The modern bookshop: just how important are aesthetics?

The modern bookshop has evolved in many different ways – and it’s exciting. The young readers of today have interactive reading sections and cubbies. Adults can now enjoy their book with coffee and read reviews as they browse the shelves. The modern bookshop is doing what it can to combat the new online markets and digital books, but are their efforts effective?

As readers, we often don’t take into account the choices lying behind the layouts of bookshops. Still, aesthetics matter. A lot of planning goes into the design of a bookshop. Especially, this revolves around the presentation of books. Bookshops and publishers alike think a lot about the arrangement and advertising of new books, in order to increase sales. However, I doubt this is as effective or important as people say. 

The style of advertising emphasises the individuality of novels while still financially benefitting the seller…

They say “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but should we instead judge a book by its placement, advertisement, and prominence in a store? I think not. Often the books I find most intriguing are high up on a shelf. They are behind the bestsellers on little stands or tables. I often ask myself why this is as I walk through big chain bookstores like Waterstones. It is star treatment. Sure, it works for those who come in to quickly buy a present or the latest hit novel. However, it is not for those who want a rare and specific find.

The style of advertising in bookshops is helpful for both publisher and bookshop. It emphasises the individuality of novels while still financially benefitting the seller. It can, however, stunt the expressionism and style of bookstores. For example, not everyone likes J.K Rowling, and yet her stuff is everywhere. As a result, smaller publishers and authors don’t get a chance.

Though bookshops are more commercialised than ever before, this is not true for all of them…

I believe the aesthetics of bookshops matter, but not for bestselling publishers and authors out to make quick money. Such novels often get centre stage. However, we consequently push many underrated titles to the back. Such books are often forced to become niche. Aesthetics, placement, and accessibility matter to the books relying on luck and opportunity to be reached. In my opinion, this should be the priority of bookshops.

Though bookshops are more commercialised than ever before, this is not true for all of them. Independent bookstores still have their flare and charm, and those involved in co-operative advertising with big publishers still get their take on how exactly they achieve advertising quotas. Such self-governing allows for more thinking and creativity concerning placement and style.

Shops should not limit customers to the newest or biggest names in the publishing industry…

Furthermore, stores such as Waterstones often do ‘employee picks,’ adding a personal touch to a large chain of impersonal bookshops. Books that are chosen in this way get placed in specific sections, adding a more delectable charm to the somewhat un-individual style of a chain-governed bookshop.

It is interesting to think about what stores do and what exactly we like about the aesthetics of bookshops. More often than not, the layout convinces us to venture into different areas and genres. Daunt does this particularly well, with a somewhat vintage appeal. Wood and hardbacks litter all corners of their stores. It’s often hard to resist picking up book after book.

Personally, I believe bookshops need to invest more in individuality when advertising books. It’s not all about books being in your face when you enter the store. Arranging them to be easily accessible is just as important. Shops should not limit customers to the newest or biggest names in the publishing industry. This conversation itself excites me, for it shows people still care about bookshops and physical copies of books, and not everything is about digitalising literature! Long live the bookshop!