BiblioQueria 11

Not too long ago, the brilliant and inspirational Bookish wrote a post about a new “coffee shop-book shop” which recently opened up in Denmark. The place is called Chester's, and unfortunately, according to Karie from Bookish, it's a big disapppointment, for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that “the selection of books in the other rooms was pretty abysmal not to mention the rude, disinterested staff who seemed far more involved with their wine glasses than customers.” So it got Karie thinking about opening up her own bookshop, and what her ideal bookshop would be like.

My ideal bookshop would be in an old Victorian house, and like Karie's wish, there would be a selection of new and used books, and it would be chock-full of really good quality reading material. A mix of jazz, blues or classical music would always be playing in the background, and there would be plenty of comfy chairs and sofas (but no leather sofas; I don't find them warm and welcoming enough) for people to sit in, to read, or chat or daydream. There would obviously be a spot for fresh coffee and homemade muffins and assorted baked goods, as well as lots of space for local artists to display their works. I like the idea of a community calendar/board where people can post information about any upcoming literary/art events. Oh yes, and cells phones would be strictly Verboten. Just a few ideas of what I would like.

So my question to you is ....

What would you insist up having in your ideal bookstore?

Comments

[Pete]

Plenty of comfy but beat-up couches and chairs, public and college radio on the stereo, an Espresso machine, a liquor license to sell microbrewed beer, some sort of electronic jamming equipment to make cellphones inoperable, and several amiable cats. Oh, and about ten million dollars in the bank to make sure I'd stay open forever even if I never sold a single book.

[Shelly]

Chocolate. Hot chocolate during the cold months, egg creams or chocolate shakes or chocolate malteds for the warm months.

Nice comfy leather chairs, bookscases made of cherry wood (this is starting to sound like my living room), good lighting....

[Guy Storms]

Aside from the comfortable furniture, food and music, I'd also have my own vanity press, (with Pete's ten million dollars). Limited printings for fledgling writers would be available on a consignment basis. Book talks and open discussion forums would be regular events.

[eliane]

Dutch literature!!

[Deb]

I want to go to all the bookstores that people are creating here, but I have to also admit to wanting an upstairs reading library that's soundproof like those periodical sections at libraries. A place with one attendant who only serves cordials and espresso shots.

[iliana]

You've just described my vision of a perfect bookstore. When are you opening yours - I'll visit! :)

[Isabella]

Cats.

And Internet connectivity, so all of you could blog from there.

[Jason]

I would want a whole lot of attendants who are bookworms, so if I ask them "What's the name of that really thick book by that Indian guy again, the one with the purple cover?" they'd instantly know the answer.

[Amanda Matilda]

Functional wood-burning fireplaces. And a young exotic-looking man in a loin-cloth to follow me around carrying my books. And a liquor license. And the scent of vanilla. And an excellent staff with the exception of one Bartleby-the-Scrivner type to keep things interesting. And oriental rugs.

[jmfausti]

I'm always redecorating my fantasy bookshop. I usually want it to be a place where kids can enjoy books too. Maybe homework help and board games to give them something to do and a place to go. Lots of cozy chairs and yummy snacks. A room where people could eat and read, but separate from people who want to read without hearing other people chew!

[Scully]

I found my perfect bookstore in Paris. Shakespeare's by Notre Dame. It's an old old building, with floor to ceiling bookshelves. People sitting on the stairs, and the place is just full of books and books and even more books. And the view is amazing.

[Kris]

I'd love a place with a wine bar (with cheese and crackers and such, of course) and internet connectivity. You all have it nailed as far as the cozy seating and ambiant music.

It would be great if this garden of eden would also be attached to a B&B so that you could just make a whole weekend out of it and never have to leave the building!

[Zachary Houle]

Beer. Call it the Drunken Reading Den.

[Mary]

Couches and chaises lounge near the window for that light breeze while I snooze, a shelf full of blankets, wait staff to bring me chocolates and drink, knowledgeable book staff holding talks every half hour or so to recommend books on topics and authors of interest, a hostess to wake me up and invite me to dinner in the dining part of the bookstore where key authors talk about their works.

[Isabella]

Oh, and! Someone on staff to massage feet!

[Hanna]

I live in Sweden and we are not spoiled with book stores that alov reading and coffe, so just that would be way cool. And maybe themes? Like a theme corner for piles with romantic books with a pink chaire, some roses and other acessories that would fit. I know I would be drawn there and love that corner. Other theme corners could change with new books, like a Pippi corner this month when she becomes 60 years old and next month a atumn corner in orange where you could find poems or...

[Danielle]

Thank you for banning cell phones--they are highly annoying! Could you also have some really good authors come in to read their works?

[Rubydot]

Sorry to disagree with others on this but I would TOTALLY ban internet connectivity from my perfect bookshop. Think low-key and low-tech. Just couches, cats, cups of tea and lots and lots of books.