Merry Christmas to All! Here’s to 2026!

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There’s something kind of heroic about being a bookseller. – Gabriele Zevin, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

I had written a wonderful post several weeks ago that I dedicated to my customers. I was quite proud of it. All about working with them. Greeting them. Fulfilling orders. Our diverse conversations. It was a thank you and tribute to all throughout my years of owning the bookstore. But! somehow, I deleted it and couldn’t recover it. In my previous life at the ACCOC, I would have been able to. Or I’d like to believe I could. Anyways, I couldn’t. And it was so not like me to back-up my work. I always back-up! Paragraph by paragraph. But I didn’t. Darn. I found some amazing quotes and took great photos that fit my message, too. Trying to rewrite it wasn’t giving the same impact or meaning. So out of frustration I ignored it and here I am.

At this time of year, I always look toward the new year and come up with a few goals. Mostly personal. Not so much bookstore related. For instance, this upcoming summer I will spend a day at Shelburne Museum. It’s been many years since I’ve gone there. I like to get lost in the buildings and their exhibits. Especially among the quilts and textiles.

I’ve declared this upcoming year will be extra special because it is going to be centered around me. The last six years have been very hard and emotional for me in ways I don’t talk about. I am going to start 2026 with time off. I’m planning on reopening after Christmas, Dec 26 and 27 but will be closed Dec 28 until Tuesday Jan 6, 2026. Down time. To be good to me.

If peace had a smell, it would be the smell of a library full of old, leather-bound books. – Mark Pryor, The Bookseller


The bookstore is my haven. Safe place. Cozy. Warm. Full of friends – customers and books, alike. I consider myself one of the lucky ones to carry-on the legacy of Otter Books and the versions it has been. Honestly, when Reba Blair told me that “Dike would approve!” before she walked out the door one day, to me was the biggest compliment I have ever received. Growing up in Weybridge I’d sneak into town, and I went to either Ilsley Library or The Vermont Bookshop. As a little girl no one paid much attention to me so I could wander. The library was stricter until the librarian recognized I was a reader (after I passed her test) and the children’s books weren’t cutting it for me. Of course, I didn’t have money so I could only wander the bookstore’s aisle and note the books I wanted to read then head to the library to see if they it.

Owning a used bookstore is amazing. But know it is a lot of work. Especially when it’s pretty much me. That’s accepting books. Traveling to pick up books. Sorting. Cleaning. Pricing. Shelving. Reorganizing shelves to accommodate new arrivals. Or store the boxes and try to remember what’s in them. Sweeping. Dusting, though I know I’ve not consistent with that! I do have occasional help, but it comes down to me. And I’ve gotten slower. Oh, not cuz of my age, silly! It’s because I’m tired. Tired of dealing with healthcare, and then some over these six years plus. It really was a battle I had no idea I would be fighting, but persistence pays off. Just I’m finding it has been at my expense, and I need to close those chapters to continue moving ahead.

I’ve no idea what I’ll do while I’m closed. I know I’ll get the wood on the deck stacked higher. Make soup atop the wood stove. Get a pile of books together to read and get comfy under my special crocheted afghan. I’ve two new books on Grant to read. Hiking. Walking. Embroidering. Indoor painting? So many choices. Maybe even staying in bed all day. Ok, that really won’t happen. I really need this time. And yes, I’m counting down the days. So not me but…

Thank you all for helping me owning Otter Creek Used Books for nineteen years! 19! And all you naysayers – you know who you are! – ha! Don’t you know my motto? “Because I can!” 🙂 Of course, I can do this because of customers and the friendships I have developed. And being a part of an amazing and generous organization, The Vermont Antiquarian Booksellers Association, VABA.

Thank you!

“A bookseller,” said Grandfather, “is the link between mind and mind, the feeder of the hungry, very often the binder up of wounds. There he sits, your bookseller, surrounded by a thousand minds all done up neatly in cardboard cases; beautiful minds, courageous minds, strong minds, wise minds, all sorts and conditions. There come into him other minds, hungry for beauty, for knowledge, for truth, for love, and to the best of his ability he satisfies them all….Yes….It’s a great vocation….Moreover his life is one of wide horizons. He deals in the stuff of eternity and there’s no death in a bookseller’s shop. Plato and Jane Austen and Keats sit side by side behind his back, Shakespeare is on his right hand and Shelley on his left.” – Elizabeth Goudge, A City of Bells

Back!

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Learn what is to be taken seriously and laugh at the rest. – Herman Hesse

Thank you, Mr. Hesse. That quote is just what I needed to get back into my life. And with my few days away from the duties of running a used bookstore and all that’s going on in my life, I feel I can laugh at ‘all the rest’ once again.

My view last weekend

I finished one book, The Village: A Novel, by David Mamet. And started rereading Thomas Wolf’s Look Homeward, Angel. As a young adult I picked that book to help me get back into reading. It did. I’ll never forget going through all the alphabetized bookcase in whatever bookstore in whatever mall I was in. My friend was getting impatient with me and tried to hurry me along. I was in the W’s and that book jumped out at me. I feel now is a perfect time to reread. Do you reread books? Zorba the Greek, Anne of Green Gables, are two that I will reread. And don’t forget, Wind in the Willows!

New books soon to be found on the shelves:

One of the many stacks to head to the shelves

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N (actually just a few days off)

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The vacation we often need is freedom from our own mind. – Jack Adam Weber, author

In matters of healing the body or the mind, vacation is a true genius. – Mehmet Murat Ildan, playwright

Only a few days -Friday, September 12 to Wednesday, September 16. I can’t wait! Sure, for the most part the store isn’t stressful, but it’ll be good to clear my head, see different sights. Look at other used book shops to get a different perspective for my store.

I’m excited to having the opportunity to open the car window and stick my head out. Let the wind blow my hair. To walk into a store without expectations and see what discoveries I make. To put my feet up and read, and eat good food. I won’t care about the weather. Hot/cold. Sun/rain. It’ll make no difference to me. The only thing for me to do will be to relax, relax, relax. Put my life behind me for a bit.

See you Wednesday, September 17 with possibly a couple boxes of ‘new’ books for the store.

…I can bear anything as long as there are books. – Jo Walton, Among Others

One Used Book at a Time

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To my mind there is nothing so beautiful or so provocative as a secondhand book store…To me it is astonishing and miraculous to think that any one of us can poke among the stalls for something to read overnight–and that this something may be the sum of a lifetime of sweat, tears, and genius that some poor, struggling, blessed fellow expended trying to teach us the truth. – Lionel Barrymore

Used Books. Neverending used books. Boxes and boxes. Stacks and stacks. They never end, do they? Some days it seems that way. Sometimes I feel I have to fight off customers and their boxes of used books. Where am I going to put them? How many boxes can I safely stack? As a customer told me, “But isn’t that your business? Dealing with books?” Yes, but only what I can handle, thank you.

I do reach a breaking point sometimes. It doesn’t happen too often, but it does. And it happened this week. 🙂 But I soldiered on. I don’t think customers knew. But if they did, no one said anything to me. Maybe, they realized they better not, if they did. I don’t generally take things too seriously. Go with the flow. And I try. And the day ended, and I went home and laid on the couch.

People ask how to I manage? All these stacks? All these books? Well, I do have a way. And that way came to me a very long time ago when I was a freshman in college and my first work-study job. I was working in the Music Department at Castleton State College. (Yes, I know it was renamed). My supervisor was Professor Diehl. He was a bit hesitant to ask me to take on a project. He presented a big situation in the Records Room (LPs) and felt the need to explain the room before he opened the door for me. He apologized but kept repeating what a mess it was. How did I feel about organizing record albums? They had a lot. A lot. He kept repeating that. “I can do it,” I stated. “No problem at all. I like to organize.” You have to know, I needed a job to buy my textbooks and working in the Music Dept was a whole lot better than working in the Dining Hall, I don’t care what anyone says. I would say, “I love it!” and “No problem!” to anything Prof Diehl said to me. Then he opened the door. I was not prepared for what was in front of me. But I kept my cool and said, “This will be fun!” And he left me alone in the room. So, I actually wanted to sit in the corner and cry but that’s not who I am. I picked up an album and said, “Well, one album at a time!” Where that came from, I don’t know but I have used that expression throughout my life. Especially here in my shop. “One book at a time.”

You can never, never have too many books. – Drew Barrymore

Owning a Used Bookstore…What’s it Like?

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Let me tell you what it is like to own a used bookstore. It’s heaven. Heaven, I tell you.

Lord! When you sell a man a book you don’t sell just twelve ounces of paper and ink and glue – you sell him a whole new life. Love and friendship and humour and ships at sea by night – there’s all heaven and earth n a book, a real book. – Christopher Morley, 1890-1957

A book collector has friends everywhere. The bookseller from whom you buy books is, more frequently than not, your friend. There is a bond between you that transcends the commercial transaction. For you’ve established ‘something’ (call it rapport) between you that is personal, almost spiritual if you will. He understands your interests and your needs and the compulsion which brings you to him. (And let it be freely admitted, his magnet is as compelling to the bibliophile as the bar is to the boozer.) The bookseller becomes inextricably identified with you, your library, your intellectually life. – William Targ, 1907-1999

This quote definitely reflects my attitude towards selling books: The bookseller who understands his business never shows any anxiety to sell his treasures; he acts as if it were a matter of perfect indifference to him whether he sells his books or not. His chief aim is to make his visitors feel at home in his shop, and having induced the customers to look at his wares, he leaves the books themselves to complete the transactions. – Robert M. Williamson, B. 1851.

I started using literary quotes on store signage because I was looking for a hook. For a way to set myself apart from other Main Street businesses in the area and more importantly, to show there was a new owner of the store. I used a child’s easel a neighbor was giving away and wrote short quotes on that and place it in front of the store on the patio. I didn’t want to say “Open”. I was looking for something catchy. I thought a quote would be unique. I used that easel until it rotted out. Moving the store to the MarbleWorks I was very excited to find the large blackboard outside next to the entrance. I now can write longer quotes!

I generally enjoy being in my shop. Amongst all the books, and knickknacks. Generally, because my ideal bookshop is organized to a fault. No clutter. No boxes in the way. Books standing tall on the shelves. Glass shelves. But! No matter how I try to get to what I feel is my expression of a used bookshop it doesn’t last. Not at all. What you see when you step in is how the shop wants to be. I’ve had to surrender to it, and I’ve finally have come to peace with it. Yes, I do get overwhelmed some days. Too many boxes. Not enough holes on the shelves to put books up. Stacks around my feet behind the desk. Those books are actually ready to be shelved. They are stacked in their genre, cleaned, priced, and alphabetized.

When each book sells, I am happy for the book to go to another home. I hope it’ll be appreciated as maybe the previous owner had. There have been books brought to the counter that I regret not reading when I had a chance. But really! There are so many books available to me I can surely allow one, two, or more pass me by. And if I’m meant to read it then it’ll return for me to devour at a later time.

In books, you’ll find what you are looking for.
In books is that which makes existence more.
Our hopes in life are often in an old bookstore.
– Hymn to Fourth Avenue, Eli Siegel

Addison County Fair & Field Days

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This week is our Field Days. I have so many special memories that go back to when Weybridge hosted it. Where we would ride our bikes to the fields and then we could walk right in without needing to pay. But, of course, we, the neighborhood kids, felt we had to contribute something, so we helped out parking cars. Not sure it was appreciated but yet, I remember there was an old man who told us what to do. How to make use of the land to get the most cars in with space to get around. It wasn’t as large as it is now. Everything was under a tent. And when it rained, it got very muddy!

We’d walk around and around. In and out of the tents. Always testing out the taste of a new feed that was laid out as a display. Not so much for kids to eat. But we’d manage to sneak a quick taste and compare and come up with our favorite of the summer. And always a stop at the Monument Farms exhibit to enjoy a tiny cup of Coffee Milk. Only available at Field Days.

I entered in various contests with a Table Display being my first. I found the VT state flower, red clover, and twisted it onto a candle. And placed the candle onto a piece of slate. Held in place with melted candle wax. As part of my entry, I wrote a bit about the state flower and also slate in Vermont. I was awarded a Red Ribbon and cash prize (when they use to award money with a ribbon) with the comment that it was unusual to find red clover in August. There were lots in the field across from my house! A friend and I also decided to enter the Cake Contest. We poured over my mother’s cookbooks, and each found the perfect cake to produce. I think I made a spice cake. Laurie came in first and I came in second, receiving our ribbons and cash prize. Let’s just say, the older ladies were not happy with us beating them out. I think we were 13 and 12 years old.

Throughout my years I’ve entered various foods and crafts. Worked in the 4-H Food Booth, the ticket booth for rides, and many years later in the Lions Booth with creemies my specialty.

Field Days are a very special time and event for Addison County. Hope you got to go and have fun Addison County style.

Yes, I Did Have a Sale – 50% Sale

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So, yes, I did have a sale. The week of July 15-19. And guess what I forgot to post online Yes. I forgot to post that I was having a 50% Sale. Good way to get the word out there, Barbara, written sarcastically.

So how did the sale go? It went actually very well, thank you. It was just a pop-up kinda thing. It was nice and from my perspective a lot of books moved out. And I believe customers were just as excited for the deals they got to enjoy. So, everyone was happy.

If you are reading this and didn’t know about the sale you can still join in on the fun. All you have to do to is say, “Hey, Barbara! How about that sale you recently had. I want in!” I will reward you with half-off your stack of books.

Hope everyone is enjoying the summer. And making the most of it. Perfect weather for front porch reading!

Knox, who possessed a booming voice that could be heard throughout the camp, had never fired a cannon in his life when he became head of artillery in 1775. He was a local bookseller in Boston who was fascinated by weapons. He had read just about every book published on ordnance and convinced Washington to put him in charge of his artillery. – Bruce Chadwick, George Washington’s War: The Forging of a Revolutionary Leader and the American Presidency.

Summer Reading

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What a blessing it is to love books. Everybody must love something, and I know of no objects of love that give such substantial and unfailing returns as books and a garden – Elizabeth von Arnim, The Solitary Summer

I am having such a time sticking with a book to read from start to finish. To pick up another book and start in. Or another. Or another. I have no idea of why I keep picking up books and not finishing them. It’s been going on for a long while now. Actually, I think I do but… I should welcome the distraction of a good read. To get lost in a good book.

So, what am I reading? In no particular order because it wouldn’t make sense since I’m in the middle of them all. Like in the almost in the middle of the book.

  • Pachinko, Min Jin Lee
  • Dangling Man, Saul Bellow
  • Look Homeward Angel, Thomas Wolf
  • The Return of the Native, Thomas Hardy
  • Summer, Edith Wharton
  • The Myth of the Lost Cause: Why the South Fought the Civil War and Why the North Won, Edward Bonekemper
  • In the Shadow of Kinzua: The Seneca Nation of Indians since World War II, by Laurence Marc Hauptman

There’s more but I think that’s enough. An eclectic list, don’t you think?

In the summer my favorite spot for reading is sitting in a rocking chair on my front porch.

I’m going to try to discipline myself. I think I’ll pick up Wharton’s Summer. A perfect read as it’s right in the middle of the season. Wish me luck.

“It was as if all the latent beauty of things had been unveiled to her. She could not imagine that the world held anything more wonderful.” -Edith Wharton, Summer

“Oh for heaven’s sake! Books aren’t bagels. They don’t go stale,” – Taylor Jenkins Reid, Forever, Interrupted. Ha! Love that quote!

Getting Ready! Upcoming VABA Book Fair.

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The 31st Vermont Book, Postcard & Ephemera Fair is right around the corner. Sunday, June 1, 2025. This spring event will once again be held in St. Albans, Vermont in the St. Albans City Hall, located on Main Street. This fun fair will be held 10am-4pm. And yes, FREE admission. Nothing to stop you from attending.

Most dealers save their best pieces for the fairs, and quite often you can obtain a long-sought item that has been kept in reserve for the occasion. – Robert A. Wilson, Modern Book Collecting.

Boxes filling up to bring to the upcoming VABA 2025 Spring Book Fair.

And that is exactly what I have done. So far, I have set aside four boxes. Three are seen here which I’ve stacked before the counter.
Look for books on the Revolutionary War, spirituality, Buddhism, James Joyce, and others, as well as related booklets and postcards.

VABA book fairs are always fun. Fun to meet and talk to other book sellers. Many are happy to share their expertise or even just talk books. The books brought to the shows are varied as our shops are. Generally, the stock represents what is offered on their shelves. You are allowed to pick up a book – gingerly, of course – open it and give it your inspection. The books should be marked as to their cost. Maybe I shouldn’t type this, but it really isn’t polite to try to haggle with the shopkeeper. Remember, they carted the books to St. Albans, set up the display, and will sit/stand throughout the fair. And of course, any not sold have to be reboxed and reshelved back into their store.
I go mainly for the comradery with the booksellers and meeting new people interested in books and reading. And seeing familiar faces from my store. Always a pleasant surprise. And seeing what was brought to the sale by my fellow booksellers.

There are no faster or firmer friendships than those formed between people who love the same books.
– Irving Stone, Clarence Darrow for the Defense

Hope to see you in St. Albans or at the least, in my shop in Middlebury.

Books are, let’s face it, better than everything else. – Nick Hornby, The Polysyllabic Spree


Tuesdays in April

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You can’t help respecting anybody who can spell TUESDAY, even if he doesn’t spell it right; but spelling isn’t everything. There are days when spelling Tuesday simply doesn’t count. – A.A. Milne

Tuesdays during the month of April the store will be closed: April 15, 22 and 29. Open only Wednesdays-Saturday for the month.

All’s good.

To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all. – Oscar Wilde