October 2023 Newsletter

One Year in the Books

Happy October! This month is pretty special as it marks one year since I opened the bookshop’s red door to the public, and goodness, what a year it has been!

Like in all aspects of life, the past year of owning the bookshop has had its highs and its lows, a literary roller coaster ride. Overall, I’d say it has been a wonderful year of learning - learning how to run a business, learning about people, learning who you can count on and what real support looks like, learning what’s in my control and what’s not, learning to stay faithful to God’s calling, and learning to trust Him more and more through it all.

I’m walking into my second year of business with more faith, knowledge, wisdom, discernment, savviness, and understanding, products of those many lessons learned. And I’m so thankful! In fact, when I reflect on this whole journey thus far, many words run through my mind but “thankful” is the one that continually rises to the top.

First and foremost, thankful to God. Thankful for this dream come true. Thankful for the people He’s brought into the bookshop and into my life. Thankful for the opportunity to serve our community’s people and churches. Thankful for all those lessons learned. Praise Him!

And last but certainly not least, thankful to you and to all of my customers. Thankful that you have welcomed me and my business into the community. Thankful for your support, prayers, and friendship, all of which mean the world to me. It’s been a pleasure to help you as you’ve searched for a specific book or Bible or special card or gift. It’s been precious to have you share details of your personal story with me. It’s been an honor to lift you up in prayer. It’s been touching to have you also pray for me and the bookshop. I look forward to another year of enjoying the bookshop with you!

Changes Ahead

As the bookshop continues into a second year of business, I am excited to make a couple of changes. The first of which concerns these newsletters. I so enjoy penning these newsletters to you, full of past reflections & future hopes, present thoughts & observations, praises & prayers, and fun facts & photos. I will be continuing these newsletters, but moving forward, it will be on a quarterly basis. So anticipate the next newsletter in January 2024!

Secondly, I’ve also enjoyed choosing one particular book to spotlight and share with you each month as the “Book of the Month.” However, there are so many amazing books out there and picking only one each month is hard! There are so many I want to suggest! So, starting this month, I’m going to highlight a selection of three to five books each month as “Recommended Reads.” This will offer you more variety and options when you visit the bookshop in search of your next great read.

To keep up with the bookshop’s daily happenings, to discover each month’s “Recommended Reads,” to get sneak peeks of new merchandise, and to stay in the loop with all of the important bookshop updates, be sure to follow the bookshop on Facebook and Instagram.

The Book Basket

@thebookbasketbookshop