If I were a bookstore

or who am I, what do I care about, and how do I want to present that to others?

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If I were a bookstore, I’d be jealous of the tightly packed, haphazardly stacked windy stores with charm, but I would not be able to function without organization.

I’d be set in an older building with charm and creaky floorboards. All my books would be organized very carefully, with huge sections of Romance, Fiction, and Fantasy & good selections of Historical Fiction, Classics, and Self-Help. I’m not the bookstore for those who love nonfiction or memoirs (although one day I might grow my section of those too).

from bookstore inspo from pinterest

I’m a bookstore for people who love to read. No judgement, just a community space for those who love books to share that love with others. Each book is carefully selected and loved by myself — or liked and can see it working for people in different situations and perspectives.

I’d host a weekly book club, probably on Thursdays because its the Worst Day of The Week in my opinion — or Sundays to celebrate the best days! I would definitely have a wine bar connected, and we’d drink wine and talk about books we like. If you come during the day, said bar serves coffee that you can drink while sitting in a cozy chair or quiet table to work.

Above all, I’d be a bookstore where you walk in and immediately feel a sense of peace. The smell of books, a tinge of coffee, and the creak of the floor below your feet. Curl up in an armchair and try out a random book. Sign up for book club to freely be you. Just be.

What would you be like as a bookstore?

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All links to books are affiliate links through bookshop.org to help support indie bookstores.

1. The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst (Fantasy): July 15, 2025

2. Three Shattered Souls by Mai Corland (Fantasy): July 15, 2025

3. A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna (Fantasy): July 15, 2025

4. Time of Your Life by Jessa Hastings (Romance): July 15, 2025

5. The Jasad Crown by Sara Hashem (Fantasy): July 15, 2025

6. The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Fantasy): July 15, 2025

7. The Girl I Was by Jeneva Rose (Literary Fiction): July 15, 2025

8. Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs (Literary Fiction): July 15, 2025

9. Everyone Is Lying To You by Jo Piazza (Thriller): July 15, 2025

Books I’ve compiled from a variety of bestseller lists. I add the books I haven’t before, since I’ve caught up to the new additions. If you’re curious, last week’s post can be found here.

1. Edge of Honor by Brad Thor (Thriller)

2. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (Sci Fi)

3. Do Not Disturb by Frieda McFadden (Thriller)

4. A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan (Fantasy)

5. All The Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker (Literary Fiction)

If you have a book recommendation to share, send me a DM or email me at thesundayreads@gmail.com!

1. I am in the studying mines! Unfortunately haven’t finished a book this week.

That’s all for today. Much love

Izzy

Loved this? I share cozy life dumps, reels, and bookish thoughts over on @thesundayreads. Come say hi!