I have written for many years about the highs and lows, the glory and the grind, of being a frontline bookseller. Maybe because I'm in a summer state of mind recently, I've been paying more attention to bookshop social media posts that reflect how, on some days, the quiet ones, the goal is just having a nice day at work... surrounded by lots of great books and good colleagues. Here's a sampling from one of my my recent virtual bookshop tours of the summer vibe:
Staff Shout-outs
Red Balloon Bookshop, St. Paul, Minn.: "Here's to 29 years of Bookseller Barb keeping Red Balloon well-stocked in awesome books and our cookbook section curated with amazing finds. Thank you, Barb!!!"
TidePool Bookshop, Worcester, Mass: "Both Kelsey and Ron have been with us for FIVE YEARS!! Can't believe how fortunate Huck and I are to have them with us here at TidePool. Much appreciation for all they do to keep things running smoothly. Thank you, thank you!"
The Haunted Bookshop, Iowa City, Iowa: "Rule of Going to Conferences 27: When you get home, nothing will look entirely familiar. Rule 28: All the disorder that crept up before you left will look unbearably obvious to you. I'll be in the back, straightening the shelves, scrubbing the floors, and generally staring around blankly, trying to remember what I thought I was doing before CABS slip-tilted my perspective on everything."
Mr. B's Emporium of Reading Delights, Bath, England: "We (not-so) recently said a sad farewell to our colleague Lottie, and have been putting off writing this ever since (because we miss her so terribly). She of the fab curls and funky jackets, Lottie's exuberant positivity, endless enthusiasm, and ability to wield Big Red (our cantankerous book-transporting contraption) like no other made her a tip-top bookseller and pal. Here she is with a big list of her best recommendations, a tour through her ten-year bookselling career.... We'll put on our best patterned garms, and continue to enthusiastically handsell them in her honor."
Newnan Book Co., Newnan, Ga.: "Behind every good bookstore are human beings who really, really, really want to help you to find a book! Quote borrowed from our friends at Libro.fm Audiobooks."
Birdie Books, Westerville, Ohio: "Back to school? Already?!?! Summer flew by!! Bookseller Daniel takes us down memory lane with some his favorite reads from school."
Act 4 Books, Perry, N.Y.: "Our new hire seems to be in need of a little more cafe training! Although, his cuteness makes up for his lack of latte skills."
Newtonville Books, Newton Centre, Mass.: "Daniella and Noa made the most adorable new sidewalk sign: s'mores pun on one side! And a BOOKISH GARDEN with WORMS on the other. (Current favorite picture book: WORM MAKES A SANDWICH.) Thanks, art team!!"
Behind the Scenes Fun
Mysterious Galaxy Books, San Diego, Calif.: "What sounds does the New Book Tuesday cart make?" And: "I didn't even add any music in. Our booksellers can just do that."
Fountain Bookshop, New York City: "Before you watch the journey unfold on the big screen, read the story that has captivated readers for thousands of years. Our Odyssey display is up, our shelves are stocked, and your next great read is waiting at the Fountain Bookshop!"
Content Books, Northfield, Minn.: "What's your audiobook listening speed? Content booksellers share their preferences (and the new audiobook listening station in the store)!"
Johnson's Literary Depot, Johnson City, Tenn.: "JLD is getting into Al. Introducing Bookseller.Al with three fine-tuned models (Madi, Andrew, Ally) trained on decades of 'have you read this?' energy. No rare books were harmed in the making of this reel."
Bristol Books & Bindery, Bristol, Conn.: "Mel is our anthro house arteest, and she's getting our window ready for... I hate to say it... 'Back to School'. Where did the time go, indeed! P.S. she totally MADE this!!! Hit her up."
Cozy Calico Books, Occoquan, Va.: "Join Checkers for a tour of the store!"
Vibes
Kindred & Co., Post Falls, Idaho: "So many quiet stories in one room, all overlapping at once."
Location, Location, Location
Storage Book & Film, Seoul, South Korea: "We've been running this bookstore in the same place since 2013. Over the years, I've heard countless comments: 'You can't run a business on top of a hill. There's not even a proper sidewalk here! Why would you rent a place like this?' Even so, the moment I first saw this space, I fell in love with it. I simply hoped that, if possible, I could keep this bookstore here for a very long time.
"That wish has stayed with me, and somehow it has carried us through more than 13 years in the demanding city of Seoul. I guess our visitors have shared that same feeling, too. We open the bookstore every single day whether it's the heat of summer or the cold of winter. We hope you'll keep making your way up the hill to visit our little bookstore."