There are few things as blissful to a book-lover as spending time in a bookshop. So, when there’s a lazy afternoon when you can do anything and you’re in need of some new books, you can always go to your local brick-and-mortar bookshop for a leisurely stroll and read. Here are five things you can do at your favorite bookshop on a lazy Sunday.
Browse shelves you would otherwise skip
We all have our routes through our favorite bookshops that cover all the genres we love. But what if you changed it a bit? The next time you have some time to spend at your favorite bookshop, browse those shelves that you usually skip. One of the easiest ways to do this is to change your route through the bookshop.
So, instead of, say, starting with fiction, start with history, cooking, crafts, or even business books. Or, if you’re an avid chick-lit fan, for example, have a look at sci-fi and fantasy shelves. You can even have a look at genre fiction books if you usually stick to literary fiction.
That’s not to mention having a look at the biography section or classics if you usually prefer the newest fiction that’s available. Of course, if you love classics, like Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, you may just love Jasper Fforde’s The Eyre Affair, a very entertaining read that’s rich and quirky in its play on classical literature and book culture.
Make Friends with the Bookshop Cat
What’s a bookshop without a cat lurking somewhere between the shelves of books? Many local bookshops have a cat that’s just as famous as the shop – just have a look at this list! Not only do the cats have the best quiet spots in the shop for reading, but they are also good for your mental health.
Try a New Coffee Blend or Tea That You’ve Not Tried Before
Books and coffee or tea go together perfectly, but when did you last try a new blend and not just order your usual drink when you sat down at the bookshop coffee shop? With so many different blends to try, it’s a shame to order the same thing every time!
Coffee shops usually have a few types or blends of tea to choose from and some, like fruit tea, herbal teas, and imported teas, such as rooibos (also called redbush), don’t contain any caffeine. These teas are also perfect if you’re trying to cut down on the amount of caffeine you’re drinking. Not to mention that you can try different black teas, like Oolong, Assam, and Darjeeling. Why just ask for decaf coffee when you can discover a world of new flavors?
Find Out if You Can Buy eBooks and Audiobooks From Them as Well
Gone are the days when you could only buy eBooks from certain online retailers. Many smaller bookstores and indie bookstores now also sell not only indie authors’ books but also eBooks and audiobooks. So, before you go to the large online retailers, why not rather support your local economy and bookshop by buying your eBooks or audiobooks from them?
While you’re at it, you can also find out whether or not your local bookshop has a delivery or pick-up service. Thanks to the pandemic, a lot of the smaller brick-and-mortar stores have started creative initiatives to get their books to avid readers.
Remember to Say Thanks – and Why Not Pay it Forward?
Chatting with your local bookshop owner or sales assistants is always a treat because they really do have a passion for books, and some of them have knowledge of books or even sub-genres that are otherwise not very well known.
If you do discover a new favorite author because of them, remember to say thanks the next time you see them. It’s much better (and more interesting) than artificial intelligence giving you ideas for the next book on your “to be read” pile! Plus, in a bookshop, you can actually page through the books before buying them (not to mention smell them!).
You can also pay it forward by using social media to share some photos about your lazy Sunday trip to the bookshop or by simply telling other people about the bookshop and how great it is. After all, the more people visit and buy books there, the longer it will be able to survive and give this important service to the community.
Final Thoughts
Your local brick-and-mortar bookshop is about a lot more than books. It’s a realm of possibility and a refuge for those who need a break from their everyday life. The people in the store are also a great boon for the community, as their knowledge and love for books are irreplaceable.