What I Learned From David Thompson

This isn’t all I wanted to say, but it’s the most I can get out of my brain. It comes closest to what I wanted to convey, so it will have to work.

The first time I ever went to an event with all of Matt's coworkers and their spouses I felt intimidated. Everyone there was a teacher, lawyer, doctor, or something like that. I felt like I was the only person there who didn’t have a “real” job. I just worked in a bookstore. How could that compare?

If I’ve learned one lesson in the past two weeks, it’s this: It does compare. I’ve seen what just one bookseller can do. How just one bookseller can impact so many lives, and it’s been a beautiful thing to see. I’ve seen how one person’s passion for books and the written word can touch the lives of so many people.

I feel like I didn’t get a chance to know David Thompson very well. I only got to work with him for a few months, but at the same time I feel like I got to learn everything I needed to know about him. I’ve never met anyone more passionate about their work. David loved books, and he loved making sure they found their way into hands of readers that would love them. He loved authors, and making sure their stories were heard.

I’ve also seen once again how powerful words can be. I’ve read so many beautiful posts from authors about how David helped their careers, believed in their work, and was just their friend. I’ve seen how a book can comfort someone. I’ve had people open their hearts and offer beautiful words of comfort. I’ve seen how taking the time to find that perfect book for someone can mean so much to them.

One of my favorite quotes about books is from Nick Hornby. He writes a column for The Believer Magazine about the books that he buys and reads, or sometimes doesn’t read, each month.

"All the books we own, both read and unread, are the fullest expression of self we have at our disposal. With each passing year, and with each whimsical purchase, our libraries have become more and more able to articulate who we are, whether we read the books or not."

I’ll never say I’m “just” a bookseller again. I have David Thompson to thank for that. I just wish I had realized that two weeks ago so I could thank him while he was still with us.

It's been a while since I posted anything new. Everyone please go check out Synde's blog Tombstone Tales. She's a fellow bookseller, and we're teaming up for a series of posts to talk about everything bookselling.