Tiffanie Simpson - Book Haus
We chatted with Steffanie Simpson to learn about her mobile shop. Want to share your bookseller story? Fill out the contact form here!
“I love sharing the joy of reading”
Path to Bookselling and Experience
I had always wanted to work in a library or book store but never really had the chance until recently. I am a researcher and found myself working part time. I finally was able to secure a position in a local bookstore where the owner took me under her wing. After a while, a friend who had a small pop up business encouraged me to go out on my own. I took the leap and have now had my tiny, mobile bookstore for 4 years.
I have LOVED my time as a bookseller. It puts me in a self-selected group of people that want to talk books. I love getting to spend time sharing favorites, learning about new books from customers and just enjoying the interactions that play out between people that overhear a conversation about a book and jump in to share an opinion.
I think it is mostly the people who are just getting back into reading or folks who are "not readers" picking up a book and reporting back that they are hooked. I once had a group of young men spontaneously form a book club in my "shop" and I was almost in tears. I love sharing the joy of reading and try to make sure I have books that appeal to everyone. Being a pop up, I have many people stop in that wouldn't normally go into a brick and mortar bookstore. I am happy that I can provide a "gateway" book experience for them that is maybe just a bit less overwhelming than a regular bookstore.
Representation and Community
I live in midtown Sacramento and our neighborhood is culturally and ethnically diverse and vibrant. I especially try to stock children's books of all types, showing different families and making sure that kids see themselves on the shelf when they walk in. It has been incredibly moving and eye opening to hear older people talk about how they never saw anyone that "looked like them" in the books they had growing up. Being able to provide that has been a powerful experience for me and I have learned so much from watching the response from kids (and adults) when the see themselves and their family in a book.
Childhood Reading Memories
I guess my most vivid memory is waiting for my mom to run into a shop and finishing Charlotte's Web while waiting in the car. I was devastated and crying when she arrived back at the car, which required a tearful explanation from me. I loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Trumpet of the Swan.
Choosing a Name
The name came from an antique series of books I came across of children’s stories called “Book House”. I changed the spelling as a nod to my German ancestry. The name called to me as I hoped to provide many stories from all over the world and from all different times, a nod to the original Book House series.
Advice for Aspiring Booksellers|
I was a voracious reader from a young age and have continued that through my life. I would say that having a very strong reading background is necessary to be able to navigate this industry. I would suggest that someone spend time working in shops to see how it all works before tackling it on your own. I was so lucky to have Sue at Crawford's Books as a mentor. I learned so much working with the staff there and getting to know how to transfer my knowledge of books to the sales floor.
❦
Follow Book Haus to find out where to find Tiffanie will headed next and check out Book Haus’ Page to support the mission!
