One of my favourite daydreams is of owning the ultimate bookstore. I know that the reality of creating that bookstore would be very hard. It’s highly impractical and maybe for that reason the vision remains.

I’m sure you’ve all seen the place I imagine.  It’s like that little shop you see in every romantic movie where the two star-crossed lovers meet in a Seattle or a Portland or a Paris bookstore filled with crowded aisles of bookshelves spilling out wonderful and insightful gems. There are other books piled in stacks and it has one of those old wooden ladders that roll along to get at the higher shelves.

The patrons look smart and have stimulating conversations around little bistro tables and everyone looks like they’re best friends. The store sells perfect little snacks that are organic, yet heavenly decadent creations.  The wood is all dark and well-worn, it has that patina of time that the best old bookshops have gained. That’s the  place I’m talking about…

And yes, I understand why our fanstasies should most often remain fantasies. I’m sure the realities of finances and inventory and long underpaid hours would make short work of this particular dream.

So, I am doing what any self-respecting blogger and lover of so much that is virtual would do…I am going to start an online book store. Perhaps we can have virtual coffees and people could leave brilliant observations in the comments section – or something.

 Those of you who are regular readers know that I’m working (and whining a little …) about my forthcoming ebook. This project got me thinking about selling my ebook on my site, which got me thinking that since I read tons of books each year, I would have SO many other titles that I would love to recommend and add to my virtual shelf and that got me looking at Amazon, and so – whew! – here I am; almost ready to open my new shop.

I don’t have to stain any shelves or paint the trim around the windows, which is kind of a shame, but also rather a relief. I’m not straining my back to pack in the boxes but I am looking at my bookshelves here at home with a view as to what titles I most like to lend and recommend.

As you could probably guess the majority of books on my shelves are about travel, writing, memoir, spirituality, religions of the world, meditation, simple living and early retirement. It goes without saying that there are piles and piles of fiction too.

Kevin and I are not purchasers of DVDs but we do rent a ton of foreign films and I would like to add those faves into my shop. If I could sell fresh flowers and great coffee I’d do that too, but I think I should put some limits on this store made of digital dots and molecules.

The store launch will be any day now. Maybe I’ll throw in some virtual balloons and cyber fireworks.