My blog is about the books I'm reading, the independent bookstores I visit, the author and book events I attend, and any bookish related things I come across in the months and years to come!
Monday, April 20, 2026
Life As An Independent Bookstore Owner!!
I really enjoyed watching this video on YouTube featuring a couple who purchased an independent bookstore in Washington state. It's sort of behind the scenes look at their lives as business owners and their personal lives.
I think it would be fun to own a bookstore too! I worked at the bookstore on campus while attending college as a part-time student employee. After college, I was an assistant manager at another university bookstore and also a manager at a specially bookstore too.
Working with books is so much fun. I only did it in school where we had a book sale and, of course, libraries. But I couldn't do it anymore. Lugging around those books is hard physical work. I heartily recommend the books by Shaun Bythell about his used bookshop in Scotland: https://momobookblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Author%3A%20Shaun%20Bythell
You might be fitter than me. But if you seriously consider this, read one of Shaun's books. He loves doing it but you can tell what a toll it takes on his body.
For me, I had a work related injury in the late 1990s while working at a bookstore. I still have issues from it. Additionally, in 2009, I had a blood draw that led to nerve damage and a plethora of pain and symptoms not to be believed. It took months to receive the diagnosis of CRPS, which I am still dealing with to this day. So, it isn't just old age creeping up on me.
That sounds really bad. I have a scoliosis, probably already at birth but at that time they did not check babies too thoroughly. When they discovered it at age 20 (not in school where non of the sports teachers looked at it, either, they just claimed I was lazy), it was too late. Suffered from back pain all my life, and it's getting worse, of course. I might end up in a wheelchair one of these days.
It definitely isn't. I never even heard of it until I was diagnosed with it in my early twenties. It explained a lot of problems but it was to late to do anything.
I've always thought it would be fun to own a bookstore. Both of our daughters worked in bookstores as their first jobs when they were growing up.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be fun to own a bookstore too! I worked at the bookstore on campus while attending college as a part-time student employee. After college, I was an assistant manager at another university bookstore and also a manager at a specially bookstore too.
DeleteWorking with books is so much fun. I only did it in school where we had a book sale and, of course, libraries. But I couldn't do it anymore. Lugging around those books is hard physical work.
DeleteI heartily recommend the books by Shaun Bythell about his used bookshop in Scotland:
https://momobookblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Author%3A%20Shaun%20Bythell
I'd love to run a bookstore again, but am unsure I could do it now.
DeleteYou might be fitter than me. But if you seriously consider this, read one of Shaun's books. He loves doing it but you can tell what a toll it takes on his body.
DeleteMy mind and spirit are willing, but, I don't think my body is willing to cooperate.
DeleteThat is the problem. Welcome to the club.
DeleteFor me, I had a work related injury in the late 1990s while working at a bookstore. I still have issues from it. Additionally, in 2009, I had a blood draw that led to nerve damage and a plethora of pain and symptoms not to be believed. It took months to receive the diagnosis of CRPS, which I am still dealing with to this day. So, it isn't just old age creeping up on me.
DeleteThat sounds really bad. I have a scoliosis, probably already at birth but at that time they did not check babies too thoroughly. When they discovered it at age 20 (not in school where non of the sports teachers looked at it, either, they just claimed I was lazy), it was too late. Suffered from back pain all my life, and it's getting worse, of course. I might end up in a wheelchair one of these days.
DeleteUgh, scoliosis is no fun! I remember in elementary school, they would periodically do an examination to see if scoliosis was an issue for students.
DeleteIt definitely isn't. I never even heard of it until I was diagnosed with it in my early twenties. It explained a lot of problems but it was to late to do anything.
DeleteHealth issues are troublesome. Too bad they didn't catch it earlier for you so that something may have been done to help you out.
DeleteThanks, Lisa. Well, there are worse things but it's not a picnic.
Delete