The Financial Times recently wrote of the pandemic and the year 2020 that it had been “an individualized experience”, that “we do not seem to have come together, at least in the West”.

While it is true that each of us sees the world through our own particular shade of pink through gray, and that loneliness, anxiety and loss have defined the lives of many this past year, I would argue that we have also seen an unprecedented outpouring of support and community; that we have in fact come together.

The lockdowns and regulations - characterized mainly by their unpredictability - catapulted independent bookshops like ours into uncharted territory. The old adage, ‘calm on the surface, and underneath paddle like hell’, is the one that perhaps most aptly describes our state of mind for the past 10 months. 

This was not where we planned to be this year and certainly not what we planned to be doing. 

In a classic sink or swim moment, we decided to change things up. We turned the business on its head and started delivering books by bike, car and on foot. You couldn’t come to us, but that didn’t mean we couldn’t come to you. 

It was hard work, but also by far the most rewarding experience of our almost twelve year existence. We have always been keenly aware of the community we are privileged to be a part of, but 2020 was, as they say, a ‘next level' experience. 

We received requests from near and (very) far on all imaginable platforms, and for each and every order, every gesture of support we are eternally grateful. It isn’t over yet, but now, at least, we can say with confidence that we are not alone. 

So, yes, the pandemic has certainly been a lonely, isolating and individualized experience, but it has also shone a light on the many communities that have come together in support of what they hold near and dear because as we know, it is often only when we stand to lose something that we realize its true value. 

I would also like to express my enormous gratitude to Hannah, Amy, Emma and Gustav (our Corona bike messenger). These are the amazing, wonderful people I get to spend my days with and without whom none of what is described above would be possible.

What we at Books & Company experienced in 2020 was more than support, it was kindness. Every word, every note of thanks, every smile and every thumbs up was an act of kindness that sustained us through it all. Crisis reveals not only strengths and weaknesses, it also reveals to ourselves what truly matters, and what truly matters is kindness.

So let us embark on what will surely be a better, brighter 2021 with these words written by Ian Frazier in The New Yorker Magazine: 

‘Kindness is a folding chair we carry with us everywhere’.

With gratitude and the best of wishes for a Happy New Year!

Isabella and the staff of Books & Company

Here we are thousands of miles and ONE day away from an election that will determine the course of the world’s most powerful nation for decades to come. 

In a world seemingly moving at warp speed, it is tempting to focus only on the recent past and immediate future, but that would be a mistake, because where we stand today is not solely the result of four years of narcissistic, isolationist politics, but also the consequence of decades of complacency and hubris among Europeans as well as Americans. 

We have seen autocrats rise to power and allowed autocratic ideas to take hold in exchange for maintaining a (false) sense of security and wealth. We have felt overwhelmed and paralyzed by the seismic shifts brought on by poverty, migration, climate change and now a pandemic, and we have given in to the classic tradeoff of more security for fewer rights. We have mastered the art of looking the other way, because we know that the equality required to maintain stability comes at a cost we might not be willing to pay. As a result we have become detached from one another, scurrying in all directions instead of coming together in search of sustainable solutions.

We are seeing politicians drunk with power and populations starved for a shared political project, longing for leadership that reaches beyond personal ambition to a willingness to take risks for the common good and lift all, not just those who already find themselves at or near the top. 

The past few months have seen the publication of a number of books by keen observers of (political) life, some written before the current crisis, some during. What they all have in common is a reckoning with what has brought us to this point, politically and ethically.

Anne Applebaum’s ‘Twilight of Democracy’, Masha Gessen’s ‘Surviving Autocracy’ and the more recent ‘Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World’ by Fareed Zakaria and ‘The Tyranny of Merit, What’s Become of the Common Good’ by Michael Sandel, all make up a core reading list for a deeper understanding of our times, with a look not only at world politics but perhaps more importantly at ourselves and our values. 

In an age of information overload, these books - and their authors - offer some much needed reflection and knowledge. 

As Michael Sandel, a political philosopher and Professor of Government Theory at Harvard University Law School recently wrote in the New York Times:

‘Appreciating the role of luck in life can prompt a certain humility: There, but for an accident of birth, or the grace of God, or the mystery of fate, go I. This spirit of humility is the civic virtue we need now. It is the beginning of the way back from the harsh ethic of success that drives us apart. It points beyond the tyranny of merit toward a less rancorous, more generous public life.’ 

Let us hope that we, and in turn the leaders we elect, have the courage to find the ‘spirit of humility’ to create a world more generous to all. 

The world does not stand still not even for a malevolent virus. It continues to spin and allows history to repeat itself.  While these are not unprecedented times, they are in the perfect storm of 2020 their own brand of extraordinary, and we will, as we have been in the past, be defined by the paths we choose and the lessons we learn. We have yet again been afforded the opportunity to place ourselves on the right side of history.

It is truly maddening to realize that in spite of how far we have come as a species, we still have so far to go when it comes to the basics. Basic human rights, basic acts of decency, basic respect for other human beings, The Basics. The fire raging across America should be a  reflection of the fire blazing not only in the hearts of black and brown Americans but in the soul of every man and woman who believes in equal rights for all. Until we recognize and accept that this is a struggle for all, we won’t achieve victory for any. 

At Books & Company we throw around the word community with good reason. Time and again we are reminded that we are surrounded and supported by customers, friends, readers of all stripes who have one thing in common; a love not just of books, but of the worlds they open up; the pathways to understanding, empathy and (hopefully) enlightenment.  

It is therefore not entirely surprising that in the wake of the horrific killing of George Floyd many of us have turned to books to help explain who we are, where we are and where we can go from here. Like many other bookstores, publishers and writers across the globe, we have promoted books and (virtual) events that can help us understand. 

But we wanted to do more and just as we were trying to figure out what that would be, an email ticked in from longtime friends of Books & Company, leva and Carsten Dan. They had an idea and were wondering if we could help. 

They wanted to donate 2.500,- kroner for books on the subject of racism, because as they said:

“While we are not sure what is the best way to help, we know that knowledge is critical.”

We are therefore thrilled and grateful to be able to announce that we now have a library of books (fiction and non-fiction) on the subject of racism and social injustice. All we ask is that once you have read the book you pass it on to someone you know, so they too can share in the knowledge you have gained. If you have any questions, please come by the shop or email us.

We know that this needs to be a marathon not a sprint, and that real change requires dedication, thoughtfulness and commitment. Thanks to the generosity (and genius) of Ieva and Carsten Dan we hope to understand - and do - better. 

It’s been four weeks since our last newsletter and I still can’t decide if it’s been the longest four weeks or the shortest. 

One thing is for sure, nothing is the same and perhaps most remarkably,  it isn’t the same for ANYONE. The vast majority of the world’s population is at some level of lockdown and we have all had our lives upended by a biological phenomenon we cannot see. It feels like we are living in a science fiction novel turned scary 7 Season Netflix series.

But here we are, trying each in our own way to cope with the unexpected - carefully navigating our way across the vast unknown.

We listen to experts like never before, study charts like never before and trust our leaders like never before. We take responsibility and act responsibly and while we feel invaded by something outside of our control, we know that the outcome is very much within our control, and we know that the experiences we take away from this will in large part be defined by our choices and our communities.

Indeed, while the words Covid-19 and Corona virus frighten us, they aren’t nearly as powerful as that single word that comforts us, Community. We clap together, we sing together, we Zoom together. We support our friends, our neighbors, our health care workers and our small businesses. We want them all to still be there on the other side of this.

As those who know us, know so well, we take the word Company in Books & Company very seriously. We love your company, we need your company and these days, we miss your company. That said, never before have we felt your company as strongly as we have in these past four weeks. As the writer Ann Patchett recently said about running her bookshop in Nashville during lockdown: ‘We’re a part of our community as never before’. We couldn’t agree more. 

We want to be there for you and you want to be there for us. Changing up the business, taking your orders and delivering books to your homes is how, together, we make sure that happens. 

We cannot thank you enough for your continued support - and for making sure we remain part of your community.

These past weeks have also reminded us how fortunate we are to live in a time where technology allows us to stay in touch with so many, in so many countries and in so many ways. So we decided to try something new.

For the next few months we will be sharing - on Instagram and Facebook - short (one minute) book recommendation videos recorded by members of the Books & Company community from near and far - and we would love for you to be a part of it. 

So go ahead, grab your favorite book, one you’re reading, one you just read, one you read years ago but can’t forget - and tell us why - for one minute! The whole world is upside down, so why not try something new!

Dear friends,

How quickly things change. 

One minute we are discussing Brexit, impeachment, climate change and some strange virus in a far flung province of China and the next minute we are closing doors and shutting borders in an attempt to contain the spread of said virus right here in our own backyard.

Just as we were debating whether the world with its hostile political climate and growing polarization had ever been worse off (which, of course, it has), a virus turns up to put everything into stark relief and expose the weaknesses - and strengths - of our societies. 

It seems there is nothing like illness and potential loss of life to focus the mind and reveal our true colors. Politicians step up and communities come together. Yes, there are stories of hoarding and strange behavior, but they are far outnumbered by stories of helpfulness, generosity, support and understanding. The next weeks and months will surely test us all, but if the last few days are anything to go by, we are plenty capable of weathering this storm.

Things have also changed for us at Books & Company. 

The events we had planned have been canceled or postponed, and while we continue to serve our community as best - and as safely - as we can, we are becoming increasingly aware of the changes necessary to continue doing so while helping to ‘flatten the curve’ and minimize the risk of the spread.

As a small independent business we are, and have always been, very conscious of the fact that to survive - and thrive - we must constantly adapt. 

Never in our more than 10 year history has this been more true than now.

So……

Just two days ago we introduced the new Books & Company Delivery Service.

This service allows you to place orders with us by email, or by phone - preferably email - on Instagram (booksandcompanydk) or via Facebook.com/booksandcompany and pay via MobilePay or bank transfer.

You can then choose to pick up your order at the store (we will gladly bring it out to you, if you would rather not come inside) or we can deliver it to your home address for free. 

If you aren’t sure what to read next, we are ready to help. We have suggestions for fiction and for non-fiction, for a mix of both, for young and for old; we have books for homebodies and for armchair travellers.  Just let us know what you like and we will put together a selection to see you through the next few weeks. We will even throw in a few surprises.

We hope you will take this opportunity to not only practice what is certain to become the word(s) of 2020, namely ‘social distancing’, but also to step away from the news for just a little while and lose yourself in a good book. We guarantee you won’t regret it - and you might even sleep better.

Community means everything to us and the past few days have once again reminded us how loyal and supportive our friends and customers are. For that we are very very grateful. Thank you!

Warm regards, stay safe and remember to wash your hands!

On sale on Thursday March 5

‘If you cannot speak the truth at a beheading, when can you speak it?´

Good question…

The wait is over. Hilary Mantel’s final volume of her trilogy, The Mirror and the Light, traces the final years of Thomas Cromwell, the boy from nowhere who climbs to the heights if power.

England, May 1536. Anne Boleyn is dead, decapitated in the space of a heartbeat by a hired French executioner. As her remains are bundled into oblivion, Thomas Cromwell breakfasts with the victors.

As if that weren’t enough, here’s the interview with Hilary Mantel from The New York Times.

Why we love The New Yorker, why we sell The New Yorker, why you need The New Yorker!

Sometimes, the passing of a friend silences a voice in your own mind. A voice you weren't even always aware of, but one that was just there, at the back, ready to remind you of what really, truly matters. 

This newsletter was supposed to be a list of great books to buy for Christmas, but that will have to wait.

Today is a day of remembrance - for me and for the many, many people who were touched and influenced by the life and words of Herbert Pundik, who passed away last night at the age of 92.

Herbert Pundik was for 23 years the editor-in-chief of Politiken, one of the largest Danish newspapers, a post he retired from years ago, but a paper he continued writing for his entire life, and one with which he has become - and forever will be - synonymous.

Herbert Pundik was also a close friend of my family, and he and his wife Sussi always felt like ‘home’. Theirs was, like mine, a family split between the warm skies and hot heads of the Middle East and the cool winds and quiet minds of the Danish shores. 

As a young Jewish man, Herbert Pundik was pulled from his high school class in Copenhagen and sent to Sweden during the German occupation of Denmark, and after the war, he fought (literally) for the establishment of the state of Israel and later struggled with the idea of Israel as an occupational power, fighting alongside his son and daughter for the rights of Palestinians.  

Herbert Pundik was one of those people about whom so many of us are privileged to have great stories and even greater memories. 

One day, almost 20 years ago, Herbert called me to suggest I join ‘Humanity in Action’, an organisation he had co-founded. Humanity in Action educates young people in the subject of human rights and protection of minorities, and is in many ways a reflection of all that Herbert found important: tolerance, understanding, curiosity, dialogue and action. He believed that what you do must matter - and human rights mattered greatly to the man who believed that ‘once a refugee, always a refugee'. 

It is so often only in retrospect that we realize how we have been influenced and by whom. Perhaps because the strongest influence often comes from those who are not even trying to exert it, but are merely sharing their passions, their beliefs and their values for you to pick up or ignore. 

These are the people who show the way, even when you didn’t think you were lost. People with such integrity that you can learn from them whether you agree or disagree. The Herbert Pundiks of the world stand out - in life and in memory - perhaps because there are so few of them.

Thank you, Herbert, for your curiosity, your courage and your un-wavering insistence on tolerance and humanity. Thank you for showing us all how easy the right choice is, no matter how hard it might seem.