Customer Reviews

Rebel Bookseller: How to Improvise Your Own Indie Store and Beat Back the Chains

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

More than a simple expose of the rather murky and misunderstood book world, Laties "Rebel Bookseller" is a call to arms for all future independent bookstore owners. While his tone is acerbic at times, his information and insights are top-notch. They should be after the over 20 years of independent bookselling he's done. Laties explains why books are so expensive and why superstores are to blame. Still, his message is a hopeful one. He sees the importance of independent bookselling for all aspects of the industry as independent bookstores are a breeding ground for independent thinking and independent writing and most important of all, independent reading. This book is a must-read for all booksellers, all bookstore owners, and all who hope to join that weird and wonderful world.

If you are planning on opening a bookstore and know nothing about the book trade, this book might not be as entertaining. If you have worked in the trade before, however, this book is both a quick, entertaining read and a wealth of information in the form of anecdotes and handy tidbits toward going it on your own. It won't give you a step-by-step guide to starting a bookstore, but then again if you wanted that you probably wouldn't be reading a book called "Rebel Bookseller." Laties' claims that he did everything first and the chains stole all the good ideas from him are a little wearing at times; then again, I can appreciate arrogance if it's justified and judging by his level of success both with bookstores and his book, obviously the guy knows what he's doing, so listen to him. Written passionately and optimistically, if nothing else this book will bolster your faith in indie bookstores and get you ready to do it yourself.

Very enlightening book about the bookselling industry and the giant chain stores. This is a must read for indie store owners, not just booksellers.

...you'll still enjoy this book. Laties discusses the numerous bookstores he's run or co-run, and I found the inner workings of the book business to be extremely interesting. The tips and techniques explored in Rebel Bookseller could carry over into any industry really, but it's exciting to hear how some were developed and implemented by Laties, and the successes or failures they produced. I highly recommend this title.

The review from Publishers Weekly, above, is pretty funny, considering that in "Rebel Bookseller" I make some not-so-charming comments about -- guess who -- Publishers Weekly! So, ahem, I really couldn't ask them for more. Why, in fact, on their very own website, this "Rebel Bookseller" review has even got a star!

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However, here's a review from a more naturally sympa reader, Ramsay Kinaan of AK Press, who says:

"This is a phenomenal book. Laties has been in the trenches of bookselling and community organizing for the last 20 years. Herein you'll find part autobiography/memoir of the bookselling years (he's still doing it today), part history of the book industry, and part how-to guide to start, and succeed, in your own bookselling endeavors, even in the face of the competition from the chains and big conglomerate bastards. Laties is witty, opinionated for sure, impassioned, but eminently practical in both his desires for independent bookselling and how to actually do it effectively. As the man who almost invented in-store events, community outreach, and store mailings, he has a lot to share. Activists of all stripes, not just booksellers, can learn from this book. It made me laugh. It made me think. It inspired me. It'll do the same for you too."

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Thanks, Brother!

Andy Laties

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If you're looking for an unabashed peek behind the curtain of big time bookselling politics, then you'll thoroughly enjoy this romp down memory lane.

The author exposes the good, the bad, and the ugly about the inner workings of the bookselling industry as seen through the eyes of a successful independent bookstore owner. When someone who's operated a single store for multiple years that grossed nearly $1 million dollars a year begins to talk, he's worth listening to.

This is not a "how to" book on bookselling. Nevertheless, you'll get some excellent ideas just by reading between the lines. I was especially impressed with the reprinted "Showcasing Your Store" articles that contained detailed descriptions of the author's community involvement programs used to attract customers.

Because of this book, I no longer view my business as an "independent bookstore." Rather, I now see it as a community center with a rich assortment of events and activities that happens to be funded by an independent bookstore. That's a lot more fun.

I rarely read a book all the way through as quickly as I did with this one.

I own a bookstore chain, and I have had such trouble trying to find quality literature about the art of selling books. This isn't a textbook about the book business, but it definitely helps a fledgling bookstore owner by giving a real account of a life in the trade.

If I were to rate the book purely of its own merit, I would give it 4 stars. This is really because they book has more stories than business advice about the book trade.

I give it 5 stars, however, because it in the most enthralling read I've found about the day-to-day life of a used book seller.

I highly recommend!

Thank you, Mr. Laties, for this work.

The title is really a bit misleading. This is really a business autobiography of Andrew Laties 20 year plus experience in the bookselling business. The stories, lessons and experience that you will get reading the book make it worth the entertainment factor - even if you aren't in the book business.

Probably the most telling lesson is that the indie bookseller is a real tough way to make a living. There is really an apparent grow or die component to the business that slowly makes you into a chain store target. Profits are elusive, hours are long, and the rewards largely intangible.

Read this book if you have interest in the underdog, if you are a bookseller or contemplating it, or you just want to read the author's rants and raves on business - they are priceless.

I would have to strongly disagree with a previous reviewer who believes this is some kind of a masterpiece. This is basically an autobiography of a guy who owned a couple bookstores and thinks he is the Michael Jordan of Indie Bookstores. If he is so successful, why did his business fail? Paranoia sums up a good chunk of this dead wood, as the author thinks the chain stores stole most of their good ideas from him. He is very angry about this supposed fact but readily admits that he ripped off ideas from many others. He loves capitalism and making money until someone else is making money, then he thinks they should be regulated.

There are a few good tips for indie booksellers in here but nothing that you can't get off the ABA website of figure out with a bit of common sense. He is very much into events and PR and the back of the book is full of such information. I have met other indie booksellers who were more into being the center of attention and doing events than selling books. Most of them are now waiting tables...

Dear god this is good. I don't care if you know what a bookstore is, buy this immediately. I stayed up 3 nights finishing this brilliant work of literature.