Well, now that the dust has settled from the Victory Celebration Blog Party, I’m trying (not very successfully) to get back on my feet and settled into normal life again. 😅 And I’m attempting that with a tag I snurched from Katja (originally created by RobertG: Reader of Books, whom I’m not familiar with).

1. What are the hours of operation?

Probably 9-5, like Katja’s bookstore. Open Tuesday-Friday, I think, with perhapsies different hours on Saturday; maybe 10-3ish or so?

2. Is there ambient music? What kind?

Oh, absolutely. It would depend on the day and how I’m feeling; the playlist could vary from classical music, movie soundtracks, hymns, oldies, smooth jazz/swing . . . basically, I love music WAY too much not to have SOMETHING playing. 😆

3. Is there a coffee bar? Do you serve alcohol?

Ooh, yesyesyes we have a coffee bar! I mean, coffee and books just go together – but there’s also tea and Italian sodas and the like for those who don’t like coffee or want something different. And we might have some snacks too. No alcohol, though. I’m opposed to drinking, and this needs to be a kid-friendly place.

4. Are patrons encouraged to linger? Are there comfortable chairs? What kind of lighting? Are there tables? Are there areas for group gatherings?

Yessssss, lingering is definitely encouraged. We’ve got comfy chairs of all kinds, cool retro-style lighting, small side tables, and longer study tables by the windows. There’s a larger room, maybe upstairs or in the back, for events and such. Oh, and we have a garden area too, for people who want to read outside.

5. Is there live entertainment (poetry readings, authors’ readings from their current works, lectures in literature)?

That would be delightful! Of course I’d want to vet them beforehand, but it would be fun. We’ve got a bookclub (led by yours truly) that meets once a month, and sometimes we have live music nights.

6. Where is your bookstore located? In the busy heart of a large city? In a neighborhood of a large city? In a suburban strip mall? In a small town? In a rural area?

Hmm, probably downtown-ish in a smaller town (not too small, though, about 50,000 people or more). And we has trees, precious, lots and lots of lovely trees!

7. How does your bookstore look from the outside? Sleek and modern? Dark and brooding?

Something cottagecore to be sure (because I ADORE cute cottages)! It’s cozy and homey, and looks like a Hobbit could pop his curly head out the front door at any moment. Perhaps something like this:

Or like this:

And we have a shop cat. Well-trained, of course, so he doesn’t go running away. But it’s my firm opinion that every small bookstore needs a cat to rub ankles and sleep on the window seats in the sunlight. 🙂‍↕️

8. What’s your specialty? Used books? New? New and used? Only fiction? Only non-fiction? Fiction and non-fiction? Does your bookstore specialize in a particular genre?

Yes. 😁 New and used both, fiction and non-fiction, trad and indie pub, and of course local authors (including my books lol). Maybe we’ll carry some games too (family games and wargames), and a kids’ corner with happy, wholesome toys like Calico Critters. Once again, I’d like to vet all the books I carry (the new ones, at any rate) or at least get the opinion of trusted Christian reviewers. (No icky romances or dark fantasies here, please.) Books that I’ve especially enjoyed get a “Phoebs’ Favorite!” sign on the shelf by them, and I’ve got a list of recommendations for different genres and age groups.

9. What’s the name of your bookstore?

Ahhh, naming things is always one of the hardest parts! 😅 I might call it Hobbit Hutch Books, or The Bookwyrm’s Cave, or something like that. Or Chronicler’s Corner Bookstore, since I sell more than just fantasy.

10. Tag some friends.

I’m going to tag Iona and Journey, and anybody else is welcome to snurch too! It’s a delightful tag. 😁

And here’s a clean copy of the questions:

1. What are the hours of operation?
2. Is there ambient music? What kind?
3. Is there a coffee bar? Do you serve alcohol?
4. Are patrons encouraged to linger? Are there comfortable chairs? What kind of lighting? Are there tables? Are there areas for group gatherings?
5. Is there live entertainment (poetry readings, authors’ readings from their current works, lectures in literature)?
6. Where is your bookstore located? In the busy heart of a large city? In a neighborhood of a large city? In a suburban strip mall? In a small town? In a rural area?
7. How does your bookstore look from the outside? Sleek and modern? Dark and brooding?
8. What’s your specialty? Used books? New? New and used? Only fiction? Only non-fiction? Fiction and non-fiction? Does your bookstore specialize in a particular genre?
9. What’s the name of your bookstore?
10. Tag some friends.