On being a Bookstore Manager – At The Golden Star, we believe that reading is fundamental to enjoying one’s life, and Courtney Allen, manager of the local Four Points Bookstore, agrees. Here’s a peek inside Courtney’s world of books and reading.
1. Can you tell us about your earliest memory of falling in love with books?
I must have been about two and a half, maybe three. I can remember sitting with my family, Mum, Dad, and Grandparents and being read to. I tried to read along. I had a book called Pookie, about a bunny who tries to find his family. He had little wings, and everyone made fun of him. I still have the book.
2. What kinds of books do you enjoy reading the most, and why? You recently branched out to other genres; tell us a bit about that.
I really love suspenseful mysteries, I’m not sure where that love came from. I love the pace of them, the surprise when the writing is really good and the thrill of the twist. I can completely escape into those books. I feel the same way about a really, really good fiction book, but sometimes the really captivating ones are harder to find.
I was inspired by the reaction of locals to our collaboration in the Golden Star to branch out and reach more readers by expanding the genres in which I read and, therefore, review. It’s slow going because I start three or four books at once and am easily distracted, but I’m working on it!
3. Do you have an all-time favorite book, or is that an impossible question to answer?
I’m not sure I have ever told anyone, but it’s A.A. Milne’s original hardcover Winnie the Pooh, the really long one. Next would be Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier and then Requiem by Francis Itani. But of course, I have many!
4. As a bookstore manager, what inspired you to work in a bookstore?
Like many voracious readers, it had been a dream for many, many years. It first started with wanting to work in the library until I got a bit older and experienced my first bookstore. It just seemed like the perfect environment for me – surrounded by books.
5. What’s the best part of being surrounded by books every day?
The books themselves. They make me calm, confident, peaceful and giddy at the same time. I also love talking with people about favourite books or finding a book for someone who just didn’t know what to read. That feels amazing.
6. Have you noticed any changes in reading trends in the community over the years?
That’s actually a really hard question because with the change of ownership, we have had a change in content and people are certainly reading what we have. I feel that people in our community have always been passionate about outdoor adventure and nature but now that we carry so much fiction, sci fi, romance and fantasy there’s a lot more flying off the shelves!
7. How do you decide which books to review? By instinct. I follow my experience and passion for books and do a lot of research. If I really enjoy a book, the first thing I want to do is share it. These reviews are such a fantastic way to be able to do that.
8. What makes a book stand out to you as truly great?
The way it makes me feel. How completely lost I can get within the pages.
9. Can you share a few recent book recommendations for different types of readers— perhaps a must-read novel, a hidden gem, and a great non-fiction pick?
I really loved a lot of first novels this year. A Sweet Sting of Salt by Canadian author Rose Sutherland (historian fiction/ fantasy. LBGTQ+), Death Under A Little Sky by UK author Stig Abel (Suspense, Mystery & Detective), Go As A River by American author Shelley Read (Literary Fiction).
I don’t read a lot of non-fiction unless you count cookbooks.
Wintering by Katherine May (Body, Mind and Spirit) and Weathering by Ruth Allen (Psychology) were both incredible.
As for a hidden gem… I read this one years ago when it came out in hardcover in about 2019 or so and was totally mesmerized by it. It’s called The Memory Police by Japanese author Yoko Ozawa (Fiction/ Literary/ Sci fi/ Dystopian) and has been described as an Orwellian fable. It was a leap from what I often read and it was incredible.
10. How important do you think local bookstores are to the community?
So important. As Neil Gaiman said, “A town cannot call itself a town without a bookstore.” I fully believe that. It’s not only a place that sells books. It’s a place to have your heart and your mind opened. It is a place where you are accepted and a place where you are safe.
11. Do you find that people in Golden are passionate readers?
YES! Goldenites are very well read, passionate readers. There are so many intelligent, creative people in our community. And they aren’t shy to recommend books to me, which I absolutely love.
12. Have you hosted any book-related events or reading programs at the store? Do you anticipate any new events?
Yes, in the past and since we became Four Points Books. We have had a couple of author events and have another planned for April 26 with Invermere author Elinor Florence and her latest novel, Finding Flora. There are absolutely more events planned for the future and planning for other types of bookie fun.
13. How many books do you typically read in a month? Or maybe in a year?
It depends but I usually read 2-3 books per week. So I guess that would be 8-12 per month. Sometimes more, sometimes less.
Now, on vacation… that’s another situation entirely.
14. Do you have any reading rituals or favourite places to read?
A cat or two, a cozy blanket no matter the weather, tea, beer or wine depending on the time and good lighting. I like candles and can read with music if it’s low and not distracting. I have so many cozy spots in my house that I can seriously plonk down anywhere and be quite happy. I always have a book in my nag, even when heading to work, where there are thousands of books, I MUST have a book with me.
15. What book are you currently reading, and how is it so far?
Women Who Run With the Wolves (New Age), The Writing Retreat (Thriller) and The Bog Wife (Romance/ Fantasy). The first is amazing, powerful, inspirational and motivating. The second is a thriller but also has an LGBTQ+ element and is captivating and intense. The Bog Wife is out of my comfort zone being in the “romantasy” genre, but I am loving it so far, who knew?!
16. What advice would you give to someone who wants to get back into reading?
Start with what you love. It’s usually the first question I ask. I am a homebody, and I love beautiful, cozy spaces. You might wonder how that leads me to suspense and murder mysteries. Authors of those types of books love to set the scene to add to the suspense and draw out the story, so they often are very descriptive of the settings in the story: houses, flats, offices, vacation spots and the like. I love, love that. Once you know what you like to read about, finding those books for you is a bookseller’s total joy.
17. Is there a book you wish more people would read?
There probably should be, but I read for pleasure, therapy and relaxation so I really advocate reading what you want to.
18. If you could recommend just one book to our readers this year, what would it be and why?
To me, book recommendations are more about the reader than the book in most cases. I can tell everyone about the books I love and I do, often! The aspects I love the most about being a bookseller is the magic and privilege of matching a book with a human. Hoping that it will touch them, change them or bring them happiness in some way is truly the best feeling.
19. Are you ever curious about authors, and how their life circumstances can affect the story line of their books?
That is really an excellent question! Not in the same way I am curious about musicians and the lyrics they write. I know that some authors are very autobiographical, and others write from a place of complete fiction and fantasy. Styles intrigue me very much, and as a writer myself, I am just in total awe of novelists… It is, of course, a dream to write a book, but not just anybody can do it.
I am incredibly happy in my job. I am lucky to work with passionate owners who love books and want our stores to be community hubs, a place where you are always welcome and can always find excellent books. Being surrounded by books, a wonderful community and in a beautiful space is like a dream, honestly.
Interested in reading some of Courtney’s book reviews? Check out some on this list:
The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus
These books and others are available at Golden’s Four Points Books on 9th Ave. N.
