a similar project for NYC booksellers.
posted by May Kasahara at 8:30 AM on January 27 [1 favorite]
Author Aaron Cometbus has apparently done a similar project for NYC booksellers.
posted by May Kasahara at 8:30 AM on January 27 [1 favorite]
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posted by cupcakeninja at 6:19 AM on January 27 [3 favorites]