Owning It

Last week, I was out and about, having gone to one of the big box bookstores to see about doing a book signing in the fall. It was a strange experience because I hadn’t been in that particular bookstore since before covid, when I’d done a book signing for The Dome. The change was remarkable–there were very few actual books in the store and the vast majority were from ‘big’ corporate publishers, a lot of floor space was taken up by home décor, there was no local author section, and the terminals were all shut so if you wanted to look anything up you had to scan a QR code. I spoke to the manager—the earliest I could book anything was September, which actually suited me, but when she said, “People are just starting to come back—it’s been very slow,” I really wanted to say, “Maybe that’s because there isn’t much to come back FOR, unless you have a fetish for scented candles.” But I consoled myself because I was close to a large thrift store that I hadn’t visited for a while. I went in, not expecting much, but wouldn’t you know—they’d just had a huge donation of silver, and I scored a couple of beautiful silver candelabras for $5 each, as well as a few other great bargains, including a stained glass lamp for $15. I went to the check-out and the woman in front of me was trying to use her debit card but the machine was acting up. “Don’t worry,” the young cashier said, “it’s just being temperamental. Some days it works; some days it’s like an an immovable object meets an unstoppable force.” I laughed to myself and then called out, “You’ve got Schrodinger’s debit machine there, I think.”

The cashier’s eyes lit up and he said, “It’s simultaneously working and not working.”

I laughed again and felt like I’d finally met a kindred spirit. When I got to the counter, I put my items down and said, “You guys still have the 10% Senior’s Discount, right?

He nodded “We sure do.”

Me: Do you need to see ID with that?
Cashier: No. I just need you to say it.
Me: Say it?
Cashier: Say it out loud for me. Come on.
Me (rolls eyes): I’m a Senior.
Cashier: Hahahaha! I made you say it.

Now before you think I was offended or something, I WASN’T. Because a) it was actually super-funny and I laughed my *ss off, and b) I got 10% off all the stuff I got so when I sell it, my profit margin will be even better. He also told me that he didn’t always make people say it, just the ones who looked like they’d be cool about it and think it was funny. And I did.

In other news, I am so happy because I just accepted the position of Summer Writer-In-Residence for a local library system. Starting in July, I’ll be running programming, mentoring writers, and participating in writing groups. And as an extra bonus, as if this wasn’t already awesome, they’ll be hosting the official book launch for my new book, the sequel to The Seventh Devil, called The Devil You Know, which is supposed to be out late June/early July.

It was worth it.

35 thoughts on “Owning It”

  2. There are hardly any bookstores anymore! And yes, the big box varieties hardly sell any books at all. We had a university bookstore right near us that we loved, but it closed down–before Covid. Sigh.

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    • It’s so weird to see a bookstore that mostly sells pillows and candles. The manager was like “Sadly, we don’t have a local section anymore”. Why not just make one? What’s the point of being a manager if you can’t fix the things that make you sad?

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  3. I struggle with the question of whether the general public at large even values books anymore. I don’t know. It’s hard to know if people are reading and you just can’t see it, because all of their purchasing/borrowing is done digitally now, or…? Not sure.

    Hey, congrats on the summer residence! I can’t imagine there’s anyone more suited to programming and mentoring than you, Suzanne!

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      • I know people my age who were once avid readers — of actual books (long ones) — that now admit, to their regret, they no longer have the attention span for it anymore. Their brains have been rewired. I know no greater pleasure than giving yourself over to a book or a long-form essay, but that is not the world we live in any longer, methinks.

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  6. It’s a funny coincidence that just about a week ago I was in a non-chain bookstore in a very small town. Pretty much all the businesses in this town are in a single three-block stretch, and yet this bookstore was packed. I pulled a book that was on a stand and the cashier said, “All right, since you took a display book you need to pick another book to replace it.” I did but then I decided I wanted that book too so I picked out a third one that I also thought about but I had to stop somewhere. Then the cashier and I started talking and she told me the town library needed a children’s literature librarian and that I should apply.
    Books bring people to bookstores but people are an important part too.
    They didn’t have any of your books, by the way, but I said they should. If you get a call from Reading Rock Books in Dickson, Tennessee, that’s why.

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      • It seems like some independent bookstores are opening because there are still enough people who value books and that personal touch you get.
        The children’s librarian position would be such a cool gig and I’d love to do it but the commute is too far. It’s not a job I’d want to do remotely, or that I even think could be done remotely.

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  8. That’s just sad, housewares and decorate pieces instead of actual books? An abomination I tell you, I love books and love to hold them in my hand and get lost in the story. Luckily I’ve found several used bookstores near the university where I work and they are wonderful! That lamp is just gorgeous! Tiffany style even, I love it!

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  9. “Silver” silver? You wish eh? Spot prices for SI are like $24/oz.
    https://www.ajpm.com/silver-bullion/

    Why does retirement for you seem like a doubling or tripling of your activity level? More like a Re-tire-ment, new wheels, ready to roll. This July, you’ll be busier than an Epi-pen salesman at a novice bee-keeping convention.

    What Millennial or Gen-Z would be caught dead in a bookstore? Unless said bookstore was more akin to Pegasus Books of Bend, Oregon…

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  11. It sounds like you had a great week. We haven’t been to a bookstore since before covid and now I don’t even know if I want to go to one (at least the bigbox kind.) I’ve been thinking about making a trip to a neighboring town where they have a small bookstore that sells both used and new books. They usually have better prices anyway and if they don’t have something are willing to try to get it.
    Congratulations on the new job! sounds like it will be lots of fun.

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  12. I’d go back to the thrift store just to banter with the checkout guy. He sounds fun and I’m not surprised you identified a kindred spirit. And great news about your summer gig and a new book on the way. Congrats!

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  14. Your retirement has such story-filled weird and wonderful encounters! Mostly mine has its moments at the checkout counter, when someone tells me how to use the payment apparatus like I don’t know how to use it. Okay every store has a different system, there is cause for confusion, at times. Lovely lamp. Congratulations on the writer program, it sounds fun!
    Yes. I received a big gift card Tia large book store…and have not cracked it yet. But I was reading a lot and even returned to hardcover books. But have had to put down the books and finish some commissions.
    I am older than time. And I have friends who no longer watch tv and read lots. Guess welcome from another planet.

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