One day last week, a woman came into my bookstore and handed me a copy of Shuggie Bain. I recognized her. A few days before, she was in the store with her daughter and bought the award-winning book about poverty in mid-century Scotland. “I enjoyed this, thank you” she said. “You can sell it used.” She was out the door before I could say anything, but I yelled “Thank you!” as she headed north. Her unceremonious delivery lead me to wonder whether maybe she didn’t like the book. Or maybe she was just in a hurry. In any case, she was kind enough to go out of her way to share an expensive book with another reader.
This got me thinking about Bookstore People. Aurora Books — only a month old — has already provided me with a little more hope for humanity. Friends and acquaintances have lined up to help run the store. Some know I’d go out of my mind sitting in the same chair for seven hours a day. Some want to support the community by supporting an enterprise the community wants. They all understand the magic of a room full of books.
Customers are also cool. Some flutter from one shelf to another, unable to focus. “There is so much I want to read!” Some wander in a trance from book to book, off in another world of memory and anticipation. “Oh,” they murmur, “this.” Some express delight. “You read that book? Wasn’t it amazing?!” And readers are looking for more than entertainment. A young woman told me she should read a happy book and then bought Women Talking, a story about oppression and violence, explaining “I learn so much more when I read about conflict.”
Dozens of local residents on their way to somewhere else pause in the doorway and say “thanks for giving San Miguel a bookstore again!” People who read know that bookstores aren’t normal retail. They’re community assets.
They provide a place for local authors to share their work.
They provide a place for young readers to enjoy sports in a way that will help them get into college.
They fight the evil empire that is banning books.
They provide refuge for entitled cats.
All of this is what keeps bookstores going in an era of kindles and audibles and library downloads. We all know Aurora Books won’t make enough to pay for a round of margaritas. We also know we can’t put a price on what it offers.
Camino Milagro 
Love this! Count me in if you ever Need somebody to sit in the chair!
I certainly will ! xoxoxo
Looks beautiful, Kim! It was fun to see you during set-up. Next time, I’ll bring you some books 🙂
Thanks so much Denise — and I’ll take you up on your offer to haul books!
Kim, how wonderful that your bookstore is making such a difference in your community!
The support I’ve gotten really says a lot about San Miguel. I am so lucky!
Hi Kim! WOW, you started your own new bookstore in SMA! Are all the books in English? I credit you with getting me back into reading novels, after I brought a few there this past visit. I even got a new library card.
Do you sell books by Juan Gabriel Vasquez? Colombian author that I just read in English 🙂
Congratulations!
Hi Betzi, I will check out Vasquez. I think my friend Wendy has told me about him!
I love this post, Kim, and can imagine you and your friends caring for this gorgeous bookshop. Wonderful photos, too! Next time please post a photo of you inside the bookshop, sitting in that chair. I agree with Betzi, Juan Gabriel Vásquez is a treasure.
Hi Wendy, I’ll send you a photo! xoxoxo
Lovely column, Kim. And indeed uplifting sentiments from friends, patrons, passersby.
Thanks Jean! I’m actually surprised about the whole thing. It just kind of happened organically. After 100 hours of online research….
You are amazing and actually bring a particular brand of magic to a world sorely in need.
Thanks Vic – it’s a very fun venture!
Hi Kim, Bookshop’s have always been a very special place for me and it’s wonderful that you brought that kind of magic to San Miguel. Congratulations! The photos are wonderful too.
Hey Janet, I hope you can visit one of these days! oxox
What a marvelous way to to create/build/serve the community, Kim. Makes me want to hang out with those entitles cats…. 😉
Thanks Fred. Actually Richie Junior has a lot on his plate most days. He’s got a dozen shops to manage in the hacienda LOL
Wow! We can’t wait to visit Aurora Books when we return in October! What a wonderful place this appears to be! We are so proud of you and happy you’ve lived your dream! Hugs and best wishes!
Thank you Bill! Looking forward to your return. And in case I didn’t tell you, it wasn’t Daisy who destroyed my bougainvillea LOL
Congratulations on Aurora Books! It sounds like you have already have a loyal group of supporters and are doing great work for the comunity. Best of luck. Maggie
Thank you Maggie — it’s been great so far.
Kim! You devil, you! Bringing joy and new worlds to your community. Congratulations and I’m so dang excited for you!
🙂
Big hugs
Fabulous Kim! Seeing your photo of the transgressive books reminded me that I wanted to read I’m not your perfect Mexican daughter…and all of the other books…
That whole group! The Hobbit?
Wow! A bookstore! Congrats!! Sorry to see Salt to Sea is banned. That’s an excellent read. Good luck with your endeavor!!
Hi Beth, It’s not banned in Mexico! I’ll have to read it. Hope you’re enjoying your many adventures. 🙂