This was absolutely amazing! I'm so with you, I NEED to see this store in person one day! Thank you Emily for your courage, creativity, and wonderfully practical advice!
Emily’s store sounds and looks amazing-- I hope to get to visit someday. I would love a rec for a book to get lost in. Some recent “lost” experiences were All fours by Miranda July, honey by Victor lodato and Moby dick (just read for the first time).
Thanks so much! Because you loved Moby Dick, I know you've got the heart for a big ol' 19th century novel. I'm recommending Middlemarch if you've not read it yet. We read it this winter for our Big Old Book Club. It was my third time reading it, and like the previous reads, it showed me brand new things. This time I was struck by the humor, and Eliot's ability to reveal the greatness in the quotidian.
This is a wonderful story about adapting to life’s twists and turns. Very inspirational! Would love to visit this beautiful gem of a bookstore someday!
What an uplifting interview...almost reads like a travel essay! Emily, I am so moved by all the intentionality you brought to creating this business. I also sit up straight and listen whenever someone starts to speak about a landscape that calls to them, a particular place that offers up healing, respite, and a feeling of coming home. I just looked at your website...the events page alone made me want to pack up and go. I live in Boston now, and although we have some great independent bookstores here, they are not of the scale where anyone is going to ask your name or remember your face. I will be in Kingston, NY in the fall to hear Patti Smith, and since The Lost Bookshop is only an hour and a half away, I will make a point of visiting! Leigh, thanks so much for this interview!
Thank you for this, Leigh and Emily. I saved the post for when I'm ready to approach bookstores :)
I'll take a book recc if you're offering! I loved Vladimir by Julia May Jonas. Any other books set on campus that get all strange and twisty you can recommend? (not necessarily Dark Academia, more like weird academia!) Thank you so much!
Have you already read Bunny by Mona Awad? It's about the strangest and twistiest campus novel I know (with nice nods to the Ur-twisty campus novel, The Secret History). And, not set entirely on campus but partially: The Bee Sting by Paul Murray. Family lore and secrets, engaging voices, characters you care deeply about.
Well this was just wonderful to read. What a beautiful interview, shop, and person! Emily, I feel very inspired by your grit and unending desire to keep trying. Thank you!
This bookstore looks so beautiful! I'd love a recommendation for a fantasy book for someone who loved fantasy as a teenager (I loved Sabriel, Samantha Shannon, Rachel Hartman, Laini Taylor) and now wants to read fantasy for grown ups that isn't tooooo violent or requires encountering 20 completely unfamiliar place names and magical concepts on page one. If that is not to specific!
I've been enjoying The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wasteland. It's Snowpiercer meets Jeff Vandermeer in the 19th century, with mystery and magic.
And this is a children's book officially, but I love it as an adult: Wise Child by Monica Furlong.
road trip! take me with you, this bookstore sounds amazing. Great tips on how to approach as an author, thank you :)
Thank you! When in doubt, always reach out to the individual shop about their policies.
This was absolutely amazing! I'm so with you, I NEED to see this store in person one day! Thank you Emily for your courage, creativity, and wonderfully practical advice!
Thank you so much! We’re here anytime you need us :)
Emily’s store sounds and looks amazing-- I hope to get to visit someday. I would love a rec for a book to get lost in. Some recent “lost” experiences were All fours by Miranda July, honey by Victor lodato and Moby dick (just read for the first time).
Thanks so much! Because you loved Moby Dick, I know you've got the heart for a big ol' 19th century novel. I'm recommending Middlemarch if you've not read it yet. We read it this winter for our Big Old Book Club. It was my third time reading it, and like the previous reads, it showed me brand new things. This time I was struck by the humor, and Eliot's ability to reveal the greatness in the quotidian.
I have had Middlemarch on my list for so long. This was the nudge that I needed
That’s a perfect suggestion. Been looking for a reason to start that!
This is a wonderful story about adapting to life’s twists and turns. Very inspirational! Would love to visit this beautiful gem of a bookstore someday!
Thank you!
What a special store! I’m adding it as a destination!
Sally Ekus, you read my newsletter??! 😧
Is that a joke? UM, YES!! And love it!!
It feels gratifying when book publishing professionals think I know what I’m talking about! Thank you! 😃
I love it when authors think I know what I'm talking about! ;)
I also recommend you--that's how much I think other authors could be learning from some of your super creative ideas and insights!
I love love love bookstores and it feels like they are having a renaissance. Hope to be able to visit this one someday!
What a lovely story and a beautiful looking shop! Checkerboard floor is amazing :)
Thank you so much! I love the checkerboard too and I will absolutely never do it again lol
What an uplifting interview...almost reads like a travel essay! Emily, I am so moved by all the intentionality you brought to creating this business. I also sit up straight and listen whenever someone starts to speak about a landscape that calls to them, a particular place that offers up healing, respite, and a feeling of coming home. I just looked at your website...the events page alone made me want to pack up and go. I live in Boston now, and although we have some great independent bookstores here, they are not of the scale where anyone is going to ask your name or remember your face. I will be in Kingston, NY in the fall to hear Patti Smith, and since The Lost Bookshop is only an hour and a half away, I will make a point of visiting! Leigh, thanks so much for this interview!
Thanks Kate! I hope to see you :)
Amazing! She’s a true inspiration! I’m not too far from her shop, so I’ll make sure to visit this summer.
I must visit this store!
Thank you for this, Leigh and Emily. I saved the post for when I'm ready to approach bookstores :)
I'll take a book recc if you're offering! I loved Vladimir by Julia May Jonas. Any other books set on campus that get all strange and twisty you can recommend? (not necessarily Dark Academia, more like weird academia!) Thank you so much!
Have you already read Bunny by Mona Awad? It's about the strangest and twistiest campus novel I know (with nice nods to the Ur-twisty campus novel, The Secret History). And, not set entirely on campus but partially: The Bee Sting by Paul Murray. Family lore and secrets, engaging voices, characters you care deeply about.
Thank you Emily! I have read Bunny but not The Bee Sting. I’ve seen it everywhere though. Will check it out, thank you!
What a beautiful story. A great lesson on moving forward in all the best ways.
I love this interview and this bookstore! Adding to my "reasons to visit upstate NY" list.
Well this was just wonderful to read. What a beautiful interview, shop, and person! Emily, I feel very inspired by your grit and unending desire to keep trying. Thank you!
I love that The Shop Around the Corner was an inspiration - even though it was in a movie, I feel like I know that store intimately! ❤️
This bookstore looks so beautiful! I'd love a recommendation for a fantasy book for someone who loved fantasy as a teenager (I loved Sabriel, Samantha Shannon, Rachel Hartman, Laini Taylor) and now wants to read fantasy for grown ups that isn't tooooo violent or requires encountering 20 completely unfamiliar place names and magical concepts on page one. If that is not to specific!
I've been enjoying The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wasteland. It's Snowpiercer meets Jeff Vandermeer in the 19th century, with mystery and magic.
And this is a children's book officially, but I love it as an adult: Wise Child by Monica Furlong.
Thank you Leigh for posting this wonderful story and Emily for sharing! This is why book people are the best people. I can't wait to visit!