Do you know what I miss most during this COVID pandemic? I miss sitting at a cafe inside a bookstore. I really miss that. I love the subtle din of people talking, ordering coffee, reading at a table with some books, just enjoying their day with soothing music in the background playing.

People in a bookstore are usually not in any rush to go anywhere or stressed out. We go to relax, browse, escape for a bit. We stroll from aisle to aisle of books, reading titles that spark our curiosity and interest. We light up thinking, “Oh, I can read about that! I’d love to know more about this! Oh, I never heard of this before, how interesting!” 

And then we get lost in the pages and possibilities. 

What I do is grab a few books I’m curious about or think I will possibly buy. Then I sit down at a table at the cafe with my tea. I proceed to read parts of the stack of books I’ve taken off the shelves. I pull out my notebook and write down some thoughts with my colored pens. Sometimes I have my laptop with me and type my ideas there. 

I go back and forth between reading, writing, daydreaming, planning, organizing, and taking down notes. I get up and get more books, or return some I don’t want. That’s just my thing. I think this is my most favorite pastime. 

I am alone in my world even though there are others around me. I bask in the quiet underlying buzz of everyone else in the bookstore, delighted to be amongst all these books that instantly open new worlds.

It’s not a big thing. It’s a simple pastime, but for me, it means so much. It’s where I feel most hopeful and inspired. When I’m in a bookstore, I feel like my big future is yet to come, and I can do anything, learn and write about everything.