I am always a sucker for books about books but even more so when it is a bookseller writing about their job! The good and the bad. I loved this book as it took me into the world of Sotheran’s and all the behind the scenes details. I loved the customer nicknames and I know we have those as well for people who come to our store. I noticed after I marked it to read on Goodreads a friend marked it to read as well. She will love it as much as I did

Once Upon A Tome follows Oliver Darkshire, an apprentice book dealer, as he learns to navigate an arbitrary cataloging system while also dealing with cursed books, damp cellars, odd objects, and even odder customers. It is both a memoir and a tongue-in-cheek primer for any aspiring bookseller providing a glimpse into what many may incorrectly assume to be the realm of humorless old men constantly surrounded by a dusty scent.

The narration is so personable and charming that you are instantly engaged, and I found myself smiling and laughing throughout the entire book. The entertaining cast of characters range from quirky colleagues to oddball regulars, who Darkshire describes as bookstore cryptids. As a lifelong Bibliophile I reveled in spotting the literary Easter eggs snuck in throughout the story and was only disappointed when I turned the last page and knew the story was over. Well written, humorous, and highly entertaining, I would recommend this to anyone with a love of books, who dreams of dusty book shops, and has the fervent desire to spend the afterlife as a bookstores resident ghost.

I was excited to read this book as rare bookselling has become an interest of mine ever since watching “The Booksellers” documentary. I shouldn’t have gone into this book thinking it was going to be like that documentary. With that being said, this book was okay. I learned some new stuff but I found a good bit of the book boring.

I wanted to love this book. I wanted to purchase it and place on my bookshelf. But not all dreams come true. I found the first two pages enjoyable. And then I forced myself to page 91. I cannot even find the words to write this review. I give it one star for the book and another star for the cover. I really did love the cover. I thank NetGalley and W.W.Norton for the advance read.