Bibliomaniac

Bibliomaniac

Why play to 12,000 people when you can play to 12? In Autumn 2021, Robin Ince’s stadium tour with Professor Brian Cox was postponed due to the pandemic. Rather than do nothing, he decided instead to go on a tour of over a hundred bookshops in the UK, from Wigtown to Penzance; from Swansea to Margate.

Packed with witty anecdotes and tall tales, Bibliomaniac takes the reader on a journey across Britain as Robin explores his lifelong love of bookshops and books – and also tries to find out just why he can never have enough of them. It is the story of an addiction and a romance, and also of an occasional points failure just outside Oxenholme.

“Liberating and life-affirming.”

— Times Literary Supplement

Review by 1000 Libraries

Bibliomaniac is a delightful and personal exploration of Robin Ince’s lifelong love for books and bookshops. His writing is both informative and entertaining, as he delves into the history of bookshops, the challenges they face in the digital age, and the unique role they play in our communities. Furthermore, the book also offers fascinating insights into the world of book publishing, from the creative process to the business side of the industry.

“This is one of the wonders of books: the delight of being a species that can chronicle and preserve. I pick up a book from a shelf, and someone who is no more than ash or bone can still change me.”

Throughout the book, Ince’s love for books shines through and his contagious enthusiasm is sure to inspire readers to pick up their next favourite read. Bibliomaniac is a must-read for anyone who loves books and bookshops. It truly is a celebration of the written word and a reminder of the enduring power of stories.

"A unique, funny picture of Britain... A love letter to bookshops and the vagaries of public transport."

"A lovely celebration of the consoling and inspiring power of books."

"Bibliomaniac is joyous, irreverent and more than a trifle eccentric - liberating and life-affirming."

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