Serendipity Bookstore Blog

Owning your own bookstore takes alot of energy! Especially if you are doing all the ordering, merchandising, advertising, events, bill paying, etc. on your own. Oftentimes you don’t have time to sit back and think about what you really should be doing or if you are actually going down the right path. My faith in God has kept me afloat this past year, especially during those times when customers were few and far between and I worried about making enough to pay my bills. Was I doing what He wanted me to do or was I forcing my own desires onto to Him to make it look like I was doing what God wanted me to do. Or was I just thinking about too much? It was hard to distinguish at first. But I have learned to just talk daily to Him and let my mind be still (which is very dificult) so I could sense the direction in which I am being led. Now I know that sounds all supernaturally and all, but it really works. I have learned how to put my worries away and to take whatever happens in stride. This is my store and I am going to enjoy it! And I want everybody too! Come by and see me.

No Comments » Posted by Hooty / Bookstore Commentary

I am listening to this song, the version by Kaulana Kanekoa, and just thinking that I made it over the rainbow. I have my own bookstore. This is something that I have wanted for 20 years and now its mine. I do my best everyday to make it work realizing that this next year I might not be able to hold on to it. The trick is to enjoy it while I have it and daily thank God for giving me my dream. Each day I can walk through my aisles and pick a book up off the shelf and be transported into someone else’s world. That world may be a fantasyland, a gritty big city street, or the old English countryside, but wherever I am, I can experience something I wouldn’t have been able to in my “real” life. That’s what is so amazing about books and helping people find those new worlds and characters who’s lives they may want to share. It is a rush. Of course, there is the chance I may pick something for them they just do not like, but more often than not, they are grateful anyway and ask me to pick another. I think its one of my skills. I don’t have many of those (!) but i’d like to think that pairing an individual with the right book is one, and a good one at that.

1 Comment » Posted by Hooty / Bookstore Commentary

With banned books week coming up and the Presidential election on the horizon, I have been thinking alot about freedom and liberty. What do they really mean to me? Does a person have the right to tell me what my children are allowed to read, much less what I am allowed to read? I understand that a person may not want their children exposed to something they consider distasteful or objectionable, but do they have the right to prohibit my child from seeing that same material if I say otherwise? I consider myself a patriot, someone who believes in the constitution; that it is NOT a mutable document and that the Bill of Rights was written to ensure nobody took away my rights, my responsibility, my freedom to make decisions for myself. Further, even though someone may think they have your interest in mind and just want to protect you or your child from something indecent or obscene, they should not be able make that decision for you. To me, making your own decisions, being responsibile for yourself, teaching your children to be responsible and thoughtful and hardworking, are for the individual to do. A separate person, group, or government should not do that for you. When that happens, all liberties will follow. If you are incapable of making a decision about what book to read, then what’s going to follow? Already we have the government telling us to buckle up for safety. The state tells us not to bring cookies and cupcakes to our kids’ classrooms because they could get fat or someone might have an allergic reaction. The government, bit by bit, is taking away personal responsibility and replacing it with their rules so that we don’t have to think. Both parties are responsible for this, although I think the democrats are the greatest enablers. Our entitlement system has fostered so many who are dependent on it that each year new laws must be passed or laws amended in order to accommodate those who are incapable of taking care of themselves. They have become used to the government making decisions for them and then sending them a check in the mail. No wonder the masses are seen as moronic and clueless! Basically, I have a right to read what I want, to engage in lawful business practices, and to live the kind of life I want to live in my pursuit of happiness. I don’t hurt anyone, I pay my taxes (another sore and HUGE subject), and try to teach my kids the best I can. So for those who want to tell me how to live, andfor those in government who think they know how to run my life better than I, back off!

3 Comments » Posted by Hooty / Bookstore Commentary

I am starting to plan my event for the last week in September for Banned Books week. A read-a-thon is in the works and possibly coordinating something with the schools. Not quite sure yet what exactly, though. I do know, however, that I do not need any other person telling me what I should read or what my children should be reading. Since this still is the United States of America, I have the right to read whatever book I want and to let my kids read whatever book I feel is OK for them to read. As a nation, we are becoming more and more accustomed to letting the government and others in authority tell us what to eat, how to act, what to study, what to wear..you get the point. Even though some of the books I wouldn’t let my kids read because of the mature content, even for a young adult book, I would never in a million years tell someone else not to read it. When it comes to kids, parents have the last say, not a group of “concerned citizens”. When it comes to adults, only an individual has the right to say what they want to read.

No Comments » Posted by Hooty / Bookstore Commentary

How do you pick a book for a book club-one that everybody will like? When I choose a book, I do so with a little trepidation because I think if they don’t like this one, they may not come back next month. Most people are open to new experiences so will forgive you a bad choice a few times. I love sci fi/fantasy, but are those the right choices for a book club? Just how open would someone be to a new genre? I have tried to stay away from romance and sci fi/fantasy, but my choice for October is going to be “Something Wicked This Way Comes.” A Ray Bradbury classic that throws in just a little sci fi and some horror. I figured it would be a good choice because it is also a classic. My main criteria for choosing a book is what kind of discussion would it start. You want a book that is fun to talk about. So far, I have chosen two books that got a mixed reception. “The Robber Bride” was not received well at all….too much description and too long to get to the point. And “In the Woods” left most of us hanging because the end did not tie up the mystery. Still, the discussion was good because we had fun talking about the things we didn’t like about the stories. What books would you choose for a book club?

1 Comment » Posted by Hooty / Bookstore Commentary

Ron Paul has started a “campaign for Liberty” since his failed bid for the White House. Part of the campaign is creating a strong grassroots  organization to help get out the word and to build momentum. One of their ideas is to have bookstores hold Ron Paul book clubs. I am seriously thinking of doing this. I am a Paul supporter and became very excited during the primary season when I found out how many other Paul supporters are in the hill country area. Also, I am so fed up with our government; they are controlled by those with money and power, not by us as they should be in a republic, and I don’t know what I can do about it. I can vote, of course, but it just doesn’t seem to be enough anymore when the candidates you have to choose from are already bought and paid for. So, this idea came along and I thought I might jump at it. Its either this or start a revolution with protests and marches. What do you think? Would you be open to a book club that centers around the belief in liberty and independence?

http://www.campaignforliberty.com/

3 Comments » Posted by Hooty / Bookstore News

Well, tonight is the release party and I am excited! The books haven’t arrived yet, they won’t be in until the afternoon, so til then, I am going to be anxious. What will I do if they don’t make it!!! I have made a Pin the Tail on the Werewolf game. Did a good job if I say so myself! I’m thinking that I am going to serve a red velvet cake and blood red punch tonight also. I think that goes with the vampire theme pretty well, don’t you? Tomorrow is Hootapalooza. The news says it is going to 105 degrees!!! Of course, but this is central Texas so we could have a last minute thunderstorm (one can only hope). I think I have it all under control, but last minute surprises are what makes things exciting. What could be more serendipitous than a last minute snafu that turns out to be the best thing that could have happened? Unless it the UPS truck not making the delivery because it broke down!

No Comments » Posted by Hooty / Bookstore News