Reading the Room: a Bookseller’s Tale, Paul Yamazaki

If you love books and the book world, read this. It’s a powerfully informative look at the ecosystem of bookselling and publishing, as well as being a very winsome and enjoyable read. And a quick one at that — the perfect bite-size book! Written in the form of an interview, it starts off as a stroll through the famous City Lights bookstore, where Paul Yamazaki is the chief buyer. He talks about how he approaches his work, and the thinking and strategic decisions that lead to you seeing those specific books as you walk around the shop. Then, it turns to the story of his life; the experiences of a Japanese American youth in 1950s California, San Francisco in the late 60s, the poets and the political work, his family history. Then more stories of bookstore life, and especially, of the relationship between publishers and booksellers (also: bumming a cigarette to Toni Morrison!!)

It’s such a remarkable book, because you really see these various currents in US history, and the different structural forces at play in the book world, through this deeply personal and engaging account of one incredible man’s life and opinions. I was just blown away by it.

Today, April 17th, is Paul’s birthday, and so a very fitting day to buy the book from your favorite indie bookstore. Mine is the Seminary Co-op — this book is actually the first in a new series that they are publishing, Ode Books! You can buy it from them here. But it would also be very appropriate to buy it from City Lights, which you can do here.

If you’re in New York, Chicago, Milwaukee, the Bay Area, or Seattle, etc, you might also be able to attend one of the events with Paul (check out the tour schedule), which will no doubt be joyous gatherings of book people.