McLeods Booksellers - How do I love thee? Let Me Count the Ways!

So in New Zealand on October 28 we celebrated New Zealand Bookshop Day.

Booksellers NZ ran a campaign asking people to write a love letter to their favourite New Zealand bookshop. I just found out today that my letter was one of 23 finalists chosen from around the country. I was stoked.

Congratulations to Karen Leona Stewart, whose letter to University Bookshop Canterbury was chosen as the winner and she won $500 in book vouchers for her efforts.

Here is my letter to my favourite bookshop McLeods Booksellers which is in Rotorua - the city I live in!

Dearest McLeods Booksellers

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways!

I love the feeling I get as I walk into your store. As a self-described lover of books aka book-mad person, I feel a comfort, an ease and a warmth as soon as I walk through those Pukuatua St doors. I’m in my happy place.

I love your mammoth selection of books. I may frequent your store but each visit leads to something new. Fiction, non-fiction, classics, memoirs, children’s books, adult colouring books, calendars, CDs notebooks, bookmarks, magazines – there’s always something to look at.

I love the thoughtfulness, the kindness and the caring nature of the book lovers aka staff who work there. They’re always so helpful and for any event they’re hosting, they’re quick to send an invite my way.

I love the events held within your walls and your promotion of authors, illustrators, poets and even folk singers locally, nationally and internationally. I’ve loved the book launches and author visits.

I love how you’re not afraid to dress up in funny clothes and share your dress up days on social media. I’ve seen a few hippies and the odd super hero in your store.

I love that you promote Rotorua just by your presence in the community but also online and the help you provide to locals and both domestic and international visitors. Every time my sister, who’s also book-mad, visits from out of town, a trip to your store is something we must do.

I love your easy-to-use website. If I need cheering up aka need another book to buy, I love to scroll through your online catalogue.

I love your regular newsletter for its updates of events, promotion of new books and book reviews. I love the idea of your new book subscription service. I haven’t ordered your book box Cleod Crate yet but one day I will and I can’t wait to see what’s inside.  

I’ve been to many other bookshops, just ask my longsuffering husband. And I still rate McLeods Booksellers as my favourite!

Thanks for your loyalty to Rotorua and to your customers!  You will always have a special place in my heart!

Love

That book-mad customer of yours – aka Abbey Hartevelt

Below is the link to the letters from the other finalists.

https://www.booksellers.co.nz/love-letter-your-bookshop-competition-finalists

And here is a link to a story about the author of the winning letter.
https://www.booksellers.co.nz/news/bibliophiles-escape-love-letter-wins-500-book-token-prize

The Storied Life of A.J.Fikry

What book in your collection is your most valued - either in monetary terms or for sentimental reasons?

There's a book featured in The Storied Life of A.J.Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin which has a six-figure price-tag. I know it's only fiction but it made me wonder if there are books out there that hold that sort of value.

When I first saw this book in the library I was unsure about reading it. I flicked through the chapters and couldn't understand the little pieces at the start of each chapter. However, I thought I'd give the book a go because it had been recommended as a great book if you like books about bookstores. I do!

And I loved this book. Until a few years ago I never used to read much fiction. I thought it was better to read true stories, biographies and memoirs. But reading a book like this makes me want to read more fiction. Gabrielle Zevin is a great writer

A.J.Fikry is a grumpy bookstore owner on an island which is hard to get to and only attracts visitors during the summer. His wife has died and his bookstore is not doing well. Then one day a small package is left in the bookstore for him and his life changes.

There are some great characters in this book and lots of references to various books and some beautiful lines which, if it wasn't a library book, I wouldn't mind underlining. 

Halfway through the book I started to think about how the story would end. The ending was a bit unexpected. After reading the book the reason for the small pieces at the start of each chapter also became clear. A great read!