By Chip Rossetti Today Publishing Perspectives offers a rare and exclusive profile of Ibrahim Anas Al-Rajab, director of Baghdad’s legendary Al-Muthanna Library, and one of Iraq’s leading booksellers. Part one, published today, focuses on the history of the store, from the early 20th century to 1999, when it mysteriously burnt down. Tomorrow, we continue with Part 2, picking up from …
Bonus Material: A Photographic History of Baghdad’s Al Muthanna
Al Muthanna, the store discussed in today’s main story, has been at the center of literary life in Baghdad, Iraq for 70 years. These rare photos, from the store’s archives, offer a unique glimpse at the literary life of 20th century Iraq.
Bonus Material: How Aussies Find the Best Book Deals
By Edward Nawotka While the recent recommendation by the Australian Productivity Commission seeking to lift the ban on parallel importation ultimately threatens to flood the country with cheap US and UK editions of books — the changes won’t take place for three years. At the moment it is still possible to get reasonably priced editions shipped from overseas. The biggest …
Bookselling in a Pacific Island Paradise
By Andrew Wilkins NUKU’ALOFA. TONGA: With an economy based on farming, fishing and some tourism, there’s not a huge demand for consumer books in Tonga, although the country has the highest literacy rate in the Pacific (over 98%) and a good primary and secondary education system. Still, it’s enough to support a handful of small publishers and a bookstore chain …
EBF/IBF Director Dubruille on Bookselling’s Future
by Edward Nawotka BRUSSELS: “The problem in Europe is that booksellers don’t know what strategies to use when coping with digitization,” says Françoise Dubruille, director of the European Booksellers Federation and the International Booksellers Federation, “There are 25 languages for 27 countries, there are 27 national cultures and literatures, and not all have the same challenges.” She adds, “One thing …