I love every single detail in this piece! You took us through your love and care for books and book people directly, beautifully, unflinchingly. Beautiful photos, too.
This is fascinating, and it makes me so happy to see someone who cherishes books as much as I do. I never really thought about how book care can change with climate, or what it takes to source books when opening a shop in another country. All the behind-the-scenes stuff is so interesting. I’m really glad I stumbled on your writing and look forward to reading more. You mentioned Marin County—is that where you’re from? I used to live in Novato and San Rafael for a bit. A lot of my family is still out there. I’m in the Midwest now.
Thanks so much Brandi! I’m glad you found me too! Yes, really a lot to consider in opening a bookstore in a foreign country, and also one that is humid! But in time, we did figure it all out. Lived most of my adult life in San Fran-Bay Area, till Mexico.
Thank you! It was a book, published in 2003. Got some nice write-ups. AFAR named it one of the top 14 books on Mexico in ‘The Book Lover’s Guide to Mexico,’ Oct 2017. As you can imagine, I was thrilled and shocked of course. When I started my Substack I thought I’d serialize it, from about chapter 4 on. I’m really glad you’re enjoying it, thank you! Almost at the end now.
It is always such a treat to read another exciting chapter in your bookstore in the jungle tale each week... So busy here so I saved this week's post to read this morning in bed. Perfect!
I wish I could have seen your bookstore. I've spent an inordinate amount of time perusing the shelves of independent book shops; and an even inordinat-er [sic] amount of time perusing if the bookshop also sold coffee. And I was just in Green Apple Books less than a year ago! Such serendipity...
Bookstores are fun! Thanks. Customers could bring their own coffee but we didn’t have kitchen facilities and much easier just selling books. But the old Borders bookstores were great with that nice cafe.
I love the photos of your store! And I love independent bookstores-so quaint, so cozy and there's a familiar book smell!
The dehumidifier was a must-I'm glad you included that info. So important in a humid, tropical climate. When living in Costa Rica, I switched to reading books on the Kindle App on my iPad because physical books got a musty smell and damp. But there's nothing like holding a physical book!
I just wrote a long reply and —gone. Maybe my IOS on computer is not up to date. It’s frustrating. We had bookstore before Kindle! Our first threat was from Barnes&Noble, folks had their books with them, Amazon in general. THEN came Kindle, a very good idea for sure, esp on vacation. But, as Paul detailed to Ron the planeta.com publisher—ours were crispy crispy crispy pages! And no smell!! Yay!
Yes I thought that your store was pre-kindle! Now many Barnes and Nobles are also gone. I could also borrow books from my US library while abroad until they realized I was gone! 😉 It would’ve been a gift to have a bookstore like yours in Uvita, Costa Rica- with a dehumidifier of course!
That customer was also being overly unrealistic. But it was fun! Actually that’s how I learned about Shakespeare&Co. — through people telling me about it at our bookstore. And that’s why when in Paris, we went there, oddly, the hotel we stayed at was literally right around the corner! (cute place, great location, aptly named The Esmeralda).
Your bookstore sounds wonderful. You obviously have found your niche in Mexico and you sound so incredibly happy. Enjoy your beautiful surroundings and the work you love.
Thanks Lois. We loved Alma Libre! We did sell it eventually b/c we wanted to re-retire. It started as a hobby that became quite a success (we never thought about that), and the work week (after our SanFran jobs for decades) was supposed to be minimized, but local crowds won out and we were open 5 days a week. It thrives still, the new people are wonderful. We wanted to have time to visit the pyramids more, sit on the beach, snorkel, sail, longer travel, do all the things the ‘tourists’ were doing ): But it was a blast for a long time!
Oh, how did I miss that you sold it? I can sure understand wanting to take in all the sites and the history, as well as just taking it easy. Your historical writing appears to be in the forefront as well. Lucky you, living in Mexico!
There’s so much history in Mexico, so varied, so many revolutions, so much art and culture. It’s a huge palate to choose from, Lois. Plus I’m a research nerd, love it. But so do you. Right?
I love every single detail in this piece! You took us through your love and care for books and book people directly, beautifully, unflinchingly. Beautiful photos, too.
Thank so much, Ceci! So appreciate your kind comment!!
This was a truly enjoyable journey for me. Thank you!
Puerto Morelas, bookstores, groovy photos, and travel journalism? Yes, please. Thanks for painting such a vivid picture. 🖼️
Very welcome! Thank YOU, Lisa!
This is fascinating, and it makes me so happy to see someone who cherishes books as much as I do. I never really thought about how book care can change with climate, or what it takes to source books when opening a shop in another country. All the behind-the-scenes stuff is so interesting. I’m really glad I stumbled on your writing and look forward to reading more. You mentioned Marin County—is that where you’re from? I used to live in Novato and San Rafael for a bit. A lot of my family is still out there. I’m in the Midwest now.
Thanks so much Brandi! I’m glad you found me too! Yes, really a lot to consider in opening a bookstore in a foreign country, and also one that is humid! But in time, we did figure it all out. Lived most of my adult life in San Fran-Bay Area, till Mexico.
Another wonderful addition to your bookstore saga—as engrossing as a good book. So wish I could have visited. Thanks, Jeanine!
Thank you! It was a book, published in 2003. Got some nice write-ups. AFAR named it one of the top 14 books on Mexico in ‘The Book Lover’s Guide to Mexico,’ Oct 2017. As you can imagine, I was thrilled and shocked of course. When I started my Substack I thought I’d serialize it, from about chapter 4 on. I’m really glad you’re enjoying it, thank you! Almost at the end now.
It is always such a treat to read another exciting chapter in your bookstore in the jungle tale each week... So busy here so I saved this week's post to read this morning in bed. Perfect!
I wish I could have seen your bookstore. I've spent an inordinate amount of time perusing the shelves of independent book shops; and an even inordinat-er [sic] amount of time perusing if the bookshop also sold coffee. And I was just in Green Apple Books less than a year ago! Such serendipity...
Bookstores are fun! Thanks. Customers could bring their own coffee but we didn’t have kitchen facilities and much easier just selling books. But the old Borders bookstores were great with that nice cafe.
I love the connection to Shakespeare and Co! And of course your cliffhanger ending!
Whitman was probably one of the highlights of my life so far. Like history walking. And so generous- with his time and advice.
I’m in love with your bookstore and with its story!
I love the photos of your store! And I love independent bookstores-so quaint, so cozy and there's a familiar book smell!
The dehumidifier was a must-I'm glad you included that info. So important in a humid, tropical climate. When living in Costa Rica, I switched to reading books on the Kindle App on my iPad because physical books got a musty smell and damp. But there's nothing like holding a physical book!
And....hurricanes.....
I just wrote a long reply and —gone. Maybe my IOS on computer is not up to date. It’s frustrating. We had bookstore before Kindle! Our first threat was from Barnes&Noble, folks had their books with them, Amazon in general. THEN came Kindle, a very good idea for sure, esp on vacation. But, as Paul detailed to Ron the planeta.com publisher—ours were crispy crispy crispy pages! And no smell!! Yay!
Yes I thought that your store was pre-kindle! Now many Barnes and Nobles are also gone. I could also borrow books from my US library while abroad until they realized I was gone! 😉 It would’ve been a gift to have a bookstore like yours in Uvita, Costa Rica- with a dehumidifier of course!
Hola, Rebecca!! So glad you're doing tai chi on Fridays! Thanks so much for reading. All well here. xoxo
Wonderful! I love reading your bookshop tales! It sounds like somewhere I could have spent hours. And the Paris connection is incredible too!
That customer was also being overly unrealistic. But it was fun! Actually that’s how I learned about Shakespeare&Co. — through people telling me about it at our bookstore. And that’s why when in Paris, we went there, oddly, the hotel we stayed at was literally right around the corner! (cute place, great location, aptly named The Esmeralda).
Thanks for restack, Travel Essayist.
Your bookstore sounds wonderful. You obviously have found your niche in Mexico and you sound so incredibly happy. Enjoy your beautiful surroundings and the work you love.
I wish I could travel back in time and visit you in that store!
Thanks Lois. We loved Alma Libre! We did sell it eventually b/c we wanted to re-retire. It started as a hobby that became quite a success (we never thought about that), and the work week (after our SanFran jobs for decades) was supposed to be minimized, but local crowds won out and we were open 5 days a week. It thrives still, the new people are wonderful. We wanted to have time to visit the pyramids more, sit on the beach, snorkel, sail, longer travel, do all the things the ‘tourists’ were doing ): But it was a blast for a long time!
Oh, how did I miss that you sold it? I can sure understand wanting to take in all the sites and the history, as well as just taking it easy. Your historical writing appears to be in the forefront as well. Lucky you, living in Mexico!
There’s so much history in Mexico, so varied, so many revolutions, so much art and culture. It’s a huge palate to choose from, Lois. Plus I’m a research nerd, love it. But so do you. Right?
Yes I do. I love to see the history up close and be right there. It’s a passion of mine. Best to you, Jeanine.
It's always something! And determined, prepared and intrepid you just keep it going. Love this, Jeanine.
So glad Mitch missed you. I hope you got those shutters!