Everyone has their favourite place to hang out, somewhere where they feel right at home. A place they feel relaxed simply by walking through the door. For me, that place is the bookstore.
Last year during a trip to New York, when the crowds of woman shoppers got too much to handle in the clothing store, I was off to the bookstore for some peace and solace. Just walking through the aisles of books made me forget about the long lines for the change rooms and the clothes I liked but couldn’t fit into, back at the clothing store.
There’s also nothing quite like going into a bookstore overseas. It’s like being a kid in a candy store, one that has all sorts of delicious candy you cannot get at home (without the help of the internet).
I always head straight for the writing section. Without fail, there is always a book that I have not seen before. Trying to pick which one to buy is often the hardest part. It’s rare I walk out with only one.
Then it’s off to the travel section, my second favourite part of the store. On holiday in London I stumbled upon Stanfords the specialist travel store. They nearly had to send out a search party, I was in there so long.
I have long held a fascination for magazines as well, so the magazine racks are normally my next stop to browse and flick through the flavours on offer.
If the bookstore has a café, then it’s time to inspect my purchases over a pot of tea and something sweet and wickedly fattening (now I remember why I can’t fit into the clothes I liked). If I could find a bookstore that has a café and a bar, that would be perfect. Reading my new purchase over a chilled glass of bubbly would be simply divine.
A word of warning to shoppers buying books overseas, watch the weight. Books and magazines, when you have a few of each, can get weighty and you may find yourself paying an excess baggage fee to get your goodies home. Be mindful if you are taking an internal domestic flight with a lower baggage allowance before you take your long haul flight. Try to spread the weight out evenly between whatever handbags and luggage you have with you. Backpacking through Spain one year, I had to rest for a week in Madrid due to a bad head cold and a sore back. The cold speaks for itself, but how did I hurt my back? I was carrying too many books and bits of travel material around in my backpack.
I am no doubt a bookstores favourite type of customer. I struggle to walk out without buying something. This became an issue last year when I was in saving mode, not to mention now while I am on unpaid leave. Thankfully I made an amazing discovery. The public library! I had been a library member when I was young but totally forgotten about this little gem. On my first trip to the Brisbane Square Library, I chose my books, headed to the counter and out of habit reached for my wallet. Not having to pay was a delight. Now I regularly visit the library and feel completely guilt free walking out with a pile of books. Now if they would just install a café and a bar it would be perfect.
Where is your favourite hangout to get away from it all?
This post was written by...
Thea – who has written 265 posts on Write Change Grow.
Hi! Welcome to my blog. I'm a freelance writer and blogger. For more Write Change Grow goodness, sign up for my free newsletter. You can connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.
My name is Thea Easterby and I am a freelance writer and blogger. Join me on my journey to become a full time writer.