What's It Really Like to Run a Bookstore?
An interview with Suzanna Hermans of Oblong Books
Oblong Books is a Hudson Valley institution. Founded in 1975 in Millerton, New York, it’s a notable survivor among independent bookstores, now with a second location in Rhinebeck, New York. It’s one of my favorites. Oblong is also cool because it’s owned by the father-daughter team of Dick and Suzanna Hermans.
I met Suzanna back around 2012 when my novel, A Violet Season, was published. When I reached out to her this spring, she graciously agreed to let me interview her for my YouTube channel.
I just posted our conversation there today, and I thought you’d enjoy listening to it, too. In it, Suzanna reveals the number one misconception book lovers have about running a bookstore, what booksellers talk about with each other when readers aren’t around, and why you should vote in your local school board elections. Enjoy!
A delightful interview, Kathy. It keeps one optimistic about the "future of books." You and I both know the special pleasure of doing a reading in a bookstore. Suzanna underscores the intangible "why" of that.
I thought I told you. We started recording pre Covid, then my moderator broke her femur and was out of commission for awhile. Whew. Will be starting another soon. Am reading The Bluest Eye by Morrison; parts are quite funny but I know what’s coming. It’s for our Banned Books discussion on Monday evening.