Book Review: Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops – Jen Campbell

By Donnambr @_mrs_b

Review of: Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops (2012)

Book:
Jen Campbell

Reviewed by: Donna Brown

Rating:
5

On January 15, 2013Last modified:January 15, 2013


Summary:

Certainly this book – and presumably subsequent volumes – would make a fantastic gift. Just don’t forget to share the above warnings…

More DetailsAbout Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops (2012)‘Can books conduct electricity?’

‘My children are just climbing your bookshelves: that’s ok… isn’t it?’ 

A John Cleese Twitter question ['What is your pet peeve?'], first sparked the “Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops” blog, which grew over three years into one bookseller’s collection of ridiculous conversations on the shop floor.

From ‘Did Beatrix Potter ever write a book about dinosaurs?’ to the hunt for a paperback which could forecast the next year’s weather; and from ‘I’ve forgotten my glasses, please read me the first chapter’ to ‘Excuse me… is this book edible?’

This full-length collection illustrated by the Brothers McLeod also includes top ‘Weird Things’ from bookshops around the world.

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Review: Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops

This is a book that should come with several warnings, including making strange “Nooooo!” exclamations in public, not being able to breathe for laughing and regularly wanting to smack yourself upside your head with the book to see if you really are still in the world you thought you lived in or if you’ve slipped into another dimension, where people are fundamentally lacking in common sense.

This is a hilarious book but I suspect a little less funny if you were on the receiving end of some of these comments. Such as the man who got berated by an old lady for refusing to leave the shop and buy a stamp for her! Or the shop owner who had to try and find a book from a vague ‘It has a green cover’ style of description.

I would have loved this book to be longer and I suspect there are many more stories that could be included. Paving the way for book two? Perhaps. Certainly this book – and presumably subsequent volumes – would make a fantastic gift. Just don’t forget to share the above warnings…

Verdict: 5/5

(Book source: reviewer’s own copy)

About the Author:

By day a publicity assistant, by night an avid blogger and reader. I’m happiest when I’m surrounded by books and cats, with my husband by my side. Luckily, that’s a pretty apt description of most days!

Donna Brown – who has written 595 posts on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave.