On August 1, Crain‘s reported that Bookworks (3444 N. Clark), my favorite bookshop, would be closing on October 15, after 32 years in business. Bookworks has been an oasis on that particular stretch of Clark Street, just south of Wrigley Field. It’s a bibliophilic haven.
It can be a lot of work, but when a customer comes to the register with a book that you happened to shelve recently, having put it in the perfect place, and she’s just thrilled to have found just what she was looking for, your heart sings. And it’s rewarding to help customers try to find a particular title, even if (especially if) they can’t remember exactly what title they’re looking for. (Once I saw the actor Tim Roth browsing the True Crime section. I didn’t want to bug, because sometimes people just like to be left alone while browsing.)
I always enjoyed having individuals show up at the store selling items. Opening a box of old books occasionally felt like opening a potential treasure chest. They were often filled with dreck, but when the books were good, they were often very good.
BR: Fifty-to-70-hour workweeks.
Playing a part in the encouragement of new readers. Sometimes an entire family would come in with their high school student to find The Red Pony or To Kill a Mockingbird for a reading assignment. Occasionally a new adult reader will be looking for something to improve their literacy. I love trying to find a good match to read.
