Bon Anniversaire!
One year ago today my dream of an online bookshop went live. I remember the excitement of messaging computer to computer with my husband and a dear friend on the west coast who had been helping us as we tweaked the final details behind the scenes and prepared to fling open the virtual doors of Lanier’s Books. And, suddenly, after years of waiting and an all-nighter or two, it was real. With a click of the ‘publish’ button, I was a proprietress.
In the moments that followed, I wondered what I had done. Would anyone come—would anyone care? In a world of e-books and high-speed everything, was there even a place for such an old-fashioned establishment as I sought to create?
You settled my fears, once and for all, that first day. I was so overwhelmed with orders that my mother and my husband both had to help me pack books. And in all the days that followed you have blessed me with the priceless gifts of your friendship and your trust. I really wish that I could tell each of you personally what your goodness has meant to me—that you would even take the time to come by and read my words and have a look at my shelves is wonder enough. But your kindness, in word and deed, has nearly undone me at times. I can’t tell you how often I have said to Philip, “The nicest thing about having a bookshop is being reminded of how many truly lovely people there are in the world.”
Back in the spring, I wrote a piece for the Art House America blog about my motivations and experiences as an online bookseller, and I could not handle the subject without talking about you:
In the months since Lanier’s Books opened its virtual doors, I have been astounded by the beauty of the people who have wandered into my shop. Almost every encounter has carried the fragrance of Kingdom kindness, and the generosity of my customers has put as much hope into me as the reading of my beloved books. I have sent out orders and received gifts back in the mail: lovely handwritten letters and recordings of original music and even a watercolor painting freighted with gracious sentiment. One reader actually sent me a book she knew I’d love! It’s been the happiest of occupations, this quiet connectedness and sharing, and I am grateful beyond words for the grace-laden intersections my little shop has afforded me.
You can read the rest here, if you like.
I’m celebrating a crop of friendships today, along with my little shop, and in token, I’d like to host a giveaway of one of my favorite books, Mrs. Miniver by Jan Struther. To enter, leave a comment telling about a dream of your own–one that’s either materialized or in the cloud castle stage. The comment form will be open until midnight EST on Wednesday the 10th of August and a winner will be selected by the old-fashioned method of name-drawing.
Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for being the reality behind this dream of mine. You have shown me that the community I dared hope for all those years ago is not only possible, but unspeakably precious.
Grace and Peace.
My dream would be to have a beautiful used bookstore in an old quirky building. I am pretty sure your way is more practical, though.
to adopt a child
My current “castle in the air” is to be a published writer. To that end, I’ve been working to improve my reading – meaning, to use the books I read to teach myself how to write better. I am certain with discipline, patience and hard-work, I will achieve my dream. ~ L
My dream is an arts resurgence in both the sacred & desecrated spaces. A community of artists dedicated to attuning the heart to seeing God in all things. Comrade poets, writers, painters, musicians, composers, dancers, sculptors, “imaginers” who are fully recognized in their calling!
This may sound utterly basic, but our castle in the air is to live together as husband and wife. So much of our marriage, my husband’s job as necessitated that we be apart. When he returns from this deployment, we’ve resolved to be together, and we can’t wait! 🙂
My dream is to share Children’s literature with others–whether through selling, book clubs or simply sharing my favorite books with little one’s when they visit our house.
That’s fantastic! My dream is to write books, and I’ve carried that dream since I began reading. I’m slowly getting closer to the materialization part of this “castle in the air” of mine. Thanks for your inspiration story!
My latest dream (shared by my husband!) is to make a secret garden, complete with a high brick wall.
I have the same dream. Since reading The Secret Garden. And I have a beautiful greeting card with just such a garden on it for inspiration.
Lanier, congratulations on your first “anniversaire!” To survive the first year is always the test of merit for an offline or online business. Your friendly patrons have clearly been a hallmark of true success. To me, another is that when I visit your bookshop, I feel like I’ve entered Joshua Appleby’s bookstore in The Dean’s Watch, or another physical shop on a crooked, cobbled little street in England. You truly created the mood that I believe you were seeking.
A dream…I would like to hike the entire eastern shoreline of the United States, with simply a backpack and a tent, sleeping always on the beach by a campfire, under the moon and stars when weather permitted, and to do this fearlessly and joyfully, knowing that I and everyone else was completely safe. Having had even the idea of “safe” so taken for granted for so long that it had passed from our thoughts. This dream, I hope, will be fulfilled when there is a “new heaven and new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.” Of course, that same verse says that “there was no longer any sea,” so I don’t know what I’ll gaze at while I’m on the shore…
Happy Anniversary, Lanier! I’m so glad you opened up shop; this is one of my favorite virtual establishments. I love the books, and your writing is inspiring.
One of my recent dreams is to open a coffee shop/art gallery/bookshop/concert venue. I don’t know how practical this is, especially in my small town.
Last winter, my dream of homeownership came true when I bought a cozy 1930s cottage. It was truly a gift from God! Since my own shop is really a castle in the air right now, I decided that my house will fill the role for the time being. It’s filled with books (many from your shop 🙂 ) and friend’s artwork. I even hosted a house concert this spring!
I have had many dreams come true and I have been very blessed. I don’t fly and I don’t travel on boats. But my “castle in the air” that I can only live through others is to go to Ireland and see the beautiful God-created countryside. To just see those unelievable places and have a true Irish experience would be my dream.
I’ve gotten to do many things with my life but I’ve always been a passionate reader and I would love to be a passionate writer. But like the Irish dream I live the writer’s dream through others.
THANK YOU for this beautiful, wonderful, special site. God bless.
My castle in the air is simply the husband God wants for me and a family.
Congratulations on the anniversary of your bookshop! I will always treasure my beautiful copy of “Evangeline.”
I have recently reached a point in my French studies at college where I must make a choice about whether to continue on or whether to let it drop. I have committed with my whole heart to continue, and so my dream is to take a long trip to France, after I have graduated. I have no idea if it is even dimly possible, but dreaming about it gets me through the more stressful times of the school year.
Congratulations, Lanier!
My dream is to finish writing my book. I don’t know yet about getting it published (I haven’t thought that far ahead, to be honest), but to get this story on paper and craft it and see it finished would be a reward in itself. I’ve overcome my writer’s block and set down a little more than 8,000 words, but I can barely imagine having it done!
Thanks for everything you do, Lanier. It’s really wonderful.
Congratulations on your anniversary! You’re writing and bookshop has been a blessing and I am most grateful for all of your hard work.
My dream is to create an organization to support women in the arts.
To play the harp and piano as beautifully as I can…and learn as many languages as I can! 🙂
One of my dreams came true when I was accepted into an art gallery in Savannah, Georgia’s City Market.
My dream was to have a large family. We adopted 4 of our foster children for a total of 7 children. I am so thankful to be blessed with these children. And I enjoy passing on my love of good books to my children.
To be a godly wife and mother someday. It may seem simple, but it’s been my biggest dream ever since I was little.
By the way, my package arrived in the mail today, and I couldn’t be more thrilled! 🙂 They are beautiful. Now I can’t wait to explore all the pages between those lovely covers. 🙂 Thank you so much for offering such a great selection of quality books!
~Tayler
While I haven’t ordered books from you, I often browse your catalog and enjoy the authors you feature. I own [or have read in the past] many of the books which you have. There is such delilght in sharing thoughts about a beloved book!
My Mother delighted in “Mrs. Miniver” and I think I must have read the book although memory is hazy on that score.
I was surprised when searching online for the words of a favorite but little known hymn to find that Jan Struther penned a number of hymn poems.
High o’er the lonely hills
Black turns to grey,
Birdsong the valley fills,
Mists fold away;
Grey wakes to green again,
Beauty is seen again–
Gold and serene again
Dawneth the day.
If that stanza intrigues anyone, do find online or in an old hymnal and read the rest!
Dreams? One of mine has been to write the family stories I was told as a girl so that they won’t be lost. I began that task over a decade ago at a writer’s retreat in N.H. The dream lay quiet for a number of years until I took it up at the urging of a niece. I now share the stories and vintage photos on my blog–along with other thoughts that seem to want expression.
Your blog posts are unique, inspiring and much appreciated!
My dream of becoming a stay at home wifey will finally becoming real this November. With much joy and thanksgiving I gladly embrace the opportunity to minister full time to my dear hubby and friends and family. My heart has always yearned for the freedom to be able to be used by the Lord in caring for those He has brought into my life. I am so thankful for this dream come true!
ps. on my birthday wishlist are a number of books from your dear shop! thank you for your thoughtfulness and transparency as you bless us with your words 🙂
Congratulations, Lanier…so exciting!
One of my dreams…that may always stay in the cloud castle stage…is to own and live in a little stone cottage by the sea. On a cliff, overlooking the ocean…with a garden and a clothesline in the back…so I can look out to sea while I hang clothes and harvest tomatoes. 🙂
Congratulations on your anniversary, Lanier! I’ve absolutely loved each and every one of the books I’ve bought from your store!
One of my many dreams is to own a small farm. Just a place large enough to build a few stone fences, grow a few apple trees, and raise a few friendly beasts. 🙂
Dear Lanier:
Sincere congratulations on this momentous and happy anniversary!
I am a very recent addition to your followers and have only now discovered your lovely on-line bookshop. I hope to shop with you very soon and become a new customer!
Thank you for this fun giveaway – it would be delightful to win such a marvelous book!
Warm regards!
Congratulations!! I always love the times I am able to come here for a little visit. 🙂
A dream… to one day adopt.
My dream is to retire and move to the country to a small cottage where there would yet be room for my daughters and their families to come and stay. And there would be a secluded garden where a ganrled old apple tree grows and where my grandchildren could camp under the stars.
There would be deckchairs in the shade and homemade lemonade in the Summer and blankets and hot chocolate and toasted crumpets in the Winter. There would be a candle in the window to light the way home and there would be music and warmth and love and laughter.
Oh! I love this!!!
My dream is to one day have a large, open airy room with lots of windows and natural light to be my painting studio. I’m a crafty person, but I don’t make time for it. The times when I’ve felt my absolute most rested and passionate and relaxed and excited all at once are when I’m painting. It’s been so many years now I’ve forgotten what that feels like. Of course, now, there must be room nearby for our three boys to play, whether to have creative space of their own or at least have a good climbing tree outside where I can keep my eye (or at least an ear) on their sword fights and misadventures. And this dream space must have a library, too, somewhere nearby with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a little office with a strong thick door so my husband can hole himself away for his studies.
Congratulations, Lanier! I am so happy I discovered you over a year ago. There are so many kindred spirits here….I can tell by how many of your dreams are also my dreams already, or when I read yours, I think–I want THAT too!!! 😀
I’d like to live for a year, all four seasons, on Prince Edward’s Island, rereading all of L. M. Montgomery’s books during that time…exploring the island and enjoying it to the fullest.
I’d also like to have a home with extra bedrooms/ an attic dormitory room for children with each bed slightly different from the others all lined up in a row/ a guesthouse to host missionaries or others needing hospitality. A screened in sleeping porch would be nice too. And its location would be in the country on a small hobby farm with a stable for horses for my daughter.
I would love to open a cafe. A few easy chairs with big coffee tables in front of a fire place. Two or three large communal tables. Lots of shelves with books and puzzles. Potted herbs & geraniums. A place for mom’s to have a coffee and scone after school drop-off; a place for kids to come after school for a hot chocolate and a cookie. Soups, homemade bread and iced tea for lunch. And Tuesday night dinners where you can come and sit at big table and meet your neighbors. Comfort food that builds a sense of community.
What a great idea, Paige! I love it!
A Dream?
To change the world with my writing- not just with the actual words – but also with the proceeds I hope come from it!
Nothing too ambitious, right? =)
And congratulations on your wonderful anniversary, too!!
Congratulations! Didn’t that year go fast?
My dream coincides with how my daughter sees me… owning a little used book shop with a tea room in the back. 🙂
Although after this hot summer, my dream includes cool breezes and perhaps a lake or ocean!
My dream is to be a missionary. I want to go to people who desperately need answers, and tell them Jesus. Maybe to find a place where literacy does not exist, and help write down their heart language. Or to find a classroom in a country far away that needs an english teacher, and change those students’ lives forever. To maybe get married and support my husband’s ministry. To have children and raise them well. To have a house that could double as a library, and will, because I love to lend my books. To invite the people I love over for a meal, because I love to cook, and infiltrate their hearts that way. And to blog about all of it so that maybe I can inspire the first dreams of future linguists and ESL teachers and wives and mothers and neighbors.
My dream was to write. Write stories that I wanted to read. I fledged along, but with no real umphh. Then with my best friend who also writes I started a Writing group at our Public Library. Through the years it has spurred me on and honed my skills, to the point where I am putting the finishing touches on a Chat Book by the end of this year.
Also, part of the dream I never imagined was that I met my husband there and reading and writing are the two hobbies we share. My best friend has since gone to that Library in the Sky, but that writer’s group is still going, holds a conference once a year, has self published several books, and has birthed several good writers. Just because I wanted to put pen to paper.
One of my dreams has been to marry a farmer, live in the country, and homeschool my own flock of little ones. That may not be so far off as it seemed once, now that I’m courting a wonderful Georgian farmer who wants to homeschool his kids! 😉 (P.S. I sent him a link to your site, Lanier, and he likes it.)
Watched the old film of Mrs. Miniver – loved it!
My dream is in my arms right now… a handsome little baby boy!
One of my dreams is to become an herbalist who ministers to the health—physical and especially spiritual—of women in her community. I want to return health to its native simplicity—to the fundamentals of fertile soil, fresh food, fragrant botanicals, and slower days with time to pray and sing and dance. I want to play that part in creating an authentic and beautiful culture in my area. I’ve already started building foundations under my cloud-castle—studying nutrition and herbal medicine, reading and memorizing and applying Scripture, and learning about people by working and playing with my family.
*Mrs. Miniver* has been a favorite book of mine from the first. I already have my own beautiful old copy, but I would love another to give my younger sister. We both love to read and share favorite books, and our two growing libraries have many titles in common.
My biggest dream is to get married and raise a family. 🙂 But one of my many smaller dreams is to visit Prince Edward Island (yes, a huge Anne fan!!)…
Oh, I have many…but one that has gripped my heart and won’t let go is to have a library geared toward home educators, but certainly open to anyone, full of wholesome, “living” literature. I’d like this library to not be just filled with books, but with an atmosphere that provides a haven for its visitors, one of peace, beauty and Godliness.