I haven't posted in several weeks. For the first time in a while, I didn't think I had a good slice to write. I've been reading and sharing books, writing and sharing poetry, but the busy days slipped by without a topic I really wanted to share. My slices of time have filled up with tasks and company and things I needed to do. Starting one day this week, one slice of time will be something I've wanted to do all my life. I'm going to start working at a nearby used bookstore. I've been going to this store for a long time, even before I moved nearby, and now that I have time, I've contacted them, and will volunteer for one four hour shift every week! It is a coop, run by few paid employees, mostly volunteers, has been in business over forty years. I've had one shift being trained, am nervous and excited all at the same time. Unless one counts a job at a jewelry store in college where I only cleaned the counters, I have never worked in any retail operation. But, I have worked in books! And I am looking forward to taking this new challenge. FYI-I promise not to purchase books every week, REALLY! And I will share more after I've worked a few weeks.
Some favorite bookstore books:
- The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry - Gabrielle Zevin
- The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop: A Memoir, A History - Lewis Buzbe
- The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap: A Memoir of Community, Friendship and the Uncommon Pleasure of a Good Book - Wendy Welch
There are more!
This sounds like an amazing opportunity! You will have to share your adventures in the stacks with us slicers. Thank you for sharing your bit of good news.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I will share! I know it will be lots of fun!
DeleteI know the feeling of having no good slices, but I'm so glad you showed up here today. YAY!!!! A job in a bookstore?!?! Do they know how lucky they are?!?! This is so exciting!! I can't wait to hear more!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle. You make me happy with your excitement!
DeleteLinda, Good thing you are not getting paid. This way you can't spend your entire salary on the tempting array of books.
ReplyDeleteI know, I know. I can't even enter a library without finding at least one book to bring home. We'll see if I can resist most of the time! Thanks, Bernadette.
DeleteHow fabulous! Best of luck to you. I know I would tend to come home with too many books. :) One of my goals has always been to work in a bookstore. What a dream!
ReplyDeleteIt is possibly a dream of many of us, and you can see I am excited. Thanks, Katherine.
DeleteLinda, I feel many slices coming on…. this experience will be filled with stories to tell. What a great adventure of books and readers. Can't wait to hear all about it!
ReplyDeleteClare
Thanks, Clare, will be an adventure to browse and to help others find just the right book.
DeleteSounds exciting. I can't think of a better place to work. I have worked retail once - customer service at the Bon-Ton- and it was quite an experience. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm not sure, but don't think I will be as busy as Bon-Ton. It must have been quite a time!
DeleteYea! for you. When I finally retire, this would be my dream job. I'm sure you'll have some slices to share once you start working!
ReplyDeleteI think so, too, Deb. It is something I've thought about all last year, wondering if I might spend "some" time doing this. And now I will. Thanks!
DeleteSo many books and so little time! You will be an asset to any customer walking through the door. When business is slow, you will always be able to read a bit. What fun Linda!
ReplyDeleteYes, one of the things I've noticed when I've been a customer is that those working there always have a book! No problem for me. . . Ha! Thanks, Elsie.
DeleteOh what fun Linda! I'd love a part time job like that. And I really enjoyed The Storied Life... when I read it this summer. Looking forward to hearing more about this new adventure and also seeing what books you recommend to us regular readers of your blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa, I'm sure I will share more. I did love The Storied Life. . ., too!
DeleteWhat a fun and perfect new adventure. I can't wait to see the gems you find and hope you will share them here.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mandy, it will be great exploring!
DeleteOh is that bookstore lucky to have you! The customers don't know what a wealth of knowledge they're in for now that they will have you working there. Enjoy your new adventure. (Note: It's not really a job, is it?!!?)
ReplyDeleteNo, not a job, although it comes with a discount! I imagine I can stop at any time, but somehow volunteering makes me feel more obligated. They've spent such time with me getting ready! Thanks, Stacey!
DeleteLinda, congratulations! This is so exciting and sounds like the perfect job for you! Sounds like a dream. You will love it.
ReplyDeleteI imagine that I will love it very much, Dana. On to the next path! Thanks!
DeleteLinda, this new adventure is delightful! I can't wait to hear about your experiences. I wish I could come and visit.
ReplyDeleteYou're always welcome, Mary Helen. It's fun to imagine what it will be like!
DeleteWhat better place could you pick to work? I look forward to more slices about this new venture and I'm sure there will be at least one or two books finding their way home with you.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think there will be one or two also, Judy. Can't stop! Thank you!
DeleteCongratulations, Linda--they are so lucky to have you! There's a thing in southern Scotland where you go and they put you up for a week because you work in the little bookstore there. Doesn't that sound lovely? Have a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura. Your tale of a bookshop adventure in Scotland sounds marvelous. I will keep it in mind after working at this for a while!
DeleteOh, good for you, my friend - you are just the person to grow book love! I so look forward to your slices about this new adventure.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tara. It will make an interesting new part of my life, I think.
DeleteHow could you not have a good slice, Linda?! Any slice from you is a good slice! And I can just imagine how much fun you will have helping in a bookstore! :-)
ReplyDeleteAw, you are too kind, Jennifer. Thanks much, am looking forward to my time surrounded by books & those who love them!
DeleteGood for you Linda! I'm sure you will enjoy being around all those books! Can't wait to hear about the time you spend there.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynn, I wonder what there will be to share? My imagination takes over sometimes.
DeleteLucky you and lucky patrons!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteHappy for you, Linda. I know you'll enjoy these four hours and they are so lucky to have you. I've read the first two books and checked out The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap (on your recommendation), but alack and alas, it ended being a book that I caressed and wanted to read. Putting it back on my request list at the library! Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteI loved each one, Ramona, glad to hear that you've read them & are ready for Big Stone Gap, too, which I enjoyed so much. If you want something for YA, there's David Levithan & Rachel Cohn's Dash & Lily's Book of Dares, so awesome. Thanks very much!
DeleteThe lack of slice seems to be a theme these days. I missed this week as a first in a long time just because I sat at the computer and got nothing. I wish I could visit you in your little bookstore. Sounds like a wonderful way to spend your time. You are making me want to retire.
ReplyDeleteOthers have shared about being stuck, too, Margaret, and I'm not sure why. I know I will enjoy the bookstore, and it's not too much either, still will leave time for other things I want to do. Don't retire yet, you still have lovely things to give your students.
DeleteI think this is a dream job for many readers. Especially that it is not a full time energy consuming job but a part time adventure. My first reaction to you promise not to buy books was that you shouldn't give promises that may be hard to keep. Now I think that being in the bookstore more than for a quick visit may be able to help you resist the temptation to buy.
ReplyDeleteI have many books, Terje, so will certainly be picky at the store. Thanks for the warning, though!
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