~Post by Kester
A little over 7 years ago, I was hired on as a bookseller for Texas’ largest independent bookstore, BookPeople.
I had no idea, at the time, that it was Texas’ largest independent bookstore.
I also had no idea that it was Texas’ best. Having worked there for over 7 years now, I have more than some idea. And I have more than some idea why.
It’s the events. Events like Harry Potter parking lot parties and Bill Clinton book signings and events that support new authors and local authors and quality authors. I’ve had the good fortune to participate in all of these events, both out front and behind the scenes. The folks who run these events go the extra mile for authors and for customers and make coming out to BookPeople one heck of a good time. And speaking of events and gatherings…
It’s the book clubs. It’s the way that a group of people who come together to discuss a book can create a conversation that makes the coming worthwhile even on those rare occasions when the book wasn’t even worth reading. I’ve had the good fortune to participate in more than a couple of these clubs and have said, more than once, “I didn’t even like this book until I came and discussed it with all of you.” Which is just another way of saying…
It’s the customers. Sure, occasionally a customer has had an off day and takes it out on their local bookseller, but most of the time the customers are friendly and patient and happy that there’s still some place on earth that cares about things like books and people. It’s their (your) loyalty to places like BookPeople that allow places like BookPeople to thrive. And that loyalty and commitment exists in our customers because they can see it in our staff. Which reminds me…
It’s the staff. The ones you meet at the registers and out on the floor and the ones upstairs doing the thankless work of receiving books and buying books and ordering books for customers. The ones who make sure the computers work so that the booksellers can help you find the book you’re looking for. The ones who work in accounting to make sure that your booksellers get paid for helping you find that book. The ones who sell you coffee and a taco. The ones who can answer a question about that gift you saw and can’t find or that book you heard about on The Daily Show (or was it The Colbert Report?) They don’t mind doing the extra work that it takes to make your experience a good one and each and every one of them is a part of what makes BookPeople great.
I know this because I have worked alongside of them for just over 7 years. And today I worked alongside of them for the last time. And while I have always appreciated getting to do the work that I do, I realized today that I never appreciated it as much as I should have.
Working for and with BookPeople these past 7 years has been amazing. This weekend I go back to school and to do so I leave the city for a town that doesn’t have a place like BookPeople. And I will miss it. I will miss the books; the daily access to new discoveries and old favorites; the Murakamis and Fitzgeralds and Flannery O’Connors and Fyodor Dostoevskys. But I will miss the people even more; the chance to meet Patton Oswalts and Steve Earles and engage them in real and meaningful dialogue. The chance to meet local favorites like Karen Valby and Owen Egerton who become close friends. And the chance to form other rich and rewarding friendships with customers and co-workers, friendships that I hope will last for years to come.
Thanks to you, Austin. And thanks to you, BookPeople. Working with you and for you has been one of my life’s great pleasures.
BookPeople 