On the State of Dawson Street, etc.

Published Tuesday, February 13, 2007 by Kevin Breathnach | E-mail this post

Shane Barry, of the Three Monkey's Online, criticises the state of Irish bookshops, which he argues are more focused on flogging coffee than stocking their shelves with a wide and deep range of literature. He's right, of course, though I think Dublin's book buying community might have to take on some of the blame - they consume like herds, by and large. Nowhere though, sells academic history books, for instance. We're almost deprived of all literary criticism, while Hodges Figgis recently disappeared their essay section - which was, to my knowledge, Dublin's only. My employers at Eason, meanwhile, dedicate as much space to Mind, Body & Spirit as they do to Philosophy and Religion combined - such, however, is to be expected of a glorified newsagents. Barry picks at Waterstones', who have emulated Eason with their new Readers' Cafe, which occupies a substantial amount of shop space - though I doubt the one-third estimate proffered. The recently reopened Winding Stair has not a patch on its former self, though it at least hosts a decent atmosphere. Which leaves, of the larger shops, Chapters. Though I've heard nothing but good things about the new (apparently mammoth) Parnell Street store, I've never been as satisfied as some in the blogosphere by the outlet on Abbey Street. They have, thus far, resisted the installation of a coffee shop.

On that thread, this episode of Black Books is not impertinent. And yeah, I just wanted an excuse to show this.

On the State of Dawson Street, etc.

E-mail this post

Previous posts

Archives

Latest Comments

Irish Blogs

A special place in my heart

'Proper' Journalism etc.

The Wireless