Sarah, this entire piece is wonderful, but this sentence hit me: "This is the first time I’ve confessed in public to writing a memoir."
WHOA!!! It's easy to skim over in the midst of so many other great sentences, but I just wanted to hold a moment of space for that expression of truth, courage, and vulnerability.
This was so beautiful. You have a wonderful story and I feel honored to be among the first to publicly read that you're writing a memoir. I wish you luck with the shop, the writing, and with everything else. Thank you for sharing.
I loved this piece. I miss libraries in Italy -- they are places only for research rather than browsing. There were three places in my hometown in TN where you could escape its narrow constraints. The country club (where liquor was served, though the county was dry) --but we were from "up north" so outsiders, and didn't belong, the newsstand downtown -- where--miraculously -- you could buy the NYTS Sunday edition-- along with other things some people bought in the back... (Former poet laureate Charles Wright wrote a poem about that very newsstand...) and the Public Library. My high school library was also awesome- the librarian there gave me a copy of Alan Watts' The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are in 1969, which got me interested in eastern philosophy.
What a great high school librarian! I haven’t been to a library in Italy yet. As far as research, I’m looking forward to visiting the city archives to see if there’s anything there about our house. The tower above the bookshop is 12th century. I’m sure the place has lived many lives.
Interlibrary loan is the best! A similar more modern library service I love is Libby. I can check out books from my library in California, and read them in Amsterdam.
It sounds like your bookstore was meant to be! Even if it wasn’t apparent before. And I agree with Robin that there is a lot packed into this post, including your public confession. Glad you had the courage to write all of this.
I did Summer volunteer jobs at the local library too! It was so good to be surrounded by books, I could even do my Latin homework unbothered. I get where your dream is coming from ;)
Sarah you are a great writer. I can feel what you are writing about so I know the bookstore will be a great success and I hope I can come and chat with you about your sweet adventures and I will sit back and just enjoy. Love you Aunt Debra
I resonated deeply with your story, I also was homeschooled, raised to be a wife and mother. And in my late thirties thinking about what I want to do. I love being a mom and also homeschooling my children but I’m exploring what else I am.
Moving to Europe and opening a bookshop are both fantastic dreams of mine and my husband.
Isn't it funny how the things we hesitate to say aloud are sometimes the ones that resonate most. I wish you all the best in your grand adventure of figuring out what you want to do. And if it might involve Europe and a bookshop, all the better!
Your bookshop will be fabulous, Sarah! And exquisitely uniquely yours! I'll DM you a couple photos of Alma Libre Libros soon. I made mine look like a children's reading room on steroids! With loads of color. And money is never the issue with bookshop owners. It's just not a thing. It's the love of the printed word, which you have in spades!! Felicidades on a great new dream! (or actually, quite a long-standing one it seems).
I love this, so beautifully written. As a total introvert and homebody it's really hard to get me out of the house, but the promise of a bookstore visit is enough to compel me through the door. I love the line: " I want to make it somewhere you long to return because you love how it makes you feel."
The best bookshops feel like a deep, cleansing breath – I hope to one day visit yours!
I'm just going through and reading all the posts in the libraries Seed Pod and yours is my favorite so far! You've clearly lived plenty of life and your honesty is refreshing. I'd go to your bookstore and not once.
Sarah, this entire piece is wonderful, but this sentence hit me: "This is the first time I’ve confessed in public to writing a memoir."
WHOA!!! It's easy to skim over in the midst of so many other great sentences, but I just wanted to hold a moment of space for that expression of truth, courage, and vulnerability.
Oh, thank you for the affirmation. I think I buried it on purpose, but I love that you noticed.
This was so beautiful. You have a wonderful story and I feel honored to be among the first to publicly read that you're writing a memoir. I wish you luck with the shop, the writing, and with everything else. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for reading, and for the words of support. They really mean a lot.
You’re opening a bookshop in Italy and writing your memoir?!
Where do I sign up to be your BFF?!!! 💙 (In lieu of that, I’ve subscribed so I can read more. 😉 )
Congrats on your bravery, cheers to new adventures! 🥂
Welcome! I love meeting a new friend from afar.
I loved this piece. I miss libraries in Italy -- they are places only for research rather than browsing. There were three places in my hometown in TN where you could escape its narrow constraints. The country club (where liquor was served, though the county was dry) --but we were from "up north" so outsiders, and didn't belong, the newsstand downtown -- where--miraculously -- you could buy the NYTS Sunday edition-- along with other things some people bought in the back... (Former poet laureate Charles Wright wrote a poem about that very newsstand...) and the Public Library. My high school library was also awesome- the librarian there gave me a copy of Alan Watts' The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are in 1969, which got me interested in eastern philosophy.
What a great high school librarian! I haven’t been to a library in Italy yet. As far as research, I’m looking forward to visiting the city archives to see if there’s anything there about our house. The tower above the bookshop is 12th century. I’m sure the place has lived many lives.
Drawers, card cabinet! How beautifully written.
Is it hubris or masochism to write of yourself? I’m not sure.
Thank you for reading.
❤️ "letting parts of us blossom that were root-bound before." P.S. I also have a soft spot for interlibrary loans!
Interlibrary loan is the best! A similar more modern library service I love is Libby. I can check out books from my library in California, and read them in Amsterdam.
It sounds like your bookstore was meant to be! Even if it wasn’t apparent before. And I agree with Robin that there is a lot packed into this post, including your public confession. Glad you had the courage to write all of this.
That’s how I’m going to start thinking of it, as meant to be. Thank you!
I did Summer volunteer jobs at the local library too! It was so good to be surrounded by books, I could even do my Latin homework unbothered. I get where your dream is coming from ;)
Yes, the library is a perfect job for getting homework done!
Sarah you are a great writer. I can feel what you are writing about so I know the bookstore will be a great success and I hope I can come and chat with you about your sweet adventures and I will sit back and just enjoy. Love you Aunt Debra
Thanks for being so supportive! I feel like you’re one of my biggest bookshop fans. ❤️
I have always loved reading all kinds of books and to actual have a bookstore owner in the family is exciting
I resonated deeply with your story, I also was homeschooled, raised to be a wife and mother. And in my late thirties thinking about what I want to do. I love being a mom and also homeschooling my children but I’m exploring what else I am.
Moving to Europe and opening a bookshop are both fantastic dreams of mine and my husband.
Isn't it funny how the things we hesitate to say aloud are sometimes the ones that resonate most. I wish you all the best in your grand adventure of figuring out what you want to do. And if it might involve Europe and a bookshop, all the better!
Your bookshop will be fabulous, Sarah! And exquisitely uniquely yours! I'll DM you a couple photos of Alma Libre Libros soon. I made mine look like a children's reading room on steroids! With loads of color. And money is never the issue with bookshop owners. It's just not a thing. It's the love of the printed word, which you have in spades!! Felicidades on a great new dream! (or actually, quite a long-standing one it seems).
Oh my goodness, now I'm very much looking forward to seeing those photos. I love how independent bookshops reflect their owners' personalities.
I love this, so beautifully written. As a total introvert and homebody it's really hard to get me out of the house, but the promise of a bookstore visit is enough to compel me through the door. I love the line: " I want to make it somewhere you long to return because you love how it makes you feel."
The best bookshops feel like a deep, cleansing breath – I hope to one day visit yours!
I think a bookshop is the perfect kind of social space for introverts like us.
I'm just going through and reading all the posts in the libraries Seed Pod and yours is my favorite so far! You've clearly lived plenty of life and your honesty is refreshing. I'd go to your bookstore and not once.