To celebrate the publication of the very perfect ‘More Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops’, the lovely Jen Campbell has written a letter …

Dear Children In My Bookshop,

You are quite excellent. In fact, you are the best part of my job.

(Little girl points to a cupboard beneath one of our bookcases)
Little girl: Can you get to Narnia through there?
Me: No, I’m afraid that cupboard doesn’t work for getting to Narnia.
Little girl: Oh. Our wardrobe at home doesn’t work for getting to Narnia either.
Me: No?
Little girl: No. Dad said it’s because Mum bought it at IKEA.

Damn those Scandinavians and their non-magical furniture.

You, dear children, are the future of the industry - I’m trying hard not to break into ‘The Greatest Love of All’ (shut up, brain!) - and it makes me smile when you wander into our antiquarian bookshop and look around in awe, as though you’ve just wandered into an Aladdin’s cave. Our bookshop, I know, is like some kind of weird book-space Tetris. And, like the Burrow, it looks as though we’re held up by magic. (Actually, someone did once ask me where our Restricted Section was, but I don’t think they meant it in that way…Sadly.). Anyway, I love talking to you about characters and plots, and recommending books for you to devour. I love putting other books aside knowing that you’ll be back for those after reading the ones you just bought. It’s a pleasure to see you grow up through the books that you read. It’s fantastic.

And, yes, sometimes your parents are silly and drop the younger ones off in the bookshop, so they can go off and do their food shopping (pscht). And, yes, sometimes you might try and climb the bookshelves, and the littlest ones might chew a book or two, and once a little boy tore the head off the Tiger Who Came to Tea and it was very sad indeed BUT. But but but. You are reading. You like books. You enjoy spending time in our bookshop, and that is so important.

Times are difficult for us bookshops, and I really hope that we’re around when you grow up, so you can continue to visit, and eventually bring your own children along, too.

I hope you remember how magical you found bookshops. I hope you continue to find them magical.

So, children in my bookshop - thank you. Thank you for loving books (and thank you to your parents for bringing you along). Thank you for asking wonderful questions, and for saying amazing things like:

Little girl: I love books. I’ve written a book.
Me: Have you? What’s it about?
Little girl: I don’t know. It’s in my head. I haven’t read it yet.

and

Boy: When I grow up, I’m going to be a book ninja.
Me: Amazing! What do book ninjas do?
Boy: I can’t tell you. It’s top secret.

One day, I’d like to hire that kid.

lots of love to you,

Jen xx

‘Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops’ was a Sunday Times bestseller, and could be found displayed on bookshop counters up and down the country.

The response to the book from booksellers all over the world has been one of heartfelt agreement: it would appear that customers are saying bizarre things all over the place – from asking for books with photographs of Jesus in them, to hunting for the best horse owner’s manual that has a detailed chapter on unicorns. Customer: I had such a crush on Captain Hook when I was younger. Do you think this means I have unresolved issues?

‘More Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops’ has yet more tales from the antiquarian bookshop where Jen Campbell works, and includes a selection of ‘Weird Things…’ sent in from other booksellers across the world.

As someone who has been prone to ask inappropriate and often ridiculous question, I found this book rather satisfying and calming (notice how I avoided the word ‘therapeutic’). Fun and funny, a quick read at 121 pages and one of the few books that has made me giggle to myself whilst reading it. I love that I own this book, reading it has made me love bookshops even more than before.

This book and its predecessor ‘Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops’ are must-reads for anyone who loves books, bookshops, booksellers, libraries, librarians, silliness, randomness and, mainly, anyone he thinks that book buying is a magical experience.

About Jen Campbell: Jen Campbell grew up in the North East of England, and graduated from Edinburgh University with an MA in English Literature. She’s a published poet and short story writer. She lives in North London where she works at Ripping Yarns bookshop. You can find about more about her, by clicking on these links -

Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops series. Facebook. Tumblr. Blog. Twitter. Our Bookshop.Why bookshops are worth it.