August 21, 2024 • 20 mins
Behind the Curtain: Rachel Pastiva on Supporting Local Booksellers and Self-Care
In this episode of Behind the Curtain, host Rosanita Ratcliff continues her conversation with Rachel Pastiva. They discuss the legacy of the Binc Foundation, the critical support for local booksellers, and Rachel's involvement with the Ann Arbor Book Society and the Friends of the Library. Rachel shares insights on balancing her work, the importance of self-care, and the vibrant book community in Ann Arbor. Tune in to learn more about how you can support local bookstores and get involved in the Ann Arbor book community.
To support the Ann Arbor Book Society, visit them at their website.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Rosanita (00:00):
Welcome back to another episode of Behind the
Curtain.
I'm your host, Rosanita Ratcliffand today we're diving into part
two of our conversation withRachel Pastiva.
In this episode, we'll explorethe legacy of the Binc
Foundation, the importance ofsupporting local booksellers and
how Rachel balances her workwith the Ann Arbor Book Society
(00:21):
and the Friends of the Library.
We'll also touch on the vitalrole of self care and the
vibrant book community in AnnArbor.
So grab a cup of tea, sit backand join us as we continue this
insightful discussion withRachel Pastiva.
Hey, Rachel.
Welcome back.
One thing I also had wanted totouch on, though, was I saw on
(00:43):
the website that there was Bincand it was set up by Borders,
right?
It was a book foundation.
Is that right?
Rachel (00:52):
Yeah.
So, so Binc originally wasBorders Inc.
The Binc Foundation was forBorders employees who maybe
there was someone in theirfamily who was diagnosed with a
terminal illness or they had afire at their house or they
can't make their car payments,you know, just Something that,
well, maybe back then, probablynot so much a car pain is thing,
(01:12):
what was more so, you know,health related and, and people
really needing assistance andwhen borders closed, Bink stuck
around and what a wonderfullegacy because now it's actually
a national organization.
It's a nonprofit right out ofAnn Arbor, Michigan, out of
borders that actually exists tosupport booksellers in their
(01:32):
times of need.
So, yeah.
So if.
I do remember reading an articleon, on their website once about
a fire, one of the bookstoreshad a fire in it, and so they
were able to give them funds orpeople who, you know, their
spouse had lost their job andthey couldn't pay their, their
heating bill.
You know, there's all kinds ofways that they help booksellers.
And to me, this is like anothermanifestation of Ann Arbor being
(01:53):
a booktown, right?
Is that there's this amazingorganization that exists to help
booksellers they understand thevalue of booksellers in our
community.
Rosanita (02:02):
I think it's amazing that even though borders itself
closed, that they kept thefoundation and didn't sunset
that as well.
They were like, no, this isstill such an important part of
our ethos that we're just goingto keep it and continue,
continue on with that tradition.
Rachel (02:21):
Yeah, yeah.
And honestly, I mentioned tothem recently that if, if I
wasn't.
On charge of my own nonprofitorganization, I would love to
volunteer my time for theirsbecause I think the work they do
is so important.
Rosanita (02:34):
It really is.
I was just thinking when I readit on the website, right?
And I was thinking about howsales slumped for a lot of
people.
Well, yes, you had a lot ofpeople who were reading and it
did help shine a light on someof the independent booksellers
and people didn't have, youknow, places to spend some of
their money.
So they were spending it onbookstores during the pandemic,
(02:58):
but it wasn't every bookstorethat had an influx of of new
buyers.
Right?
And so for the ones who didn't,I just think about how important
A foundation, like, bank is tobe able to help them stay afloat
until they can get people to,you know, to come back in or to
help out the employees whoworked at those stores.
(03:21):
Right as well.
I don't know.
I just feel like thinkingcommunity as a whole.
Yeah, because people who work atthose stores live within their
own, either within that samecommunity or in nearby
community, and they still needthe assistance.
Especially when a disasterstrikes.
I also know that you are withthe friends of the library.
Rachel (03:43):
Yes.
Rosanita (03:45):
How do you find time for all of this?
Rachel (03:48):
Well, that's my paying job.
This, you know, the Ann ArborBook Society is definitely 100
percent volunteer run.
So, that's how I help to pay thebills.
I left Crazy Wisdom in thewinter of 2017 and part of it
was because I really needed tohave, you know, I worked full
time there, I was the only fulltime employee.
So, that was a lot of fun.
Stress, you know, having to beresponsible for that.
(04:09):
So I really wanted to find a jobthat I could work part time that
would allow me to devote time tothe Ann Arbor book society, but
I think it's such a beautifulfit and I feel so grateful for
that job because I feel uniquelysuited to it because I was the
only full time employee at thissmall, independent, dynamic
(04:29):
business, crazy wisdom.
And now I get to, to be the onlyemployee at this incredible
nonprofit that exists to raisemoney for the library.
And, you know, it's funny causeI got my master's in library
science and I always used tojoke that I could.
Wallpaper my walls with therejection letters I got from the
Ann Arbor District Library.
(04:50):
The thing is, there are 2universities within 45 minutes
with the, you know, master'sprogram.
So, unless you really want tomove, it's it's a lot of
competition.
But, but I feel like it's.
Kind of poetic justice.
I get to, I still, I work at thelibrary, you know, and I, I work
for an organization that existsto support the library.
So that feels almost like abetter fit for me.
(05:11):
And I really get to put mybookseller experience to use.
And it's so much fun because weget books donated every day.
And you see things that havebeen out of print and are worth
a lot of money or just reallyfun and interesting things.
And, and I also get to workwith, you know, retired.
People who love books that werelawyers and librarians and
(05:34):
business owners and professorsat U of M.
So it's just a really, and inlong time, Ann Arborites, you
know, people who remember, likeyou said, like you remember when
borders was in its originallocation, people who were going
to school in the seventies andremember going to center core.
So it's, it's really fun to beable to like, talk to them
about.
What the Ann Arbor book culturewas when they were going to
(05:56):
school.
It's a fun experience.
Rosanita (05:59):
One thing that I do is I talk a little bit about self
care on here, because I knowthat whether you're an artist
or.
You're supporting artists, and Ifirmly believe that authors are
artists what they put on paperand what the illustrators put in
(06:19):
there.
It draws us into this world.
They're creating.
Right?
And sometimes when you're thatperson, who's providing the
supports to them, or.
In your case, the books, thebooksellers, right?
It's a lot it's because, likeyou said, for yourself, you have
(06:41):
your full time job and you haveyour love.
Right?
Yeah.
Yeah.
If you love something, is it Imean, it's work, but is it a
job?
Rachel (06:49):
Right?
Right.
Rosanita (06:50):
And so how do you find the time to still take some time
to take care of yourself and to.
Not focusing on what has to bedone next,
Rachel (07:02):
right?
Right.
Gosh, in this day and age, Ithink that's such a challenge
for all of us where there'salways things showing up in your
inbox and people can reach youthrough text.
You know, you just don't haveyour personal time.
Like, you know, we used to, Ithink, honestly, 1 of the things
I've really started committingmyself to, believe it or not,
is, you know, more time to read.
(07:25):
It's so funny because I mean, Iam always, I am always reading.
I'm always reading four or fivebooks at a time, but I, I
created a little reading book inmy house, you know, we're with a
comfy chair and a light andthere's no devices allowed.
And just to really, Okay,Rachel, you put in an hour's
worth of time, a couple hoursworth of time on Book Society,
(07:45):
just go, go and sit down andread.
And because that's really thebasis for all of it, you know,
and it can get lost in that whenyou are so concerned about all
these ways to keep thissustainable and to grow it.
So it's just something I'm like,Rachel, you have to get back to
the root of what this is aboutand connect with it because
it's, to me, it's just such a,you know, Really calming, you
(08:08):
know, self nourishing thing todo is to let yourself.
And really I try to let myselfread a, I read a lot of
nonfiction, but I just want to,like you said, those books
earlier, like I just want toread a light mystery or
something.
That's the kind of stuff I wantto make time for, because you
just want to be able to enjoy,you know, shut your brain off
and just follow a story.
Right.
And not have to think too much.
Rosanita (08:29):
Just just a whole other tangent here, because he
brought up mysteries.
How did those authors do it?
I just think, because they'realways setting these little
clues throughout the book thatif you're not really paying
attention and you're, you know,like me, like, I'm just I'm
going to solve this beforebefore I get to the end.
How did I just I'm alwaysfascinated.
(08:51):
Like, how did they do that?
Rachel (08:53):
Oh, yeah.
Oh, yeah.
I think writing a book is 1 ofthe most fascinating things.
That people do, you know, in, inany kind of book, not even just
the mystery, but writing a storyabout your own life, you know,
how do you, how do you start?
How do you create thatstructure?
And it's just, yeah, it's, it's,it's fascinating to me, really.
Rosanita (09:12):
Well, you said that you had your original degree,
your bachelor's was in creativewriting.
Do you do any of that for fun?
Just for yourself,
Rachel (09:24):
you know, it's funny you ask because I feel like I keep
getting this like this internalnudge that I need to start going
back to that.
I haven't in a long time when Iworked at crazy wisdom.
I, I got to write for thejournal sometimes.
So that was, you know, at leastgetting to scratch that writing
itch, but I haven't really doneanything creative with it for
myself in a long time.
(09:45):
And I do think it's somethingI'd like to go back to.
Yeah.
Now we're in retirement.
Who knows?
Someday.
Rosanita (09:54):
I mean, you're definitely using your degree,
but yeah, I was just curious onthe aspect of it for you.
Like, you know, becausesometimes you just feel that
creative juice.
Right?
Right.
Right.
Yeah.
Yeah.
As we near the end of the theconversation here.
I was wondering, is thereanything coming up with the Ann
(10:15):
Arbor book society that you'dlike to promote, including how
people can get involved asvolunteers or donors.
Rachel (10:25):
Yeah.
So right before the pandemichits that actually that April,
we were supposed to do our firstlike real programming event,
which we were going to do ascavenger hunt for independent
bookstore day.
And we'd really love to get backto that again.
We can't do that this yearbecause actually we're.
A couple of our board membersare terming out and our real
(10:45):
focus right now has to be onrebuilding that board.
So, so right now I think we'rejust focused on strengthening
our internal foundation, youknow, before we can actually go
out and start doing programmingagain, the other thing too, is.
You know, there's so many thingsrelated to books in Ann Arbor
that we would love to let peopleknow about, but we're only
(11:07):
limited by having volunteers whowant to contribute and write
about it.
You know, we really saw, like Isaid, I saw our website being
are the go to place for booknews in Ann Arbor kind of like,
people might go to, like.
the Ann Arbor News website orDetroit Free Press.
Like, I'd love them to be goingto the Ann Arbor Book Society
(11:28):
for book news, but we're justnot there yet because we have
limited volunteers who cancontribute regular writing.
So, so really, I think we're,we're still in that process of
inviting people to become partof, of the book society.
And like I said, we're alsoexpanding, trying to get some
sponsors for the Booktown Map.
(11:48):
And one level of sponsorship,Sponsorship at a 500 level gets
you your company logo on theback of our map, which, like I
said, we're hoping to distribute10, 000 in the community this
year.
So I feel like for the rightkinds of businesses that believe
in books, it could be a reallygood way to advertise your
business and support a communitythat I think is really valuable
(12:08):
to Ann Arbor.
But in addition to that, AnnArbor.
Independent bookstore day iscoming up in April.
And, you know, just in general,one of the things I wanted to
point out is I'm often saddenedevery year.
It seems to happen just aboutevery year when there was an
article on the news saying thatAnn Arbor was voted one of the
best red cities in the country.
(12:29):
And it's based on Amazon booksales.
And I always feel so heartbrokenby that because we have such a
vibrant book community, and Ifeel like.
We just happen to live in aculture now where people think.
That they have the right to beable to purchase something at
the most deeply discounted priceit could possibly be, you know,
(12:51):
and, and so they might get someaffordable books, but I don't
think they realize, like, theripple effects of what that does
to the community.
When I first moved to Ann Arbor,there were 17 independent
bookstores downtown, andthere's, you have Mott Bailey.
And Don Treader, Literati, ThirdMind Books, which just opened,
and Westside Bookshop, and fivedowntown right now.
(13:13):
So people, if they want to livein a community that's vibrant
like this, I hope that they willstart to think about where
they're getting their books, youknow, that they'll start
supporting the more localplaces.
And if they like to buy booksonline, they can go to bookshop.
org, which is a lot of theindependent bookstores.
have affiliations with.
So if you buy books online, theywill still get a percentage of
(13:35):
the revenue from it.
So I just hope that people willthink about, you know, putting
their money into the bookcommunity so that it stays
around for a long time.
Rosanita (13:44):
I'm really glad you brought that up because when I
was speaking with an independentbookseller, one of the things
that they told me is that withBookshop.
They didn't make as much as ifthey were selling the books
themselves.
And so for them, yes, you canstill go through bookshop, but
they also have their own onlinebookstore directly through
(14:08):
through them through theirwebsite as well, which also
gives people who like to shoponline that option to do some of
the other bookstores probablyhave that as well.
Rachel (14:19):
I think I think most of them.
Yeah, do as well.
That's right.
And I, by the way, I want to goback.
I feel bad.
I forgot about Volt of Midnightwhen I was counting the
bookstores downtown, but Volt ofMidnight is an incredible book
comic bookshop that we shouldvery, very much be proud of.
'cause they have multiplelocations now in Michigan, so
not to be missed.
(14:40):
And there's a lot of people wholike comics.
Oh yes.
Volt of Midnight has an onlineshop.
Most places do or, or they'll docurbside pickup.
Even still, one of the thingsthat came out of the Pandemic
was I think bookstores foundreally creative ways to be able
to get books to people.
And so some of those ways aren'tgoing away.
Now, if you're somebody whodoesn't wanna be going into the
shop, you can just.
(15:00):
Pull up front and go in and grabit or people will bring it out.
So definitely they're trying tobe flexible.
Rosanita (15:06):
Which I think is, is great because yeah, you, you,
because yeah, you mentioned thebooks for us downtown.
We have, was it Nicola's?
Oh, Nicholas
Rachel (15:14):
now books.
Yeah, yeah.
Rosanita (15:16):
As we have Booksweet, which used to be Book Bound.
If you're closer to Ypsi, thenthey have Blackstone.
And then you mentioned the otherbooksellers that you can Sign up
for food book shop.
They have their own onlinestores.
Yes.
Yes.
And also, I like to plug them asan audible alternative is
(15:39):
libro.fm
Rachel (15:40):
oh, yes.
Yes.
Rosanita (15:41):
And how, when you buy a monthly subscription to them,
you can.
Then you can select a bookstoreand a percentage of your monthly
subscription will go to thatindependent bookstore.
Yes.
And I have that and that's whatI do.
So I get my monthly audio bookand I have a few books on there
that I'm like, yeah, you wouldnever see me buy this in a
(16:03):
bookstore because I don't wantpeople to know that I would read
this.
Rachel (16:12):
Yes, that's when you go online, there are some times
that you want your book purchaseto remain anonymous.
Rosanita (16:18):
Because not everyone needs to know, I mean, now I'm
saying it out loud, but noteveryone needs to know that yes,
I like a good celebrity memoir,okay?
Rachel (16:26):
We all have our guilty pleasures,
Rosanita (16:27):
although I do have to say, one of the ones that I got
just won a Grammy for ViolaDavis, so, you know, they have a
very wide selection on Libro.
Hey, that got her her EGOT, butthey have a very wide selection
on Libro.
fm, and it really is one of theeasiest ways to support if
you're going to have an audiobook, especially for some people
(16:48):
who just reading print isn'tpossible.
Rachel (16:52):
Yeah, yeah.
Rosanita (16:53):
So, Independent Booksellers Day, right?
Rachel (16:56):
It's usually right in the middle of April.
But it's just, it's just the dayof the year.
It's a national thing where it'sjust trying to get people to, to
go support local independentbookstores.
Rosanita (17:07):
Do the bookstores around here typically have
special programming for that?
Rachel (17:11):
I know some of them do.
And that was one of the thingsthat If and when we get back to
the scavenger hunt, you know, itwas going to be tied into that
getting certain prizes or treatsfrom the different bookstores,
like there'd be a passport orsomething you would get stamped
and you would collect things atthe different stores.
Rosanita (17:26):
Okay.
So is there something else toput on the list?
Because we have, you know, wehave giving Tuesday, we have
small business Saturday, right.
And that's more towards theChristmas time, right.
But this gives a really greatopportunity to make sure that
we're supporting a localbusiness.
And another part of the year.
Rachel (17:46):
Yes.
Yes.
Yeah.
In the spring, wheneverhopefully the earth is thawing
and you actually want to leaveyour house, right?
You actually want to go outside.
Rosanita (17:55):
Yes, because I do hibernate it's funny.
I, I used to call myself apenguin because I would come
back every winter, but I wouldstay.
But I would, you know, kind ofstay indoors.
If, if people want to, tovolunteer, then is the best way
to just go through the website?
Rachel (18:16):
So yeah, our website is a2books.
org and they can go to ourwebsite.
There is a volunteer Washtenawwebsite through the United Way
that if people are just lookingfor volunteer opportunities in
all kinds of way, they can gothere and look for things.
But we also list what ourcurrent volunteer opportunities
are there.
And then the other thing I wouldlike to point out is our monthly
(18:37):
email newsletter.
We send out on the first ofevery month and it has
information highlighting some ofthe big book events taking place
that month in the community.
We always do a snapshot of thepast.
So something.
Book history related and wealways have some noteworthy new
releases coming out that monthto encourage you to want to go
shopping the bookstores and newsto keep you in the know about
(18:58):
what's going on in Ann Arbor'sbook community.
So I, I do encourage people tofind us on our website and
subscribe to our newsletter.
Rosanita (19:05):
Well, thank you so much for joining me here today.
Is there anything else thatyou'd like to share?
Rachel (19:12):
No, I think we had a really great conversation and I,
I really enjoyed myselfRosanita.
Thank you so much for having me.
Rosanita (19:19):
Oh, thank you for coming and I'm glad you enjoyed
yourself.
That wraps up part two of ourenlightening conversation with
Rachel Pastiva.
I hope you enjoyed learning moreabout the Binc Foundation's
impactful work, the significanceof supporting local bookstores,
and Rachel's dedication tofostering a thriving book
community in Ann Arbor.
(19:39):
Remember supporting our localbookstores and engaging in self
care are essential for a vibrantand healthy community.
If you want to get involved orstay updated on Ann Arbor's book
events, visit a2books.org andsubscribe to their monthly
newsletter.
Thank you for tuning in toBehind the Curtain.
Until next time, keep supportingthe arts and your local
(20:01):
community.
Welcome back to another episode of Behind the
Curtain.
I'm your host, Rosanita Ratcliffand today we're diving into part
two of our conversation withRachel Pastiva.
In this episode, we'll explorethe legacy of the Binc
Foundation, the importance ofsupporting local booksellers and
how Rachel balances her workwith the Ann Arbor Book Society
(00:21):
and the Friends of the Library.
We'll also touch on the vitalrole of self care and the
vibrant book community in AnnArbor.
So grab a cup of tea, sit backand join us as we continue this
insightful discussion withRachel Pastiva.
Hey, Rachel.
Welcome back.
One thing I also had wanted totouch on, though, was I saw on
(00:43):
the website that there was Bincand it was set up by Borders,
right?
It was a book foundation.
Is that right?
Rachel (00:52):
Yeah.
So, so Binc originally wasBorders Inc.
The Binc Foundation was forBorders employees who maybe
there was someone in theirfamily who was diagnosed with a
terminal illness or they had afire at their house or they
can't make their car payments,you know, just Something that,
well, maybe back then, probablynot so much a car pain is thing,
(01:12):
what was more so, you know,health related and, and people
really needing assistance andwhen borders closed, Bink stuck
around and what a wonderfullegacy because now it's actually
a national organization.
It's a nonprofit right out ofAnn Arbor, Michigan, out of
borders that actually exists tosupport booksellers in their
(01:32):
times of need.
So, yeah.
So if.
I do remember reading an articleon, on their website once about
a fire, one of the bookstoreshad a fire in it, and so they
were able to give them funds orpeople who, you know, their
spouse had lost their job andthey couldn't pay their, their
heating bill.
You know, there's all kinds ofways that they help booksellers.
And to me, this is like anothermanifestation of Ann Arbor being
(01:53):
a booktown, right?
Is that there's this amazingorganization that exists to help
booksellers they understand thevalue of booksellers in our
community.
Rosanita (02:02):
I think it's amazing that even though borders itself
closed, that they kept thefoundation and didn't sunset
that as well.
They were like, no, this isstill such an important part of
our ethos that we're just goingto keep it and continue,
continue on with that tradition.
Rachel (02:21):
Yeah, yeah.
And honestly, I mentioned tothem recently that if, if I
wasn't.
On charge of my own nonprofitorganization, I would love to
volunteer my time for theirsbecause I think the work they do
is so important.
Rosanita (02:34):
It really is.
I was just thinking when I readit on the website, right?
And I was thinking about howsales slumped for a lot of
people.
Well, yes, you had a lot ofpeople who were reading and it
did help shine a light on someof the independent booksellers
and people didn't have, youknow, places to spend some of
their money.
So they were spending it onbookstores during the pandemic,
(02:58):
but it wasn't every bookstorethat had an influx of of new
buyers.
Right?
And so for the ones who didn't,I just think about how important
A foundation, like, bank is tobe able to help them stay afloat
until they can get people to,you know, to come back in or to
help out the employees whoworked at those stores.
(03:21):
Right as well.
I don't know.
I just feel like thinkingcommunity as a whole.
Yeah, because people who work atthose stores live within their
own, either within that samecommunity or in nearby
community, and they still needthe assistance.
Especially when a disasterstrikes.
I also know that you are withthe friends of the library.
Rachel (03:43):
Yes.
Rosanita (03:45):
How do you find time for all of this?
Rachel (03:48):
Well, that's my paying job.
This, you know, the Ann ArborBook Society is definitely 100
percent volunteer run.
So, that's how I help to pay thebills.
I left Crazy Wisdom in thewinter of 2017 and part of it
was because I really needed tohave, you know, I worked full
time there, I was the only fulltime employee.
So, that was a lot of fun.
Stress, you know, having to beresponsible for that.
(04:09):
So I really wanted to find a jobthat I could work part time that
would allow me to devote time tothe Ann Arbor book society, but
I think it's such a beautifulfit and I feel so grateful for
that job because I feel uniquelysuited to it because I was the
only full time employee at thissmall, independent, dynamic
(04:29):
business, crazy wisdom.
And now I get to, to be the onlyemployee at this incredible
nonprofit that exists to raisemoney for the library.
And, you know, it's funny causeI got my master's in library
science and I always used tojoke that I could.
Wallpaper my walls with therejection letters I got from the
Ann Arbor District Library.
(04:50):
The thing is, there are 2universities within 45 minutes
with the, you know, master'sprogram.
So, unless you really want tomove, it's it's a lot of
competition.
But, but I feel like it's.
Kind of poetic justice.
I get to, I still, I work at thelibrary, you know, and I, I work
for an organization that existsto support the library.
So that feels almost like abetter fit for me.
(05:11):
And I really get to put mybookseller experience to use.
And it's so much fun because weget books donated every day.
And you see things that havebeen out of print and are worth
a lot of money or just reallyfun and interesting things.
And, and I also get to workwith, you know, retired.
People who love books that werelawyers and librarians and
(05:34):
business owners and professorsat U of M.
So it's just a really, and inlong time, Ann Arborites, you
know, people who remember, likeyou said, like you remember when
borders was in its originallocation, people who were going
to school in the seventies andremember going to center core.
So it's, it's really fun to beable to like, talk to them
about.
What the Ann Arbor book culturewas when they were going to
(05:56):
school.
It's a fun experience.
Rosanita (05:59):
One thing that I do is I talk a little bit about self
care on here, because I knowthat whether you're an artist
or.
You're supporting artists, and Ifirmly believe that authors are
artists what they put on paperand what the illustrators put in
(06:19):
there.
It draws us into this world.
They're creating.
Right?
And sometimes when you're thatperson, who's providing the
supports to them, or.
In your case, the books, thebooksellers, right?
It's a lot it's because, likeyou said, for yourself, you have
(06:41):
your full time job and you haveyour love.
Right?
Yeah.
Yeah.
If you love something, is it Imean, it's work, but is it a
job?
Rachel (06:49):
Right?
Right.
Rosanita (06:50):
And so how do you find the time to still take some time
to take care of yourself and to.
Not focusing on what has to bedone next,
Rachel (07:02):
right?
Right.
Gosh, in this day and age, Ithink that's such a challenge
for all of us where there'salways things showing up in your
inbox and people can reach youthrough text.
You know, you just don't haveyour personal time.
Like, you know, we used to, Ithink, honestly, 1 of the things
I've really started committingmyself to, believe it or not,
is, you know, more time to read.
(07:25):
It's so funny because I mean, Iam always, I am always reading.
I'm always reading four or fivebooks at a time, but I, I
created a little reading book inmy house, you know, we're with a
comfy chair and a light andthere's no devices allowed.
And just to really, Okay,Rachel, you put in an hour's
worth of time, a couple hoursworth of time on Book Society,
(07:45):
just go, go and sit down andread.
And because that's really thebasis for all of it, you know,
and it can get lost in that whenyou are so concerned about all
these ways to keep thissustainable and to grow it.
So it's just something I'm like,Rachel, you have to get back to
the root of what this is aboutand connect with it because
it's, to me, it's just such a,you know, Really calming, you
(08:08):
know, self nourishing thing todo is to let yourself.
And really I try to let myselfread a, I read a lot of
nonfiction, but I just want to,like you said, those books
earlier, like I just want toread a light mystery or
something.
That's the kind of stuff I wantto make time for, because you
just want to be able to enjoy,you know, shut your brain off
and just follow a story.
Right.
And not have to think too much.
Rosanita (08:29):
Just just a whole other tangent here, because he
brought up mysteries.
How did those authors do it?
I just think, because they'realways setting these little
clues throughout the book thatif you're not really paying
attention and you're, you know,like me, like, I'm just I'm
going to solve this beforebefore I get to the end.
How did I just I'm alwaysfascinated.
(08:51):
Like, how did they do that?
Rachel (08:53):
Oh, yeah.
Oh, yeah.
I think writing a book is 1 ofthe most fascinating things.
That people do, you know, in, inany kind of book, not even just
the mystery, but writing a storyabout your own life, you know,
how do you, how do you start?
How do you create thatstructure?
And it's just, yeah, it's, it's,it's fascinating to me, really.
Rosanita (09:12):
Well, you said that you had your original degree,
your bachelor's was in creativewriting.
Do you do any of that for fun?
Just for yourself,
Rachel (09:24):
you know, it's funny you ask because I feel like I keep
getting this like this internalnudge that I need to start going
back to that.
I haven't in a long time when Iworked at crazy wisdom.
I, I got to write for thejournal sometimes.
So that was, you know, at leastgetting to scratch that writing
itch, but I haven't really doneanything creative with it for
myself in a long time.
(09:45):
And I do think it's somethingI'd like to go back to.
Yeah.
Now we're in retirement.
Who knows?
Someday.
Rosanita (09:54):
I mean, you're definitely using your degree,
but yeah, I was just curious onthe aspect of it for you.
Like, you know, becausesometimes you just feel that
creative juice.
Right?
Right.
Right.
Yeah.
Yeah.
As we near the end of the theconversation here.
I was wondering, is thereanything coming up with the Ann
(10:15):
Arbor book society that you'dlike to promote, including how
people can get involved asvolunteers or donors.
Rachel (10:25):
Yeah.
So right before the pandemichits that actually that April,
we were supposed to do our firstlike real programming event,
which we were going to do ascavenger hunt for independent
bookstore day.
And we'd really love to get backto that again.
We can't do that this yearbecause actually we're.
A couple of our board membersare terming out and our real
(10:45):
focus right now has to be onrebuilding that board.
So, so right now I think we'rejust focused on strengthening
our internal foundation, youknow, before we can actually go
out and start doing programmingagain, the other thing too, is.
You know, there's so many thingsrelated to books in Ann Arbor
that we would love to let peopleknow about, but we're only
(11:07):
limited by having volunteers whowant to contribute and write
about it.
You know, we really saw, like Isaid, I saw our website being
are the go to place for booknews in Ann Arbor kind of like,
people might go to, like.
the Ann Arbor News website orDetroit Free Press.
Like, I'd love them to be goingto the Ann Arbor Book Society
(11:28):
for book news, but we're justnot there yet because we have
limited volunteers who cancontribute regular writing.
So, so really, I think we're,we're still in that process of
inviting people to become partof, of the book society.
And like I said, we're alsoexpanding, trying to get some
sponsors for the Booktown Map.
(11:48):
And one level of sponsorship,Sponsorship at a 500 level gets
you your company logo on theback of our map, which, like I
said, we're hoping to distribute10, 000 in the community this
year.
So I feel like for the rightkinds of businesses that believe
in books, it could be a reallygood way to advertise your
business and support a communitythat I think is really valuable
(12:08):
to Ann Arbor.
But in addition to that, AnnArbor.
Independent bookstore day iscoming up in April.
And, you know, just in general,one of the things I wanted to
point out is I'm often saddenedevery year.
It seems to happen just aboutevery year when there was an
article on the news saying thatAnn Arbor was voted one of the
best red cities in the country.
(12:29):
And it's based on Amazon booksales.
And I always feel so heartbrokenby that because we have such a
vibrant book community, and Ifeel like.
We just happen to live in aculture now where people think.
That they have the right to beable to purchase something at
the most deeply discounted priceit could possibly be, you know,
(12:51):
and, and so they might get someaffordable books, but I don't
think they realize, like, theripple effects of what that does
to the community.
When I first moved to Ann Arbor,there were 17 independent
bookstores downtown, andthere's, you have Mott Bailey.
And Don Treader, Literati, ThirdMind Books, which just opened,
and Westside Bookshop, and fivedowntown right now.
(13:13):
So people, if they want to livein a community that's vibrant
like this, I hope that they willstart to think about where
they're getting their books, youknow, that they'll start
supporting the more localplaces.
And if they like to buy booksonline, they can go to bookshop.
org, which is a lot of theindependent bookstores.
have affiliations with.
So if you buy books online, theywill still get a percentage of
(13:35):
the revenue from it.
So I just hope that people willthink about, you know, putting
their money into the bookcommunity so that it stays
around for a long time.
Rosanita (13:44):
I'm really glad you brought that up because when I
was speaking with an independentbookseller, one of the things
that they told me is that withBookshop.
They didn't make as much as ifthey were selling the books
themselves.
And so for them, yes, you canstill go through bookshop, but
they also have their own onlinebookstore directly through
(14:08):
through them through theirwebsite as well, which also
gives people who like to shoponline that option to do some of
the other bookstores probablyhave that as well.
Rachel (14:19):
I think I think most of them.
Yeah, do as well.
That's right.
And I, by the way, I want to goback.
I feel bad.
I forgot about Volt of Midnightwhen I was counting the
bookstores downtown, but Volt ofMidnight is an incredible book
comic bookshop that we shouldvery, very much be proud of.
'cause they have multiplelocations now in Michigan, so
not to be missed.
(14:40):
And there's a lot of people wholike comics.
Oh yes.
Volt of Midnight has an onlineshop.
Most places do or, or they'll docurbside pickup.
Even still, one of the thingsthat came out of the Pandemic
was I think bookstores foundreally creative ways to be able
to get books to people.
And so some of those ways aren'tgoing away.
Now, if you're somebody whodoesn't wanna be going into the
shop, you can just.
(15:00):
Pull up front and go in and grabit or people will bring it out.
So definitely they're trying tobe flexible.
Rosanita (15:06):
Which I think is, is great because yeah, you, you,
because yeah, you mentioned thebooks for us downtown.
We have, was it Nicola's?
Oh, Nicholas
Rachel (15:14):
now books.
Yeah, yeah.
Rosanita (15:16):
As we have Booksweet, which used to be Book Bound.
If you're closer to Ypsi, thenthey have Blackstone.
And then you mentioned the otherbooksellers that you can Sign up
for food book shop.
They have their own onlinestores.
Yes.
Yes.
And also, I like to plug them asan audible alternative is
(15:39):
libro.fm
Rachel (15:40):
oh, yes.
Yes.
Rosanita (15:41):
And how, when you buy a monthly subscription to them,
you can.
Then you can select a bookstoreand a percentage of your monthly
subscription will go to thatindependent bookstore.
Yes.
And I have that and that's whatI do.
So I get my monthly audio bookand I have a few books on there
that I'm like, yeah, you wouldnever see me buy this in a
(16:03):
bookstore because I don't wantpeople to know that I would read
this.
Rachel (16:12):
Yes, that's when you go online, there are some times
that you want your book purchaseto remain anonymous.
Rosanita (16:18):
Because not everyone needs to know, I mean, now I'm
saying it out loud, but noteveryone needs to know that yes,
I like a good celebrity memoir,okay?
Rachel (16:26):
We all have our guilty pleasures,
Rosanita (16:27):
although I do have to say, one of the ones that I got
just won a Grammy for ViolaDavis, so, you know, they have a
very wide selection on Libro.
Hey, that got her her EGOT, butthey have a very wide selection
on Libro.
fm, and it really is one of theeasiest ways to support if
you're going to have an audiobook, especially for some people
(16:48):
who just reading print isn'tpossible.
Rachel (16:52):
Yeah, yeah.
Rosanita (16:53):
So, Independent Booksellers Day, right?
Rachel (16:56):
It's usually right in the middle of April.
But it's just, it's just the dayof the year.
It's a national thing where it'sjust trying to get people to, to
go support local independentbookstores.
Rosanita (17:07):
Do the bookstores around here typically have
special programming for that?
Rachel (17:11):
I know some of them do.
And that was one of the thingsthat If and when we get back to
the scavenger hunt, you know, itwas going to be tied into that
getting certain prizes or treatsfrom the different bookstores,
like there'd be a passport orsomething you would get stamped
and you would collect things atthe different stores.
Rosanita (17:26):
Okay.
So is there something else toput on the list?
Because we have, you know, wehave giving Tuesday, we have
small business Saturday, right.
And that's more towards theChristmas time, right.
But this gives a really greatopportunity to make sure that
we're supporting a localbusiness.
And another part of the year.
Rachel (17:46):
Yes.
Yes.
Yeah.
In the spring, wheneverhopefully the earth is thawing
and you actually want to leaveyour house, right?
You actually want to go outside.
Rosanita (17:55):
Yes, because I do hibernate it's funny.
I, I used to call myself apenguin because I would come
back every winter, but I wouldstay.
But I would, you know, kind ofstay indoors.
If, if people want to, tovolunteer, then is the best way
to just go through the website?
Rachel (18:16):
So yeah, our website is a2books.
org and they can go to ourwebsite.
There is a volunteer Washtenawwebsite through the United Way
that if people are just lookingfor volunteer opportunities in
all kinds of way, they can gothere and look for things.
But we also list what ourcurrent volunteer opportunities
are there.
And then the other thing I wouldlike to point out is our monthly
(18:37):
email newsletter.
We send out on the first ofevery month and it has
information highlighting some ofthe big book events taking place
that month in the community.
We always do a snapshot of thepast.
So something.
Book history related and wealways have some noteworthy new
releases coming out that monthto encourage you to want to go
shopping the bookstores and newsto keep you in the know about
(18:58):
what's going on in Ann Arbor'sbook community.
So I, I do encourage people tofind us on our website and
subscribe to our newsletter.
Rosanita (19:05):
Well, thank you so much for joining me here today.
Is there anything else thatyou'd like to share?
Rachel (19:12):
No, I think we had a really great conversation and I,
I really enjoyed myselfRosanita.
Thank you so much for having me.
Rosanita (19:19):
Oh, thank you for coming and I'm glad you enjoyed
yourself.
That wraps up part two of ourenlightening conversation with
Rachel Pastiva.
I hope you enjoyed learning moreabout the Binc Foundation's
impactful work, the significanceof supporting local bookstores,
and Rachel's dedication tofostering a thriving book
community in Ann Arbor.
(19:39):
Remember supporting our localbookstores and engaging in self
care are essential for a vibrantand healthy community.
If you want to get involved orstay updated on Ann Arbor's book
events, visit a2books.org andsubscribe to their monthly
newsletter.
Thank you for tuning in toBehind the Curtain.
Until next time, keep supportingthe arts and your local
(20:01):
community.
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