CHRISTMAS AT THE BOOKSHOP

I think there is more fun in a bookshop at this time of the year than any other time.  It is wonderful being able to help customers find something, particularly when the book they came in for is either no longer in print, or it's too late to order it for Christmas.

We will be open until 5.00pm on Christmas Eve (next Thursday) and we'll open again on Sunday 27th from 10.00-2.00 for those of you who are heading to the craft market and need a late gift.  Then we'll be swanning around at home until Tuesday 29th, with the 'don't enter' sign on the front gate.

Thank you to everyone who has been through our doors over the last 12 months, you've certainly made life interesting and our business worthwhile.  From us both:

We wish you a safe and peaceful Christmas and a stunning New Year.

Thanks Jellie for this great photo.

 

 

THE DHARMA DOOR

For some years now we've been very happy to stock these bags handcrafted by women in Bangladesh.  They used to be called 'book bags', they are now referred to as 'the everything pouch'.  Whatever they are called they still come from Bangladesh and they are still very beautiful.  A new shipment arrived this week, new colours and new designs.

 

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

We have your Christmas gift list covered, come and let us help you make the best choices for this year's presents.  Take a seat on the red couch and relax whilst you make your choices.

 

CHRISTMAS CRAFT DAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5TH

On Saturday, December 5th we will be holding our last event for the year and it will be a craft day for the local kids.  If you have preschool and/or primary school children come in from 10.30 to midday and we'll spend time making Christmas cards and listening to Jennifer Jones' storytelling.  There will be gifts and balloons for all the kids.  The event is free and you don't need to book.  See you here with small ones in tow all prepared to have fun.

 

WEBSITE NEWSLETTER

Some of you may not get the newsletter from our website, so I've put the link here. Pop over and take a look.

 

THE PEOPLE HAVE VOTED......

More than 1700 Dymocks Booklovers members have voted for their favourite children’s book of all time. The ‘Harry Potter’ series (J K Rowling, Bloomsbury) topped the poll, followed by The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Eric Carle, Penguin) and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (C S Lewis, various imprints). The ‘Treehouse’ series by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton (Pan) was the highest placed local entry in fourth spot. Eight out of the top 10 titles and nearly half of all 51 titles have been adapted for film or TV.

QUOTES

This wonderful quote with photo was sent to us from a customer and it deserves to be shared.  Thanks Jellie.

 

WE WILL BE OPEN

We wanted you to know we will be open on Friday 2nd October (Grand Final Eve holiday), so if you have ordered books to pick up, or you want to make the most of the day off and browse, we'll be here.  This will be a good time to start looking for special gifts, you can still put books on lay-by to be picked up on Christmas eve (can't believe I'm writing this!!!).

 

I LIKE BIG BOOKS

This was sent to us by a friend and I felt it should be shared with you.

It's set to the song 'Baby's Got Back' and you can listen if you want to the official video here.

FOSTER'S LITTLE BOOKSHOP WEBSITE

If you don't get our newsletter from the website, you might like to see if you're missing anything.  Take a look......

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO FOSTER'S LITTLE BOOKSHOP

It was our 9th birthday this week, can't believe it's nine years!!  Thanks to our customers for making these all very happy years.

 

NEWS ABOUT FOSTER'S LITTLE BOOKSHOP

It occurred to me the other day that although we've had the bookshop on the market (to sell) since early this year, there are some who haven't yet caught up with that news.  So.......

Nine years ago this coming July we opened the doors at Number 4 Station Road and Foster's Little Bookshop was born.  Over the years we have built the business, becoming involved in the community and putting ourselves out there on radio and in print.  There were 'thin' years where we learned the value of good budgeting (thanks to Bob) and how important it is to 'know' what a customer will buy.  I think the greatest pleasure has been helping someone to choose a book (either for themselves of for someone else) and getting feedback later that 'it was a great success'.

We both believe this business has more years to be successful, it's just not where we want to be for the future.  I was asked the other day 'what will you do when you've sold the business' my answer was..........'if you have half an hour I'll tell you'.........there are so many things we'd both like to be involved with, particularly in this community, and we think now is the time to go.

So.......if you know someone who might be interested in entering the exciting publishing industry send them a link to this post.

 
 

BEHIND THE SCENES IN A BOOKSHOP

The Australian Booksellers Association frequently send good information and I like to pass it on.  There's no need for me to explain this link, you'll get the picture.  I agree with all of these points and in particular #1 and #17. 

WHAT USED TO BE CALLED BOOKBAGS?

Some of you may know these as Book Bags.  Word on the street is that these days they are used for iPads, magazines, small laptops, jewellery, makeup, hosiery, hair accessories, crafty gear AND as a cutch, manbag, pouchette, vitamin baggie and more….

Whatever it's called (or used for) we thought it would make a great Mother's Day gift and she can decide what to use it for.

The Dharma Door are now calling these..............The Everything Pouch.

FAIRFIELD BOOKSHOP - A SENSE OF HUMOUR

This little funny is from Fairfield Bookshop (the one that had a car run into it's window back in March, so you might guess they have a sense of humour? )

"You just never what you will be asked next. A lady was just in asking if we had any books about camels. Further questioning, whether it was for a child etc, revealed that she wanted to teach the two camels she has at home better manners!! Surprisingly, we didn't have anything that quite fitted the bill."

And it's true............... 

THE DEATH OF THE BOOK HAS BEEN GREATLY EXAGGERATED...!!

The death of the book has been greatly exaggerated:

Despite all the predictions to the contrary, sales of printed books held up in 2014 and look set to dominate total book sales in 2015.  Read more of these lovely words here https://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2015/1/28/information-technology/death-book-has-been-greatly-exaggerated

Whilst the report covers the US and the UK, we have word from the Australian Booksellers Association that Australia is also on trend, plus there is an increase in small independent bookshops opening across the country.  You read it here!

SHAKESPEARE AND COMPANY: An Update

Some time ago I put a post on FB about Sylvia Beach and her bookshop Shakespeare and Company.  Since then I've researched a little further and found this connection.

In 1951, another English-language bookstore was opened on Paris's Left Bank by American ex-serviceman George Whitman, under the name of Le Mistral. Its premises was the site of a 16th-century monastery. In 1964, after Sylvia Beach's death, Whitman renamed his store "Shakespeare and Company" in tribute to the original.

His daughter, Sylvia Beach Whitman joined him in 2003 at the age of 22 and continues to run the store in the same manner as her father, allowing young writers to live and work in the bookstore.