Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Henning.
My book-loving started at an early age. My mother would read me anything I wanted during the day, but bible stories at night. By the time I started Kindergarten, I was reading at a sixth-grade level. During a parent-teacher conference, my teacher asked my parents, “Do you know she is reading? No, like really reading!” I loved getting submerged in a story and imagining myself in the book. My secret escape was creating my imaginary world and daydreaming briefly; the rest was history. After that, I read and wrote stories whenever and wherever.
The thought of a bookmobile came to mind during the pandemic’s beginning while I was nursing my newborn. You tend to think a lot when you’re isolated from the rest of the world. My husband was at work, and I couldn’t wait until he came home to tell him my idea. He said, ” Oh, that’ll be nice, Honey.” (Probably thinking I was sleep-deprived and delirious) and went on his way. Three Days later, I purchased a camper, and fast forward to this very present day; we’re still renovating. I set up a little stand wherever I can. I love it. I love traveling around Georgia. I love the excitement of the kids, parents, guardians, and fellow bibliophiles. I love that it doesn’t feel like work until I wake up utterly sore from carrying crates of books the day before.
Finding someone reliable to wire the camper was one of the most challenging obstacles. We had many recommendations and estimates, but no one would ever show up to do the work. Finally, after a year and a half of run-around, we have the camper rewired. We finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I feel so relieved.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Wanderlust Reads is a mobile bookstore that sells all genres of books and bookish merchandise. In addition, we travel for parties, festivals, conventions, PTA/school fundraisers, and book fairs. We stand apart from other mobile bookstores because we don’t just want to sell books; we want you to fall in love with reading. So, we want to recommend your new favorite book, and down the line, you say, “Hey, have you read this book? It’s my favorite. I picked it up at this quaint little mobile bookstore. You have to go!”
As an Indie Bookstore, we love to connect and build relationships with Indie Authors. We want to get your books into the hands of readers. We want you to trust that we’ll promote and recommend your book to the best of our abilities.
Being an Indie Bookstore, we want to raise funds for schools by setting up fundraising and literacy events.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
In 5-10 years, I would like to have a brick & motor, but still travel in my camper, bringing books to different locations & communities. As far as I can tell, print is timeless and will never go out of style. People love opening the doors of a bookstore and smelling a slight hint of coffee mixed with old books. They want to browse the aisle of the bookstore and stay for the majestic ambiance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bookshop.org/
shop/wanderlustreads - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wanderlustreads2021/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WanderlustReads
Image Credits
Denay Shook Photography, LLC
