We Miss Our Customers!

Becky writes…

Like everyone, I have been adjusting to the daily changes that living in this uncertain time requires. It's been a trying time, for everyone, and I've felt very lucky for my many blessings. Our world has never felt so small, nor so confusing. It's hard to keep my head on straight.

I was able to take a few weeks off work from the bookshop, when things started to get really serious in the news. It was time that I needed to focus on my children, and I was grateful for the time off.

I returned to the bookshop this past Monday to a completely different world. Same bookshop, same staff, but no customers. No cars downtown. I could sit in the middle of 9th St and not see a car for several minutes. It's bizarre. The sun is still shining, but it's like a snow day, every day.

But then we get to the emails and the phone starts ringing. At first, and maybe for always, it's a bit overwhelming. This isn't how I'm used to selling books. I like to see you in person and talk to you a bit before I try to find the right book for you. Doing this kind of transaction electronically takes away that interaction, that getting to know you part. And I miss that.

I've been stuck at home, just like you all, and I realize that my absolute favorite part is getting to talk to you all. And now we're having to do this a whole new way.

I worked three frenetic days in a row. By day three, I felt like I had finally found my rhythm. And, maybe, the secret...

Every time the phone rang, or I clicked on an email, I decided to treat it just as if you were in front of me in the bookshop. I'll take the time to offer suggestions for your different aged grandchildren, even if it takes us several emails to sort it all out. We've got nothing but time, right? 

You all have been so patient with us while we try to work through all this. Our organizational systems could probably be better, but we are an indie bookstore, not corporate. There weren't contingency plans for this and no one is telling us what to do.

I know I speak for the entire staff when I say that we miss you guys. I got teary yesterday when one of our regulars walked by and waved through the window, after calling a few minutes earlier to order a boxed set. We blew kisses at each other through the glass.

So let me keep recommending books to you, because that really what I like best. And since I can't do it in person, here are two of my favorite recent reads that I'd be putting in your hands if you were in the bookshop. One day we'll get there again. I'm looking forward to it.

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel

A beautifully written novel about a woman with a complex family history and an intense tie to the sea, who gets involved with a man who runs a Ponzi scheme. I read this book slowly and languidly because the scenes were so thoughtfully described. Architecture, place, and time are themes that flow through the story, along with the ability to completely change one's self in order to adapt to situations. It felt timely, and was a nice balm to the soul at the end of the day.

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

A charming novel about a young woman who has her life plan completely in place, but is then derailed when she has a dream/premonition about herself in five years, living a vastly different life than the one she had planned. She then spends the next five years trying to keep her life on track and avoid the dream outcome. I read this is one sitting, so be warned. It's that compelling. 

We have both of these at the shop if you want to pop us an email at mail@skylarkbookshop.com and say hi, we can send them to you! And we love hearing from you!

The extrovert in me is dying to see you all again, but for the meantime, virtual hugs to you all. Be safe. Read well.