Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home. — Anna Quindlen Anna Quindlen Reading Quote

Reading is my favorite occupation, when I have leisure for it and books to read. — Anne Brontë

We are trying so hard to..........

After being open a week now I can gladly say that I am happy with my new glass castle that protects me from the outside world. 
Today a local artist came in to tell me all about his life. He simply wanted to sit in and have a coffee (thank god he could not) cause he was already chewing off my ear. It started like always, one talks about the virus and the fact that the poor traders are not able to trade the way they want to and then it usually ends with us ranting about the naughty Americans coming into the country and not isolating themselves. But this particular gentleman manged to make it all about himself. He went on to tell me that he wrote an essay about the Virus and even painted a picture, oh and also is in the process of applying for a grant to demonstrate some sort of work that is related to the covid situation.
It was a  darn right pleasure to talk to this one. Or rather listen to his bla bla. After he also told me he had some health issues I told him to watch out as it would not be so good for him to catch it. He then went on to explain about the aerosol transmission stats and how some spit affects the area more than others. What a specialist.  
He left promising me to bring his written essay the next time so I could read it. I cannot wait .......

The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries. —Rene Descartes

Covid Customer

Last week a lady inquired about a book she saw online. She claimed to have written this book and had no idea how on earth we came up with the price of it. My darling husband explained to her that in the antique book business it depends on the condition and the availability of the book on the internet. I heard him being very nice, understanding and even sweet to her. His face expression told me otherwise but he stayed calm. She ended up getting very loud and started bullying him. He hung up and she called back "You have to understand I wrote this book ......." He again made clear that he would stay on the phone to answer any questions and help her if she really intended to actually buy the book, as we were a bookshop not a Help line. He also mentioned that she should feel honored that the book has gained value. I could only hear her gawking on the other end and he hung up.

She tried more times to call and he finally put his phone off. 
Customers scare the hell out of me. Its like a strange mutation takes place in the bookshop environment. People show us their darkest sides. Due to lock down, we were both very relaxed so we kind of, let it go and slid into yet another weekend and weekdays of constant Sunday feelings.

Today, after going shopping with our youngest, I went to the Book storage and there was my darling husband surrounded by a book delivery that just took place an hour before we arrived. He did it again. 

He told me that the Book lady from last week called him and apologized for her behavior, she had no idea where her anger was coming from and she blamed it on Covid19. " I wish you and your family all the best in these crazy times, may God be with you" 

Darling husband was relieved because he thought about changing the price on the book. This makes life easier when the crazy side admits to being crazy.

I like lock down and am not looking forward to dealing with "The Walkers"

A Chinese Lady and our Books

Before we opened our real bookshop, we sold books online. This is what everyone did 20 years ago and most people closed up their shops claiming that selling books in pajamas was the best thing ever.

We traveled with our children and then realized that putting down roots would be a good thing. We opened up the Book shop in 2010 a very small town. We still traded online as you need to keep all lines of revenue open.

Two weeks ago we sent 5 boxes of books to the book bindery in  for repair. He claimed to have only received 4 boxes and a much smaller one. When he opened it he found the contents of three small bottles. The enclosed invoice stated that is was for a customer in China. It was a very special eye serum, well I am sure if had to be cause the price was 7500 Dollars.

We tried to trace together with DHL the following day what could have went wrong. They told us on the phone that they would have to check the CCT camera of the packing center and find out exactly who put the wrong stickers on and then trace the parcel of the Chinese lady to see if she may have our books.

Today the phone rang and it was confirmed, she has the books. Not only does she have them in her house, she also plans to keep them until her expensive serum arrives. She is holding our books hostage. After trying to explain to her that DHL would arrange for pickup and make the mistake undone she said, " No, I will keep these books, these are of no value to me, I need my serum as it means a lot to me."
 A few years ago it would have been the case that the books would have way more value. But she hit the nail on the head. Three units of 50ml liquid hold a promise for this woman to maybe have less wrinkles, her face might benefit from this, we don't know. I guess our business is dying cause less and less people see the worth in books. So, the tale continues.

I love our Bookshop

I woke up really early this morning after dreaming of our Bookshop. It was filled with customers wanting to buy lots of different books. People were friendly, helping each other reaching out for the books on the top shelves. There was an elderly gentleman telling his grand daughter about a book he read as a young boy and he found it in our shop, this brought tears to his eyes and he held on to the book with great joy. It was a 180 euro for that Book. I know it cause I had just put a price in it before Covid 19.

In my dream I was packing books and chatting here and there about different authors. There was the smell of coffee in the air and the sun was shining through the windows. I was talking about my favorites, Iris Origo, Virginia Wolf, Bukowski and then the door opened and there stood Hemingway and Einstein.

They both wanted to come to the Bookshop where the world famous photographer spends his afternoons looking at books. I then woke up and knew that I must be really missing the shop. 

Our Bookshop has been here for 10 years and it seems like yesterday when we opened up and all these interesting people came flooding in. We did not know half of them.

The Photographer Ernest and Albert wanted to meet is John Minihane. He comes in to check out new photo books and he collects anything on Mary. The virgin Mary. He loves to tell me where he has been and I think he is the only person that can use the words me and I in one sentence. 
He is much loved in our house. And he loves my apple cake. 

I think this dream was showing me that it is time to get going. Having a break was good cause I don't really like humans but in the end I miss the quirkiness and the banter.