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Beneath A Scarlet Sky – Mark Sullivan

Beneath A Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan is a book that I received as a birthday gift.  Ok, it was on my birthday list.  This book was intriguing to me because it is based on a lost story of heroism from World War II.

Another reason for putting it on my list was the book’s tremendous sales and  if everyone is reading it, maybe I should too!  Turns out everyone was right!

Beneath A Scarlet Sky

Would lose sleep to read   Yes, I did!

Historical Basis    Yes     Read in one sitting    Yes

Recommend  Yes,  it is an wonderfully written story.  Easy to get caught up emotionally.  Makes you smile and makes you cry, makes you want to be brave.

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Unshakeable Hope – Max Lucado

Unshakeable Hope is the 40th book from Max Lucado.  I will admit that I have only read 5, but how great is it that I have 35 more to read?  I am a Christian woman and I struggle sometimes to read the Bible.  Authors like Max Lucado bring me the Bible in small understandable parts.  Max Lucado is a preacher and a wonderful storyteller.  The title of this book is very appropriate and the book lived up to expectations.

Unshakeable Hope - Max Lucado

Would lose sleep to read  Yes because it helped me deal with real anxiety that kept me awake.

Book about the Bible  Yes

Read in one sitting   Yes   Inspiring Scripture  Yes

Recommend In this troubling world it is nice to know about the promises of God – Yes, read this book!

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Yellow-Lighted Bookstore – Lewis Buzbee

The Yellow-Lighted Bookstore by Lewis Buzbee.  I was given this book as inspiration when I was planning to open my own Indie Bookstore.  Lewis Buzbee writes like I do – that is why I do mini reviews!  His book is very interesting and full of book and bookstore history – if this is what you love – this book is for you!

Yellow-Lighted Bookshop

Would lose sleep to read  Content is sound – not enough to keep me awake.

Book about books  Yes

Read in one sitting   Yes   Inspiring retail ideas  Historical reporting of ideas

Recommend  If books and bookshop history is your thing – Yes!

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Bookshop Book – Jen Campbell

The Bookshop Book by Jen Campbell was given to me as a gift.  I really want to open my own independent bookstore and this was an inspirational gift.  It was the BEST gift.  This book takes you on a tour of some of the most wonderful bookstores in the world.  There are bookstores in barns, on boats and even whole book towns.

Bookshop Book - Jen Campbell

Would lose sleep to read   Yes, I did!

Will use as travel bucket list  Yes

Read in one sitting   Yes   Inspiring retail ideas   Yes

Recommend  Yes, then get your passport up to date!

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Alchemist – Paulo Coelho

Alchemist by Paulo Coelho was first published in 1988 in Brazil.  The first English version was published in the United States in 1993.  This is a fast read, easily read in one sitting.  The Alchemist is a fable that really has something for everyone.  Every time you read it you can take away a life lesson, a business lesson or a love lesson.  If you just want a great story, this will work for you as well.

The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

International Bestseller    Yes

Would lose sleep to read   Yes, but you don’t need to it’s 167 pages!

Read in one sitting   Yes!

Recommend  Yes, maybe read it more than once?!

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Dear Fahrenheit 451 – Annie Spence

Dear Fahrenheit 451 is a book I stumbled upon as searched for books about books.  I didn’t know what to expect of a book that is “love letters and breakup notes to books”, but I LOVED it!!  Annie Spence is sassy and smart and writes the way I think.  I intend to use this as a guide as she is a librarian who reads and recommends.

Dear Fahrenheit 451

Would lose sleep to read   Yes, I did!

Will use as reading reference  Yes

Read in one sitting   Yes   Entertaining in all ways   Yes

Recommend  Just read it – then read it again!

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Life We Bury – Allen Eskens

The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens is a book that yelled out to me from the “buy 2 get the 3rd free” table.  Maybe I grabbed it because the cover said “compulsively suspenseful”, I don’t know – we just clicked!  I look forward to reading more from this author.

Life We Bury- Allen Eskens

Award winning    Yes   Would lose sleep to read   Yes, I did!

Read in one sitting   Yes   Compulsively Suspenseful   Yes

Recommend  Definitely!

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Unbroken – Laura Hillenbrand

Unbroken is one of my favorite books.  I had to buy another copy, because I gave mine away.  This is the movie tie-in reprint.  I saw the movie and the book was way better!  I stayed up all night to finish this and in the morning I discovered that Louie was still alive!!  So amazing!

He has since passed, but he was a true inspiration!  A lesson in strength and forgiveness.

Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand

Award winning    Yes   Would lose sleep to read   Yes, I did!

Historical Basis    Yes     Read in one sitting    Yes

Recommend  Yes, yes, yes!!

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Little Paris Bookshop – Nina George

The Little Paris Bookshop is a great read.   I went searching for books about books and found this New York Times Bestseller.  Wonderful tale.  I wanted to travel along on this journey of healing, forgiveness and love.

Little Paris Bookshop

 

Award winning    Yes   Would lose sleep to read    Yes

Book about books   Yes

Recommend  Yes, read this with a lovely glass of wine!

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Book Thief – Markus Zusak

The Book Thief is an award winning book that sat on my “to read” pile for a while. I finally read it – why did I wait so long???

Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Award winning    Yes   Would lose sleep to read    Yes

Historical Basis    Yes     Book about books    Yes

Recommend   Yes, read this soon!!

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Last Bookaneer: Matthew Pearl

Just finished Last Bookaneer.  I didn’t really love it until about the 4th chapter, but then I wanted to keep reading.  If you like reading about books you will like the Last Bookaneer!

Last Bookaneer

Would lose sleep to read – Yes      Unexpected twist – Yes

Historical basis – Yes    Book about books – Yes

Would recommend – Yes

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DIY Topiary Used To Be Dictionary.

DIY topiary is the next step after you have mastered book page flowers.

DIY Topiary supplies

Basically, you will follow the directions from book page flowers and ornaments.  Use a 3.9 or 4 inch styrofoam ball.  For a bigger topiary cut paper into larger pieces.  I used 2.5″x3.5″ pieces for this topiary, again just cut them free hand.  Smaller sheets of paper equals smaller topiary.   Instead of a stem or cord insert a sturdy dowel.  Cut this with outdoor cutting shears and whittled it into a point.  

Use any pot you like.  Use a terra cotta pot and add some embellishments or paint to your taste.

Finally, when the “bloom” is done, glue a styrofoam block into the pot and insert the dowel.  Add glue to the dowel as well, to secure it in the pot.  Finally, glue spanish moss to the top or whatever you would like to simulate grass.  

Completed topiary
DIY Topiary
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Ornaments used to be a dictionary.

Blue book page ornaments
Book page art.  Ornament.

Ornaments made from book pages.  I LOVE books and yes, these are made from book pages.  An old dictionary was used for this, but I also have the old Readers Digest Condensed books.  Estate sales are an excellent resource for books that may not be a treasured tome. The RD Condensed books, aren’t even the whole story!

Supplies for book page ornament.

Supplies for ornaments.

This ornament is made from a 2.4 inch styrofoam ball and painted book pages.  Tempera paint is my “go to” paint.  I call it 2nd grade paint because it is favored by teachers and is washable.  Metallic or glitter versions of the paint make the pages feel softer.  The regular tempera paint makes the pages feel like a chalk but the colors are brighter.

Tacky Glue works for me because I suck with a glue gun.  Certainly, if you prefer to use a glue gun, use the low setting so you don’t melt the styrofoam ball.  First, paint several pages (both sides) and let them dry.  Next, cut them into 1×1 inch squares.  Don’t measure – just cut free hand, it is ok if they are not exact.

  • Wrap paper around pen.
  • Glue to the ball (pen head retracted).
  • Continue to glue.

Create

Place the styrofoam ball on a small glass while gluing (I used champagne flute).  For smaller ornaments I use the head of a retracted pen instead of a pencil to glue the paper.  Turn the ball as you glue.  After you have about half covered, thread the cord through the ball.  I used a knitters darning needle and cut the eye so that I could get the cord out without cutting the loop in the cord.  Flash!  I just found online a darning needle with a latch hook eye! Gotta get one of these!

  • Thread cord through darning needle.
  • Pull cord through the ball.
  • Tie a knot

After knotting the cord and trimming the excess, add a little glue and pull the knot into the ball.  Continue to add the paper until the ornament is complete.  Sorry, I switched from blue to plain paper in the pix – same concept, I just painted the above paper with silver glitter paint and it is not really visible in the photo.

Completed blue ornament
And voila!
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So You’re Thinking Of Opening A Bookstore. #1

Today was it, final straw.  There was no way I could keep working at my current job.  After working 60-70 hours per week and working 6-7 hours a night in my dreams, it was time.  I was ready to be my own boss and live my dream of opening a bookstore.

Start with research!

Before you do anything go to the experts!

Join the American Booksellers Association as a provisional member so you can get vital information about opening a bookstore.  This is a mandatory investment for success.  Sure, you can google “how to open a bookstore” but I have yet to see all the vital info in one article.  The next 4 blog posts will take you through a very concise process that will give you a fighting chance to succeed.  You may even find out you aren’t quite ready for this project!

I actually looked for retail spaces and drove around to see what locations were available for my store.  Start to envision what your bookstore will be like.  Is there a niche you want to represent?  Children’s books, science fiction, romance books or just used books are some great ideas to explore.

Opening a bookstore - follow your heart book.

Buy a notebook and start writing down all the ideas for the bookstore.  Pay close attention to local news stories and local events.  Go to Pinterest and see what ideas you can get to complete your vision!  Look for Indie Bookstore groups on Facebook.

I actually got a little ahead of myself and bought some stuff BEFORE I did all my homework.  Don’t do what I did!  Follow along as I go through all the steps of preparing to open an Independent Bookstore. Step 2 will get you started.

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Starting A Bookstore? Do The Research! #2

Starting a bookstore is easy right?  After working in the bookstore industry for 30 years, I thought, no problem!  The American Booksellers Association (ABA) membership includes the opportunity for excellent online education. First of all, go to Paz & Associates.  Sign up and spend the time working through the “Owning a Bookstore” modules.

While there is a cost to this training, it is vital to your research and well worth the investment.  The topics are covered thoroughly.

  • Overview of Online Training & Assessing the Skills You Bring to the Job
  • Competitive Advantages for Bricks-and Mortar Booksellers
  • Book Industry Trends
  • Start-up Investment
  • Your Banking Relationship
  • Crowdfunding
  • Financial Dynamics of Retail Bookstores
  • How to Estimate Sales & Owner’s Earnings
  • Assessing the Strength of Your Location
  • Lease Negotiation
  • Opening Timeline
  • Summary & Next Steps

Paz and Associates is a top notch education resource and all their videos are narrated by industry experts.  Hence, the instructors have done the work and know the ropes.  If want to open a bookstore, start here.  I had no idea how much I DID NOT know until I went through this course!

After the modules and homework for each module are completed, go back to the ABA site. Click on the “opening a bookstore” link and get all the financial benchmarking tools they have available to members – invaluable!

Book with glasses.

Take the knowledge that you got from Paz and incorporate the information from the ABA benchmarking report.  Certainly now you can start to see a picture of what your investment might be.

My better half gave constant positive reinforcement.  He sent links to news stories about Independent (Indie) Bookstores and how they are making a comeback.   My favorite story was probably this Harvard Business study.

Read the stories, watch the videos and understand that Indie Bookstores are successful because they support the community.  Furthermore, Indie Bookstores are good neighbors; they entertain and educate.

Continue to write down all your ideas of what you want your store to be.  Remember why you like certain bookstores and make notes to refer to later. Market research is the next important step.

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Market Research Is A Vital Process. #3

Market research is the next logical step on your road to your bookstore grand opening.  Do not skip this step! I alluded to the fact that I purchased some tools.  One of the tools was business plan software.  I used Planbuildr and I spent the additional $$ on market research.
Book in a natural setting.
What I already knew was that I had to compete with the online bookstores (Amazon and Barnes & Noble).  Additionally, I was up against Target, Walmart and Costco for best sellers.  In my area of North San Diego there are 3 Barnes & Noble brick and mortar stores, however, I was not sure about Indie competition.  The market research report gave me info on a bookstore that is about 24 miles from me.  This store was most like what I thought my store would be like. The store is in a tourist area, it has been in business for over 30 years and is a 4th generation family-owned business.  Annual sales are $5.1 million.  Good news about a thriving Indie store!  Most of the other Indie stores within 25 miles are used bookstores. All this information helped me think I was headed in the right direction.  Last step, I hung out at the post office (a very busy spot with long lines) and polled potential customers.  I asked if they read paper books, if they visit bookstores, if they buy books and where they buy them.

Now what?

Here is the conclusion for me.  I know an Indie bookstore would thrive in my neighborhood, but after much analysis and too much common sense for my liking, we decided against the investment. The community fit in my business plan, but I was not finding affordable space in the “zone” that my customer base could access easily.  I learned from all the earlier steps that I needed to find a specific size and lease rate to make this work within my budget. After all the work, all the research and all the dreaming, I was not going to have a bookstore.  Not here, not now.  I want to keep on living the dream, so I created this blog.  I will share my ideas and other best Indie bookstore practices in the hope that others may grow. Now let’s get that store stocked!
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Book Page Flowers Are Easy To Make.

 
Book Page Flowers in Mason Jar.
Book page flowers make beautiful bouquets.  I LOVE books and yes, these are made from book pages.  An old dictionary was used for this, but I also have the old Readers Digest Condensed books that I got at an estate sale for additional projects!
These flowers are made from a 3 inch styrofoam ball and painted book pages.  Tempera paint is what I use to paint pages.  I call it 2nd grade paint because it is favored by teachers and is washable.  The metallic or glitter versions of the paint makes the pages feel softer.  If you use the regular paint makes the pages feel like a chalk. I also use Tacky Glue because I suck with a glue gun.  If you decide to use a glue gun, make sure you use the low setting so you don’t melt the styrofoam ball.  After painting several pages (both sides) and letting them dry,  cut them into 2×2 inch squares.  Don’t measure – just cut free hand, it is ok if they are not exact.
  • Wrap paper around eraser end of a pencil.
  • Glue paper to styrofoam ball.
  • When about half done insert florist wire to create stem, finish other side.
Place the styrofoam ball on a drinking glass while gluing.  Turn the ball as you glue.  After you have about half covered, put in the “stem” (a piece of florist stem wire) and complete the other side of the ball.  Put the stem in the drinking glass and work on the rest of the ball.
Paint different colored tips on the flower for a unique look.  Done!  Beautiful!
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Are You Ready To Sell Books? #4

You have done the work and completed the analysis, are you ready to sell books?  Hopefully, you have decided to move ahead with your dream of an Indie Bookstore.  There are several innovative ideas on how to raise capital in the Paz material and on the ABA site.  Try them all!  Here is where that business plan software comes in handy! After you find your ideal location and ideal size store, you will need to work on design, fixtures, point of sale and inventory.  Additionally, you will need to decide on the bookstore name, what type of company you will be (e.g. Corporation, LLC, C-Corp, etc) and purchase an appropriate URL for your website.   Incfile.com is a reliable online service to help with this. There are several online tools to help you create a logo and order marketing materials.  I used Tailor Brands for the logo below, it is pretty simple, but the sky is the limit with their tools.  
Bookstore Logo
My logo.
  Again, I recommend you figure out how to attend the Paz and Associates workshop retreat so you can get some hands-on training and industry networking. Hopefully, you have determined the specific flavor of your store.  What niche are you going to fill in your neighborhood?  Will you operate a bookstore with a cafe?  Will you have new books and used books?  What kind of gifts will you carry?  Do you have resources to help you cultivate your inventory to match your vision?  These tasks are very important and critical to your success.  Join your regional Independent Bookseller Association and see what resources they can offer.  Find a mentor who can lead you through the process. If you have not done it already, get involved with your community.  Find the local chamber of commerce or business association and start networking. Keep up on the local news/events and start writing down ways to become involved.  This will be very helpful on your road to success.