Word Vancouver in Conversation with Iron Dog Books

Iron Dog Books is a bookstore and book truck owned and operated by Cliff and Hilary Atleo, they bring new and used books to Tsleil-Waututh, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Musqueam territories. Iron Dog Books core belief is that books should be affordable and accessible.

We spoke to Hilary Atleo about the journey into opening a book shop, Canadian authors and the importance of reading during this hard time.

What attracted you to bookselling and originally opening a bookshop on wheels?

 I am someone who needs constant variety in their work life and a lot of physical activity. Bookselling is a weird mashup of hard work, intellectual stimulation, problem solving, and customer service, which suits my temperament perfectly. Bookselling is, simply, the best job; I love curating the books, shelving the books, reading the books and helping new readers find the books. My philosophy of bookselling is 'right person, right time, right book'. The book truck was a way for us to serve more people in more contexts and present bookshops in a more public and accessible way.

 If you had infinite space what would you add to your shop?

 My list of things is about a mile long! We need a nature section, a food writing section, a lot more space for picture books, I want a cafe and wine bar called 'The Cast Iron Dog' that serves a short beverage list and a small rotating menu... I would expand our collectible section... if I had infinite space for the bookshop, I would have more titles in every section, and more sections! I guess maybe that is the best answer; if we have infinite space for the bookshop then we would have more books.

 What is your favourite section in Iron Dog Books?

 Science fiction and fantasy, no contest.

What's your earliest/best memory about visiting a bookstore as a child?

 Being allowed to buy massive stacks of cheap second hand books from Dixon's in Peterborough during summer vacation.

What is the best book you have read that others might not have heard of?

 This question is tough, because it changes so significantly depending on your audience! I always want to hold up an indigenous author, so maybe I will recommend 'Those Who Run in the Sky' by Aviaq Johnston. It is a young adult novel about an Inuit teenager who is sucked into the spirit world and has to contend with various creatures to find his way out. It is the first book in a trilogy and I can't recommend it enough.

Are there any up and coming Canadian authors you are excited about?

 This is another hard question! I am almost paralyzed trying to narrow it down, there are so many Canadians busting onto the scene from smaller presses. I asked my staff and we came up with a sort of short list of exciting; Lindsay Nixon, Hazel Jane Plante, Ben Philippe, John Elizabeth Stinzi, Casey Plett, Zalika Reid-Benta - there are so many other names we tossed around but those are some of our top picks.

What about the Vancouver literary community/avid readers community do you like the most?

 I think that authors, readers, booksellers and publishers in Vancouver are fiercely independent; it is a quality that creates an environment where we can challenge systemic barriers. A hallmark of the Vancouver literary community is a steadfast dedication to producing and promoting marginalized narratives. There is also incredible depth and resiliency in the broader literary community across all of British Columbia. If you look at the strength of our independent booksellers, especially during the pandemic, you can see that we have carved a niche for ourselves by prioritizing the needs of our immediate community, both our customers and our authors.

How can locals help champion their independent booksellers?

 The best thing to do is to buy books from us! It seems so simple but it is true; buying books for yourself or others from your independent bookstore reinvests dollars in your community and ensures we stay in business. Plan ahead for holidays and gifts and be willing to wait for special orders or ask for recommendations from your bookseller for books they have in stock. By giving books with our bookmark in them and telling the recipient what a great experience you had at our shop it brings us more customers. We are here and we are working hard to create cultural niches and community spaces. Patience for orders and a commitment to shopping with us are hands down the best way to make independent bookshops thrive in Vancouver.

What are the biggest changes/uplifting moments you have experienced during the pandemic?

 The biggest challenge has been the immense slowdown in shipping times and access to new books; maybe this is the reason I am counselling patience with regards to special orders! The most uplifting aspect has been realizing that small is strong; we have been able to pivot to online sales, launch a webstore, and keep new stock arriving all while providing our usual high level of customer service. A lot of customers have started shopping with us during the pandemic because we are faster and more reliable than the bigger options, and it gives me hope that post-pandemic Canadians can continue to prioritize businesses that are local and more socially and environmentally responsible.

 Finally, what is the importance of reading during this time?

 Reading provides escape, promotes empathy and encourages fortitude. Reading helps us connect with our internal lives and also the experiences of others, which is such a crucial thing when we may be otherwise isolated from our regular human connections.

To show your support for Iron Dog Books you can check them out online or in-person at:

https://irondogbooks.com

Address: 2671 East Hastings, Vancouver, BC

Phone: 604 215 8807

Instagram and Twitter: @irondogbooks