Bill & Rosa's Book Room, a new and used English-language bookstore, has reopened in Paris, France. Owners John and Lisa Vanden Bos are Americans who have lived in Paris since 1988. They are the owners of FUSAC, a website and brand that serves the city's English-speaking community.
Their 260-square-foot store opened in February and is located in FUSAC's downstairs space. The Book Room had to close in March because of the pandemic, but has since reopened for business three days per week.
The bookstore carries books in a variety of genres, including history, biographies, science fiction, mysteries and literary fiction. There are plenty of books focused on Paris and children's books in both French and English. While the majority of the store's inventory is donated, it carries new books as well.
Bill & Rosa's also features a 500-volume lending library. About 10 years ago, the owners explained, a dear friend of theirs died. She was a French woman who loved to read in English, and after her death, her son gave all of her English-language books to John and Lisa. They wanted to keep those books in her memory, but also let others enjoy them. That donated collection became the heart of the Sylvie and Henry Noullet Lending Library. Borrowers can become members for €20 (about $23.50) annually and take out two books at a time. They also receive discounts on store purchases.
The store's sideline offerings include greeting cards, postcards and gift bags. While the owners have no concrete plans for hosting events at the moment, that may change depending on how things go with the pandemic. Some potential ideas include book groups, author talks, documentary presentations and knitting circles. Noted John Vanden Bos: "People certainly ask about events--it seems to be the first thing on everyone's mind."
The couple had the idea to open a bookstore last summer while they were visiting the U.S. They already had the extra space, and given that there aren't any other English-language bookstores in their area of Paris it seemed like a good idea. They said, "We are not booksellers, we are just John and Lisa with a little idea."