Jim Lane: The Book Nook
On a recent weekend trip, I stopped at a local independent bookstore in Kilmarnock, VA. I arrived before the shop opened for the day, but was welcomed to the town by a local gal named Cathy. She called to me from just down the street from the bookstore to let me know that the store owner was on his way. Cathy drove over to meet me and to bring a plant to her friend and owner of The Book Nook, Jim Lane. Her greeting immediately gave me a sense of the town and it’s people. Kilmarnock clearly had kind and welcoming people; kind, welcoming book people - my favorite.
Cathy and I talked for a few minutes about the Two Sides podcast, and she waited eagerly to introduce me to her friend Jim. When he arrived, Cathy offered Jim the plant, talked with us for a few minutes, and then was on her way. That left the bookstore owner and I to talk. And boy did we talk, for a solid two hours about books, the town, greeting cards, pottery, and even the elusive pursuit of happiness.
I learned that Jim is the sixth owner of The Book Nook and has dedicated the past 20 years to that endeavor. As is likely the case with all booksellers, he has seen many changes over the years. Changes in books, customers, publishers, and many other things related to how books end up in the hands of readers. The journey of a book, and the people it touches through it’s lifetime and the lives of it’s readers, is just one of the many thought provoking topics Jim and I discussed that day.
I left without a book, which I regret, but with memories of a conversation I will not soon forget. I am waiting just a bit longer so he doesn’t think I’m a complete weirdo, but I plan to call Jim to say hello in the coming weeks. I look forward to hearing more about his experience and his journey. I’d like to know more about how books and being a bookseller have influenced his life. I found Jim to be a person of quality and hope to find some small way to send new customers to his store.
Speaking of The Book Nook, I’m curious if any of you reading this blog are familiar with the craft book nooks that are accompanying books on shelves as of late? Well, if not, I would encourage you to google it to help illustrate this thought…
Jim Lane’s bookstore, The Book Nook, is a special little world of it’s own. Softly lit, full of warmth and treasures to be found when you look closely at what’s inside. If you get the opportunity, go experience the magic of this place for yourself.
To hear other details about my good book hunting trip to Kilmarnock and other small towns in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula area’s of Virginia, listen to the latest Two Sides podcast episode, Virginia is for…Book Lovers, by clicking here.