Thrilled with the accolade, owner of Books&Books, Janine O’ Connor, said the the Publishers’ Association members were the ones who voted.
The book shop is seven and half years old, and is the warm and friendly community book shop Janine always wanted it to be.
“I have been a bookworm all my life and always wanted to own a children’s book shop,” she said.
“After working for Deloites, Janine joined the book trade in 1990. “I wanted to work in the book trade for one year to learn the ropes. She joined then Harper/Collins but ended up staying there for 19 years,” she said.
She finally decided it was time to pursue her dream of owning a book shop and returned to Durban.
Owning and running a book shop is more challenging that one would think. Activities include interacting with book clubs, schools, and arranging authors visits and functions, including a coup, Jeffrey Archer as well as Jodi Piccoult, Prue Leith, Pieter Dirk Uys and Tony Leon, among many others.
There are also coffee mornings and storytinme for children.
Books&Books is also involved in social responsibility initiatives such as the Kids Lit Quiz which aims to get children reading. She said South African children can hold their own is this international competition as a school in Johannesburg has been a winner.
Janine also involves the book shop in the B&O Quiz in which the winners choose a disadvantaged school to donate R10 000 worth of books to. She sponsors half the prize.
The shop’s staff make a special effort to encourage children to read. They help match books to children and their interests all to encourage reluctant readers to get started on the exciting journey of books and reading.
“Thank you to all our loyal customers for your continued support,we couldn’t have done this without you,” said Janine.
