Photo : La Caverne des BD / Yves Chauvel / Pamela Andrieu / Bibliothèques de la Ville de Paris
Round table: Bookseller Journeys
Two professionals share the reality of this passionate job that many dream of. LSF/FR interpreters present.
Bibliothèque Saint-Eloi (Paris 12th)
About
Meeting with Pamela Andrieu and Yves Chauvel, booksellers in Toulouse and Paris
Even if they would probably love to do so, booksellers (like librarians) do not spend their day reading!
As business owners, managers, handlers, merchants, event creators, cultural contacts, social mediators, influencers, and purveyors of culture and knowledge all at once, booksellers wear many hats and it is not always easy.
But it is a profession chosen out of passion and commitment.
Why do people become booksellers? How do they get there? What are the realities of the profession, its joys and its difficulties?
How do booksellers view the future in the current economic and political context?
These questions and much more, including topics around Deaf culture, will be addressed by our two guest booksellers during this meeting full of discoveries and open to your questions.
The icing on the cake: they will present some of their favorite comics and youth books, centered on the theme "Eating, being eaten".
With LSF/FR interpreters present
Open to all, ages 15 and up
By registration, starting November 5th
Our take on this event
Forget the romanticized image of booksellers spending their shifts buried in novels. Discover the true, high-energy reality of this complex profession through an engaging talk that explores the challenges, the joys, and the crucial role of culture, including perspectives on the Deaf community. It is an honest look at the trade, topped off with some inspired reading recommendations.
Discover the hidden realities of the bookselling profession on Saturday, December 5, 2026, at the Bibliothèque Saint-Eloi. Pamela Andrieu and Yves Chauvel, experienced booksellers from Toulouse and Paris, will discuss the diverse challenges and rewards of their career, moving beyond the myth of the quiet reader. This session offers a unique insight into the commercial and cultural responsibilities inherent to the job, including discussions on deaf culture. This event is free to attend for anyone aged 15 and over. Please note that registration is required starting November 5, and the session is fully accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing community.
Join us at the Bibliothèque Saint-Eloi on Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 15:00 to 17:30, for an in-depth conversation about the path to becoming a bookseller. Guest speakers Pamela Andrieu and Yves Chauvel will break down their daily routines, explaining why they chose this demanding career and how they navigate the current economic and political landscape. They will specifically address the role of booksellers in the context of deaf culture.
Following the discussion, the speakers will present a curated list of graphic novels and youth literature centered on the theme of Eating and Being Eaten. The event is open to everyone aged 15 and older.
The venue is fully wheelchair accessible and inclusive of those with cognitive, visual, or hearing impairments. The discussion will be conducted with LSF/FR interpretation. Registration is mandatory and becomes available on November 5.
