Being a bookseller in a regional area has it’s ups and downs, some of which occur even before you get to your store! I’ve asked three regional booksellers spread over a 600 km radius to give us their picks for winter reading-as well as a little insight into running a regionally based bookstore, before Spring arrives. It’s only six weeks away and for me-if I’m not writing, I’m outside in the balmy evenings before true summer hits us and we are rushing indoors for the airconditioning. First off this week is English born Bev Cranny of The Nook & Cranny Bookstore, Goondiwindi, QLD. Bev’s shop is 100 kms’s east of my place and is my closest bookstore.
Bev’s picks are:
When God Was A Rabbit by Sarah Winman http://savidgereads.wordpress.com/2011/05/20/when-god-was-a-rabbit-sarah-winman/
The Butterfly Man by Heather Rose www.aussiereviews.com/article2411.html
& The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer. I particularly liked the sound of Orringer’s work and have taken this brief comment from Julie Orringers website.
“The Invisible Bridge is an astonishing first novel… It is a grand love story set against the backdrop of Budapest and Paris, an epic tale of three brothers whose lives are ravaged by war, and the chronicle of one familys struggle against the forces that threaten to annihilate it.”
Bev told me that the best thing about running a book store is being surrounded by books, all the interesting people you meet and the hand-selling of books which is an important part of an independent book shop. Also, realising that in this world of technology, there are still many people both young and old who love to read! Bev also said that knowing a large percentage of her customers was a really enjoyable aspect of her work as well as the local support she receives both professionally and personally. I’d agree with that. Goondiwindi is one of those towns that gets behind people and businesses. A highlight for Bev when it comes to living in a rural area is clearly the luxury of having the best of both worlds. She lives 30 mins from a thriving town (Goondiwindi) on a rural property which she says is a privileged environment in which to raise children. Of course when it gets wet this highly regarded business owner has to battle the usual country road connundrums. She’s often navigating a wet dirt road enroute to work on her Quad bike.
Next week Dave Pankhurst of The Book Connection, Dubbo visits.
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