Unless you’ve been living in outer space for the last few years, you must know about the demise of independent bookstores. Even the big chain bookstores may be in jeopardy as we advance toward a paperless world. One of my favourite bookstores in the world is Shakespeare and Company in Paris but right here in Semur we have one that I think should be declared a French national treasure.
Of course not an English book to be found …
but that’s just fine. I love looking at all the covers, often austere and uncluttered compared to North American books. But there’s plenty of artful design to be found here. Like the way they display children’s books …
What child could resist the adventure of discovering the wonders here? All over the store there are old trunks and valises full of books just waiting for the sticky hands of a budding Balzac. The two Mademoiselles who run this exquisite shop have expanded with another floor full of things that tempt me more than anything hanging on the racks at Dior or Chanel …
At least I know where I’d spend my paycheque if I had one. They have a whole wall of beautiful papier and Frenchy cool file folder thingys that would be my undoing. But be warned, if you so much as hint about wanting a non-fat mochafrappolattecino and a frequent buyer reward card, they have an antique guillotine in the basement and they’re just dying to try it out.
Exquisite. I love the books in the old valise.
Those are my favorite too. Such colorful covers!
That book shop looks absolutely gorgeous, somewhere to wander and dream and plot and plan…
Can I put a small plea in here? For everyone who loves the idea of small bookshops with guillotines in them, please continue to support your OWN independent bookstores even if they are slightly more cranky, expensive, and have fewer books than Amazon. Independent booksellers (I was one for years) are more than an algorithm to recommend books, we have read books, we think about you’ve read, and encourage you to read other things. We host readings. We’d sell the shit out of Bobbi’s book, I assure you.
I would much rather spend my time and money in a bookstore like this than have a super double venti caramel low fat no whip anything.
The last independent bookshop within fifty miles closed here five years ago.
The closest thing we have now is the used bookstore, which I love, but I have to wait for the ‘newer’ titles.
I miss the smaller shops . . .
Just recently found your blog! It’s so disheartening to see what is happening with all the book stores. Treasure that one!
my favorite independent bookstore is connected to my favorite local coffee house. it’s the most perfect corner in the world (for me). this morning i stopped in and left with:
Bill Clegg’s Ninety Days
three thank you cards
the latest issues of: Town & Country, Brain Child and Vanity Fair
(they didn’t have any of the post it origami, but they did have match books made to look like literary classics. i got two of them to include in the thank you notes i’m sending.)
My closest independent book store is a 35 mile drive and $4 in tolls away. And it does get all the best signing events so at times it is worth the drive. Your store looks like heaven, Bobbi.
De Lite full~
How beautiful! I love the green radio with the price tag : radio verte. Fantastique!
I am doing my book launch at an independent bookshop and the guys are generous, inspired and struggling. Even my publisher, an independent, says Amazon is a necessary evil but still he has to put himself out there. I agree we must support these brave people by buying their books and hanging out in these wonderful places!
Lovely!
My favorite part is the hot pink bunny in the flower pot outside the second floor window.
I was in Semur ages ago and all I remember are the escargot carved into the cathedral stone work. Now I want to come back just to visit that book shop, and ask the proprietaire if she needs an intern for the Summer.
My French is bad, but ‘History of Feet’ and ‘For the love of Dust’? Not hot sellers, I’m guessing….
I’m with Cat. I want that radio.
Hi Bobbi,
Given your love of all things paper, you must check out the new, absolutely beautiful, stationary (for lack of a better word) store on Market Street in Halifax, called “Inkwell.” It is joyous! They have a little bit of everything- I have picked up some lovely cards, and a charming book about an elegant cockroach! this store is new since you left! Of course, there is still ‘Duly Noted’ (now downtown Halifax) which is absolutley fun, fun, fun. One must hold on to one’s credit card though…
Heather
Uh oh. Inkwell, sounds like heaven to me!!
It is a beautiful store…the owner is so lovely and knowledgeable. From a tactile point of view…it is amazing. I hope you will have time to visit. They do have a website. It is important that we do our bit to support these independent endeavors.
Luckily, we still have Bookmark on Spring Garden. Back Pages (2nd hand store on Queen St) closed up shop recently and John Doull’s store is moving to Dartmouth (this is probably a good thing as they will have more space and it will keep me away from the vault filled with poetry first editions). I miss Frog Hollow…
Heather
Vinyl records are coming back – they just sound so much better than a CD – books will come back too once people realise a Kobo does not feel and smell as good as an old fashioned book. Kobos are good for travelling and business, books for curling up for a good read. Me- i stick to paper and plan to check out inkwell when i manage to get to the big city (Halifax)!
Independent book shops and old record stores are my absolute favourite. <3 <3
Every time I’m in France I hit a bookstore and head upstairs to all the paper goods. I stock up on little notebooks, unique folders, agendas, etc. that I absolutely do not need. But they’re all so beautiful.