This week I have started a job at a bookstore. It has been a dream of mine for some time. The place is only until Christmas but nevertheless I appreciate it very much and I am happy to be surrounded by books and by people who feel a connection to books.
A month ago, I have sent out 65 speculative applications to 65 bookstores in Berlin and I have opened up a spreadsheet to document the whole application process. Just for the experiment’s sake and for the laughs.
I have received 20 negative replies (most of them friendly, two especially nice and only one rather rude) and two “maybe”s. The rest 40 bookstores never even replied.
I have told the story to a friend of mine and wise as he always is, he told me to see it the other way round. He said: “65 is an impressive number. Imagine that number in apples!” That lovely comparison alone made me feel better. Then he went: “Besides, now is only your ego suffering.” He was right.
So I let it go. Inside I knew I have done everything I can. I have done my job.
Time passed and last week out of the blue, I was invited to a job interview. This Monday I have signed the contract and on Tuesday was my first day.
I feel good in the bookstore as I knew I would. I feel in place. I do believe it does make a difference if you take people’s money selling them shoes, smart phones, clothes or if you sell them books. They not only buy a book. They buy a story. They buy time. Or at least I like to see it that way.
Today a 12 year old girl came to ask me if we have Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”. She asked it in a serious manner, pronouncing the author’s name very carefully. I thought that this is one of the most wonderful things: to be at the age where you still haven’t read “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”.
That story was one of those little-big gifts hidden in the day. For that and for the outcome of my experiment I am grateful.
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When I wrote the previous bookstore post I have received the most generous and sincere support from so many people. I could feel all that positive energy coming to me even from a distance. For your energy, support and help I thank you, dear friends.
