Books / News
A curated book subscription service delivered by bicycle
Born and raised in Bristol, Ella Phillips grew up in a culture of reading that was perhaps unsurprising, as the child of an English teacher.
But her deep love for getting lost in books and stories has prevailed into adulthood. Now, in the nascent stages of her professional life, she is creating a story of her own – as someone at the start of a journey to one day, hopefully, becoming proprietor of her own bookshop.
For now, the aptly named Someday Bookshop is a books-by-bike service, a monthly curated book subscription service that Phillips herself delivers to members.
is needed now More than ever
“The idea of setting up my very own bookshop is a dream that’s been sitting in the back of my mind for quite some time,” 21-year-old Phillips admits.
“I think that plenty of people can empathise with how difficult the job market currently is to navigate, especially as a young person attempting to get their foot in the door within certain industries.
“The turbulent nature of this search led me to think about my priorities and re-evaluate my passions.”
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By first gradually building up a community of subscribers, Phillips is hopeful to then start running some pop-up bookshops in local spaces, as well as forging collaborations with independent businesses within Bristol.
Although starting off small, she has already found the project to be a real learning curve, throwing up many unexpected aspects of running her own enterprise that she hadn’t foreseen.
But the support and encouragement that she has received locally has been a wonderfully positive surprise. “Whilst I have been knocking on doors and flyering for the project, I have had such wonderful encounters with Bristol residents,” she smiles.
Flyers for Someday Bookshop – photo: Ella Phillips
“Not only this, but meeting all of my members whilst delivering the parcels and having such enthralling conversations about books has been incredibly heartwarming; we really are a city of readers!
“I’ve also taken great inspiration from all of the lovely booksellers I’ve spoken to whilst beginning this project. Bouncing around my favourite independent bookshops, I’ve received incredible advice from so many experts in the field.”
To date, Someday monthly reads have included Death in Her Hands by Ottessa Moshfegh, Sunburn by Chloe Michelle-Howarth, and On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong.
Budding readers are encouraged to get in touch, find out more about the project and join the community as it grows.
Sign up for a curated book subscription at www.somedaybookshop.com, or follow @somedaybookshop
All photos: Ella Phillips
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