I found myself in the most charming bookstore the other day. It is called “Chapter Two.”
Bookstore charm
The combination of towering bookcases full of used books, the eclectic mix of furniture, tea and pastries made for an atmosphere of what I imagine a 1940’s writing salon would be like. Needless to say, I stayed awhile.
Cafe Books in Canmore, Alberta has birthed “Chapter Two” to house their used book section. There is a plush purple couch which I enjoyed while having tea. Not to mention the most intriguing staircase that leads to….no where.
Have I told you I worked at two different book stores during my university years? Well, knowing this now, you can imagine how much I love to frequent independent book stores and see what they are all about.
One of my favorite discoveries in “Chapter Two” was this bulletin board that the book store staff has put together. It showcases all the stuff they find in used books.
Lives untold in stuff
This window into the readers lives fascinates me. Several grocery receipts (boot print included), a library card, of course bookmarks, but look at that letter dated December 1968.
It makes me wonder, first how a letter penned on the stationery of an Ottawa, Ontario hotel ended up in a used book store in Canmore, Alberta some 46 years later. Then I wonder, what was going on for the writer of the letter and who or what are they calling ‘churchy’ (and why)? And what about the person the letter was intended for? Was that who left the letter in the book?
These snippets of conversations leave me wanting more.
Have you ever found anything interesting in a book?
P.S. It would seem I’m not alone in my fascination with things found in books. Author Ander Monson has been scouring libraries for just this reason and uses his finds as material for a book.
I once found a $5 bill in a used book as child. I’ve been looking ever since. My bookmark is a personally made one that my grandson made when he discovered I was reading “The Hobbit” (again). He’s old enough now (6) that we can discuss it although he has a rather Lego-ish perspective. I wish the Banff store was still there. I loved it. But Canmore is pretty cool too.
Hello there Laurel, What a magnificent find for youngster when reading! Even as an adult this would be spectacular to find money in a book…almost like when you find it in a forgotten pocket. Did you spend it? I love that books get all generations talking to each other; sounds like just the beginning of many grand conversations with your grandson. So lovely of you to take the time to pop in for a visit. Perhaps I will run into you in Canmore sometime?
I have found some prayer cards in the old books I found. In books I owned, people might see receipts that I missed when cleaning up the book before giving it away.
Hello there Imelda, so nice of you to take the time can drop over to say ‘hi.’ Sounds like you too have found interesting things in old books! I have been known to leave cards or photos in books I read. I find it fascinating that it is a tiny little window into the life of the reader. Wishing you a good week.
Love this, thanks! I love to read a book with an old letter or a picture as a bookmark. Though sometimes I buy a postcard I use as a bookmark, then I send the book to a friend with that postcard. Love the idea of stumbling over little treasures in books!
Hey there Alex, I love your idea of using a postcard for a bookmark and then sending both the book and bookmark to a friend. I must try this! Right now, I’m using an envelope that my son wrote me a note on for my bookmark. Thanks for reading and sharing your bookmark story.
Sounds like a great plot for a novel!
I couldn’t agree more Mo, some material here for a book I think! Lovely to see you. Hope you are well.