Taking on new adventures is so hard and scary. I’m grateful for your honesty in all the many ups and downs, especially as we stare down the barrel of our own crazy adventure and I have my moments of, “What if we’re just insane?”
Joel Miller shared a quote in notes the other day that hit me — “When people do the strange and inexplicable, it’s rarely because they’re stupid or incompetent; it’s because they know something you don’t.”
Perhaps things like buying a bookstore seem strange and inexplicable to some, but maybe you’re doing it because you know the importance of something that others might overlook and you’re willing to take the risk to fight for it.
I just finished teaching “The Interpreter of Maladies” by Jhumpa Lahiri at Messiah and as I read your post, it made me wonder if that’s what booksellers are, “interpreters of maladies”? In that way, there are times books trump food for they help us heal and grow. What a wonderful calling!
My eyes filled with tears as I read your thoughts this morning, Shawn. Even from a distance, you and Maile have touched my heart with your generous spirits for helping people, your enthusiastic love for words, books, writers, and connections, and your endearing honesty and humility. In your few observations, one can already see how your shop is so much more than a shop--it is a place to revisit pleasant memories, to create new ones, to bask in the stillness and the sunshine, to find respite and renewal. Thank you and bless you!
There is only this, and it’s everything. It’s the act itself, of publicly committing to engaging in a creative pursuit whose final outcome is unknown. Whether brave or foolish, genius or insane, it matters not. It is the act. Success or failure becomes irrelevant because the fact that you took the leap is what inspires everything else.
I seriously considered making the trek to attend your grand opening. Me, who won’t travel a mile down the road to attend functions. It’s silly, of course, and I won’t do it, but you have no idea what it took for me to even contemplate it. I will get there eventually, I promise you.
As I tell people about writing, if you can learn to enjoy the process, you’ve already won. Financial success is so empty. Make this about community, family, and human connection. Make it about artistic endeavor. A love of books and nothing more. That is what will cause people to respond. There is no accounting line item for love.
I don’t pray anymore, but I am paying attention. I see you and am following your journey with great interest. That is quite something, and you’ve only just begun.
Sounds like your bookstore is turning into a ministry, as you chat with your customers, offering encouragement, good cheer, and perhaps a word of faith. Kudos to you Shawn and Maile!
I don't think food, water or any relationship has sated me like books. Today, I walked 15 minutes to where the Bookmobile was parked because I just want to be with the books. Books are my escape, my nourishment, my education, my provocation. And I think we need books and art and creativity now more than we realize. It, you, will make a difference in this place because this place will make you different. Can't wait to celebrate with you!
Finding new skin...new wine skin for the new wine we are creating out of new cloth. I wish I lived close by...I would come to your store to look, browse, and talk with you.
Thanks, Shawn. I should be close to you at the end of June. At Haverford leading a workshop. Of course it all depends on what hospice says about Nancy then
"We're helping people make sense of life." I love that. It gave me clarity on why I've preferred reading a book over almost everything else. Thank you.
Your words really hit home. The way you describe how booksellers, writers, and artists help people make sense of life is so true and beautifully put. Finding new skin to bear the world—what a powerful image.
“This beautiful place is where we are growing new skin that will help us bear the world.”
Love this.
Taking on new adventures is so hard and scary. I’m grateful for your honesty in all the many ups and downs, especially as we stare down the barrel of our own crazy adventure and I have my moments of, “What if we’re just insane?”
Joel Miller shared a quote in notes the other day that hit me — “When people do the strange and inexplicable, it’s rarely because they’re stupid or incompetent; it’s because they know something you don’t.”
Perhaps things like buying a bookstore seem strange and inexplicable to some, but maybe you’re doing it because you know the importance of something that others might overlook and you’re willing to take the risk to fight for it.
That's a really generous perspective, Annelise. Thank you.
I just finished teaching “The Interpreter of Maladies” by Jhumpa Lahiri at Messiah and as I read your post, it made me wonder if that’s what booksellers are, “interpreters of maladies”? In that way, there are times books trump food for they help us heal and grow. What a wonderful calling!
That's so good, Tim. Thanks for that.
My eyes filled with tears as I read your thoughts this morning, Shawn. Even from a distance, you and Maile have touched my heart with your generous spirits for helping people, your enthusiastic love for words, books, writers, and connections, and your endearing honesty and humility. In your few observations, one can already see how your shop is so much more than a shop--it is a place to revisit pleasant memories, to create new ones, to bask in the stillness and the sunshine, to find respite and renewal. Thank you and bless you!
Thanks so much, Karen!
There is only this, and it’s everything. It’s the act itself, of publicly committing to engaging in a creative pursuit whose final outcome is unknown. Whether brave or foolish, genius or insane, it matters not. It is the act. Success or failure becomes irrelevant because the fact that you took the leap is what inspires everything else.
I seriously considered making the trek to attend your grand opening. Me, who won’t travel a mile down the road to attend functions. It’s silly, of course, and I won’t do it, but you have no idea what it took for me to even contemplate it. I will get there eventually, I promise you.
As I tell people about writing, if you can learn to enjoy the process, you’ve already won. Financial success is so empty. Make this about community, family, and human connection. Make it about artistic endeavor. A love of books and nothing more. That is what will cause people to respond. There is no accounting line item for love.
I don’t pray anymore, but I am paying attention. I see you and am following your journey with great interest. That is quite something, and you’ve only just begun.
Thanks, David. I can understand the importance of you contemplating the trip, and I really appreciate your words.
Sounds like your bookstore is turning into a ministry, as you chat with your customers, offering encouragement, good cheer, and perhaps a word of faith. Kudos to you Shawn and Maile!
I don't think food, water or any relationship has sated me like books. Today, I walked 15 minutes to where the Bookmobile was parked because I just want to be with the books. Books are my escape, my nourishment, my education, my provocation. And I think we need books and art and creativity now more than we realize. It, you, will make a difference in this place because this place will make you different. Can't wait to celebrate with you!
Beautiful. Thanks, Lisa!
Finding new skin...new wine skin for the new wine we are creating out of new cloth. I wish I lived close by...I would come to your store to look, browse, and talk with you.
I would love that, too, Naomi.
Good stuff!
Thanks, Brent! We've got a few of your books on the shelves.
Thanks, Shawn. I should be close to you at the end of June. At Haverford leading a workshop. Of course it all depends on what hospice says about Nancy then
"We're helping people make sense of life." I love that. It gave me clarity on why I've preferred reading a book over almost everything else. Thank you.
Wishing you all the best with the store!
Thanks so much, Amy!
Psalm 43….no matter what, I can go to the altar of God, to God my exceedingly joy….thank you for that reference, I needed that today!
Thanks for reading, Anneke.
I love that Ethan Hawke speech…as naturally contrived as a performance can be
Your words really hit home. The way you describe how booksellers, writers, and artists help people make sense of life is so true and beautifully put. Finding new skin to bear the world—what a powerful image.
Join the ranks, Linda! :)