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Tea in the Library
Fulfilling the dream of many a book-lover, Annette Freeman bravely stepped outside her mid-life comfort zone and opened a bookshop cafe in the heart of Sydney. Tea In The Library became a beloved haven of readers and a cosy forum for writers. Plus a great place for coffee - and nineteen varieties of tea.
But behind the scenes were anxieties large and small, frustrations, challenges, and - now and again - glorious moments of success. Welcome to retail!
"How hard can it be to run a successful small business?" Annette asked herself. "People do it every day. It can't be rocket science." We find the answer to that question, and it is sobering news for those wannabe bookshop or cafe owners out there.
The triumphs and disasters, the eccentric characters and the myriad challenges of retail are spiced with wry observation and a good sprinkling of literary references. In the end, everyone will have a view on what could have been done differently to save a small bookshop cafe that briefly lit up the Sydney literary scene.
But behind the scenes were anxieties large and small, frustrations, challenges, and - now and again - glorious moments of success. Welcome to retail!
"How hard can it be to run a successful small business?" Annette asked herself. "People do it every day. It can't be rocket science." We find the answer to that question, and it is sobering news for those wannabe bookshop or cafe owners out there.
The triumphs and disasters, the eccentric characters and the myriad challenges of retail are spiced with wry observation and a good sprinkling of literary references. In the end, everyone will have a view on what could have been done differently to save a small bookshop cafe that briefly lit up the Sydney literary scene.
266 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
1 person is currently reading
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 4, 2019
A woman in Sydney opens a bookshop/cafe, and keeps her day job as a lawyer. It goes bust. This book tells her tale.
I didn't find it to be extremely interesting. It just lacked something ... depth, perhaps? It's supposed to lay out some pointers for other newbie entrepreneurs, but I felt this was a bit vague, too.
I did enjoy when she talked about the speakers she had at events in the bookshop. Nice to hear a bit about those authors.
If you can pick this up at the library, or at the $1.00 book sale, you might enjoy it. Personally, I wouldn't buy it, unless you're addicted to this sort of book.
3 Stars = Okay. Maybe not a page-turner, but not sorry I read it.
I didn't find it to be extremely interesting. It just lacked something ... depth, perhaps? It's supposed to lay out some pointers for other newbie entrepreneurs, but I felt this was a bit vague, too.
I did enjoy when she talked about the speakers she had at events in the bookshop. Nice to hear a bit about those authors.
If you can pick this up at the library, or at the $1.00 book sale, you might enjoy it. Personally, I wouldn't buy it, unless you're addicted to this sort of book.
3 Stars = Okay. Maybe not a page-turner, but not sorry I read it.
February 23, 2010
‘I’ve always thought it’s an excellent idea to transform your life once in a while.’
Annette Freeman opened her bookshop café called Tea in the Library in the centre of Sydney in November 2003. Until March 2005, Tea in the Library was a haven for readers and a forum for writers. The café served food, coffee and 19 flavours of tea, hosted book launches and discussion groups. It was, for Annette, the fulfilment of a dream. Unfortunately, Tea in the Library was not a commercial success.
This is Ms Freeman’s story of her venture into small retail business. While it is focussed on Tea in the Library, it touches on other parts of Ms Freeman’s life, dreams and achievements. I enjoyed this memoir enormously: I have similar memories of bookstores in Launceston, Tasmania. In reading about Ms Freeman’s research, I also recognise other favourite bookstores. This made reading the memoir a more personal experience for me and increased my enjoyment of it.
I think, though, that Tea in the Library will appeal to a variety of readers. Certainly, those of us who enjoy books and have thought about the bricks and mortar bookstores we visit will be interested in Ms Freeman’s experiences. Ms Freeman asked herself: ‘How hard can it be to run a successful small business?’ Unfortunately, it was harder than she initially thought. Ms Freeman wrote this book as a cathartic exercise after Tea in the Library closed, which seems to me to be an entirely appropriate way to close this particular chapter of her life. More importantly, it makes Tea in the Library – both the dream and the reality – accessible to many of us who never experienced it firsthand. Opening a bookshop café may have been a dream that was only realised for a short period – but at least it was.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Annette Freeman opened her bookshop café called Tea in the Library in the centre of Sydney in November 2003. Until March 2005, Tea in the Library was a haven for readers and a forum for writers. The café served food, coffee and 19 flavours of tea, hosted book launches and discussion groups. It was, for Annette, the fulfilment of a dream. Unfortunately, Tea in the Library was not a commercial success.
This is Ms Freeman’s story of her venture into small retail business. While it is focussed on Tea in the Library, it touches on other parts of Ms Freeman’s life, dreams and achievements. I enjoyed this memoir enormously: I have similar memories of bookstores in Launceston, Tasmania. In reading about Ms Freeman’s research, I also recognise other favourite bookstores. This made reading the memoir a more personal experience for me and increased my enjoyment of it.
I think, though, that Tea in the Library will appeal to a variety of readers. Certainly, those of us who enjoy books and have thought about the bricks and mortar bookstores we visit will be interested in Ms Freeman’s experiences. Ms Freeman asked herself: ‘How hard can it be to run a successful small business?’ Unfortunately, it was harder than she initially thought. Ms Freeman wrote this book as a cathartic exercise after Tea in the Library closed, which seems to me to be an entirely appropriate way to close this particular chapter of her life. More importantly, it makes Tea in the Library – both the dream and the reality – accessible to many of us who never experienced it firsthand. Opening a bookshop café may have been a dream that was only realised for a short period – but at least it was.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
March 14, 2015
How many times has someone said, "I'd love to work in a bookshop... reading all day"? Freeman learned that owning her own bookshop was really hard work. Reading this work clearly showed her naivety about what it took to operate one and even upon reflection, the realities don't seem to have sunk in. This left me feeling very fustrated, although this memoir was well-written and thorough.
November 15, 2024
When I first spotted this book for sale (Second hand at the Salvation Army) I thought it was just a memoir of a booksellor, and didn't realize the store hadn't been a success. I might not have read it knowing that, because the whole thing was just so disappointing (Imagine how Annette feels though) When this closed in 2005, I would have only been 17 and only made about five trips to Sydney in my entire life- I never got the chance to experience Tea in the Library, and I'm still disappointed!
The first thing you notice is the frank way Annette confronts her failures- would the store have benefitted form having her there more? As far as I can tell, she never manned a shift behind the counter or took up any selling herself, and I think from a leadership point of view this would help. I know myself, when I see people higher up in the business myself generating sales then I am inspired to work harder too.
Kind of a sad book, because of what might have been. Still though, I enjoyed the journey. Four stars.
The first thing you notice is the frank way Annette confronts her failures- would the store have benefitted form having her there more? As far as I can tell, she never manned a shift behind the counter or took up any selling herself, and I think from a leadership point of view this would help. I know myself, when I see people higher up in the business myself generating sales then I am inspired to work harder too.
Kind of a sad book, because of what might have been. Still though, I enjoyed the journey. Four stars.
January 1, 2018
Fun easy read. Who on GR hasn't liked bookcafes?
Perhaps a better investment would have been to buy an already fitted out cafe or bookstore and retrofit it cheaper or gradually. The high-end fitout seemed to be an anchor before it started. Perhaps also if Annette quit her IP law role and focused on managing the store after some mentoring/training she may have made it work. She did enough research, plenty in fact.
It would have been fun to shop there. The food seemed delicious. Though one can always just take their own book to a favourite cafe and read there. Or take a hot drink to a book store, as long as they don't catch you and kick you out. The ambiance just doesn't compare though.
New York and London have private libraries and clubs to do this sort of thing, I guess Sydney just isn't ready for it. Maybe Melbourne has one.
Perhaps a better investment would have been to buy an already fitted out cafe or bookstore and retrofit it cheaper or gradually. The high-end fitout seemed to be an anchor before it started. Perhaps also if Annette quit her IP law role and focused on managing the store after some mentoring/training she may have made it work. She did enough research, plenty in fact.
It would have been fun to shop there. The food seemed delicious. Though one can always just take their own book to a favourite cafe and read there. Or take a hot drink to a book store, as long as they don't catch you and kick you out. The ambiance just doesn't compare though.
New York and London have private libraries and clubs to do this sort of thing, I guess Sydney just isn't ready for it. Maybe Melbourne has one.
December 24, 2019
A young woman journeys through life so wrapped in anxiety and self doubt that she fails to anticipate basic realities.
My cousins and I spent almost two hours reading pages out loud finding humour in the situational unawareness displayed constantly by the narrator.
My cousins and I spent almost two hours reading pages out loud finding humour in the situational unawareness displayed constantly by the narrator.
March 16, 2023
An interesting account of a woman who founded a modish bookshop/cafe on York St in Sydney where it lasted 18 months before imploding. The reasons why it imploded are there on the pages even if the author isn't particularly 100% in saying why. She didn't back herself to run the place, she didn't back herself to understand what it took to own/operate a retail premises - she openly admits she's never been behind a till. So, while she states throughout this book that Tea in the Library was her vision, her heart's desire, her love etc, the actualities are betrayed and undermined by delegating everything to advisers, managers and other peripheral types. There was always a line she never had the stones to cross. And what's up with choofing off to Argentina while her Rome was burning?
It's in an interesting voyage through bookshop land here and I read it avidly (since I have a similar ambition) but it's a cautionary tale for sure, mostly for what not to do.
It's in an interesting voyage through bookshop land here and I read it avidly (since I have a similar ambition) but it's a cautionary tale for sure, mostly for what not to do.
January 13, 2019
I'm not sure enjoyed is the right word to use for what I thought of this book. I loved the idea that Annette Freeman had and she did managed to achieve her 'vision.' Sadly it failed, went bust, after less than 18 months and to tell the truth, I found myself shaking my head over many of her decisions ..... right from the start I had a gut feeling it was doomed! Irritating, disconcerting and gobsmacked are probably better words to describe what I thought of it.
October 20, 2019
Initially picked this book up as I found the concept of opening a bookstore interesting. However, after reading it, I learnt a lot on the behind the scenes and psychology and stresses of a bookstore owner. It sounded to me that she was very jaded (maybe rightly so, given her experience) and perhaps this book is an outlet for her to vent and express her experience.
December 27, 2019
A classic example of someone diving into a small business venture with absolutely no idea what they’re doing and no experience in the field. Tea in the library was a nice idea but a terrible business that never really turned a profit, and Annette the owner spirals down what must have been a very expensive and stressful venture.
December 24, 2019
A young woman journeys through life so wrapped in anxiety and self doubt that she fails to anticipate basic realities.
My cousins and I spent almost two hours reading pages out loud finding humour in the situational unawareness displayed constantly by the narrator.
My cousins and I spent almost two hours reading pages out loud finding humour in the situational unawareness displayed constantly by the narrator.
December 26, 2017
Interesting read. Annette followed a dream and owned a bookshop cafe. It only lasted 18 months but was interesting to read. More of a general overview of it's failings without going into detail.
October 11, 2020
I was hoping for something more uplifting than a memoir about a failed bookshop venture, but it was honestly told and filled with interesting characters.
December 26, 2023
I found this book in a Street Library within the suburb that the author identifies as her own suburb: Lindfield, New South Wales. Indeed, there were approximately twelve copies of the book available in that Street Library.
My review continues as linked
My review continues as linked
October 29, 2012
We all want to own our very own bookshop, don't we?
When I picked up this book I thought it would satisfy my curiosity about what it would really be like to run a bookshop. And I guess it did, but the difference for me between a "liked" and a "really liked" rating for this book is in the details, or perceived lack of. I wanted to know, how much did the bookshop impede on Annette's personal life? How did her family cope with the introduction of the shop? How much money did she really lose (maybe too personal a detail) and how many hours did she have to spend after-work tending to bookshop matters? I felt there was a lot of "glancing over" of details in the book.
I also found it slightly jumbled, jumping back and forth in time, but I guess that could be a product of Annette writing the book in reflection.
All in all, I did like the book, I just didn't love it. I did feel a connection to the bookshop in the end and was sad to read of its demise (even though I obviously knew it was coming), and it was interesting that Annette couldn't seem to pinpoint exactly what was to blame for the end of Tea In The Library. Shame, it sounded like a gorgeous place to pass the time!
When I picked up this book I thought it would satisfy my curiosity about what it would really be like to run a bookshop. And I guess it did, but the difference for me between a "liked" and a "really liked" rating for this book is in the details, or perceived lack of. I wanted to know, how much did the bookshop impede on Annette's personal life? How did her family cope with the introduction of the shop? How much money did she really lose (maybe too personal a detail) and how many hours did she have to spend after-work tending to bookshop matters? I felt there was a lot of "glancing over" of details in the book.
I also found it slightly jumbled, jumping back and forth in time, but I guess that could be a product of Annette writing the book in reflection.
All in all, I did like the book, I just didn't love it. I did feel a connection to the bookshop in the end and was sad to read of its demise (even though I obviously knew it was coming), and it was interesting that Annette couldn't seem to pinpoint exactly what was to blame for the end of Tea In The Library. Shame, it sounded like a gorgeous place to pass the time!
February 12, 2023
I finished this book because I love books, and I love bookshops, and everyone who’s ever loved these two things has always dreamt of opening their own bookshop (/cafe).
This bookshop cafe failed, and it’s pretty easy to see why. She wasn’t hands on in the day to day running of the place, she hired people who for the most part weren’t competent, and she also waxed lyrical about how she goes overseas on long trips. Her business was literally about to close, peoples jobs were at risk, and she went overseas for a month and wondered why this had happened to her.
I cannot.
This bookshop cafe failed, and it’s pretty easy to see why. She wasn’t hands on in the day to day running of the place, she hired people who for the most part weren’t competent, and she also waxed lyrical about how she goes overseas on long trips. Her business was literally about to close, peoples jobs were at risk, and she went overseas for a month and wondered why this had happened to her.
I cannot.
February 20, 2014
Very readable and interesting account of pursuing the dream of bookshop ownership. An excellent read for anyone considering a similar project or just for the curiosity about one woman's attempt to pursue her dreams and live a rich and challenging life. I have to admit that I found this to be a rather rewarding read, I guess it appealed to the bibliophile in me and it allowed me to voyeuristically share in the dream of owning a bookshop.
January 16, 2017
I enjoyed the book and can empathise to some degree with the frustration of the battle to have income higher than outgoings. A good story for anyone trying to start a business involving people for the first time. Would have been nice to have a little more of the author's thoughts on how ebooks may have affected sales, how difficult it must have been to pay $10000pm rent (does this stifle innovation and experiments like this is big cities?)
August 30, 2012
Mr Freeman's vision of a cafe/bookshop was lovely, but doomed. I found myself wanting to argue with some of her decisions, and wishing that I had visited it before it disappeared.
November 5, 2012
Good info for anyone thinking of starting a similar project.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews