Books & Books

Books & Books has been in business since April 2006. We spoke to Janine O’Connor about this special Durban bookstore.

Where: Kensington Square, 53 Adelaide Tambo Drive, Durban North, 4015

Contact: Janine O’Connor Tel: 031 – 563 6288, Email: shop@booksandbooks.co.za, Website: www.booksandbooks.co.za

Are you part of a chain or independent?

Independent

Why did you decide to open your own store?

My love of books started with my Mum and older brothers reading me stories before I could read, but it was my wonderful primary school librarian, Mrs de Saint Pern who turned me into a voracious reader! I would read anything – Dr Seuss, Enid Blyton, Willard Price, Ian Serralier, but particularly enjoyed adventure and historical novels. I also enjoyed non – fiction books – I begged my Mum for my first atlas when I was about eight and have collected them ever since!!

How did you get into the Book business?

I had the dream to open a bookshop since 1990. Fortunately for me I knew Peter Adams of Adams & Co in Durban, so he allowed me to work for him part-time on Saturday mornings to see if I would enjoy working in the book trade. When a sales rep position came up at HarperCollins in Johannesburg, Peter encouraged me to apply! After working in sales & marketing for Jonathan Ball Publishers, MacDonald Purnell and finally Penguin SA, I decided to move back to Durban to open Books & Books, so you could say that Peter is the reason why I joined the book trade!

What is the all-time best seller in your store?

Spud Learning to Fly by John Van de Ruit, which we launched at the shop in July 2009. We were also fortunate to be able to take John to a number of Durban schools, where we sold many copies to the kids. We sold over 1 100 copies which is a huge quantity for a shop of our size!

What keeps you going?

The constant flow of glorious new books coming in to the shop and the thrill of suggesting a book to a customer, which they rave about on their next visit!

Any interesting stories about your store?

We regard ourselves as a “community bookshop” so make every effort to get involved with the schools, libraries, businesses and wider community in Durban North, the Berea and Umhlanga. We receive wonderful support from our customers and in turn hope to make a difference in our community and further afield.

We supply textbooks and library books to the schools in our community. We regularly host functions that parents and children can attend. Obviously school holiday and Christmas activities are a fun and regular occurrence. Recently we participated in a World Book Day promotion to collect new and “previously loved” books for disadvantaged schools. We regularly have book launches (at the shop and at other venues) and wherever possible take authors to our schools. In May we hosted world renown picture book author, Niki Daly, here for a week, visiting schools – what a treat for the children that he spoke to, as well as the teachers who were able to meet him! In the past two years we have visited schools with teen author Chris Bradford, Lewis Pugh, Conn Iggulden and PJ Powers. In September we hosted the UK Children’s Laureate, Chris Riddell at a number of schools which was a real thrill, particularly as he then drew a cartoon for our shop!