Comments on: Well, it’s just like being on the check-out at Tesco isn’t it?

By: The Fidra Blog » Blog Archive » Okay, this isn’t the news I promised – I’m digressing…

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:32:07 +0000

[...] novel that can change your life or the perfect present… I’ve written about that more here – a blog post which I’m told caused some people to get a bit teary, which was a bit of [...]

By: Entitlement : State of Independents

Entitlement : State of Independents — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:26:27 +0000

[...] Vanessa mentioned in a previous post on the Fidra blog, we are knowledgeable: we are, in effect, a resource. People seem blissfully unaware we are a [...]

By: Gillian Taylor

Gillian Taylor — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:39:51 +0000

I used to volunteer at a large Oxfam shop, on Saturday afternoons, which was the busiest shift. Of course, most of the stock changed every week. I used to tour around as soon as I got the opportunity, so when someone asked ‘have you any duffle coats ?’ I’d probably be able to give an answer straight away.

Once we had a couple looking to buy a wedding anniversary present for friends – this fifteen minutes before closing time. They know how long the friends had been married (5 years, I think it was)but didn’t know what the correct token was. I directed them upstairs to the non-fiction books and told them to look for something like a copy of Enquire Within, which would have a list of anniversaries. They found the book, found it was the wood anniverary and I helped them chose something wooden from the Fair Trade range. They were delighted with the gift and with the service.

By: The Fidra Blog » Blog Archive » Dear Job Applicants…

The Fidra Blog » Blog Archive » Dear Job Applicants… — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:18:56 +0000

[...] written in my last post about the joys of bookselling, we are currently looking for a part-time member of staff. [...]

By: Mark Thornton

Mark Thornton — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:52:24 +0000

Bookselling is fairly unique I think, because it is mentally *and* physically exhausting. Not only do you have to mentally ’stick-shift’ up and down through your stock knowledge for the list of different queries that get thrown at you during the day, but it is physically demanding. Don’t know if it’s any more sedate with you up there, but between leaping up to open the door for buggies, pulling book selections of shelves for customers, amusing kids with Mr Aubergine (don’t ask), moving boxes, wrapping mugs, serving coffee and generally dancing around the shop like a mad dervish (perhaps that’s just me) there isn’t a great deal of time to put your feet up.

When we opened Mostly Books, I lost a whole stone in six weeks. I should write my own diet book of course…

By: Paul O'Mahony (Cork)

Paul O'Mahony (Cork) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:53:55 +0000

So if “I work in a bookshop” provokes a response that doesn’t delight, perhaps it’s time to change?

I used to work in a bookshop when I wore short trousers: my father owned the shop. I lugged boxes up stairs. I also used to match cards with envelops @Xmas.

Nowadays I think I’d be a Reading Consultant, a Mind Expander, even a Browsing Companion. I’d re-brand the role…

Welcome to our literary restaurant; it used to be a shop…

Thanks very much for a thought-provoking piece.

By: JonathanM

JonathanM — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:53:29 +0000

It’s about 25 years since someone from Pan Macmillan called me ‘a glorified shop girl in drag’.

By: Dark Puss

Dark Puss — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:59:15 +0000

Dark Puss is a Particle Physicist and looks forward one day to conversing with all of you while you ring up his purchases on your till.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 06:33:39 +0000

You are so right about the attitude of people when they find out you work in bookshop. Shame that it also rubs off on some authors and publicity assistants too.

By: B Wilson

B Wilson — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:21:35 +0000

Great post! :)