Those cards show up in your mailbox, virtual or otherwise, every year during the holiday season. Sometimes they're accompanied by a letter catching you up on a family's activities and accomplishments.
While you may have mixed feelings about the letters, I suspect most people enjoy seeing the cards that feature photos. They are a kind of time machine through which you watch friends and family get older and their kids grow up too fast.
Last month, as I kept encountering bookstore staff photos posted on social media, I was reminded once again of the transitory nature of bookseller families, and the importance of appreciating yours in the moment. The holidays are about family, of course, and an independent bookstore is a family business.
Sometimes that's literal; a family opens a bookshop and their kids are part of it from an early age.
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| At Bleak House Books | |
Albert Wan and Jenny Smith are the co-owners of Bleak House Books, which closed its doors in San Po Kong, Hong Kong, in 2021, in the wake of a national security law that had also forced bookstores and libraries to pull specific titles from their shelves. They subsequently opened a new store in Honeoye Falls, N.Y., in 2022.
On Christmas Eve, the owners posted their family photo, noting: "Our family is blessed beyond measure to have found a home and a loving community here in Honeoye Falls. You all are the reason we do what we do. As always, be well and be strong. See y'all on the other side!"
Many bookshop families are "found," however, and inevitably keep changing as time passes. I think I began collecting bookseller holiday pics from social media this year because it reminded me of my own 15 years as part of such a clan long ago. So, enjoy this festive photo album featuring bookshop families of all kinds:
Copperfish Books, Punta Gorda, Fla.: "Happy New Year! Thank you for being part of our Copperfish family & let's make 2025 one for the books (pun 100% intended)."
Murder by the Book, Houston, Tex.: "Happy holidays from the crew here at Murder by the Book! Wishing y'all the best, safe travels, and looking forward to seeing you in 2025!"
Cavalier Book House, Denham Springs, La.: "Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah friends! We have had such a wonderful holiday season with y'all! We are so excited for everything the new year will bring! All our love to you and yours!"
Landmark Booksellers, Franklin, Tenn.: "Happy New Year from the Landmark staff!... Get your new year off to a great start with some books!"
Type Books, Toronto, Ont., Canada: "Happy holidays from all of us at TYPE.... We love you."
Femme Fire Books, Jacksonville, Fla.: "Happy Holidays from your fav booksellers at Femme Fire Books."
Belmont Bookshop, Belmont, N.C.: "We are incredibly grateful for such an awesome team of book worms and golfers.... A big thank you for an incredible first year of business in 2024 to all of you, which absolutely wouldn't have been possible without our amazing team!"
Yooneek Books, Okotoks, Alb., Canada: "Thanks everyone for the support in 2024. For us, that's a wrap at the store until January 2nd. Take care, stay safe, and enjoy every moment you can. Peace and love from the Byerley family."
Carmichael's Bookstore, Louisville, Ken.: "That's a wrap! These Christmas Eve bookseller elves were delighted to help with those last minute gifts before the big day. Thank you for all your support this holiday season."
Wardini Books, Havelock North, New Zealand: "Merry Christmas from Team Wardini! Thank you for your support this year and always. It's been a busy, crazy roller coaster for us and we're grateful to have you in our community. Have a lovely few days, whatever you're up to. Xxx."
Analog Books, Lethbridge, Alb., Canada: "With warmest regards from our families to yours as we wrap up the final week of 2024. The Analog Books community keeps growing and we look forward to a 2025 filled with expanding literary and personal connections."
Simply Books, Bramhall, U.K.: "Merry Christmas from the whole team at Simply Books!"
Luddites, Antwerp, Belgium: "Whether the burning smell wafting through your house is the food you forgot about in the kitchen or the dumpster fire that was 2024--we hope your holidays will have plenty of moments where you can escape to the bathroom from yet another family tiff; or that you'll at least get drunk enough you'll actually end up liking most of your relatives. Happy sipping! And a merry crisis! Or Christmas, whatever."
Librairie Ernster, Luxembourg: "The whole team of the Golden Bell and the Belle-Star wishes you beautiful end of the year holidays!"
Bear Pond Books, Montpelier, Vt.: "Cheers to our wonderful customers and supportive community for an amazing season of bookselling! We hope you have a lovely holiday, however you celebrate. We're headed home to put our feet up!"
The Book & Cover, Chattanooga, Tenn.: "Merry everything & happy reading from us to you."
Betty's Books, Webster Groves, Mo.: "Another year, another delightful yet grueling holiday season done! Everyone who's worked in retail can testify how exhausting this time of year can be, but thanks to our amazing BB Community, it's even more rewarding. Swipe to see some of our fave moments from the past year, and of course, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!"
Bookstore at Fitger's, Duluth, Minn.: "Happy 2025! We will be closed today so our Booksellers can get a jump start on our 2025 Reading Goals."