Biography, Autobiography, Memoir discussion

Now have rearranged the entire youth section at the bookshop.

Might see more sales...? Hopefully. Now the children can actually see the books.

Selina wrote: "Now have rearranged the entire youth section at the bookshop.

Might see more sales...? Hopefully. Now the children can actually see the books."

It's great that the children can see the books, so I hope it helps.

Selina wrote: "Now have rearranged the entire youth section at the bookshop.

Might see more sales...? Hopefully. Now the children can actually see the books."

I think that was a great idea!

We have this really strange layout in the bookshop and gondolas (shelving) that is not very good for displaying books.

I suggested we out the children's colouring books on the bottom shelves and the adults ones up the top, Makes sense right? Except we can't, because the way the shelves are built if we did that we can't get the ones out the middle out of the shelves because of the way the shelves are stacked.

Honestly I would have words whoever the 'clever' person was who designed the fittings for the shop. No clue. And books fall behind the shelves because of the false backs. Also at the front of the shop everything is fake wood. Its meant to look like wood, but it's actually plastic.

Librarian Tales: Funny, Strange, and Inspiring Dispatches from the Stacks by William Ottens

A gentle primer into library life...and shop talk for those of us who are librarians. Anybody been to Oskaloosa Public Library in Kansas? Here's your librarian.

Boss txted me yesterday that he received compliment on the way our children's section was arranged by a book loving customer.

It's working!

Also took some books to my garden club and several have been placed on hold. I wonder what my pay would look like if I worked on commission instead of the minimum that everyone gets paid lol.

Selina wrote: "Boss txted me yesterday that he received compliment on the way our children's section was arranged by a book loving customer.

It's working!

Also took some books to my garden club and several ha..."

That's great to hear :)

Selina wrote: "Boss txted me yesterday that he received compliment on the way our children's section was arranged by a book loving customer.

It's working!

Also took some books to my garden club and several ha..."

Karin wrote: "Selina wrote: "Boss txted me yesterday that he received compliment on the way our children's section was arranged by a book loving customer.

It's working!

Also took some books to my garden club..."

Funny how things like that make a difference but they do.

On ward and upward.
I'm trying to convince my boss to separate out the childrens colouring and activity books from the adults.

He could put all the crayola markers next to the children's on one side.

On the other, have the adult colouring books with the more artier type brand coloured pencils.

What do you think.

At the moment it's just all colouring books together, the childrens displayed up the top where they can't see, and the adults on the bottom spine out where they have to bend down, and every kind of colouring pencil brand on the other side, all together.

?!
Does anyone here colour in?

Selina wrote: "On ward and upward.
I'm trying to convince my boss to separate out the childrens colouring and activity books from the adults.

He could put all the crayola markers next to the children's on one si..."

I do adult coloring (colouring) and when my granddaughters come over they prefer my books to the children's books I have. The twelve-year-old doesnt have a very long attention span but does a little each time she comes. The eight-year-old does very precise work. I am amazed what a good job she does. So I would say that is a tough question because some kids would rather do a harder coloring book and some adults might want an easier one.

Hmm well they wouldn't be that far apart...but even with the different levels the harder ones should be above the easier ones don't you think.

Selina wrote: "Hmm well they wouldn't be that far apart...but even with the different levels the harder ones should be above the easier ones don't you think."

As a shopper I think I would like them in one spot and arranged from easier to harder. Then if I was looking for different age groups they would all be in one spot. But then if they were in different spots it wouldn't be that difficult to go to two areas but if I was looking at one area I might not think there would be another area. I'm just thinking of the one bookstore I have to go to and that store (Barnes and Noble) is fairly large.

That's a tough one, but since we don't buy or use them, I don't know where I'd go looking if I were in a book store. There is logic in both methods and I suspect that you'll find that different people would look for them in different ways.

I coloured in them as a child, but when my kids were little I gave them art supplies and limited colouring books to gifts from others in hopes they'd learn to draw well. It worked with 2/3 of them (and the other did learn to draw airplanes fairly well, but not like an artist).

Selina wrote: "Hmm well they wouldn't be that far apart...but even with the different levels the harder ones should be above the easier ones don't you think."

Well the adult ones should be where adults can reach them and the children's where the children can see and reach.

Fishface wrote: "Selina wrote: "Hmm well they wouldn't be that far apart...but even with the different levels the harder ones should be above the easier ones don't you think."

Well the adult ones should be where a..."

Yes, although as a parent, when my kids were small I wasn't always keen on this idea ;)

Karin wrote: "Fishface wrote: "Selina wrote: "Hmm well they wouldn't be that far apart...but even with the different levels the harder ones should be above the easier ones don't you think."

Well the adult ones ..."

I can see why, just like putting candy next to the cash register.

Koren wrote: "Karin wrote: "Fishface wrote: "Selina wrote: "Hmm well they wouldn't be that far apart...but even with the different levels the harder ones should be above the easier ones don't you think."

Well t..."

Yes, which is why many parents rejoiced when some grocery stories started making candy free registers (probably reduced the amount of register whining/tantrums/crying for those of us good at saying no).

Koren wrote: "Karin wrote: "Fishface wrote: "Selina wrote: "Hmm well they wouldn't be that far apart...but even with the different levels the harder ones should be above the easier ones don't you think."

Well t..."
Regarding candy - not really its so people don't steal them as they are small items.
It doesn't have anything to do with children, as most candy isn't at their eye level, it's just by the counter so staff can keep an eye on it.

Selina wrote: "Koren wrote: "Karin wrote: "Fishface wrote: "Selina wrote: "Hmm well they wouldn't be that far apart...but even with the different levels the harder ones should be above the easier ones don't you t..."

Actually, where I live grocery stores are called supermarkets and usually have at least 10 registers for checking out but no more than one that is candy free if any.

But, yes, candy gets stolen a lot. I was so flabbergasted when I saw a woman pocket several bars of candy while paying for some at a gas station (the candy is right in front of the counter where you pay) that I couldn't get words out until it was too late.

Yes, of course I know people do that, but why do it when someone is behind you????

However, stores here find it more profitable to have candy at the check out aisles than not, even with theft.

We have chocolates, chupa chups, toffee, liquorice, mints and fruit drops on the counter in the bookshop I work in. And those little pez dispensers.

I think I'd rather have the little gift books or bookmarks there in that space rather than the candy. We actually don't sell that much of it. Still have chocolates left over from Christmas.

Boss says behind the counter he's going to put all the ink as it's expensive and tiny.

"There's a fire in the supermarket!"

Yep there was. We had to evacuate. It's right near our bookshop. I hope the smoke hasn't damaged any of our books.
The fire started in the chip aisle. Not sure how?!

Selina wrote: ""There's a fire in the supermarket!"

Yep there was. We had to evacuate. It's right near our bookshop. I hope the smoke hasn't damaged any of our books.
The fire started in the chip aisle. Not sur..."

I hope your books are okay! Have you read The Library Book about the fire in the Los Angelos Public Library back some years?

Well, the fire got put out and there was a bit of water damage for some books that were sitting on cardboard stacks. The back office smells really smoky. It was closed yesterday but today we opened again.

The supermarket is closed for a week. Some of the other shops had smoke damage. Esp clothing stores.

Thank goodness it was contained. Yes I read The Library Book. Apparently this one was caused by someone copying an idiotic tik tok video that showed chip packets being set alight!

Today's trading was fairly busy because everyone was buying Mother's day cards.

Weird thing said today:

Do you have the Superman Fortnite crossover?

No. It's coming out September.

What are we in now?

May

*Counts* Four more months!!

Sorry you'll have to wait until then.

*sad face*

Selina wrote: "Well, the fire got put out and there was a bit of water damage for some books that were sitting on cardboard stacks. The back office smells really smoky. It was closed yesterday but today we opened..."

TikTok challenge, ugh! I hope the stores' insurance policies cover the losses.

Supermarket is closed for 7 weeks.
eek. Yes insuarance does cover loss of trading day hours and suppliers reimburse for damaged stock but it can't cover loss of potential profit as its just one of those things.

Went to the mall yesterday, mum had a mall voucher, but there was nothing that she wanted to spend on so I convinced her that I could use it to buy books and pay her back, as it needed to be spent by next month.

I'm quite excited to go shopping today! (shopping is really only good if you have the funds)

I mean some people like window shopping, but I find it a bit boring. At the bookshop there are no real themed window displays its just some of the items on pedestals. I think in malls window dressing is a bit of a lost art, since everything is open anyway.

When shops closed on the weekends back in the olden days, people would have walked along the mainstreet and just looked in the windows, waiting for Monday when the shops would open again.

Selina wrote: "I mean some people like window shopping, but I find it a bit boring. At the bookshop there are no real themed window displays its just some of the items on pedestals. I think in malls window dressi..."

That's a term I haven't heard in a long time...window shopping.

I overspent a bit, but because of covid supply for books is a bit iffy, so I thought I would get books while they are in stock.

No bios/memoirs though I was shopping for my school library.

I got round to reading Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops by Shaun Blythell

Except there are 8. He added another bonus chapter. And he had several types for each kind.

Amusing. But since the bookshop I work in is not a second-hand one (or Antiquarian, the fancy name for it) we don't get quite the same kinds of customers Shaun gets.

Though we get all kinds really. Last time I had someone come in wanting me to print out divorce papers. They had to be on yellow paper and he needed three copies.

So many things happen in libraries that I don't have the time to write them all down.

But this librarian has collected a few yucks

I Work at a Public Library: A Collection of Crazy Stories from the Stacks by Gina Sheridan

One thing I must tell you...when you work in a public library, a lot of patrons are still LEARNING to read. So they often won't get things right. Of course, this makes the average intellect of a patron actually quite low, but don't tell anyone, we are trying to HELP them.

My boss said he may have to let me go because there's not been much trade and they have to reduce staff to keep the business going. I'm going to miss working there.

Selina wrote: "My boss said he may have to let me go because there's not been much trade and they have to reduce staff to keep the business going. I'm going to miss working there."

Oh no! So sorry to hear that!

I'm still processing that one...

I've just finished reading The Book Ninja by Ali Berg and Michelle Kraus

The main characters works in a bookshop and get this idea to leave books on trains in Melbourne and leave notes in them with hope of meeting Mr Right. Romantic dramas ensue.
Frankie is a book snob who reads classics and her date Sunny only reads YA. Can they get it together.

Of course its romantic chick lit what do you expect. But the authors actually created this whole thing whereby books are being left on trains and trams all over Australia. Called Books on the Rail.

I think they had my idea from years ago, except NZ railways is nearly defunct and public transport in Auckland is a bit of a joke. Maybe joke books left on trains are more our style!

A quick read but a bit totally improbable thanks to flaky oddball Australian characters and TMI. But if you liked Kath and Kim you might enjoy this.

Koren wrote: "Selina wrote: "My boss said he may have to let me go because there's not been much trade and they have to reduce staff to keep the business going. I'm going to miss working there."

Oh no! So sorry..."

Ditto! So sorry!

Selina wrote: "My boss said he may have to let me go because there's not been much trade and they have to reduce staff to keep the business going. I'm going to miss working there."

I'm so sorry to hear that!

They are dropping the late night shift so I will only be doing Saturdays. Well, it's something.

I don't blame my boss because late nights are pretty much dead at the mall.

Selina wrote: "They are dropping the late night shift so I will only be doing Saturdays. Well, it's something.

I don't blame my boss because late nights are pretty much dead at the mall."

We no longer have a local mall. It has even been torn down.

Karin wrote: "Selina wrote: "They are dropping the late night shift so I will only be doing Saturdays. Well, it's something.

I don't blame my boss because late nights are pretty much dead at the mall."

We no l..."
?! Where did everything go. And what is now in it's place? Do you miss it?

Boss was being a bit weird today.

He was asking me something about what I thought how sales would go this Christmas and I was like how would I know, I can't predict the future. I don't know.

Then he got all strange and said he was trying to help me (help me what?) and it was ok to give my opinion. Its retail not a library. I said you yourself said it was completely unpredictable, but then you ask ME to predict sales?? Why are you asking me. What would I know.

I want to point out to him that since most people don't have steady jobs then its just dependent on whether they have enough money or not.

I also was going to say if all you want to do is make money, then go start a business in a wealthier area. Don't complain if people don't buy stuff when they can't afford it.

I went to the bookshop on Tuesday to pick up books to sell at my garden club meeting that evening but just as I went in his partner said we are probably going to go into lockdown.

So I didn't end up taking those books after all. The boss said I should go home and not go out again.

And now we are in lockdown quarantine for 7 days. Again!

(So when he asks me to predict sales I'm like don't ask me...anything can happen). I bought gifts for my children that I was going to buy anyway but I was too tired to panic-buy at the supermarket that evening.

Selina wrote: "I went to the bookshop on Tuesday to pick up books to sell at my garden club meeting that evening but just as I went in his partner said we are probably going to go into lockdown.

So I didn't end ..."

Is your entire country on lockdown or just where you live.

Koren wrote: "Selina wrote: "I went to the bookshop on Tuesday to pick up books to sell at my garden club meeting that evening but just as I went in his partner said we are probably going to go into lockdown.

S..."

Whole country but Auckland is for longer.

I got an e-mail from the mall of how some shops are open - supermarket, pharmacy and medical centre, and then it said the bookshop was taking 'essential' orders, but they can't open.

However they aren't technically allowed to do that, so not sure why they bothered to advertise since nobody can go in anyway.

I get so much email junk from shops that I just turn them off because I hate online shopping.

Well...still in lockdown and read nearly all my physical library books (just one to go) but good news click and collect is starting up at selected libraries. I have a heap of books to return.

I've only been in once to the bookshop, but didn't buy any books. I bought two jigsaw puzzles which I have since completed.

I bought two books online and collected them and then they sent me an extra one (free?) so someone has mucked up the order...I don't trust online shopping. It never really works when someone else picks out your stuff for you.

I suppose things are as normal for everyone else?

well retail is now allowed to open except I now can't work because I've got a wasp sting on my foot (long story)

But anyway. I don't think this click and collect thing at bookshops really works because some people get all snotty when you call and ask if they have anything in stock BEFORE you hand the money over and order it.

Hooray now back in the bookshop
People have been away for so long that many have forgotten all their pins and passwords when out shopping.

There's a new girl working at the bookshop today.
We were crossing over on our shifts, and I saw The Bookshop Book on the shelf, the paperback edition. I had to show her and tell her about it. I said we weren't in it...but maybe one day we would be lol.

I am hoping Dad and I can visit the Hard to Find Bookshop today.
It has moved, but we still found it last time.

My bookshop job ends at the end of the month! They are definitely downsizing on staff to cope with lockdowns etc.

May look for something else although, maybe the rival bookshop in the other suburban mall? I'll miss it (a little, I won't miss being bossed around though).