The Sherlock Holmes Society of Scotland
Barry Young of Young's Interesting Books noticed something unusal, there are over 400 Sherlock Holmes Appreciation societies throughout the world but not a single one in the birthplace of his creator. Barry has therefore set out to correct this and is founding Scotland's first Sherlock Holmes Society right here in the Southside. He has set up a Facebook page about it here The Sherlock Holmes Society of Scotland.
As yet, they have no affilication with any other societies and the name of this page is a temporary idea, which may change after the members discuss an appropriate title for the group.
"Even if you've never read any of the 60 short stories or novels,... and just like the movie or the TV series, don't be shy. Anyone with an enthusiasm for the greatest fictional character ever created is very welcome."
The first meeting of this fun new group will be taking place Wednesday 29 September in The bar at The Boswell, Mansionhouse Road,Glasgow G41 3DN. Facebook link to the event here.
Looks like a lot of fun, sitting in comfortable chairs and chatting about good books.
Labels: clubs, Langside news
posted by Alburt at 11:42
10 Comments:
I sincerely hope his idea of a Sherlock Holmes Society is better than his idea of a bookshop.
Hie "Interesting Books" shop in Skirving Street, Shawlands, certainly carries a decent, interesting and varied stock. However, Mr Young seems to equate "interesting" with "rare", and prices items accordingly. I often visit to find interesting books which I then buy, often for as little as 1p on Amazon. Many of these books are priced far too high in his shop. Bog-standard paperbacks are often priced at eight to ten pounds, or even more.
Just because a book is out of print, or old, does not necessarily mean it should be expensive.
I would like to be able to support local businesses, but it is disappointing to see a good idea so poorly executed. With a little proper management, a decent second hand bookshop (i.e. NOT a charity shop) could do very well in Shawlands.
However, this shop doesn't appear to be doing particularly well - I note they have already resorted to sidelines such as jewellery, which really have no place in a bookshop.
I hope Mr Young reads this and takes heed, as I know a number of people with similar opinions, and it would be a shame to lose such a shop, which could really be an asset to the area.
Think Barry Young reads the blog so he'll maybe read your comment. Shame you have felt that way about the pricing, I've always found the things I've wanted to buy really reasonable. Got a great copy of "From Russia with Love" the other week and it was only £3 and was in perfect condition and there is a whole section at the back of the shop for books at £1.
I'm not sure its fair to compare the pricing strategy of a local book shop with the system that operates on Amazon Sellers. You always end up paying £3 or £4 postage on books from there for one thing.
One or two points in answer to the second comment above.
The example you quote is hardly valid - there have been at least five different publishings of this book in the last decade, and it is certainly at the lower end of Mr Young's general stock pricing.
Postage through Amazon is a maximum of £2.75 for a paperback. The majority of Mr Young's books can be bought cheaper from a number of online sellers, not only Amazon, at a considerably lower price, even allowing for the shipping costs.
Mr Young himself has stated to me that the £1.00 books at the back of the shop are priced at that level because otherwise they would not sell.
Let me reiterate - I would like his shop to be a success, and I find it almost painful to see it all crash and burn, as it appears to be doing at the moment,but believe me, these are not my thoughts alone.
I really love the shop and don't think things are too expensive.
I think the above poster is making a mistake comparing the prices from a local business to those of an online shop.
Totally different overheads and I for one would rather pay slightly more for the pleasure of a nice shop and friendly chat with the owners than getting the same thing for a pound less from some anonoymous shop shipping out of Florida or wherever.
I really love the shop and don't think things are too expensive.
I think the above poster is making a mistake comparing the prices from a local business to those of an online shop.
Totally different overheads and I for one would rather pay slightly more for the pleasure of a nice shop and friendly chat with the owners than getting the same thing for a pound less from some anonoymous shop shipping out of Florida or wherever.
Just been sent the link to this page. I find it strange when people go online to write such negative comments and at the same time write how they wish the shop/ cafe/ team to be a success. (Does the poster own a rival store or something?) You'd be better mentioning your thoughts to the owners next time you are in and giving some constructive comments.
I think the prices are fair. Amazon, Tesco and the other big booksellers are crushing the book industry, we should all at the very least try and support the people who are doing something different and doing it locally at that.
To be honest I've only bought one thing from the shop but it did seem to have a good selection of books and they get a thumbs up from me.
John
As the Mr Young in question, I'd like to thank Mr Fraser for his comments, and his good wishes for the shop and the Sherlock Holmes Society.
I agree with almost everything he says, even the allegation of terrible management. I'm a shocking manager, and I'm working hard to get better.
However, I would dispute that I sell "bog-standard" paperbacks for £8-10 or more. If a paperback is that price, there's a definite reason for it.
Also, I'd be very interested in where Mrs Fraser's allegation that the shop appears to be "crashing and burning" comes from. We have a thriving little shop, with an increasing number of regular customers, and I'd hate to have our success jeopardised by unfounded allegations appearing on the internet.
Running a bookshop is not the easiest of trades for many reasons, not least because so many people take such a keen interest in your success or failure. With the competition from charity shops, remainder bookshops and the internet, the only way to survive is to know your stock and find a niche. Until truly artificial intelligence is invented, it is impossible to browse the internet effectively, so my aim is to stock books which have an interest to the browser, whether that's a visual impact or rarity value. In terms of pricing, I aim at the lower end of what would be available from other dealers, whether in bricks and mortar shops or the internet. This does not include Amazon. I have no doubt there are many books available online at a cheaper price, just as there is stock from every shop in the street available at bargain prices online. Amazon is a clearance house for the massive booksellers who have no knowledge or interest in what they carry, that buy by the kilo and sell fast. There is a place for that, just as there is a place for electronic pads for reading text, but it's not what I do. I try to provide a personal service, with a knowledge of my stock and a friendly welcome. I pay rates, rent, electricity, phone, water and other charges. I have to physically find and pay for all the books I sell, and I have to make a living.
I guess I'm just saying that my aim was never to be the cheapest bookshop in town, just the most interesting and friendliest. It is always possible to find people ready to cater for those who know the price of everything and the value of nothing, but if that way of thinking prevails, every small independent shop in the country will disappear, and no-one will be able to bring them back.
By the way, we're having a 20% off sale until the end of the month, which I'm very happy to give Mr Fraser credit for if he wants it.
Mr Young.
Many thanks for responding to my comments in the spirit in which they were intended (i.e constructive). I wish you all the best, both with your current sale, and with the future of both the bookshop and the Holmes Society.
i love this shop, i was in a couple of months ago and there was a half-cut woman reading aloud from the pile of second-hand medical journals. she informed us all that in 1910 or so they had attempted curing the patients brain paralysis by inducing malaria. and it worked! if thats not an episode of 'house' then i don't know what is.
she had me in giggles, then i felt guilty listening in and had to leave.
there are some dynamite old childrens books. and if i can get the money together and nobody reads this and STEALS! them then i shall purchase them.
shame i missed the bozzie sherlock holmes thing. nevermind.
I love this shop, the proprietor is interesting and helpful, the books are excellent and the atmosphere is amazing. I love looking at old books, especially if they have enscriptions, and think it's amazing to own books that you know have already been loved by somone else for years. I love buying books in actual shops as I think it's good to be able to learn what you can from a book, not just what description a website chooses to give me. I also like second hand books as I find them to be amazing value. Any books I have purchased from youngs have been at least half the price I would have paid in Waterstones, and the service would have been far superior to add to the bargain.
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