Life as a Bookseller Archives

What we’re reading, watching, and listening to

by Damla It's that time again that we'd like to share what we're currently reading, watching, and/or listening to with you, no matter how unhinged. This is a safe space. We hope that you enjoy our choices, and maybe find something new to discover. We have a lot of cool things [...]

Damla2026-08-23T22:09:15+02:00Tags: ABC Staff, Damla, Else, Iris, IrisM, Lília, Naomi, Read/Watch/Listen, Renata, Sigrid, Sophie, Tiemen, Yannis|

Week van de Stenen Winkel: support local stores!

by Iris ABC has always prided itself on being "stubbornly independent." We like to do things our way, even if we're the only ones doing it. That goes right back to the start of the company, when we were among the first to offer English-language books to a Dutch audience. Almost [...]

Iris2026-08-23T16:26:35+02:00Tags: ABC Events, Iris, Week van de Stenen Winkel|

Bookseller life: passion projects

by Naomi Being a bookseller has many benefits, unlimited access to books being a big one. It can be a blessing and a curse to read books that have not yet been published, since you will definitely never get through your TBR list. However, sometimes you read an ARC of a [...]

Naomi2026-08-25T22:20:41+02:00Tags: ABC Display, behind the scenes, Ilona Andrews, life as a bookseller, Naomi|

5 Years in Leidschendam

by Júlia Spring is always a special time for our ABC family. As the days get longer and the world starts to bloom again, we find ourselves in full celebration mode. This season isn’t just about fresh starts—it’s party time for us. In April, we’re celebrating the birthdays of our [...]

Lilia2026-08-23T15:56:44+02:00Tags: ABC History, ABC Leidschendam, Júlia, life as a bookseller|

ABC The Hague: 50 years of bookselling

by Iris A few years after ABC first opened its doors in Amsterdam in 1972, founders Mitch Crossfield and Sam Boltansky decided to expand operations to The Hague. They got their hands on a cheap place to rent in the city center, and in 1976 the new store opened [...]

Iris2026-08-23T15:50:45+02:00Tags: ABC Birthday, ABC History, ABC The Hague, behind the scenes, Iris, life as a bookseller|

About that “American” in American Book Center

by Sophie Recently we featured in a satirical news show as the butt of a joke about how we had space for our new Romantasy section in Amsterdam because we had chucked out all our books on human rights. Funny joke, and thank you for highlighting us and books, Romantasy in particular, [...]

Lilia2026-08-23T15:46:04+02:00Tags: ABC History, Sophie, US Politics|

Interview with Joe, the original ABC The Hague staff member

by Sophie In 1976, an American named Joe was tasked with starting up an American Discount Book Center in The Hague. From a basement on the Spuistraat to the current location on Lange Poten, Joe helped guide the store to where it is now. He retired a few years ago, but [...]

Sophie2026-08-24T22:10:53+02:00Tags: ABC Birthday, ABC The Hague, interviews, Joe, life as a bookseller, Sophie|

What we’re reading, watching, and listening to

by Damla It's that time again that we'd like to share what we're currently reading, watching, and/or listening to with you. No gatekeeping allowed here! We hope that you enjoy our choices, and maybe find something new to discover. We have a lot of cool things to share with you, so [...]

Damla2026-08-23T22:08:22+02:00Tags: ABC Staff, Bella, Camil, Damla, Else, EmmaV, Iris, IrisM, Jilles, Lília, Martijn, Naomi, Read/Watch/Listen, Simone, Sophie, Yannis|

Bookseller life: inventory edition

by Iris As booksellers at ABC, certain days of the year are more important than others. Thanksgiving is one of those days, and the last Saturday before Christmas. And then there's the first Monday of February: inventory day! Inventory checking, also known as stocktaking, is "the physical verification of the [...]

Iris2026-08-22T21:57:26+02:00Tags: behind the scenes, inventory, Iris, life as a bookseller|

Trade-In Days at the ABC

by Júlia Give Your Books a Second Life—Join Our Trade-In Days at ABC The Hague! If your shelves are breaking under the weight of books while your wish list keeps growing, and you simply need more space—the ABC has you covered! Just join us for one of our Trade-In [...]

Damla2026-08-27T14:13:53+02:00Tags: ABC Events, ABC The Hague, Júlia, life as a bookseller, Trade-In Days|

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