MEET OUR MEMBER: SHOREBOUND BOOKS

“I feel an immense sense of pride and have never felt more at home in my life.”

Shorebound Books is the only independent bookstores in Shelburne, NS. The shop serves local readers with a wide selection of fiction and non-fiction titles, as well as local interest books, Canadiana, music, movies, games, and more. We spoke with owner Trasie Sands about the store and her vision for the future.

You took over ownership in 2022. Congratulations! How has the experience been so far?

Professionally speaking, this has been the best experience of my life. How many of us get to spend their days living and working in a bookshop and sharing their passions with their neighbours and visitors?

Can you share a bit about the store itself? What can people expect when they walk in?

First and foremost, customers are greeted by Leonard the Bookstore Cat who welcomes everyone with a purr and a leg rub. He loves people and wants everyone to feel as welcome as possible.

Secondly, we stock local interest books, both old and new, locally made crafts, coffee, chocolate, and books from every genre, so there is a lot to explore. We also have a children’s corner with a beanbag chair and are working on a robust music section.

In the winter, there’s always a fire in the stove and a few comfy chairs to sit in. The main room feels like a home library!

What are some new or upcoming releases that you’re excited about?

Mark Shupe recently published The Wish Doctor with Moose House, and it’s a really fun, mystical ride. It’s pretty much everything you could possibly wish for! (See what I did there?)

I’m also looking forward to the 2024 Canada Reads selections.

What is your vision for the store’s future?

I want Shorebound to not only be a literary hub for the community, but a hub for the arts as well. I want to showcase local artists of all kinds with not only sold goods, but events and workshops. This year I held my first ever flash fiction workshops and hope to do more like this in the future. 

What do you love most about being an independent bookseller?

When it comes to getting to know your community, there’s nothing like it. I feel an immense sense of pride and have never felt more at home in my life. Second to that is being surrounded by books, of course.