Even with these flaws, it’s still the best job around, but it’s time to pull back the curtain and show you what’s it’s really like working at a bookstore. "
8 things about being a bookseller discussed
1. YOU SPEND ALL YOUR MONEY ON BOOKS.
There is no doubt the employee discount makes buying books more often you would otherwise inevitable, since it is hard to sell a book if you don't know the book.
However the endless supply of, free Advanced reader copies and transferring/checking out books and Not to mention libro.fm listening arcs. and edelweiss online arcs makes it easier to get books in ways the public can't.
Counterpoint: your heart, soul and mind grow everyday in ways many other professions can only dream of, thanks to the books you read.
One of best parts of job is the unending ability to be book giver, book whisperer to others which only strengthens and empowers all of those you know.
2. YOUR TBR PILE/LIST GROWS OUT OF CONTROL.
To be read lists are infinite for any avid bookseller.
Counter point: to be done lists are left unfulfilled and often grown in most callings.
Discernment on what to read is an invaluable skill that needs to be practiced and a To Be Read List is a great way to enhance this your finite life.
3. YOU’RE RUINED FOR OTHER BOOKSTORES
most jobs ruin their workers for their competitors.
counterpoint: working at a bookstore makes you more critical of all other stores and if you are introverted, make you think carefully about ways to improve our own bookstore in light of other bookstores.
my thoughts: self help is a critical part of any bookstore, so all bookstores could use self help and self reflection to empower, improve, strengthen and grow themselves.
4. BOOKS ARE HEAVY AND THERE ARE HEAVY BOOKS
the physical burden of bookselling is not to be underestimated.
repetitive motion stress does not discriminate between callings or type of movement.
not to mention books on harsh realities, trauma and tragedies. ,
we need to keep booksellers aware of the risks and challenges that are demanded by the job including the physical, emotional and mental issues.
5. SOME BOOKS BECOME PERMANENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH RUDE PEOPLE.
working with the public has its rewards and its challenges, I try to create separation space between materials and customers as to not add unessasary stress
6. YOU DON’T GET TO TAKE ALL THE BEST BOOKS HOME.
again discernment and choice are part of every job and when you are surrounded by thousands books everyday, we must decide what books are worthy of our reading or our tbr lists and which ones to let go of forever. This said SImplifying is not easy especially for book lovers. I recommend giving away books that you will not really read or have not referred to in the last year.
7. YOU HAVE TO HELP PEOPLE FIND SOME… QUESTIONABLE READING MATERIAL
yes, one of the most difficult challenges is work with people you don't agree with. The way I deal with it is keep personal distance, remaining to be aware of using active listening when I can.
Dealing with the choices of others is a real stress, having others express their perspectives that might be opposing of your own is a practiced skill that many need more training on, especially those on the front line of public service and retail.
8. THE FEAR OF BOOKS LOSING THEIR MAGIC.
a bookseller, like all other callings, burnout can have many parts to it, most bookselling jobs are not for the faint of heart, mind or wit.
to keep the magic of books alive we need to read diversely, all types of books genres, topics, and all other aspects of all our stories.
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