Self-growth
Business & Career
Success
Communication
Healing
Relationships
Psychology
HappinessYou’ll learn
- What kind of reader you are
- The people you should avoid in the bookstore
- How to detect customer type
- Which consultants will genuinely help you
Table of contents
first KEY POINT
Inside the bookstore world
Shaun Bythell owns the biggest second-hand bookshop in Scotland. As his passion for the book-selling business grows, so does his despair about its future. With over two decades of expertise, his everyday interactions with various customers enabled him to classify them utilizing a Linnaean taxonomy system. He recognizes seven classes of bookshop customers, bestowing each with a Latin name: Peritus (Expert), Familia Juvenis (Young family), Homo qui maleficas amat (Occultist), Homo qui desidet (Loiterer), Senex cum barba (Bearded Pensioner), Viator non tacitus (The Not-So-Silent Traveller) and Parentum historiae studiosus (Family Historian).
Running a successful bookstore requires understanding and meeting customers' needs and aims.
Aside from customer classifications, Bythell added a bonus classification: the Staff, which included their different types. He also described the perfect customer that every bookseller wants and adores.Follow along with this summary to meet the sly Antiquarian, the modest and retiring Erotica Browser, and the friendly yet clueless shop assistant Student Hugo — alongside the much-adored bookseller favorites like the enthusiastic Sci-Fi Fan, the ravenous Railway Collector, and the rarely seen Perfect Customer.
second KEY POINT
Genus: The self-appointed expert
This type of customer is a self-appointed expert. They have no audience or a group of readers eager to hear what they have to say. The expert prefers to use long or complex words when short and simple language can be used to project intellectual superiority.Five subtypes fall under this category:1. Species: SpecialistIndeed, navigating the vast array of subjects in a typical bookshop can be daunting for booksellers, often leading to gaps in their expertise. However, some customers enjoy this lack of knowledge, especially those who pride themselves on their specialized understanding. Specialists come into the shop to lecture the seller about their field of expertise and are delighted that their listener doesn't know anything about it. While some are socially savvy enough to realize that their interests might not be universal, they still take unique pride in their specialized knowledge, seeing it as a mark of their distinctiveness and a source of personal satisfaction.2. Species: BoreThis type of person will share their thoughts on every subject, sometimes even interjecting in other customers' conversations with their often offensive opinions or rants. They consider themselves to be polymaths. It’s best to avoid or treat them with silence since displaying even the slightest hint of interest can result in an endless tirade on the most unexpected subjects.3. Species: Helpful PersonSome experts can be a big help. Helpful experts drop captivating information into short conversations that make the bookseller want even more. Their information gives the bookseller the knowledge they need to convince their other customers that the bookseller knows what they're talking about.4. Species: Antiquarian Book CollectorThe Antiquarian book collector is interested in a book as an object rather than a source of information. Their expertise lies in recognizing specific editions within their chosen area of collection. They know the intricate details and errors that can distinguish the various editions. They also habitually grumble about prices and tell booksellers they have seen a cheaper copy somewhere.5. Species: Home MechanicFor these enthusiasts, the world of reading revolves exclusively around automobiles. They tirelessly search for manuals, even extending their passion to buying manuals for friends' cars. These customers use the knowledge they get in books to do something practical.
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first KEY POINT
Genus: The young family
second KEY POINT
Genus: Occultist
third KEY POINT
Genus: Loiterer
fourth KEY POINT
Genus: Bearded pensioner
fifth KEY POINT
Genus: The Not-So-Silent Traveler
sixth KEY POINT
Genus: Family Historian
seventh KEY POINT
Genus: Staff
eighth KEY POINT
Genus: Perfect customer
ninth KEY POINT
Conclusion
Related summaries
Frequently asked questions
What is Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops about?
'Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops' by Vanessa de Larrard explores the diverse personalities and behaviors of bookshop patrons. The book takes readers on a whimsical journey, showcasing how these unique characters interact with literature and each other.
Who is the author of Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops?
The author of 'Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops' is Vanessa de Larrard, who brings a keen observational lens to the often overlooked interactions occurring within the spaces of our local bookstores.
Is Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops worth reading?
Yes, 'Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops' is worth reading for anyone who loves literature and enjoys quirky insights into human behavior. Its charming anecdotes and relatable observations make it a delightful read for bibliophiles.
How many pages is Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops and when was it published?
'Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops' is 112 pages long and was published on April 28, 2022. Its concise format makes it a quick yet enriching read for those fascinated by the world of books.
What are the key takeaways from Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops?
Key takeaways from 'Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops' include insights on the different types of readers and their interactions with books. The book emphasizes the community aspect of bookstores and how each person contributes to the vibrant tapestry of literary culture.