Yesterday (October 9th) was my one year anniversary of having my first job—a bookshop keeper. A.K.A the best job EVER. Last year I blogged about how I got the job, if you’re feeling like nosy little dragons. But today I’ve got something extra special planned.
In celebration of my anniversary and upon the suggestion of the brilliant Deborah (thank you, Deborah!), I am going to share what it’s like to work in a secondhand bookshop. I shall give you a tour of the adorable place, take you through some of my bookshop duties, and give few little bookshop-life snippets. It’s gonna be fun!
NOTE: This post is picture OVERLOAD. So be warned! Also, the shop is kinda cramped and the lighting yellow-y and laughs at my attempts of taking nice pictures. So I can’t promise any quality photos. Sowwy!
The bookshop is owned by a retired husband and wife, who are pretty much the best bosses ever. I have a lot of health problems that they’re always understanding over. If I have to take off from work, it’s usually no big deal, even though I’m the only employee. They make the job relaxing and enjoyable. And I love how they have everything setup. It’s all just really great!
So come on in!
When you step through the door you’ll enter our widest room, the nonfiction room. Where we keep…nonfiction books! *le gasp* Shocking, I know!
There’s the door, but really when you walk in you’ll see this view from the doorway…
We’ve got all the books sectioned off for easy access. Like one wall is for biographies, another for travel. One corner has all our nonfiction Christian books. Etc., etc.
Just to the left of the door we have our wall of “we don’t know where else to shelve it” books. (Fancy name, I know.)
Usually we put books there that are waaay too big to fit on our wee shelves, or just don’t fit anywhere genre-wise. Lots of coffee table books and whatnot. Audio books go there as well.
Alrighty, moving on! When you go out of the nonfiction room, you’ll find yourself in a long hallway that leads everywhere else.
You can see the nonfiction room to the left there, and that’s the counter to the right.
Behind the counter! This is where I do most of my stuff (unless I’m shelving books, obviously). I like to stay behind here when customers are around because I don’t want to bug them while they’re trying to peacefully shop for books. And they’ll know where to find me if they have a question. Then, of course, I need to be there for when they’re ready to buy their books.
We’ve got everything we need back there. There’s a mini fridge, a COFFEE POT (total requirement, obviously), and even a microwave. So I can bring whatever for lunch. There’s also a radio, which I’m SO grateful for. I can’t stand silence. Gotta have some background sound going of some kind.
The whole shop feels like home to me, but behind the counter feels like my room. It’s the safe haven. I don’t even know, guys, I’m so weird!
My perch. I spend much, much time in that chair. Sometimes spinning in circles. *grins* Juuust kidding. I try to behave myself.
My view from behind the counter. A nice view of the door so I can greet customers when they walk in.
But sheesh, you’re not here to talk about radios and spinny chairs. You want to see BOOKS.
Just as you walk into the hallway from the entrance room, you’ll be facing the counter, as you can see. The hallway runs long to your left, but if you turn to the right, there’s a single room, and one of my favorites.
FANTASY.
Okay, this is one of my favorite rooms AND least favorite. Because I couldn’t care less about the other genres in there. Practically half the room is full of westerns which is like my least favorite genre ever. *shudders* Sorry, just not my thing. Also tons of paranormal romance in there. Blech. BUT FANTASY, PEOPLE. And, thankfully, we have it all sectioned off. The back wall is the westerns, the far right the paranormal, the far left fantasy, etc.
As you can see, that shelf stands in the middle of the room. It’s where I find most of the fantasy books I want. It holds the bigger sized books and hardbacks. The wall shelves are much shorter so can only hold the small paperbacks.
Back to the hallway now and onto the other rooms!
If you walk past the counter and nonfiction room, you’ll see all the other rooms. To the left we have the romance room.
Meh. Romance. I really don’t care about those.
To the right, across from the romance room, is our mysteries/general fiction paperbacks.
Then a little bit farther down, and on the left is the mysteries/general fiction hardback room.
The shelves in there are taller to accommodate the larger books. We alphabetize everything by author, and the W through Z books had to be moved to that shelf on the wall in the hallway because we ran out of space in the actual room. Lol! SO MANY BOOKS. It gets very cramped. We wish we had more space, but we love the location and building (despite its size), so we just make-do with what we got.
Across from that, is a little nook where you’ll find the classics, Christian fiction, and large prints.
I’m pretty sure this used to be a closet, the poor little room. But I love that tiny nook. The back wall is our Christian fiction. To the right is classics, and the left are any large prints that come in.
The hardback romances sit in the room at the very end of the hall.
But psssh. Who cares about all this romance and general adult fiction nonsense? Now that we’re at the end of the hall, to the right there is my most FAVORITE room…
The children’s and YA room!!! I mean, yes, the fantasy room is my favorite, too. But a lot of that is adult fantasy. BO-RING. YA is where it’s at! This room is also bigger and sunnier than the others. And carpeted. It’s so cozy and happy.
Isn’t it cute? This far left side is mostly MG books, and in the baskets we have board books and things like that.
A nice bench under the window. And then to the right there is my favorite shelf in the whole shop.
The YA shelf! (Are you even surprised?) The majority of the books I buy from the shop come from that shelf. I spend an embarrassing amount of time in this room. It’s my happy place. ^_^
SO. If we go through the door you see there, we’ll be back in the hallway.
Opposite end of the hall this time.
Annnd…that’s all our rooms. It’s fun having a room for each genre. All our customers usually have their specific room or section they go to. Sometimes when someone comes in, I like to mentally guess which section they’ll go into. I’ve gotten pretty good at deciphering the romance lovers from the westerners to the mystery fans, etc. Hey, I’m a writer. I read people, I can’t help it!
But sheesh, Christine, do you actually DO things at work besides wander the rooms petting the book spines? YES I DO. Well, okay, I do spend a lot of time petting book spines, it’s true. And I like to roam around admiring all the books. (Because, hello? BOOKS.) But I do have specific duties!
Opening the shop is one of my favorite things. Sometimes when I get there one of my bosses are there, but a lot of times it’s just me. There’s something so satisfying about going in and turning on all the lights and flipping the sign to open.
The way the shop gets books is through a trading system. People bring us books, and with each book they bring, they get a discount on the books they buy. So, basically, you bring one book, and the next book you buy is half price. Bring 10 books and the next 10 books you buy are half price. And so on and so forth. All the books we have were brought in by customers. Some people will bring in 5 or so. Others will bring in boxes of them. Sometimes a person will bring us 100 or more books! It’s kinda crazy, but just part of the job. And, of course, customers don’t have to bring in books to buy books. They’re just cheaper if they do.
So, when a customer comes in, if they’ve brought us books, I count the books and then add them to the customer’s credits, which we keep in a nice little credit file.
I ask for the customer’s name, pull out their card, and add however many books they brought to their credits. Then, I deduct however many books they buy from the credits. Easy peasy. Some people will have like ten credits or so, others have brought in so many books their credits are in the hundreds. We even have a few who have over a thousand. Hey, we bookworms don’t mess around! (Though I honestly can’t imagine giving away books…)
I do the normal customer service type stuff, like help a person find a certain book or author, show any people who’ve never been inside around, the norm. Though, honestly, most of our customers are repeats and have the place as memorized as we do. It’s so fun having so many “regulars”. Makes the place feel homey somehow. And that probably doesn’t even make sense…
ANYWAYS. If people have brought books, we like to wipe them down and keep everything clean. We also don’t take books that are too beat up. Nobody wants to buy a book that has the cover completely torn off or something. But a lot of books that come in have been in storage or something and can be pretty dusty. When that’s the case, we wipe them down with disinfectant wipes. Not gonna lie, I’ve found some pretty nasty looking stuff encrusted on the cover of books.
As I said earlier, I try to not get in the way of customers while they’re shopping, but once no one is around, I get to do my favorite thing. SHELVING.
First, I like to put the books in stacks by genre. Then I carry them to their designated sections and put them away. BUT, if there’s a boat-load of books to shelve, I pull out my bestie. The handy dandy cart.
I love this thing! I feel so official pushing around my cart full of books. (I have no idea why.)
Again, I keep genres separate since the books go in their separate sections. So like here, I have the cart filled with paperback mysteries/general fictions, and alphabetized by author. And then off to shelving I go!
We keep the rooms alphabetized by author, so it’s easy to find the book you’re looking for. And easy to know where to shelve each one.
Since we’re so cramped, we never put duplicates on a shelf. As I’m shelving, I first see if there’s one of the same book already on the shelf.
If there is a duplicate, we just use a stepladder to stick it on the top of the shelf.
I’m one of those weirdos who actually likes heights, and I love getting on the top of the stepladder. Even though it’s, ya know, not that tall… It’s still fun being up there and looking down upon all the bookshelves. I NEVER CLAIMED TO BE NORMAL OKAY?
No Christine was harmed in the making of this photo.
Dealing with customers and shelving books is the main job. But there are other little odd jobs to do here and there. Such as if a shelf is looking empty, we peruse all those books at the top to see if there are any books that aren’t duplicates anymore to put on the shelf. Sometimes I’ll sweep, vacuum, take out the trash, dust. General housekeeping.
When children’s books come through, we look up their AR levels and put them on the spines for the school kids.
With romances, we put colored stickers on the historical ones so you can easily spot a historical romance from a contemporary one. A lot of people prefer one over the other, so that helps them find what they want.
And I even have to… *gulp* answer the phone.
Now, anyone who knows me knows I hate the phone. Not only do I hate it, I’M TERRIFIED OF IT. Talking to people face-to-face? No problem! I love it actually! People are awesome. But there’s something about trying to have a conversation through a speaker that makes me want to go hide under my bed for 57 years or so. I’m not wild about drive-throughs at restaurants for the same reason. The phone is definitely my least favorite aspect of the job. BUT. I am getting better at it and don’t have a mini heart attack every time the phone rings now. Progress! So…yay life experiences…?
Overall, the job is a breeze. Some days can be a little busy, but, honestly, it’s usually just a person coming in here and there. My bosses are sometimes there, more often during the beginning of the work day and before closing. But the majority of the time I have the shop to myself. Sometimes hours will pass with no one coming in, and no books to shelve or anything, and I’m free to do whatever I want. (Such as take a billion pictures of the shop for a blog post. *cough, cough*) Often, I’ll pull out my phone and read blog posts or catch up on Instagram or something. Other times, I’ll turn the radio off and just read. Let me tell you, there is nothing cozier than reading in an empty bookshop while it’s raining. I LOVE when it rains while I’m working. ALL THE COZY. Annnd yeah, I will just wander around petting book spines and admiring all the many, many books.
I’ve never experienced the amount of creativity that I do than while I’m at work, too! I think it’s something about being surrounded by and working with hundreds of books. You just soak up the creativity. I always get the greatest urge to WRITE while at work. You know, the one time I can’t really write. Obviously. But I just get so inspired while there. I will often make story notes on my phone because ALL THE IDEAS. Bookshops are magical. They just are!
When noon rolls around, I eat lunch. Sometimes I pack it, or if one of my family members are out and about they’ll bring me something. Then a bit later, if things are quiet, I’ll have my favorite time: COFFEE TIME.
I like to make extra coffee in case a customer wants some. The smell of coffee and books is the greatest fragrance on planet Earth. And drinking coffee in a bookstore? THE. BEST.
Another amazing aspect of the job is getting first look at whatever books come through. If there’s one I want, I can buy it right away. Bwahaha! And, as an employee, I get the discount without having to bring in books which equals A VERY HAPPY CHRISTINE. Though, sadly, we really don’t get a ton of the types of books I like. The main thing that comes in is the general mysteries, romances, and westerns. It’s actually very rare YA books, or even any fantasy stuff, comes through. Most of our customers are older. Really, for the entire year I’ve worked there, I’ve only seen like…5 people my age. Not even kidding. It’s sad. And I sometimes have a hard time, because our customers will ask me what’s good to read or if I have any recommendations and I’m just like, “Er…I’ve never actually read these types of books…” Awkwaaaard. I mean, the majority of what I read is YA Christian fantasy, and some independently published, so obviously I’m not going to find those in a secondhand bookstore. BUT. The good news is, I do have a job now, which means I sometimes have money, which means I can order books I want waaay more often than back in my jobless days. Because, like, what else would I use my money for? Something practical like food? Psssh.
But I love all our customers. We get some great characters in there, and lots of nice people to talk to, even if I’m useless recommending books to them.
By the end of the work day, I just turn out the lights and lock up. A lot of times my bosses are there so we close up together. Nothing special has to be done before closing. It’s all so casual.
This bookshop is really just my second home. Honestly, it’s kind of a de-stresser. As I said, it can be really quiet, and I have nothing to do but sit around and read or wander the shop or just sit and drink coffee. But I also love the work itself. Handling and organizing books is my favorite thing EVER. And I get paid to do it. I can’t thank God enough for giving me this job. It’s one of the greatest blessings I’ve ever received.
I only work part-time—every Friday and every other Saturday. Though since I’m the only employee I will occasionally work an extra day if my bosses need to go out of town or have something going on, but usually it’s just the one to two days a week. Which is perfect. With health problems, I couldn’t hold down a full-time job, especially if it was demanding and stressful. And, being truthful here, I wouldn’t want it. What I really want is to be a writer. Which takes TIME. If I was working all day every day, I couldn’t pour myself into my writing and building a platform and pursuing publishing like I can now. I so, so, sooo admire those who can work or go to school or take care of kids or all of the above AND write. I don’t know how you people do it! But for me, I’m just not good at taking on too much (not to mention don’t really have the health for it). With this job, I work during the weekend, and then have all the rest of the week to pursue my writing career dreams. It gives me something to do and a little money (for buying books with, of course *cough, cough*), without invading my entire life. There couldn’t be a more perfect job for me. God is SO good!
But good gracious. I’ve probably broken everyone’s computers with picture-overload here, and bored you guys to death with waaay too many details. This may be my longest, most photo-infested post ever. o.o If you’re still around, then I applaud you! Sorry, I just really love this little bookshop. I had so much fun sharing it with all you dear book-loving buddies of mine, and I wanted it to feel like you were at work with me for a day. It’s also special having my first job logged like this. So thank you for putting up with me and all my pics and rambling!
Here, have a book and a mint on your way out. *winks*
SPEAK WITH ME BOOKDRAGONS. What do you
think of my beloved little bookshop? (Have I burned your eyes
out with my way too many pics? *cough*) Have you ever worked at a
bookstore? And, because I NEED to know, am I alone
in this hatred of phones??? Come, let us discuss
the love of books and trials of adulting!
Your bookstore is adorable! May be slightly jealous…
Sadly I've only been to a couple bookstores in my life. I went to Powells for the first time in June, and omg it is gigantic! I thought our time there was way too short. 😉 But I got some awesome books, so I won't complain.
I hate talking on the phone, especially to strangers. If it's my best friend I'm fine, but there's something about talking to a total stranger that you can't even see. *Shivers* Hate it.
~Hannah~
Isn't it just precious? I love it!
Awww, poor, Hannah! You need more bookstores in your life!
I've never been to a Powells but it sounds magical. I totally understand that feeling of time in a bookstore being too short. There's just NEVER enough time. I've literally spent entire DAYS in a bookstore and still felt like it wasn't quiiite enough time. I obviously have problems. XD
YES. You said it! Just listening to some disembodied voice? It's weird! I do not enjoy it!
Aww! I love your bookstore! It's so cute! And the pictures are way better than you made them sound! I see hardly any yellowness.;D This was such a fun post!
-Emma-
P.S. Yes, I can't stand answering the phone or calling someone. It totally freaks me out and gives me anxiety… *shudders* LOL!
Thank you!! And I'm glad you liked the pics! I think I'm too much of a perfectionist. Haha. It's just really hard capturing those small rooms with the yellow lighting and glare of windows. But I'm so happy you liked everything! ^_^
You too? YES. So much anxiety. Agh!
Awesome bookstore, Christine!! I loved looking through the pictures!! 😀 As for talking on phones…no thank you!! I mean, I CAN do it, I just don't fancy it. Unless it's my parents or siblings, but anyone else…not so much. 😉 This was a lovely post!! 😀
Awwww, thank you! That makes me happy you enjoyed my overload of pictures. Hehe. ^_^
I knew I couldn't be alone in this! The phone is just…not fun. Bleh.
Thank you again, Morgan!
EEEEE! This is so wonderful, Christine! It's like my dream to work at a bookstore!! 😀 I'm looking for a job, but pretty nervous about it. I DON'T want to work full-time in some stressful atmosphere, because I have a couple health issues myself, and long to be writing all the time! So yes, I'm still kinda hoping for a bookshop kinda job. ^_^
The shop looks delightful. Sounds perfect! So awesome you got that job! 🙂 Thanks for telling us about it!
Blessings!
Thank you!!!
Awww, that makes me so sad to hear you struggle with some health issues as well. It's not fun, that's for sure! And yes, some stressful, full-time job is just too much with health problems and writing.
Ah, girl, I SO hope you find a wonderful bookshop job! I will be praying for you in this!
Oh my goodness, I absolutely LOVE your little bookshop, Christine! ^_^ So cute.
And… writing/reading with a warm drink in a bookshop with no customers when it's raining?? OH. OKAY. Ack, that just sounds awesome. o.o LIKE I REALLY WANT TO DO THAT.
Such a sweet job, Christine!
*GRINS* Thank you! I love it toooo! (If it isn't obvious. ;D)
I wish I could bring ALL of you to the shop and we have warm drinks and shop for books and just hang out. THAT WOULD BE AMAZING. Ah, if only.
I wanna go to your bookstore. Except I'd be broke by the time I got back. xD
Girl, I understand! When I first started working there I joked with my bosses that I'd just turn all my paychecks around and buy all their books from them. XD #TheBookwormLife
I LOVE THIS POST and I also really love (envy? :P) your job! And your pictures aren't bad at all!
rockandminerals4him.wordpress.com
THAT MAKES ME HAPPY. Your whole comment makes me happy! Thank you so much! <333
That's such a delicious job! It makes me want to go out and visit some used bookstores. Your's looks amazing!
It's such a blessing! ^_^
You should! Used bookstores are LIFE. Nothing like finding a book you've been wanting for like a dollar instead of the retail price. It's the best!
I WANT TO WORK IN A BOOKSTORE. AHHHJKASDLHFKJSD. You are so so blessed! <3 Although it's sad that not many books in your preferred genera come in *sigh* But still, just seeing books has a way of bringing happiness 😀
YES. ALL BOOKWORMS SHOULD BE ABLE TO WORK IN BOOKSTORES. THIS NEEDS TO BE A THING.
I agree! Even though I really don't care about pretty much all the books there, I still love being surrounded by books and smelling them and petting them and shelving them. Ah, books. <3
OOH I love this post, Christine! *drowns happily in all the lovely book pictures* I LOVE YOUR BOOKSTORE!
I absolutely LOVE your cozy little place behind the counter – totally not weird that it feels like home to you XD. And PHONES. It's okay if I'm talking to someone I know pretty well, but a stranger? Just no.
Also, I'm glad that no Christines were harmed in the making of the stepladder photo *nodnod*. (OOH, actually, you remind me of Cate Blanchett. Can't believe I haven't mentioned that before now XD)
NOW I WANT TO GO READ IN A BOOKSTORE ON A RAINY DAY. I wishes to troop down to your bookstore so badly XD.
ANYWAYS, awesome post. I loved it. <3 <3 <3
~ Savannah
scattered-scribblings.blogspot.com
*can't stop grinning* THANK YOU!
You do? LOL. That makes me feel better! It's like my little sanctum. Lolzy!
Yes! Talking to someone I don't even know on a PHONE??? Just..just…nuh-uh!
Bwahaha! I'm glad you're glad. 😉
Cate Blanchett? *blinks* I've never been told that before! You know, I can maybe sorta almost see it…? And I feel complimented. She's so pretty! AND, hello? She's an ELF. #Goals
I so badly wish you COULD troop down to my bookstore! Oh, the fun we'd have!!! I wish EVERYONE could come to my little bookstore. ^_^
I'm thrilled you enjoyed it. Thank you! <333
Oooooooo!!!! I love your bookshop!!!! All the pictures were AWESOME! I loves pictures, especially of books, and most especially I love second-hand books. There's nothing better than holding a book and wondering who else has loved it, who else has been inspired by it and dreamed with the characters within.
You are not alone in your hatred of the phone. I don't mind answering phones… and I don't mind talking on the phone to someone I already know I like. But calling someone…. yeesh. Particularly if I have to call like a doctor's or dentist's office or even calling to refill a prescription or order take out…. absolutely my worst nightmare. Maybe that's what I'll write my spooky story about. Maybe. LOL
I've never worked at a book store, though I think that's probably my dream job. That, or a library.
Thanks for sharing about your job as a keeper-of-books!
EEP. Thank you! I 100% agree with everything you said! Book pictures and secondhand books are wonderful!!! Now, I do LOVE having a brand new, perfect book. But I also adore secondhand ones, for the very reason you said. (And they're cheaper. *cough, cough*) I mean, we may own a book that's been read and loved by dozens of people. You just never know!
YESSSS. You said it exactly! I was wondering if I was the only one this is specific thing. Answering the phone isn't TOO bad. But something about calling someone? Nuuuu! I guess because you yourself have to initiate the conversation and just– ACK. So awkward! Thankfully, it's pretty much always just answering the phone at work, and half the time it's people simply asking our hours or something simple. So thus far I've survived the horrors of the phone there. XD
LOL. I LOVE this idea of a spooky story centered around phones. PERFECT.
It is such a wonderful job! I'd totally be down for working at a library, too. Yes!
Thank YOU for your comment! Made me smile. ^_^
OH MY WORD. Lauri, I love this post SO SO MUCH!!! <3 I don't think I can accurately describe how much I love it with the limited words available. Like. I can't even word. I JUST LOVED IIIIIT! It was such a delight to get this detailed glimpse at the positively DARLING bookshop you work at, and your day at work and just… LAKSJDLFKDJLJLJ I LOVE IT SOOOOOO!!! I love all the pictures and could have looked at them for hours, and was completely drawn in by reading your fascinating words about the charming shop and your work. I didn't even think it was long at all and only noticed the length when I was scrolling back up through the post… I was so hooked I didn't even notice. XD BUT IT'S SO FASCINATING AND I JUST LOVE THIS GLIMPSE! ^___^ I totally want to come visit it, and I just LOVE looking at pictures of books, and it just sounds like the perfect little job–I'm so glad you have it, what a blessing! Little bookshops are the best. 😀 And the no Christine was harmed thing — so much laughing. XDDD I JUST LOVED THIS SO MUUUUUUUCH!! I'm so glad you did a post on it! 😀 Thank you SO much for sharing this delightful look into the life of a bookshop keeper!!! ^__^ *huggles post and adorbz bookshop and lovely Lauri* <3 <3 <3
*flails around* YOUR COMMENT. <333
This just delights me so very much! I'm very glad to hear it didn't feel long while reading. Because, wow, it is such a monster post. o.o BUT THANK YOU, CELTI, I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY.
I wish you could come visit it someday! That would be the most amazing thing EVER.
Thank YOU for giving me this brilliant idea for the post. I wouldn't have even thought of it if not for you. JUST THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING. You make me grin so much. <33333
I *love* second hand bookshops. And yes, the childrens/ young adult section would absolutely be my favourite section too! (Followed by the classics section). What an awesome job! Do you ever sneak a few books to your desk to read during quieter hours?
Me too, girl, me too! They're so the best.
YES. *highfives* Yay for children's and YA stories!
I have definitely read some of the books there behind the counter. XD Usually I bring my own book, but if there's a book I'm curious about, I'll totally read some of it there to see if I want it. Or if I'm just really bored. Gotta love it!
Why don't we have a bookstore like this near me?! I absolutely love your workplace! So well organized, with sweet little details. Congrats on the workiversary 🙂
Also, I too fear the dreaded telephone. ugh.
SERIOUSLY. You need one! EVERYONE NEEDS ONE.
D'awww! Thank you so very much!!! ^_^
Oh man, yes. It's terrifying, isn't it? *shudders*
I think working in a bookstore would be my dream job. It used to be a library until I found out you have to have a degree in Library Science to work at one. And I love the size of yours. It's not some giant chain.
The phone. Ugh. I hate answering the phone. It might just be an introvert thing. I never know what to say, and my voice always breaks right when I say whatever it is comes out of my mouth, and people on the other end usually have to ask me to repeat it, or they ask who I am.
I must confess that except for the very tiny Barnes and Noble on my college campus, there's no bookstores within two hours of us. Sad, isn't it?
It's such a wonderful job. ^_^ I always thought working in a library would be amazing, too! But wait. You actually have to have a DEGREE??? Is it just for specific libraries or certain jobs in the library? Because I know people who work/have worked at a library and they definitely didn't have a degree. Weird.
I love the size too! It's great just being a little family owned store, instead of a big retail thing, yes!
You too? Yes, ugh! It's the worst. But nope, it's not an introvert thing. Because I'm very much an extrovert and still detest it. XD Maybe it's just a human thing. Lol! I'm just so awkward on the phone. It's awful!
D: POOR SOPHIA. That is not okay AT. ALL. That is very, very sad! You need more bookstores in your life! *flails*
THIS IS SO AWESOME! So. Many. Books. That's so cool how each genre has its own room and I love all the little book-filled nooks. Too cute. (And are those books in the front windows as well???) *heart eyes*
Your job sounds really fun! (There are all those books and a spinny chair—how could it not be? haha). 😉 It's awesome that it gives you so much time to write and stuff. I've never worked in a bookstore although I would love to!
And phones. I've never been a huge fan of talking on them either. Mostly because if you run out of things to say then it's like the awkward silence is twice as bad as usual?
This was so much fun to read, Christine! Thanks for the tour of the bookshop!
ALL THE BOOKS. 😀 Those are books in the window, YES. When they first moved into this building (it used to be a different building, but I didn't start working there until they were in this one) the books in the window was the first thing I noticed. We keep books in all the windows and it's just so cute. I love it!
Books and spinny chair, what more could I need, right? XD It really is such a blessing working there.
YES. You nailed it. It's totally doubly awkward. And I'm really bad at carrying conversations and cause so many awkward silences on the phone. Blergh.
I am so happy you enjoyed it. Thank you, Jameson! <3
I am the same way with phones! Your job sounds like so much fun!
~Rose
So I am not alone then! Aren't they the worst? *shudders*
It's a real blessing. I just love it! ^_^
Oh, your job looks so fun! And the bookshop is ADORABLE. The bookworms… And ALL the pretty books! =) I would love to work at a bookstore one day!
I don't really use phones-I just iMessage people. So I guess I can't say I hate them.
It's just a blast! I love it! ^_^ Aren't the bookworms cute?
If you ever get an opportunity GO FOR IT. It's such fun!
Oh man, yes, I'm alllll about that texting life. XD I wish the world would just get rid of the whole talking on phone thing altogether and make texting the new standard. No more awkward conversations. *cackles*
CHRISTINE, WHAT A BEAUTIMOUS POST. Has it really been a whole year since you started working there?? It doesn't feel like that long ago you were telling me you got the job. I still inwardly celebrate whenever you mention your work, actually–God is so good!
But oh my goodness. What a sweet, adorable little place to work!!! After your detailed tour, I almost feel like I've been there. (Though visiting in real life would be ten times better.) It sounds like such a fun, relaxing job, and there's time to read too. Couldn't be better!
Thanks so much for taking us around your bookshop! Glad you weren't harmed in the making of that one photo. ;D (You could teach me a thing or two about enjoying heights, lol!)
*FLAILS* THANK YOU, TRACEY!!! I knoooow. I feel the same way. It feels like I JUST started working there. My first day is so vivid in my mind. I can't believe a whole year has passed already! Oh my goodness, that is the sweetest thing–your inward celebration. <3333 He is so, SO good!
Oh yay! I was hoping to make it where you guys felt like you were actually there (thus the picture overload and overly detailed descriptions, hehe). Having you actually COME to my little bookshop is the dream! Ah, if only. *sigh*
Thank YOU for your precious comment. <3333
A healthy dose of fear of heights is a GOOD thing. I declare one day I'm going to die from a high height and everyone will just shake their heads at my grave thinking, "Why, oh, why did she feel the need to be THAT high?" 'Cause I'm responsible like that. XD
This sounds like such a fun job! I want to work in a book shop at least for a little bit at one point in my life. XD
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Oh, it so is! I just adore it.
YOU NEED TO. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend it. All book-lovers/writers should get the chance to work in a bookstore at least once in their life. It should be the law or something. ;D
That is the most adorable shop! I love it, and your job sounds lovely. Thanks for taking us on a tour, it was so cool to get to see everything.
Isn't it just so cute?? I love it, too! (If that's not obvious. ;D)
You're so welcome. I loved getting to share my little shop with you guys. It was too fun!
CHRISTINE I ENJOYED THIS SO MUCH!!! It really was like being right there with you to take a tour of your little bookshop and just, agh, I am so jealous!! It sounds like so much fun!! Also you get everything half-off because you work there??? EEEEP HOW AWESOME IS THAT!!! I know the librarian at our tiny little church library so sometimes I get first dibs on ARCs or new stuff… but obviously not to keep, most of the time…
EEEEEEEP. THANK YOU!!!! I'm so glad it felt like you were there, because that's what I was going for. 😀
It is a blast! It's been suuuuch a blessing to me. I do love my job so much. And yes, I get the discounted price and usually first dibs on things since, ya know, I'm there and see what comes in. It's great!
Ooooh, that's awesome you get to see the ARCs and stuff first. That's fantastic! 😀
This is a really, REALLY old post, but I think it will make you happy to know I read and enjoyed the whole thing! What a lovely bookstore, workplace, and source of inspiration! Thanks for showing me around. 🙂
I got to visit my favorite used bookstore this month, and it was amazing. I don’t get to go as often as I’d like. I’m so glad it’s still open!! And it’s easier to get to now because the crazy traffic pattern in that dicey part of the city is a lot better, now that construction has ended.
Hearing about your job brought back good memories of when I was able to have a job at the most wonderful place. I tutored at the science center at my college. It’s such a warm, happy place, and a friendly, welcoming environment that fosters learning. The staff are so sweet, and they only hire nice people. And there’s lots of SCIENCE!
I got pretty good at greeting people at the reception desk, being my natural friendly self (despite awkwardness). And I *gasp* actually learned to answer the phone without being TOO terrified. At first I’d freeze up and hate it, and fumble through, but eventually I just took the leap and didn’t care, and DID it. All my other young adult coworkers were always panicking, whispering to each other, and refusing to answer the phone. So I just jumped in and rescued them. Haha!
Oh my goodness, I am so honored you came back and read my ancient, ridiculously long post! AWWWW! <3 It was my absolute pleasure to share my workspace with you guys. And man, I miss it. We’ve had to close since March due to COVID and I so miss my time at the little bookshop. It has been such a blessing!
OH YAY!!! That is FANTASTIC you got to go to a bookstore, and that it’s still open. I can imagine that was such a refresher. There’s nothing more inspiring to me than visiting a bookshop. <3
That sounds like SUCH a fun job, oh my goodness! 😀 What a lovely atmosphere. How thrilling you got to do that! And I can imagine you are the friendliest greeter!
Oooh yes, the phone! Good on you for jumping in there and just DOING it. Answering the phone doesn’t paralyze me nearly as much as it used to, and I have my job to thank for that. I still don’t like the phone, but I don’t go into a complete panic every time it rings anymore. So progress! ;D
Awww!! Yes, I did!! I was looking for something else and found this instead. 🙂 Awwww, that’s so sad!!! Small businesses and bookstores are suffering so much. I hope you’ll be able to open again! I’m so glad my local bookstore is open, with a limit on the number of customers. Yes, it was SO good for mental health and well-being, for me and the family member I went with! It made us so happy. I must go more often! And I love supporting my favorite bookstore.
It was an AMAZING job, and perfect for me! Like yours, the staff were understanding of my health issues. And I was able to work only a few hours a week–and it was the highlight of my week! Aww, thanks! I think I was one of the only ones who greeted every single person, like we were told to. XD Of course I did what I was told, being me.
Haha, yay! Yes, it’s a life skill! Same here.
The thing I came looking for on your blog was something you posted somewhere about where you get your pretty flowers for your bookstagram. I LOVE your photos, and the props and flowers add so much! I’m trying to get more props and flowers that I can use in multiple photos. And I got some spring flowers on sale at Michaels this month! Hurray! They’re already making gorgeous photos. <3 No more worrying about not having any props or anything to dress a photo up.
Awww, thank you! I’m definitely praying things will settle and we can get back to business. This year has been something!
That’s so fantastic you ended up with such an understanding staff. That is a true blessing. LOL. Sounds like me. I gotta follow the rules down to the last minute detail. XD But I am sure your bosses appreciated having someone so friendly and personable. <3
Oh my goodness, I’m so honored you like my photos. Aaaahhhh that makes my day! I actually just get mine for $1 – $3 dollars at Walmart! They usually have a ton of options, and I love grabbing one or two whenever I go. That’s great you found some! Flowers do help so, so much! 😀