My grown-up birthday wish
My birthday falls in the middle of the summer. My mom, a teacher, always tells the story of how when she got married, the principal had warned her not to have children during the school year. (Could you imagine that happening now?)
So that’s the reason I’m a “summer baby” (romantic, I know!). Even my younger brother’s birthday is only two days after mine. It was great when we were children — our outdoor birthday celebrations are some of my fondest memories. We loved being out in nature.
These days, I don’t make a big deal about my birthday. I haven’t for a few years. And it's not because I’m ashamed of my age and growing old! I believe that if you want to experience something special, you have 365 days to do so. Why limit things to one day?
However, there is one thing I like to do every summer, or at least I did before the lockdowns last year. (Last year for my birthday, all I wanted to do was ride a bike. I hadn’t ridden one in some years, and after a few claustrophobic months indoors, I was longing for the feeling of freedom. So I went to a bike share location and rented a bike for an hour. It was fantastic!)
Traditionally, on my birthday, I force my mom and my sister to come with me to ANY bookstore in ANY small town a couple of hours outside Toronto. It has to be a small town in Ontario. And it has to be a privately owned bookstore. There are dozens of them out there, and they are all so wonderful!
My love for visiting these little rural gems probably stems from my father’s love of books and the countryside. In 2013, The Toronto Star did a story about Hwy 7 and published my letter about how my dad used to take us to Old Favorites Bookshop at 132 Hwy 7 in Markham. (Read it here!)
Make no mistake — I very much enjoy going to Indigo, and do so regularly. But there is something magical about these stores that always makes me long to visit. There are tons of stories that take place in or are about small-town bookstores. (Pickwick Books, Waterdown, ON and Cordial Clove Books, Elora, ON are two of my favourites!)
Every word you read about them is true (well, maybe not about the ghost in the attic, or at least not one that I’ve encountered). The proprietors are always nice and welcoming, and in spite of having thousands of books crammed into such small spaces, they know almost every single title they have in stock (without the help of technology). Not only that, they know exactly where to locate it.
While in Burlington a couple of years ago, I visited a small used bookstore (Book Nook, 501 Brant St.). I was looking for a book I’d had on my mind for a while. When I asked the owner if he had it in stock, he said he didn’t have that particular title, but he immediately recommended another in the same genre. Not only was it a fantastic recommendation, he also recounted the story of when he had read it long ago (before I was born).
The magnificent intimacy of these places is what draws me to them. Their exteriors could double for a book cover. Whether the books are new or used, neatly stacked or strewn across end tables, the décor and arrangements are unique. And they never disappoint.
I have a TBR (to be read) list with me at all times, but I always make sure to select a book from these independently owned bookstores that carries the significance of where it came from. This way when I read it or glance at it on my bookshelf, I know where it was purchased. And I can smile at the memory.
I consider myself to be a rural person because I absolutely love the country, especially in summer. I love the fresh air and the unobstructed breeze. I love to see the sprawling fields and the silent silos.
Most of all, I love to be able to find a quaint little town with a bookstore — just like I was living in a novel.
So, this year on my summer birthday, I’m looking forward to a long, overdue trip and the discovery of a new and special book, making my birthday a memorable one yet again. Happy birthday to me!
Have you visited a small bookstore you think should get some more love and attention? Tell us about your favourite hidden gem here!
Written by: Maya B.