Visiting Massey journalism student ISABELLA MCLOUGHLIN caught up with Featherston’s bookshop owners ahead of this weekend’s Booktown Festival.
What are you most looking forward to about Booktown?
Dave Adams
The Dickensian Bookshop:
The glorious buzz around the town and talking with people who have a shared passion for books and reading.
Lincoln Gould
Messines Bookshop:
It is a great opportunity to buy all sorts of books from many different sellers.
Joanna Ludbrook
Chicken and Frog Bookstore:
I am excited about the atmosphere in the town and the exposure that Featherston gains from this. It is great to have like-minded booky people together.
Susan Ryan
Mr Feather’s Den:
I am looking forward to it being a very good weekend.
We usually have over 8000 visitors over the weekend. I am also booked into a few sessions, and am excited to see Ashley Young as I have been following her blog for a while.
Virginia Kunz
Loco Coffee and Books:
Connecting someone with a book that they have been looking for for years.
Jennifer Grey
For the Love of Books:
I am looking forward to having more people in the store discovering what we have to offer.
What is your favourite thing about being part of New Zealand’s book capital?
Dave Adams
The Dickensian Bookshop:
Seeing the revival in Featherston and the new sense of pride in the occupants. It has put us on the map and become somewhere more than just a bypass on the way to more popular places.
Lincoln Gould
Messines Bookshop:
I am the founder of Booktown so I am always very excited about it and to have seen it go from strength to strength.
Joanna Ludbrook
Chicken and Frog Bookstore:
It makes Featherston a destination and gives people a reason to visit with a new focus here compared to other places in Wairarapa.
Susan Ryan
Mr Feather’s Den:
It is wonderful being connected with people that come in and are booklovers. I am and always have been a keen booklover and reader. It is great to see schools involved and the support the community offers.
Virginia Kunz
Loco Coffee and Books:
It is exciting for our little town; it has really put Featherston on the map.
Jennifer Grey
For the Love of Books:
I love to share the enjoyment of books with people. A book means something different to everyone; some love hard literature whereas others love a good story. We try to help people on that journey.
Describe your store and any recommendations you have;
Dave Adams
The Dickensian Bookshop:
We focus on good-quality literature. I have a passion for good writing and well-constructed stories and thoroughly enjoy sharing this with people. We stock all sorts of era writing from Victorian through to the 21st century. The store is connected to my wife’s Devonshire tea rooms, so we were able to combine both of our passions which has brought a new buzz to the shop.
I have been rediscovering Dickens’ books and am enjoying seeing the common thread of humanity between his books and modern day. I am currently reading the Pickwick Papers.
Lincoln Gould
Messines Bookshop:
We are a specialist military bookshop and have information dating back to the very first recorded battle in Palestine in 1473 BC. We stock books on all sorts of war, military aircraft, and war poetry.
I recently read a book about Rommel’s Papers. I read mostly military books but I like non-fiction and biographies.
Joanna Ludbrook
Chicken and Frog Bookstore:
I wanted to make it unique in its layout and attractive for children. We stock stories up to ages 12-13. I decided to specialise in children’s books as it was something I knew, as I am a children’s librarian, but I also think it’s an important time to get people involved in books.
I love children’s non-fiction as it can open so much to children, parents, and grandparents.
Susan Ryan
Mr Feather’s Den:
The store is curated to my ideals, so it includes a lot of humour. It must strike people when they walk in with colour or something special. I have taxidermy critters named after literary figures. There is Raymond Chandler the possum, Clive James the hare and Enid the duck [a nod to Enid Blyton].
I love Trent Daltons Boy Swallows Universe and am currently reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.
Virginia Kunz
Loco Coffee and Books:
It is a mix of everything – we stock vintage, modern, humour historical – you name it we’ve got it. Some specialise, but we like to keep it very broad. Our store is very homely and eclectic and even better we stock coffee. We have regulars who come in every day, order a coffee and then sit and read.
It is up to the reader to decide what they want to read – you’d be surprised how many people come in looking for a dictionary.
Jennifer Grey
For the Love of Books:
We wanted to make it feel comfortable and inviting. We made a conscious decision not to specialise so that we can offer something to everyone.
I was pleasantly surprised by the John Grisham novels, and I love a good mystery. Dick Francis writes about horse racing which is something I am not interested in but have found myself really enjoying.
Do you have a favourite author?
Dave Adams
The Dickensian Bookshop:
I am enjoying Fiona Kidman, Janet Frame and Eleanor Catton. I am waiting to get her [Catton]
most recent book in store.
Lincoln Gould
Messines Bookshop:
I liked Harry Ricketts recent book as it covers other people’s writings including a poem by an uncle of mine killed in WWII. I am also liking Jeffrey McNeil’s book Taking the Ridge – a detailed novel on the Battle of Messines.
Joanna Ludbrook
Chicken and Frog Bookstore:
I don’t have any favourites, but we are featuring Joy Cowley during Booktown with a display for Mrs Wishywashy and will have Joy in store on two occasions.
Susan Ryan
Mr Feather’s Den:
I have lots; Elizabeth Knox is incredible and reminds me of Phillip Pullman, Eleanor Catton, Joy Cowley, Catherine Chidgey, and Noelle McCarthy.
Virginia Kunz
Loco Coffee and Books:
Ruth Shaw’s Bookseller at the End of the World. It is one of my favourite books. I have it on display [not to sell] as it is a great talking point for customers.
Jennifer Grey
For the Love of Books:
I don’t have a favourite, but we try to support and promote New Zealand authors, especially those writing children’s books.
