I entered Latitude 33 Bookshop with my daughter and her list of summer reading books. As I meandered through the recommendation tables, my favorite way to get a feel for a bookstore, my daughter marched straight to the counter with her list. She couldn’t have been luckier than to meet up with Jessica, truly the Pied Piper of YA readers. While I looked at the choices for the books on the end caps, Kelsey and Jessie giggled and laughed like two girls on a sleepover. They covered The Hunger Games, Kelsey practically turned green with envy when she learned Jessica read the sequel. Kelsey explained how much she loved Little Brother, encouraging Jessie to read it. It was an exchange of “if you like this, then read this,” both players equally matched. Jessica examined Kelsey’s list, found the books she had, and offered alternatives for the books she didn’t have in stock. Jessica was so excited about Along for the Ride and Down the Rabbit Hole: An Echo Falls Mystery, that Kelsey agreed to buy them with her own money – that is the result of incredible hand selling!
Jessica also leads the YA Book Group, so she and Kelsey discussed possibilities for upcoming selections. As we finished our purchases, she handed Kelsey a stack of ARCs to read and comment on for the store (I’m hoping she’ll also share her thoughts on this blog). I have rarely seen my daughter so thrilled, for her, and me, and so many other readers, few things are better than a stack of books waiting to be read.
We’re returning to Laguna in a few weeks on a mother-daughter trip with four other YA readers and where does my daughter want to go first? Latitude 33, she’s saving her allowance!
Latitude 33 offers much more than YA books, it is the perfect stop for literary fiction, children’s books, non-fiction and travel. I overheard a sales person assisting a customer in choosing the appropriate books for his trip; it isn’t often that the personnel in a general bookstore are so adept at fitting the right travel book with a customer. They have a great discount bookshelf, not just remainders of books that most people have never heard of, but books that were in a Indie Next list, a nice treat for customers.
It’s compact store, but the choices feel hand-picked, the perfect place to find a book you never knew you wanted to read.
311 Ocean Ave.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
T: 949.494.5403
F: 949.497.4574
Tags: California, California bookstore, Laguna Beach, Laguna Beach bookstore, young adult
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What a great story! I love bookstores, too, especially independent ones. Jesse must really love YA books–how great to have such a knowledgeable person working there.
If she likes picture books, too, she might be interested in my new book, ZIPPY, LOLLY, AND SURFER DUDE, which can be found at http://www.eloquentbooks.com/ZippyLollyandSurferDude.html
Virginia Heiden, Published Author
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The bookstore sounds exceptional. My daughter has been looking for some good books to read this summer…I’ll pass your recommendations along to her. I’m sure she’ll find something that she will enjoy. She just finished reading a new book by Kathleen S. Wilson a called Rumer & Qix which she really enjoyed. Without giving too much away, it’s about a strong YA girl who fights for what she believes in with futuristic eco-fantasy elements.
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Very well written and a poignent commentary on a true lost art, customer service. This is an excellent tribute to a little known treasure in Laguna.
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