In this new instalment of our 5 questions with series, we interview Meghan Desjardins, the Lead Bookseller at River Bookshop. Located in Amherstburg, Ontario, River Bookshop is their vision for a community hub and "third place" in Amherstburg. As an independent shop, they aim to enhance the quality of life for locals and visitors alike, by creating a welcoming space that is both locally grounded and globally connected.

1. Which author would you most like to have for an event in your store (living or dead)?

While there are so many answers I could give, when I thought about authors no longer with us, my first thought was Mary Oliver. What an absolute dream that would be. I’m imagining a walk down to Amherstburg’s Navy Yard Park for poetry by the river and the gardens.

2. What attracted you to bookselling?

I always knew I wanted to work with books, but I first had my sights on publishing. As an introvert, I thought office work suited me better. But through sheer coincidence (and a pandemic), I ended up selling books, and once I tried it, I fell in love with it. There’s no better way to connect with people than over stories.

3. What’s your favourite bookselling war story?

The best kind of problem to have as a bookseller is seeing too many people show up to an event. We all know how hard it is to run successful events, and we’ve had our share of all kinds. But when we had Pete the Cat “visit” us, so many families showed up that we were borderline alarmed, wondering how to fit everyone into the store. But my staff are quick thinkers, and we pulled off a successful meet & greet, with many more to come.

4. What is the most pressing issue facing bookselling today?

Although I can’t call it the most pressing issue (because there are many), one that I care about very much is finding ways to boost under-represented voices. Luckily, we’ve come a very long way in recent years, and I’m optimistic about this one.

5. What forthcoming book are you most excited about?

I am extremely excited about Toward Eternity by Anton Hur, which is coming July 9, 2024. When I read the ARC, it blew me away. Already an award-winning translator, Anton Hur’s debut novel shows that he can do it all, with creativity, heart, and a keen eye for the sublime. You can bet I’ll be recommending this book to everyone.

BONUS: An aunt comes in looking for a gift for her niece, who likes embroidery and Proust, just got a new job on a cruise line, and whose beloved schnauzer just passed away. What do you recommend?

I’d show her Bittersweet by Susan Cain, which not only offers a beautiful lens with which to view the world but can also be very helpful in processing grief. I’d also show her the mini cross-stitch sets we carry from Running Press, and the Schnauzer from Jellycat, just to round out the options.

Thank you Meghan for answering our questionnaire! Read more instalments of our 5 questions with series here.

Are you an independent bookseller, small publisher, or library staffer interested in being featured in our 5 questions with blog series? Send us an email!