The Diary of a Bookseller books in order

The Diary of a Bookseller series by Shaun Bythell chronicles daily life running Scotland's largest secondhand bookshop in Wigtown, told in a wry, observational diary format.

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 The Diary of a Bookseller 2017 Shaun Bythell Buy
2 Щоденник книгаря 2017 Shaun Bythell N/A
3 Confessions of a Bookseller 2019 Shaun Bythell Buy
4 Сповідь книгаря 2019 Shaun Bythell N/A
5 Remainders of the Day 2022 Shaun Bythell Buy

Shaun Bythell’s Diary of a Bookseller series presents daily life at The Bookshop in Wigtown, Scotland, in a straightforward journal format. Each entry records the number of customers, the day’s sales total, and the small dramas that unfold between the shelves. The humor comes from Bythell’s deadpan observations about difficult customers, odd book collections he buys at house clearances, and his ongoing battles with online retail platforms.

The first book, The Diary of a Bookseller (2017), became a Sunday Times bestseller and was adapted into a TV series. Confessions of a Bookseller (2019) continued the format, covering Bythell’s efforts to keep the business afloat while contending with Amazon’s dominance and a never-ending stream of “do you have a toilet?” inquiries. Remainders of the Day (2022) extended the diaries further. The series also includes Ukrainian-language editions of the first two books, reflecting the international appeal of Bythell’s bookshop stories.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the The Diary of a Bookseller series?

There are five books in the The Diary of a Bookseller series, published between 2017 and 2022.

What is the first book in the The Diary of a Bookseller series?

The first book in the The Diary of a Bookseller series is The Diary of a Bookseller, published in 2017.

Do the Diary of a Bookseller books need to be read in order?

No. Each book covers a different period of Shaun Bythell’s life at The Bookshop in Wigtown and can be read independently. The Diary of a Bookseller (2017) covers a year in the shop, Confessions of a Bookseller (2019) picks up where the first left off, and Remainders of the Day (2022) covers a later stretch. Some recurring characters appear across the books, but each volume stands on its own. The series also includes Ukrainian translations of the first two books.

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