City Books
City Books, our April Bookshop of the Month, is a long established bookshop in Hove that has seen many changes in the art of bookselling over the years. We talk to the owner Paul about those changes, from when the shop first opened in the late 80s to date, and discuss our most favourite thing - books! Read on to learn more...
1. Firstly, many congratulations for being shortlisted for a Nibbies’ Independent Bookshop of the Year Award (South East) 2023! Tell us about how the shop came into being and what it’s like today.
Thank you very much. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to the final, but it is always nice to be recognised.
I had worked for the Scientific Civil Service as a lab technician which didn’t suit me. I’d always loved bookshops and spent many a Saturday afternoon browsing in second-hand ones of which there used to be plenty, but sadly now all gone.
So, I spent nine years working my way up the WH Smith greasy pole, which I really enjoyed. They were then the biggest booksellers in the country and I learnt a lot, specifically about the business side of the trade. I had met Inge, a bookseller from Chichester, at a party. When we had the chance, we sold our house, lived with her parents, and bought City Books, which was then a remainder shop.
That was back in 1986 and the shop is very different now. We are, unusually these days, a stock-holding bookshop with thousands of titles We carry all the important titles from the big publishers and buy lots from smaller ones too.
At the start there were just the two of us. No computers and ISBNs had just come in. All the sales were recorded on an A4 pad of paper and orders had to be sent by post or read line by line over the phone. Now there are six of us, all with different interests and varying ages. We excel in arranging great events, which give us great pleasure (and an extra stream of income).
2. How do you spend your day – what’s your favourite part?
It is my job to see the reps and organise launches and outside events. My favourite part… it is particularly enjoyable to pick out the occasional gem hidden in the publishers’ lists. It is also extremely pleasurable to relax after a successful event, which has been enjoyed by both author and audience.
3. What sort of books do you find your customers are most interested in?
We have an intelligent and diverse customer base who generally want to make the world a better place. Books on slowing climate change, education, politics, science, and the arts are all in demand. Gender politics is a hot issue. There is also a strong interest in quality fiction. The Women’s Prize shortlist will create a lot of interest.
4. Do you have a current favourite – if so, what is it?
My favourite book so far this year is Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry. The paperbacks of Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart and Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris are coming soon – both are moving and well-crafted novels and should do well.
5. And finally, do you have any exciting plans for the shop in the coming months you’d like to share with us?
May is a very busy time for us. We are booksellers at the Charleston Festival, as well as at Brighton Festival Fringe events. We have also made great progress in developing our online shop and will continue to invest in our staff and in books. In short, we expect to have a thoroughly enjoyable time.