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.
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.
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
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