My Reflection

This past Saturday we were back at the local Flea Market for a pop-event. This time we set up new and used books. Sales have improved. We found a loyal follower of the Lil’ Libros brand and were able to help them expand their collection. We also engaged with an uncle who bought books to inspire his young nieces to embrace their cultura. He shared ideas of a Latino Co-op. I was taking notes.

I started with Children’s books because I believe the younger we start our kids reading the better off they will be in life over all. The ability to read opens so many doors in our (U.S.) society while simultaneously reminding us which doors to avoid. I chose Spanish/English bilingual books to remind our kids and their parents that there is nothing wrong with holding on to their heritage language. There is strength in being able to connect with multiple communities.

The used books display is currently filled with old books from my personal bookshelves. This allowed me to connect with a different demographic- late teens early twenties. I made one sale from the used display and it was a good one. A young person picked The Undocumented Americans by  Karla Cornejo Villavicencio. We were able to chat about the book and the author. When I started this venture, I made a conscious decision to sell some of my personal favorites. This book was one of those personal favorites. The excitement in this young person’s eyes as she purchased the book let me know I made the right decision.

In The Undocumented Americans the author allows us to see and be inspired by the full humanity of people whose lives she shares with us. At the flea market, I was able to see and be inspired by the full humanity of the people who came to our booth. One visitor was a man at the fairgrounds with his car club. He came to our booth as he waited for his food. He shared with us his journey into the love of books and talked about a little library he keeps in his tattoo parlor. He pointed out, “There was a reason why the Egyptians guarded the library in Alexandria.” To which my daughter responded, “And a reason why the Romans burned it down.”