If someone would have told me a few years ago I would be a Book Blogger today I would have thought they were crazy. Well you have probably heard the expression “We Plan, God Laughs”. Well he must be laughing pretty hard because my life has sure not gone according to plan. I have had many ups and downs and know I am still here by the “Grace of God”. When I am knocked down he puts people in my path to focus my direction.
My sister LueAnn is a bit older than me. I was starting kindergarten as she was off to college but she has always been there for me. She is truly my best friend. When I’m down she picks me up, when I am furious she calms me, when I have news she is the first one I share it with. We always have shared our passion for reading and God has again intervened and not only put our paths together as family but a separate book lovers path.
You see over the years we have both had several occupations. She has been a town councilperson, worked in a drug/gift store, and managed a lighting store. I had been a office manager, a wellness leader, worked in home construction including pouring concrete driveways and borders, a purchasing clerk and have a degree in accounting. We are both moms and grandmas. But our love of bookish things has intersected our paths today. I blog about the books we love and she sells the books we love! She is the manager of bookstore about 20 minutes away me.
She works for Book World. Book World, Inc., based in Appleton, Wisconsin, is an independent chain of full-service book stores located throughout Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota. They started with our first store in Rhinelander, Wisconsin in 1976 and have grown to over forty stores, mostly in business districts and some in malls. My wonderful sister brought my blog to the attention of the powers that be at Book World and they now sponsor 4 giveaways a year for me. The coolest thing through is that that have added a link to my blog, Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book on their What’s New page on their website!! I am the one and only blog listed!!!
My sister and I work together to promote authors and their books. She hosts book signings and I blog about their books. We both love promoting our Wisconsin authors. Sometimes she makes the initial contact and sometimes I do, then the phones lines start burning up. She gets the books into her store, I read and review them and maybe even have the author guest post, she may set up a signing, she also has a radio connection and she hooks up the author to be a guest on the radio show. If she had her way I would be a guest on the radio show but I am way too nervous.
Just a couple of books we have promoted together are:
I guess you could say Books Are The Family Business!!!
I love your story. I will have to write my story on my blog. I have met wonderful people because of books. We do not have children but have 3 wonderful grandboys thanks to books.
It’s so nice to learn more about you – my neighbor in Wisconsin.
What a great story. Sounds like you have a great sister, and have done wonderful things. Hope you enjoy BEA! My BEA Post
I love this story! The Lord has a plan and it continues to unfold! Keep up the wonderful work…both of you!
How fun that you and your sister are able to work together! Having those connections are wonderful and you never know what opportunities will open up. Thanks for sharing!
That is a fantastic story. How great that you get to share the bookish fun with your sister.
That is so cool that you have so much in common and that book connection with your sister!
I am so jealous! I wish one of my sisters would start a book store or manage one even! =) What a great connection you have, and how fantastic that you can share it with your sister.
That’s so awesome that you and your sister have turned your love of books into a family affair 🙂