A Resolution You Can Keep!

And here we are having arrived at a new year once again! It comes around so quickly, as if every 365 days like clockwork! Joking! Unless it's a leap year. 

So it seems that everyone makes resolutions for the new year that don't seem to last past the end of the week. Maybe it's because they aren't fully prepared for the task ahead. And what better way to prepare (and procrastinate if we're honest) for the task than with a book! 

For example - always said that you wanted to begin writing one of these days? Perhaps to find yourself in our shop! Then why not try

HOW WRITING WORKS by Roslyn Petelin aims to help you write appropriately no matter the situation! Excellent, no longer will I write so formally to my friends. 

Maybe you wanted to grow your own fruit and veggies this year?  SMALL SPACE BIG HARVEST will help you maximise your space, time and skill to grow something delicious! 

And finally, if you freak out often (like me and sometimes merited sometimes not) then FRAZZLED by Ruby Wax who also wrote Sane New World is sure to keep you somewhat calm. And a little cheeky humour on the side never hurts either!

"I know what you're thinking - what if I don't want to stare at a butterfly wing or hear the single ting of a wind chime? My definition of mindfulness isn't about sitting erect on a hillock, legs in a knot, humming a mantra that's probably the phone book sung backwards, it's something that can help us all: learning to notice your thoughts and feelings so you can truly experience life."

Best wishes from the Andrew's team for 2017 and may your resolutions be fulfilled! See you in the new year. We reopen on the 3rd January

The Science of Customer Queries

We love helping customers with their requests but there are some ways that you can help us help you! 

There are two types of customer requests (it is very scientific I know): the first is if they can't find a particular title that they have in mind and the second is if they need a recommendation. Within these two categories there are a myriad of different scenarios that can occur.

1. Not being able to locate a specific title
-  Having the exact title is a great start (and or author)
- I am always very impressed when customers bring the catalogue with circled items to check off!
- If you can't remember the specific title, perhaps try to remember who the author was, the front cover, the plot line or where you heard it being discussed (sometimes we get very vague requests and although we try our best it can sometimes be nearly impossible to find!)  or a mix of these features are always helpful too 

2. Seeking Recommendations  
- I do love to do this and my self proclaimed specialty is the young adult section stretching to kids and picture books (maybe because I can't stop reading them no matter how old I get) 
- Often I ask (for a child) how old they are, their reading level such as average or above, books they may have read before and liked which also help gauge what they may like, if they don't read then perhaps what hobbies they might have outside of reading 
- If you don't have any clue about what they would like (that's okay too) then let us, and by us I mean me what sort of book you'd like to give them. What do I mean by that? Well, something light and funny or perhaps something about growing up. It helps us to narrow down the possible choices! 

We haven't read every book in the shop - although we wish we had! - but we are often familiar with what's popular and the prize winners so rest assured that we'll do our best to find that something special! Not to mention rave about our personal favourites that always get a shout out! We love to help you so see you soon!

 

It's Christmas Time (mayhem!)

Christmas is upon us once again (I think that it was before but it doesn't truly set in until December)! I always forget what Christmas in retail is like until it rolls around again and there's that mayhem that comes about with a lot of people in the shop! (And we're glad for it!) Thanks for choosing to shop local and support your local booksellers this holiday season!

We do complementary gift wrapping and can also help you if you need recommendations for gifts (or for yourself!). Thanks for being patient if we're serving customers or we're looking a little frazzled! Do feel free though to have a bit of a caroling session inside the store though if you so wish! 

Have a great Christmas season and don't go too crazy! 

Have you considered telling your kids about the truth about Santa - or you have already, get into the discussion here!